From Red To Emmitt?

Future Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith is expected to announce his retirement from football during a press conference in Jacksonville on Thursday. The St. Paul Pioneer Press has suggested that he might join an investment group that will purchase the Minnesota Vikings from Red McCombs. One thing is for sure: someone needs to.

McCombs has had the team up for sale since 2002, and his spending habits have reflected it. For the Vikings, the salary cap isn't an issue. Minimum salary requirements maybe, but not a cap. Rumors have swirled for months about prospective buyers. First it was Glen Taylor, owner of the Timberwolves, then Reggie Fowler, and entrepreneur from Arizona. Now, Emmitt and others?

The number one option among the three is Taylor. As the Wolves owner, Taylor has shown a willingness to spend money on his investment. His top priority was to secure Kevin Garnett with a long-term deal. It paid off when K.G. became the first league MVP in franchise history. But Taylor didn't stop there. He brought in Sam Cassell and Latrel Sprewell, giving the Wolves the "MV-3". That paid off with the team's first trip to the Western Conference Finals. If Taylor owned the Vikes, I would expect the same approach.

Emmitt would be my second choice. With his three Super Bowl rings, which he was an important part of attaining, Smith has to have an understanding of what it takes to win the big one. A large part of that is talent. With the money he has accumulated as a player, one would hope he could deal with the demands players make, and filter through the overpaid and the underrated.

Although I know nothing about the Arizona businessman, anything would be better than a Texas businessman. Taylor, Emmitt or Fowler. I don't care. Let's all just hope we won't be seeing any more Red.