By CHIP SCOGGINS, Minneapolis Star Tribune

A hard foul ignited some tough talk, a few forearm shoves and a typical basketball scrum that was heated but mostly harmless. Nikola Pekovic peeled back to make sure it became nothing more than that.

As officials restored order, Indiana Pacers guard Dahntay Jones singled out the Minnesota Timberwolves' resident bouncer.

The Green Bay Packers gained fewer yards of offense than the Minnesota Vikings in the first half Monday night. They also led 17-0.

That pretty much summed up the cosmic difference between the two teams right now. One is chasing perfection. The other looks as if it's running in circles.

MINNEAPOLIS - The boos started on Donovan McNabb's first throw, grew louder after his second pass was nearly intercepted, and reached a fever pitch when his third attempt was almost picked off, too.

Minnesota Vikings fans were just getting started. The catcalls intensified with each errant throw.

"I can't worry about that," McNabb said.

Chris Weinke had an itch to get into coaching after his NFL career ended in 2008, but he wasn't sure where or at what level.

Analyzing the defensive linemen available in next week's NFL Draft.

THE CREAM

-- MARCELL DAREUS

Dareus said his path to the NFL began when someone noticed him playing on the swings at a park as a fifth-grader in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala.

Analyzing the top wide receivers in next week's NFL Draft.

-- THE CREAM:

A.J. GREEN, GEORGIA

The labor conflict between the NFL and its players is already contentious, but Minnesota Vikings All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson took things to a new level with comments he made in a published interview.

FOXBORO, Mass. - Randy Moss got fined $25,000 by the NFL this week for not cooperating with the media. The Minnesota Vikings receiver had plenty to say Sunday after catching only one pass in a 28-18 loss to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sage Rosenfels said he isn't assuming anything when it comes to Favre-a-palooza II. His teammate, Tarvaris Jackson, however, admitted he has a certain gut feeling about Brett Favre's plans for 2010.

"I'm not going to share it," he said. "But I think everybody has their feeling. And I think everybody is pretty much on the same page."

The leg injury E.J. Henderson suffered last December was so horrific that his playing career seemed in question.

Less than four months later, the Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker and team captain was resolute Tuesday night.