Vikings – Jags – Game 1 – September 9, 2012

In Your Face Jacksonville

This off-season the Minnesota Vikings cut long time kicker Ryan Longwell and opted for unproven rookie Blair Walsh drafting him in the sixth round. Can someone say SOD, Steal Of The Draft! The Vikings loved his big leg but there were red flags on his accuracy. Today, The Blair Walsh “Project” went live and boomed kickoffs deep into the endzone, converted both PAT’s, but more importantly, converted all four field goals including the game winning field goal in over time. And oh yea, a clutch end of regulation time 55 yard field goal to send the game into over time. His clutch play earns Viking Thunders week one MVP.

The Good:
* A Vikings win. Last year wins were scarcer that Mike Vick Animal Charity fans. I will take a 26-23 overtime victory.

* Adrain Peterson rushes for 84 yards and two scores coming off knee surgery. I haven’t seen the “Peterson” burst yet, but he did look great.

* C. Ponder did not throw an interception. or a touchdown, however, he was 20-27 (74%) for 270 yards. 105 QB rating.

* Percy Harvin, just get him the ball and the Vikings offense will click.

The Bad:
* The Vikings defense allowing a 40 yard TD pass at the end of the game to take the lead.

* Jared Allen got robbed of a sack. He anticipated the snap perfectly but the referee called him for the penalty.

The Ugly:
The replacement officials. I believe the referee’s on strike are now in the drivers seat after week’s one debacle. Every game in week one had controversy concerning the refs. If the NFL wants to keep the integrity of the game at a high standard, settle with the ref’s and get back to professional football.

The Rant:
Last year the Vikings only had 3 victories so this week one win was big. Huge even! Ponder showed poise under pressure as he guided the team into Walsh range to set up the winning score. If it were last year, we would have witnessed three errant passes into the turf thrown by McNabb. Does anyone think Longwell would have nailed the 55 yarder on Sunday?

Onto the Colts and lets hope luck has the same type of passing day against the Vikings as he did in week one.

SKOL VIKINGS!

Back To Viking Thunder Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

A Vikings Holiday Christmas Wish

Two Big Wishes

If I had one wish that I could wish this holiday season, it would be that all the children of the world to join hands and sing together in the spirit of harmony and peace. If I had two wishes….

Viking Thunder was not expecting a Christmas miracle today. In fact, with the state of the Viking defensive back field, the Bears should have won handily. As usual, the defensive back field has been a big bust this year. With a pretty red ribbon on. It was no small miracle that the Vikings kept the game close. That small miracle has a name. And that name is Jared Allen.

Jared Allen recorded 3.5 sacks today (The team 7 total) as he pursued the NFL single season record for sacks. The record is 22.5, Allen ended with 22. A spectacular season for sure that sheds maybe just a glimmer of hope for the Vikings next year. For sure the front runner for defensive player of the year.

Keeping in the spirit of this magical time of year, this Viking fan has a bag full of wishes I hope will be granted.

If I had just one wish I could wish this holiday season,…
It would be for a blue chip draft pick that would start right away. Say an offensive left tackle from USC named Matt Kalil. However, with the #3 pick, perhaps the Browns or several other teams will want to move up to select QB Robert Griffin. The Browns have two #1 picks. And let’s not kid ourselves, the Vikings are more than one drafted player away from restoring the team to competitiveness. With extra high picks, the Vikings could quickly restock talent.

If I had just two wishes I could wish this holiday season,…
It would be that the Vikings are active in free agency.The short list the Vikings should target this year are, a top flight receiver to compliment Percy Harvin, a left guard, a right guard, two cornerbacks, a safety, and a linebacker. (And that is the short list)

If I had just three wishes that I could wish this holiday season,…
It would be that the Vikings get the stadium issue locked down by the end of January. The lease is up and every day without a home, the Vikings move farther away. I don’t want to cheer for the L.A. Vikings.

If I had just four wishes that I could wish this holiday season,…
It would be a new head coach. Leslie Frasier and his scheme is not working. And it’s not only Frasier, it’s the entire management. Like a good exorcism, it’s time to cast out the entire lot. (I need an old priest and a young priest) How about Fischer, Cowher.

