Steve Mariucci on a motorcycle with Ragnar, or why NFL pregame shows are entirely too long (VIDEO)

Steve Mariucci triumphantly arrived on the set of NFL Network's Thursday Night Football pregame show perched on the back of the motorcycle of the Minnesota Vikings mascot, Rangar. The whole incident serves further notice that NFL pregame shows are way, way, way too long.

Pay special attention to the early high-five with Michael Jenkins. Good thing the wide receiver didn't do one of those grabby hand slaps.

Was this a complete waste of time? Did it serve only as a time filler? Of course. But how else are you going to eat up hours of pregame show for a primetime battle between Christian Ponder vs. Josh Freeman? There's only so much you can talk about Greg Schiano's personality or Adrian Peterson's amazing comeback.

NFLN may need to continue the stunts over the next few weeks. Only one of the network's remaining Thursday night games -- Saints at Falcons on Nov. 29 -- can be classified as "must watch." The others feature teams like the Chiefs, Jaguars and Bengals. If this doesn't lead to Mooch pogo-sticking at midfield with Jaxson de Ville, we'll all have lost.