Vikings – 49ers – Game 3 – September 23 2012

Vikings Out-Muscle 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers came into town to establish dominance and set the tone for the rest of the season that they are the team to beat this year, they are the Super Bowl front-runners. The Minnesota Vikings were simply a road game for the Niners to steam roll over.

Instead, the Vikings flexed their muscles and took control of the game from the very first snap and methodically moved the ball down field chiseling off more than minutes and 82 yards culminating with a Ponder to Rudolph touchdown pass. The Vikings ended up with 344 net yards, (280 Niners) 25 first downs, (19 Niners) over 33 minutes in time of possession, (26 plus Niners) and 24 points. (13 Niners)

Not even the prodigal son, Randy Moss could help the 49ers score enough points. Moss was held to just 3 catches for 27 yards with no touchdowns and one drop.

The Vikings are now 2-1, (2-0 at home) and one more win away from their entire 2011 total. However, today’s victory was put into jeopardy, not by the 49ers, but by the replacement officials. With just over three minutes left the Vikings had control of the ball and handed off to Gerhart for no gain. Vikings got into huddle for the next play when head coach Harbaugh of the 49ers called his third and final time out to stop the clock.

A moment later Harbaugh tossed the challenge flag. He told the referee that he thinks Gerhart fumbled. Standard procedure should have been for the official to inform Harbaugh that he has no more time outs left, hence, he cannot challenge the play, and hence, since the clock wasn’t inside two minutes, the referee’s could not stop and review the play.

But, the replacement referee granted Harbaugh the challenge and proceeded to review the play. After reviewing the play, the whistle had clearly been blown before Gerhart dropped the ball on the ground. That should have been the end of the review, the whistle blew, end of play. Move on. That didn’t happen. The replacement refs over ruled the play, totally breaking protocol that a whistle blown ended the play, and reversed the call giving the 49ers a first down. Thankfully, rookie Josh Robinson picked off Smith ending that horrible sequence of plays.

Staying on the topic of Gerhart, first of all, what was he doing on the field at the end of the game when the Vikings were trying to kill the clock? Adrian Peterson had 88 yards rushing today, why wasn’t he in to close the game out? Why did they keep Gerhart in after his second fumble? And his third fumble? Three fumbles in a row. I know Peterson is still a step back, but he ran hard today, and he did have 88 yards. if he is the “Guy” then damn it, give it to the guy. The team needs to know if he can carry the load.

It is now time to award the MVP for game three. Who was worthy today? Jared Allen with sack and forced fumble at the end of the game? Percy Harvin and his 9 catch, 89 yard effort? Chad Greenway’s two sack and 13 tackles for the day? Blair Walsh and his perfect kicking season so far, nailing a 52 yard field goal and all three extra points and sending all four kickoffs into the end zone?

All good performances indeed, but today, the MVP is none other than Christian Ponder and his 198 passing yards on 21-35 for two touchdowns and no interceptions, and his 33 rushing yards including a 23 yard scamper for a score. (Run Forest Run) Although these numbers do not seem worthy of MVP status, the 49ers are a formidable team with a top 5 defense and Ponder controlled the game moving the chains time and time again. Congratulations Christian!

The Vikings travel to division rival Detroit next Sunday and the Lions will still be stinging from today’s loss to the Titans. Stafford was hurt and will have an MRI tomorrow but is more likely to suit up and play.

Is it just me or do the Lions start off slow and then score like wild-fire late in the game, every game? Take not of this tidbit of knowledge Viking coaches, for the Megatron and company are just waiting to line up against the Viking secondary.

To add one more tidbit for next week’s game, Viking receiver Jerome Simpson will make his debut. The Vikings desperately need the deep threat receiver as Jenkins and the rest are not getting down field. With the added vertical threat of Simpson, the Vikings offense will only improve. And playing the Lions, in Detroit, after they came off a tough loss, the Vikings will need all the help they can get.

SKOL VIKINGS!

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Once More Unto The Breach

Once More Unto The Breach

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour’d rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o’erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O’erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill’d with the wild and wasteful ocean.

