All systems almost go for Bears-Vikings game

Minnesotans and other hardy souls planning to attend Monday's Minnesota Vikings game had better come prepared -- for cold, a long wait, traffic and parking headaches and a tussle for seats.

At least the hardest part of week-long preparations seems almost complete. Saturday reports from the Twin Cities indicated little work remained on the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium, site of the game against the Chicago Bears.

Behind Hall of Fame player and Vikings legend Carl Eller, the University of Minnesota stadium stands clear of snow for Monday's NFL game. (AP photo)

Many of the stories ahead the Vikings' first outdoor home game since 1981, now involve issues not related to the Minneapolis venue. Consider:

-- The Bears practiced at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., on Saturday to get accustomed to outdoor conditions on a FieldTurf artificial surface similar to the one in Minneapolis.

-- The Vikings prepared at their suburban Eden Prairie facility and decided to start third-string quarterback Joe Webb, with Brett Favre injured and Tavaris Jackson out. The Vikings signed veteran Patrick Ramsey and gave him a crash course as Webb's backup, with R.J. Archer possibly coming off the practice squad as the No. 3 QB.

Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier talked up Webb on Saturday. "He really seems as if this whole thing is not too big for him, and I'm really looking forward to watching him on Monday night," Frazier said.

-- The Vikings planned to get their first feel for TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday morning for their usual day-before-the-game walkthrough. They'll figure out what extra gear they'll need to wear and what kind of cleats will work best. Because of prep work, they won't face a frozen field.

-- Workers at the University of Minnesota painted lines and logos, installed a tarp over the playing surface, pumped in warm air and made other amendments to the field. Outside, work was finishing on snow removal on walkways, continuing on in-venue facilities and beginning on TV set-up production for the Monday prime-time game.

University of Minnesota spokesman Garry Bowman says the tarp and heating system were put in place Saturday to protect the field. More than 1,500 workers with shovels and heavy equipment moved 40,000 cubic yards of snow from the stadium over four days to get it ready.

-- Work continued on seating and parking plans. One lot owner near the stadium reportedly was pondering charging $40 per car; metropolitan officials were suggesting mass-transit options. The university made plans to accommodate fans who figured to stand in line for hours for general-admission seating. Williams Arena will be open across the street for fans to keep warm before queuing up for the first-come, first-served seating. Free coffee and hand-warmers also will be distributed.

Vikings officials continued to do the math on getting ticker holders into a venue that has more than 10,000 fewer seats than TCF Bank Stadium. The simplest answer: Some fans opted for refunds rather than attend.

Watering holes near the stadium planned ways to keep liquid refreshments flowing, but fans won't be able to bring potables into the facility.

-- Snow was forecast Monday night, but not before then. Temperatures were expected to be well below freezing, but warming as the day progressed. Game-time wind chill could be in the low-teens.

-- A Vikings official on Friday cast doubts about safety of the Metrodome, where a roof collapse forced officials to scramble to get the college field ready. Critics see it as a sign the Vikings are using the issue to renew efforts to get public funding for a new stadium.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be in the Twin Cities on Monday -- a visit scheduled some time ago to help mark the Vikings' 50th anniversary. He will take with officials about the Metrodome and stadium options.