Vikings will go undefeated

In an "almost too good to be true" picture, the bulk of the coaching staff returns as well. Coach Brad Childress  is not  beloved by the Minnesota faithful (Childress's personality is about as warm as The Lake of the Woods in January). But the reality is the man won six games in his first season, eight games in his second, 10 games in his third and 12 in his fourth. According to this pattern, the Vikings jerseys will go undefeated as soon as the N.F.L. officially oversaturates fans with an 18-game schedule (2012).

In addition to Childress, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is back for a fifth season, and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier – one of the league's perennial head coaching bridesmaids – returns for a fourth. In the front office, owner Zygi Wilf is an effective delegator, which has allowed VP for player personnel Rick Spielman (now in his fifth season) to flourish.

So, again, it's pretty simple. Given the talent, experience and continuity, we're looking at a Super Bowl club…right?

But what if we're actually looking at a wild-card team? What if the devastating title game loss is not a sign that this team is close, but rather, a sign that this team has already peaked?

Favre had a magical season in '09. But, for the second time in Jared Allen three years, his season ended with a costly interception late in an N.F.C. championship game overtime loss. In other words, the sprinkle of "bad" you get with Favre ultimately prevailed over his bundles of "good." But never mind how the season ended – do you really think Favre can match his '09 performance in 2010? This isn't about age; by now we should all know better than to doubt the spryness of the soon-to-be 41-year-old (who, by the way, became a grandpa in the off-season). And this isn't about health (Favre's surgically repaired ankle will almost certainly be a non-issue come September). This is about the simple improbability of any quarterback posting 4,202 yards, a 68.4 completion percentage, 33 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.

You might think the Vikings football jerseys won't need Favre to top his '09 performance. After all, Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the N.F.C. (when he's not fumbling). But one of the driving forces behind Minnesota's late-season decline – three of their four losses came in December – was the offense's inability to run the ball. The stagnation of the ground game was the product of a soft, methodical front five. That line was not upgraded in the off-season.

Another driving force behind the decline was the loss of middle linebacker E.J. Henderson, who suffered a horrific femur fracture in Week 13. Henderson hopes to be back in 2010, but the cold truth is he'll probably never be the same. The defense could also be without top cornerback Cedric Griffin – at least early on – because of an ACL tear  in the title game. If 12th-year corner Antoine Winfield is as banged up and vulnerable as he was down the stretch in '09, this pass defense will be in serious trouble.

Sprinkle in little side concerns about Peterson, Shiancoe and budding outside linebacker Chad Greenway wanting new contracts; Percy Harvin still battling migraines; Sidney Rice being criticized by Cris Carter in the off-season for taking his foot off the gas in workouts; the offensive line losing top veteran backup Artis Hicks; and this team no longer flying near the bottom of everyone's radar as it did last September. What does all this point to? A great team dangerously close to becoming "very good."

Full Throttle Productions, a promotions company, and Formula One World Championship Ltd. announced in May that they would be building a track in Austin because of its locale and status as an advanced technology city.

The track's promoters and developers say it will run for at least 10 years in the city.

The 900-acre site near Elroy in southeastern Travis County will be a multipurpose facility, for music, athletic events and possibly a research center for universities, said Tavo Hellmund, a Full Throttle managing partner.

McCombs of San Antonio, who made his fortune in car dealerships, said a Formula One event is akin of hosting a Super Bowl, bringing "substantial economic benefit" to the state.

The state has pledged $25 million to support the event its first year, and the comptroller's office estimates the F1 race could generate at least that much in local and state revenue.

Others investors include Prophet Capital Management, an Austin-based private investment firm, and motorcycle champion Kevin Schwantz.

Austin's track will be the first built in the U.S. specifically for a Formula One Grand Prix event. German firm Tilke will design the venue.

Formula One hasn't raced in the U.S. since an eight-year run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ended in 2007.

Efforts to establish the event in other U.S. cities have faltered, mostly because they lacked permanent facilities designed for F1 racing.

He may be somewhat quiet and reserved off the field, but when he puts the pads on, Brinkley is a different guy. In his rookie season, thanks to an injury Brinkley started five games late in the year including both the Viking playoff games. While he learned a lot, he knows there's still plenty to be done before he's recognized as a force on the field.

"I've definitely been working on my hips and being more fluent in my drops" said Jasper Brinkley "In the past everyone knows I'm a thumper and down hill type of guy and my coverage skills have always been a question mark. So that's something I've been working in the off season on. I had an opportunity to work with Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) up in Minnesota, at his camp."