If I had just five wishes that I could wish this holiday season,…
It would be that Adrian Peterson returns to the field 100% and on time for training camp. It appears that his surgery has gone well and by the looks of his hospital New year’s Eve picture, he is in good spirits.

If I had just six wishes that I could wish this holiday season,…
It would be that the Vikings win the North, get the bye week in the playoffs, beat the Saints in the championship game and obliterate the Steelers in the Super Bowl.

And that all the children of the world to join hands and sing together in the spirit of harmony and peace.

SKOL VIKINGS!

Back To Viking Thunder Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

Vikings Spanked By Chiefs In Game #4

Vikings Spanked Again

Last week I stated that since the Vikings were 0-3 with an almost zero percent chance of making the playoffs, perhaps some changes should be made. After all, the Vikings had double digit leads at the half of each game but were unable to put anything together in the second half. Plain and simple, they were out played and out coached.

But that all changed Sunday. The Vikings did not hold a double digit lead at half, in fact, they were behind 9-7. However, they still lost the games to the then winless Chiefs.

After the game coach Frazier commented that it wasn’t time to replace Dovovan McNabb at quarterback but every position will be looked at. Leslie, let me give you some advice. (God, I hope he is reading this, otherwise his job will be in jeopardy)

Leslie, the Vikings are 0-4, only one team since the 1990 modern playoff system was implemented had made the playoffs. ONLY ONE TEAM. You brought Donovan in as a one year stop gap in hopes that the team was poised to make another playoff run like in 2009. You were wrong.

Permitting Donovan to keep the starting position is the death knell for your short lived head coaching job. Donovan is not the future, his one year contract says so. Letting him continue to play only hurts the future of the Vikings. What do you hope to accomplish in keeping Donovan as the starter? It is time to bench Donovan and begin the future right now. Leslie, give Ponder the starting job this Sunday. Making this move can save your job and could also save the stadium deal that seems to be all but gone.

If Ponder plays well, the fans will be happy, they will buy tickets and programs and beer. There won’t be a television blackout. Perhaps even the Minnesota elected will see a glimmer of hope and sway their position and push forward the stadium bill. If Ponder plays well, you will have saved your job and the rest of the coaching staff.

Even if Ponder plays poorly, you can chalk it up to rookie mistakes and taking his lumps. You can argue that real time game experience is the best learning approach. Far better than watching from the sidelines. And, if Ponder plays poorly, at least you know he is not the future of the team but perhaps Joe Webb could be.

At the end of the year, you will know where you stand at quarterback. Either you have the real deal in Ponder or Webb and your draft could consist of the best athlete available. Or you can be on the clock for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes or trade for yet another aging over the hill retread to begin the cycle once again.

Leslie, face it. Donovan has lost it. Andy Reid realized he lost it several years ago. That is why he allowed Donovan to leave. So far, Reid is 100% correct. Donovan played horribly in Washington and continued the trend in Minnesota. If you continue to play Donovan, than surely, you will be fired.

Here are the facts. Mcnabb, when the game was on the line, threw four bad incomplete passes in a row to end the game. Donovan has not completed a single long pass yet. Do not count the short screen passes that the players ran for long gains. I’m talking about a 40 yard pass in the air that was completed. (To one of our players, not the defense) Donovan is inaccurate in passing. Always has been. why believe he will change now. Does Musgrave have a special magic wand to make him throw better? If he does, then he better god damn use it right away.

In essence, the next 12 games should be used to evaluate the talent, young and old on the roster and the coaching staff. Let the next 12 games be their resume. Play to win dammit, but experiment with the line up. Blitz more. Run more. Roll the quarterback out more. Whatever more. Quote the Raven Nevermore.

Leslie, your time is now. You may never be by this way again. (Seals and Crofts are stuck in my head) Make the most of your chance here. Make the bold move to insert Ponder. It may just change the future of the team. And yours….

I think I just heard Brad Childress snicker in the back round.

For 2011 Viking Thunder will compare two former Viking players who jumped shipped. One on offense, one on defense and compare them to their counterpart on the Vikings.

Team: Vikings — Seahawks
Player: Michael Jenkins – Catches: 16 Yards: 144 Points: 12
Player: Sidney Rice – Catches: 11 Yards: 188 Points: 6
Note: Sidney Rice did not play due to injury. (2 games injured)

Team: Vikings — Falcons
Player: Brian Robison – Sacks: 2.5
Player: Ray Edwards – Sacks: 0

SKOL VIKINGS!