It’s March and as all faithful Viking fans, I find myself going once more unto the breach. I have hopes for the Vikings, improving through free agency and the draft, filling in the holes that need desperately plugged to right the sinking ship.

* In Youngstown, Ohio today, the weather forecast called for temperatures in the low sixties and plenty of sunshine. For March 8th, in Youngstown, Ohio, it is indeed good weather. Warmer temperatures and longer days also signal that free agency is upon us.

* Randy Moss is of course in the news during the free agency period. The 35-year-old former Viking, Raider, Patriot, second stint as a Viking, Titan receiver was tweeting that he is ready to return to the NFL to a lucky team that will have him. Rumor had it that Moss can still run a sub 4.4 forty. Impressive if true.

Moss was spotted in New Orleans just the other day and was timed at 4.39, a sub 4.4 forty. He also ran 40 plus pass patterns and team officials thought he was in better shape than what they expected.

Moss is also on the 49er’s radar and probably several other teams as well. Why you ask? Because Moss can still run a sub 4.4 forty, stretch the field, open up running lanes, and change the outcome of a game. Many teams are dying for such a player. Including the Vikings.

He can also play when he wants to, bad mouth the local restaurants that cater to the team, and well, we’ll leave it at that.

Will the Vikings once more be tempted to taste the bitter fruit of Moss, sign him for third time in hopes he behaves off the field? If the Vikings fail to acquire Vincent Jackson from the Chargers, they will once again be weak at the receiver position.

* The New Orleans Saints are in the news this March. Not because of the franchise tag on Drew Bree’s, or that their top receivers are leaving town, but for what transpired in the past beginning in 2009.

Shall we call this Bounty-Gate! Word on the street is that the Saints players and coaches conspired together to form a bounty system on opposing teams players. $1000 dollars for taking a player out, $1500 dollars for having that player leave on a stretcher. The defensive coordinator and allegedly other coaches and staff were aware of the bounty and in fact some participated. Greg Williams, then defensive coordinator, was the alleged ringleader of Bounty-Gate.

If you recall, the Saints battled the Vikings in the 2010 championship game. Favre was pummeled with hi-low hits, late hits, elbows, forearms, kicks, maybe even bites as the defense stepped beyond the parameters of the game all for cash money. In essence, the Saints cheated. The Bounty-Gate revelation confirms this. The Saints went on to win in overtime and won the Super Bowl two weeks later.

What punishment, if any should the Saints incur.
IMO, to prevent the Saints or any other team from enacting their own Bounty-Gate, the NFL should:

1) Strip the Saints of their #1 and #2 draft picks for two years.
2) Ban Greg Williams from the NFL.
3) Suspend every player involved in Bounty-Gate for one year, no matter what team they now play on.
4) Fine each player one year’s salary if they return to the NFL in the next season.
5) Vacate the Super Bowl victory leaving no victor for the 2010 Super bowl. At the very least, attach an asterisk next to the Saints victory with a footnote stating unethical practices assisted the success of the 2009 Saints season and ultimately, the Super Bowl victory.
6) Sean Payton, who acknowledged he knew about Bounty-Gate, should be suspended for one season without pay. If and when he returns to coaching, 50% of his salary for the next five years be donated to the players union for health and welfare costs.
7) To the Saints fans. Reduced season ticket costs, reduced food and beverage costs, reduced programs and clothing including jerseys and hats, and a public apology from the Saints ownership.

* After more than ten years, the Minnesota Vikings are getting a new stadium to replace the outdated Metrodome. Well, sort of anyway. I am hoping that the Vikings do not “Settle” for a new stadium but push for exactly what they want. More seating, more luxury boxes, better food vending, parking for tailgating, and a better field for the player’s health. Also very happy the Vikings will not relocate to another state but stay in Minnesota.

* Cris Carter once again was denied entry into the Hall Of Fame. One wonders exactly what a player needs to do to get elected if Carter, with stats only second to Jerry Rice at the time he retired continues to be denied what is rightfully his. Especially when players with half the stats of his are enjoying the yellow jacket. The election process has to be changed, the electors must be accountable when they make such obvious blunders.

I understand that a rumor is going around that Carter was cool and distant with certain media outlets during his playing days. Some state that is the very reason he will not be elected. Spite!

