What the hell am I doing?

You know me, Mr. Conservative, Mr. Prepared, Mr. In Control; to put it bluntly I'm set in my ways and I like it that way. But on 2/23/08 that changed. And to be honest, it was great.

This all started with a phone call many months ago. I picked up my Blackberry phone and said hello. On the other line, an excited and well-rested Chris Larsen. I could tell he was ready to talk, so I listened. He said something like, "We're getting a hunt together and want you to come along." Keep in mind, I have about the same amount of hunting experience as the president of PETA.

Then Chris divulged his plan for me; he wanted me to videotape the "real" hunters shooting at pheasants. If you don't know Chris, he watches hunting video like most men watch pornography. I said sure, knowing that Chris and his wife Jenny were ready to have their first child. I honestly didn't think it would happen. But it did.

Fast forward a couple months to Saturday, Feb. 23rd. The alarm was set for 5:30 a.m. The South Beloit sun was still sleeping, and so was I. That was until a wide awake Chris knocked on my door. It was 5:15 a.m. It's amazing what a hunt does to a hunter. Chris, sleep deprived from the late night feedings and early morning wake up calls courtesy of son Jack, was as ready as a gun with its safety off.

I tried to catch-up with Chris. Both in the amount of clothing he was wearing and the enthusiasm he was wearing on his sleeve. I put on clothes, but my enthusiasm still didn't match his.

We get to where we're going and four men familiar with guns start to load up. I make sure the camera is ready. Point, click, capture the moment. Got it. Off went the birds, off we went.

After about an hour and half of videotaping (and stumbling through mounds of snow up to my knees) I was holding a different point and click machine, a 12 gauge shotgun. I hadn't planned on this. I was holding a gun again. It had been a while. The thought of actually shooting at a bird, never really crossed my mind. That was until Chris reminded me how to handle a weapon. Here I was tracking through the snow with a new found purpose. I was hunting.

It didn't matter that I didn't kill anything this day (I did fire one shot, the bird was out of range as they say), I was doing something out of my comfort zone. Mr. Anti-spontaneity had done something spontaneous, and loved every minute of it.

I don't recommend everyone walk around five hours with a shotgun, but try something different sometimes.

You see that book over there with the ugly cover, it's actually pretty good.

Thanks Chris for letting me hunt for more than just good pictures.

Football season officially arrives 2/28/08 @ 11:01 p.m.

For those of you who think the football season starts when players report to training camp in August, shame on you. The football season officially begins Feb. 28th at 11:01 p.m. The season starts not with a throw, or a catch or another amazing run by Adrian Peterson, NO! It starts with the signing of the free agents.

The Vikings are sure to be players in this year's free agent sweepstakes. The Purple (more specifically Zygmund Wilf) have $30 million in the bank to spend on new studs.

Unlike past years when the Vikings have been spectators to the free agent frenzy, they are sure to be players this year.

With all that said, my open letter to Zygmund.

Dear Mr. Wilf,

Please don't move the team (sorry it's a reflex). Now that I've gotten out there, spend often and spend your money wisely. Visanthe Shiancoe was your big "get" last year, let's make sure you get a bigger "get" this year. In fact, let's get a couple big "gets."

Players should be lining up to play for the Purple now. Not because you're a great owner, or because Brad Childress is a mastermind, but because you have NFL's next big thing, Purple Jesus.

Yes, use Adrian Peterson to sell free agents on coming to Minnesota (it's better then the weather). Who wouldn't want to play with PJ. In fact, I would get Adrian on the phone at 11:01 p.m. Thursday night to all the guys you want on your squad next season.

Now that you have AD working the phones, who should he call? I'm glad I asked that question. Here's my list (in order the calls should be made):

1) WR Bernard Berrian. The guy caught 71 balls last year from 3 Bears QBs that might all actually throw left-handed. Berrian, Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade - better.
2) S Madieu Williams. He's the hitter you need in the secondary. Williams is also young and talented. I'm not sure if he'll get arrested as many times as Dwight Smith, but I'm sure he'll play just as well.
3) DE Justin Smith. Childress will love this guy. I tough SOB who won't dazzle, he'll just do his job.
4) DE Bobby McCray. Came on late in the year last year. Held down the end of the line for a very good Jacksonville front four.
5) WR Andre Davis. Solid receiver, even better kick returner. If you think Aundrae Allison is the answer returning kicks, I hope you like starting from the 20 yard line a lot. Davis might be too expensive.

That's the top 5 I'd like to see in Purple next year. Make sure Adrian has enough anytime minutes to get these deals done.

We'll discuss the draft in a couple weeks.
Until then, tell the bank to get ready for a substantial withdrawal.

Sincerely, Matt Lechner (Becky did not contribute to this posting)

Even bigger news!

Now that you've found The Lechner Blog, here's the even bigger news, we're expecting again! The Lechner family is going to be plus one more in late August. Becky is doing great, a little sleepy, but all's well.

We'll see how Henry likes being a big brother. We'll likely find out the sex of the baby in a couple of weeks. Look for updates on our blog (make this web site a favorite, you'll find it faster).

-Matt, Becky & Henry