Back To Viking Thunder Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

Vikings Lose To Lions 26-23 – Game #3 – 09/25/2011

2nd Half Feeling of Every Viking Fan

The Vikings hosted the 2-0 hot Detroit lions (Wait, is that right, the Lions are hot this year) at the Dome today with a must win to have have any playoff hopes this year. The Vikings as usual came out smoking in the first half racking up 20 points, with Peterson over 80 yards rushing, while the defense sacked Stafford and held the Lions to a total of 50 half time yards. Half time score, Vikings 20, Lions 0.

The second half, well, Stafford came out firing looking like Joe Montana and racked up 350 plus yards of passing while racking up 23 unanswered points to take the lead. A coin flip in overtime and the Lions walk away with a victory.

Through three games, the Vikings scored 54 first half points. In the second half, they only scored 6 total points. On defense, the Vikings only allowed 7 total points in the first half. In the second half, they allowed 63 points.

Now I’m no rocket scientist, (Wait a tick, yes, I am a rocket scientist) but what the Vikings have failed to do in the second half of each game is adjust. Plain and simple. Opposing teams figured out the Vikings offense and defense and exploited both in the second half of each game while the Vikings just seemed to stay the course and hope for a happy ending. (Helga ain’t giving no happy endings for free. Usually, you have to pay double for that type of action)

Well fellow Viking fans, to quote 80′s rock band Devo, it’s Duty Now For The Future! It’s time to make those hard (Easy) choices. The Vikings sit at 0-3. Only three teams since 1990 made the playoffs after starting 0-3. The last team to do it was in 1998.

Wholesale changes must be made. Now! This week.
First, explain to Donovan that the Vikings are not going to reach the playoffs and that the team is going to get younger at the quarterback position. During practice this week, insert both Ponder and Webb with the first team offense. Come Sunday, select a starter for that week and play him. Let the rest of the season be their auditions for the starter position in 2012.

If both Ponder and Webb are not the answer, perhaps the Vikings will be in the position to draft Andrew Luck in 2012. However, I believe Ponder is the guy. I like Joe Webb, he has skills, but I think Ponder has that “It” factor. Let him play in meaningful games, make some mistakes, big mistakes for sure, but also get the experience a quarterback needs to make it in the NFL. The Chiefs game next Sunday is the perfect opportunity to insert Ponder.

Second, Leslie, please, whenever you put the Vikings defense in the soft zone, opposing quarterbacks pick the D-Backs apart. Vikings first half defense allowed 7 total points with aggressive defense. Vikings second half defense deploying the soft zone allowed 63 points. Leslie, dial up the pressure even more in the second, call the defense like you were behind 20 points instead of ahead by 20 points.

Third, when you have the best running back in the NFL, and it’s fourth and one with a first down icing the game, most teams give the ball to their best player. Peterson was beating the Lions defense, he had 50 yards called back on penalties but still had 80 yards rushing. Give him the damn ball.

Fourth, penalties. It’s the same every year for the Vikings. Penalties take three or four victories from the Vikings every year. Just today alone, Peterson had a 30 yarder called back on holding. A fantastic punt return at the end of the game that could have iced the game for them called back. A horse collar penalty giving the Lions another 15 yards tacked onto the play.

Leslie, it’s time to play the young guys. The Vikings are not going anywhere this year with the way they started out. However, next year, the Vikings could be going places. Perhaps to Los Angeles. The Wilf’s are in a losing battle to secure a new stadium in Minnesota for the next 30 plus years. An 0-3 start is not helping.

Duty Now For The Future!

For 2011 Viking Thunder will compare two former Viking players who jumped shipped. One on offense, one on defense and compare them to their counterpart on the Vikings.

Team: Vikings — Seahawks
Player: Michael Jenkins – Catches: 15 Yards: 143 Points: 6
Player: Sidney Rice – Catches: 8 Yards: 109 Points: 0
Note: Sidney Rice did not play due to injury. (2 games injured)

Team: Vikings — Falcons
Player: Brian Robison – Sacks: 2.5
Player: Ray Edwards – Sacks: 0

SKOL VIKINGS!

Back To Viking Thunder Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL