McCombs backs Green despite 'disappointing' record

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs said he's "very disappointed" by the team's 3-5 start, but reiterated his support for coach Dennis Green.

Speaking publicly for the first time in two weeks, McCombs covered a lot of ground. He predicted a Vikings victory on Monday night against the New York Giants and said he doesn't believe his scheduled halftime appearance with Kelci Stringer will be awkward.

The wife of the late Korey Stringer is planning a $100 million lawsuit against the team. Korey Stringer died Aug. 1 from heatstroke after the second day of practice.

Meanwhile, McCombs denied he is trying to sell all or part of the franchise. Investors from Los Angeles and Portland quietly have been courting McCombs' associates, noting the Vikings' inability to secure public funding for a new stadium.

"I've had no discussions at all, and I don't plan to," he said.

McCombs said his main concern is turning the team's season around after two lopsided losses in as many games.

"I'm very disappointed and also a bit surprised at what's been going on," McCombs said. "Losing is not always surprising. I understand that it's tough to win in a league with a lot of great players. But just not being competitive in games is very disappointing."

McCombs, however, was careful to point out he did not consider the Vikings' failures a reflection of Green's performance.

"Let me end that right now," McCombs said. "I think Dennis is one of the best coaches in the NFL and we're glad we have him."

The Vikings announced plans for McCombs to speak at a halftime ceremony to retire Stringer's No. 77 jersey, after which he will present the framed jersey to Kelci.

Giants expect to meet angry Vikings Newsday

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Kerry Collins still was at his locker at Sun Devil Stadium on Sunday, two fresh scrapes on his left arm and another narrow victory under his belt, when someone brought up the next item on his agenda: the Vikings, against whom he led a historic 41-0 rout 10 months ago.

"I think they're going to have a burr in their saddle for us, to choose a Jim Fassel quote," the Giants quarterback said. "They're going to be fired up. I'm sure they'd love to embarrass us."

That they would, but the question is whether they are equipped to do so. There is no more difficult team to figure. They bicker and sputter on offense -- 20 NFL players have more receptions than Randy Moss' 39 -- and on defense they rarely deign to tackle, ranking 30th in a 31-team league.

Things have gotten so bad after losses to the Buccaneers and Eagles by a combined 89-31 that Coach Dennis Green ordered a one-day "cooling off period" for players Monday.