Vikings Lose To Titans 30-17

Ref To Gus: If You Play Dead, They Won’t Sack You Anymore!

In my preview posted a few days ago, I wrote the keys to winning this game for each team. See if this sounds familiar.

“For the Titans to win: Pressure Frerotte into mistakes. Run the ball effectively. Minimalize penalties. Collins to make the right throws.

For the Vikings to win: Sack and pressure Collins. Frerotte to control the passing game. Peterson needs a big game. Defense needs a few sacks and a turnover. Are you listening Jared Allen and Ray Edwards?”

The Titans did exactly what they needed to do. Result! A victory. As for the Vikings, not so much. Result! Another loss.

Where shall we start the critique this week? Today, we start with Brad Childress. Coach Childress is 1-3 this season giving him a career record of 15-21 in 36 games. Childress wants to be known as a quarterback developer and the architect behind his so-called kick ass offense.

Reality, he is fast becoming known as a coach who risked his entire coaching career on a second round draft reach in the name of Tarvaris Jackson who was projected as a 6th round pick. Also known to be stubborn not changing his game plan when it falters claiming that his kick ass offense will work if executed correctly. And somebody buy this Ass Clown a watch. Please at least look like you give a damn about clock management.

The Vikings committed 7 penalties today. Childress came to the Vikings to clean house, change the attitude of the players, on and off the field. There will be no love boat soap opera’s going on under his regime. However, plenty of stairwell escapades and night club brawls. And oh yes, plenty of penalties.

Let’s look at some of the penalties that contributed to the Vikings loss today:

Titans are driving, its third and 8, Collins throws an incomplete pass forcing a punt. But wait, Jared Allen was called for off sides giving the Titans five more yards and another chance. The result, a first down and a touchdown.

On the second half opening drive, Vikings record two penalties forcing a punt.

On their next possession, Vikings get flagged for delay of game on the very first play. How the hell does that happen?

The Titans kick off and Hicks returns the ball to the 33 yard line giving the Vikings good field position. But wait, a penalty for holding puts the ball at the 14 yard line instead. Peterson then rips off a 15 yarder but its called back for a holding penalty. The result, a punt.

Moving on to clock management. The Vikings got the ball with 3 minutes and 40 seconds left in the second quarter. They have no time outs left and are behind by 10 points. They run two plays in the span of one minute and 40 seconds allowing the two minute to stop play before they can get the third play off.

Same drive, a holding penalty kills a 10 yard run by Peterson.
Same drive, a perfect pass to Berrian is dropped that would have been a touchdown. Berrian dropped another pass earlier in the game as well. Two more dropped passes this year and he will have to change his name to Troy Williamson.

Staying with Childress but moving to game management, Vikings have a 3rd down and one, and Peterson is on the bench. Result, a punt. At least have him in the back field to keep the defense honest. We need one yard, and Peterson is one of the best running backs in the league and the best player on the Vikings offense. Why in hell is he sitting on the bench? When the 49ers needed a play, did they sit Jerry Rice or Roger Craig on the bench? Or when Dallas needed a play, did they sit Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith on the bench?

At the end of the game, the Vikings have the ball at their two yard line with 4 minutes left. They have one time out left. On first down, the Vikings are forced to burn the last time out to avoid a penalty of delay of game. But wait, the Vikings needed that first down, they should have let the flag drop and take a one yard penalty.

Does it sound like I’m bitter, that I’m piling on? Well, I’m not. Look at the Vikings past two season under Childress. And the first four games of this year. This is what fans can expect for the rest of 2008 and any future seasons under Childress. Plenty of talent at every position except quarterback. Plenty of stupid ass penalties, and absolutely zero concept on clock management.

To the game itself.

Gus Frerotte was 25-43 for 266 yards and the game ending interception. 58% completion. Alas, if not for Berrian’s butter fingers, his stats woulda coulda shoulda.

Speaking of Troy Williamson, (That will be Berrian’s new name until he starts holding onto the god damn ball.) He had five catches for 78 yards. He should have had 7 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown.

Shiancoe held onto the ball today. Four catches and no drops. That is what you are supposed to do.

Adrian Peterson had 80 yards on 18 carries, 4 catches for 22 yards, and two rushing touchdowns. Damn good for a regular back. Below average for A.D.

Jared Allen. Zero Sacks. Wait a minute. Entire defense zero sacks.

Cedric Griffin better learn to cover unless he wants to be the toast of the town week in and week out.

The Vikings are about three losses away from seeing rookie quarterback JD Booty. If the Vikings fall to 1-6, Booty will get the nod to see what he has. Hopefully, we won’t see him, but alas, its only a matter of time.

On a side note: On Petersons 28 yard touchdown run, he was horse collared and yanked out of bounds. Yet, no penalty was called. I would bet a fine will be issued next week after the review of the film.

Another call that had a major impact on the outcome of the game was the bad spot on a 4th down play by the Titans inside the ten yard line. The Titans needed to get just inside the one yard line for a first down. The receiver was stuffed at the two, and spun and bumped attempting to get free and move forward to get a first down. He never got past the two yard line and in fact fumbled the ball at the three. However, the referee spotted the ball inside the one and signaled first down. The Titans scored and led to their victory.

I believe the Vikings will be receiving a letter of apology from the league next week for the bad call from the referee. That one play could have very well determined the success or failure of the Vikings 2008 season.

The Vikings travel to New Orleans next Monday to play the Saints. If I were Childress, I would lay it all out on the table. Instead of his bland offense, I would run draws, misdirection plays, screens, have both Taylor and Peterson in the back field. Take the ball downtown. On defense, blitz. And then blitz. And then blitz some more. if you allow Brees to set and throw, he will pass for over 400 yards on the Vikings.

Are you listening Childress? I hope you are. You are now formally on the hot seat.

SKOL VIKINGS!

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