Thanks to Brett Favre and their 4-0 start, the Minnesota Vikings are one of the most talked about teams in the NFL right now. One of the players off to a solid start is receiver Bernard Berrian, who has 16 receptions for 177 yards and one touchdown on the year. Bernard was gracious enough to chat with us about the Vikings’ big win over the Packers on Monday night, a game in which he hauled in six passes for 75 yards and a 31-yard touchdown. Among some of the topics we asked Bernard were what it’s like being in the same huddle with a legend, whether there was any truth to the rumor that there was a divide in the Vikings’ locker room following the signing of Favre, and who is the toughest cornerback he’s ever faced.

The Scores Report: Hey Bernard, how are you man?

Bernard Barrian: I’m fine, how you doing?

TSR: Good. Congratulations on the win Monday night.

BB: Thanks, appreciate it.

TSR: I felt that your touchdown in the third quarter gave you guys the momentum the rest of the way.

BB: Oh yeah I think it definitely did, or put us in position at least.

TSR: No knock on any of the other quarterbacks you’ve played with throughout your career, but you’re playing with a legend now. What’s it like being in the same huddle with Brett Favre?

BB: It’s fun really. He brings a lot of fun to the game. When you see highlights, you see emotion pouring out through different players on the field.

TSR: Who put the rocking chair in front of his locker after the win?

BB: I still haven’t found out who did that – I have no idea. But it was hilarious when I saw it sitting there. (Laughs)

TSR: (Laughs) I know it’s early, but what has he meant to the Vikings so far?

BB: Just the leadership ability that he brings and the way he approaches the game. It’s fun to watch him play because he brings a lot to the game.

TSR: Was there any truth to the rumor this offseason that there was a divide in the locker room between the players when he was signed?

BB: No, there was no truth to that. I don’t even know where that came from. There’s been nothing but unity out here.

TSR: I know the Packers bottled him up on Monday night, but talk to me about Adrian Peterson. How special is he and is his potential sky high?

BB: Oh, he’s definitely a special player. There’s no running back better than Adrian – he’s easily the best by far. He’s the best running back out there and his work ethic is insurmountable.

TSR: Can Percy Harvin be the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2009?

BB: I can definitely see that. The way things are going right now, he’s off to a great start and I only see him getting better. So yeah, that’s definitely a possibility for him.

TSR: Have you taken him under wing? Has he learned a lot so far?

BB: I think he has learned a lot just being out there and I think another thing that has helped him is having Brett out there. We’re always having conversations about what he should do and where he should be. He knows a lot of stuff on his own, which is kind of surprising when you sit down and look at things. He knows a lot himself.

TSR: You guys won the division and went to the playoffs last year. Besides adding Favre, what’s the key to you guys getting back to the postseason and not only that, but winning a playoff game?

BB: I think it’s just that little amount of extra confidence that’s the biggest difference. We thought we were a Super Bowl contender even before all the Brett Favre talk, but now that he’s here I think it’s just that little bit of added confidence that will able us to get there.

TSR: Is Brad Childress’ offense second nature to you now, Bernard?

BB: Oh yeah, it’s second nature to me now. It’s an easy offense to pick up anyway. Offenses are pretty much the same outside of different styles of offenses. You know in Chicago, we ran a different style of the West Coast Offense anyway, so the only big difference was the terminology and a couple different route structures.

TSR: Bring me back to last year when you caught your 99-yard touchdown pass against the Bears. Did you ever think that you’d have the opportunity to score on a 99-yard play, or even that a pass would be the play called in that situation since you guys were backed up against the goal line?

BB: Oh no, never. I was always lobbying for it in practice. We always work on our offense being backed up and I was always like, “Call a pass play – let it go, let it fly.” And then for them to actually call it was shocking and to even land it was even more shocking.

TSR: Was it more special because you did it against your favorite team or had that not crossed your mind?

BB: Nah, there’s no hostility towards those guys – what’s done is done. You know, once I signed with the Vikings I was a Viking and I had to let go of the Bears. What was done was done and besides that was the second game (of the series) anyway. All the emotional stuff was gone and let loose in the first game.

TSR: Who’s the top cornerback that you’ve come across in the NFL?

BB: Toughest cornerback…I’d have to go with Nnamdi (Asomugha).

TSR: Really? That’s a great choice. That division has two tough cornerbacks in Asomugha and Champ Bailey – have you faced Champ?

BB: Champ Bailey – yeah, he’s good and I have faced him but it wasn’t one of those games where he’s following you the whole game. So it wasn’t like we were going up against each other the whole time. I’ve got to face a guy for a sustained period of time before I can say I really went up against him.

TSR: Sure. You faced two good cornerbacks Monday night in Charles Woodson and Al Harris. Are those two the toughest corners in your division?

BB: Oh yeah by far I would say they’re the toughest in the division. They’re two great cornerbacks that are crafty – Charles is definitely a crafty guy and Al is a very physical, crafty guy as well. They play within their scheme very well.

TSR: Who is one Vikings player that you feel is being overlooked but is a key for the team getting to the playoffs?

BB: Ooh, that’s a great question…uh…

TSR: You can say yourself too, Bernard.

BB: Nah, I can’t include myself.

TSR: (Laughs)

BB: Hmm…

TSR: What about Sidney Rice?

BB: I don’t think he’s getting overlooked though.

TSR: That’s true. It could be a defensive guy.

BB: That’s where I think I’m going – the defensive side. I would go with Chad Greenway.

TSR: Okay, cool. What kind of impact do you think he can make throughout the course of the year?

BB: He’s always around the ball, he comes up with fumble recoveries or he causes fumbles. He’s a very athletic linebacker and talented linebacker that I’ve seen.

TSR: Is it frightening to be in the same locker room with Jared Allen?

BB: Oh no, it’s great being in the same locker room with him!

TSR: Better he be in your own locker room than in another team’s right?

BB: Yeah, definitely.

TSR: Now I know you guys lost, but what’s your most memorable experience from Super Bowl XLI with the Bears?

BB: I think just everything surrounding the Super Bowl, more so than the game. The game to me is always going to be a game, so that’s never going to change whether it’s the Super Bowl or not. But I think everything surrounding the Super Bowl…you know, I have a lot of family out there, so being able to enjoy the things I was able to enjoy.

TSR: One last question for you, if you could pay to watch any player on Sunday not a Viking, who would it be?

BB: Current?

TSR: Current.

BB: Current player…

TSR: I was talking to Junior Seau two weeks ago and he said Tom Brady, so I’m hoping you take us in another direction.

BB: Nah, I wasn’t going that way – I’m actually far from that way. I like watching somebody exciting, where every time the get the ball they can score or watching a defensive player when they get a sack or something. Uh, Ray is always an exciting player to watch.

TSR: Who’s that?

BB: Ray Lewis is always exciting to watch.

TSR: What about an offensive guy?

BB: We’ll go with Chad Johnson. He’s always exciting to watch and you never know what he’s going to do.

TSR: Very true! Well that’s definitely a good one. What about a former player?

BB: Barry Sanders.

TSR: Another good one! Do you have anything coming up that you want to get out there, Bernard? A charitable event or anything?

BB: Feeding America. We’re going to do something around Thanksgiving again this year, so keep an eye out for that.

TSR: Excellent, well I wish you the best throughout the rest of the season, Bernard, and I thank you for chatting with us.

BB: All right thank you.