Never saw this one coming. Completely blindsided. Noted Democrat Gus Frerotte was tabbed captain of the SS VIkings yesterday to the surprise of absolutely nobody other than Dan Dierdorf. Tarvaris Jackson is an admirable fellow who had the misfortune of making Mike Vick’s passing form look like Joe Montana’s. But he killed the comeback against Green Bay with an interception, and his inability to get the Vikings into the end zone is the primary reason Minny lost to the Colts at home and fell to 0-2.

But Frerotte is 37. He favors cement shoes and now that the media klieg lights have been shone his way, we suspect he’ll start dying his hair. (A testament to his immobility: In 14 seasons, he has rushed for 308 yards; Adrian Peterson galloped for 296 in a game against the Chargers last season.) The last time Frerotte faced the Panthers was 2005 – his season stats, eerily, were very T Jackson-like – and guided Nick Saban’s Dolphins to victory, registering a QB rating of (buckle up): 66.6.

Also named a starter yesterday, amid much less fanfare because nobody knows who the hell he is: Tyler Thigpen in Kansas City. Apparently, the Coastal Carolina grad likes skeletons, but not much else is known about him. [Aside: Anyone remember Yancy Thigpen, a receiver on the Steelers? We keep thinking about him when we hear Tyler Thigpen's name. Also, Pig Pen of Charlie Brown fame comes to mind.]

Next big name to get a start? Brady Quinn in Cleveland if Derek Anderson can’t win in Baltimore.