* The draft is fast approaching and the Vikings are sitting pretty due to their horrendous season in 2011. (Just imagine how good we would be sitting if we had lost to the Redskins, but I digress) It seems a lock that the Vikings select OT Kalill from USC. He is the most talented LT and from what the media bobble heads chant he is a sure thing to anchor the line for 15 years. Ponder needs protection for sure, and Kalill is the perfect beginning for that.

Another name I’ll throw out there that isn’t being talked up is Thee Ohio State receiver Devier Posey. Posey is the sleeper in this draft of receivers. Posey is 6-2 and weighs 215 and ran a 4.5 forty. He is faster on the field. Vikings should target him in the third round.

* Payton Manning was released by the Colts after 14 years of excellent service. (Was there a gold watch ceremony I missed) It was all about money, Manning was due $28 million on Friday and with his injury not 100%, the Colts parted ways.

But will Manning wind up in Purple slinging the ball out to Harvin and Rudolph running his own blend of offense? Don’t think so! One reason is Manning is to young for the Vikings to pursue, Hell, he’s only 35 years old. A pup in Vikings management eyes. Secondly, Manning has run one offense in 14 years, and he was in all ways except the title, the offensive coordinator for the Colts. For Manning to come to another team and have that same success, well, it would be a miracle. (Although Joe Montana was cut from the 49ers and he went to the chiefs and played well)

I say, let’s rebuild with Ponder and Webb, sign young players and use the draft to fill in needs. Don’t change the entire offense for just one man. Anyone remember Hershel Walker? How’d that work out?

* 2011 Defensive player of the year award.
Jared Allen recorded 22 sacks this season. 66 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 1 safety. And lets face it, he was the only force on a horrible defensive team leaving his double and triple teamed and he still recorded top flight numbers. T. Suggs from the Ravens won the award with 14 sacks, 70 tackles, 7 forced fumbles, and two interceptions. And he played on a team with Lewis and Reed and a more formidable defense. Jared Allen doesn’t get any respect.

* I ponder about Ponder. The Vikings invested a first round pick in him leaving Webb to flutter in the wind. Ponder showed that he did indeed have skills but also had plenty of learning to do. Perhaps with a better line and another star receiver other than Harvin will allow him to grow and mature as a starting quarterback. After all, look what Carter, Moss, and Reed did for Daunte Culpepper.

The games afoot…

SKOL VIKINGS!

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The Prodigal Son Returns

I'm Back In The Saddle

Randy Moss, the prodigal son, after years of squandering his talent, has returned home to Minnesota.
Randy said to Brad, Coach, I have sinned against the league and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called a Viking.

But Brad said to his coaches, Quickly! Bring me the best robe and put it on Randy. Put a ball in his hand and cleats on his feet. Open the cafeteria and bring the best food. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this player of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is now found.

The Holy Gospel according to Coach Childress. Amen.

Yes Viking fans, Moss is back in town. Brett Favre again has a deep threat target to stretch the field. To lesson the blitz, to eliminate 8 and 9 men in the box to slow Peterson, to catch touchdowns, to win games, to beat the Jets, and win the ring he so dearly covets.

And his return is none to soon. The Vikings are 1-2 and are facing a brutal remaining schedule and will need the offense at peak operating performance to advance to the playoffs. Moss will still command a double team opening up opportunities for Harvin, Berrian, and Shaincoe. It will also leave one or more men out of the box helping Peterson to gain even more yards. Fewer men in the box, less blitzes on Favre, more time to throw, more time to read the defense. The whole team wins.

And one more thing to ponder before I end this post with an old Lorne Greene song, If Moss signs for three more years and clicks with Brett Favre, does this entice Favre to return for three more years. After all, there is only one more record that he doesn’t have. Most seasons played, held by former Raider quarterback, George Blanda, 26 seasons.

With Randy’s return, lets face, his reputation was tarnished leaving and dying in the black hole known as Oakland. Moving to New England, he set individual records and flirted with a perfect season and super bowl victory. Returning home, hopefully, he has the same mentality he had as a rookie wanting to tear up the league. Moss scores a TD Monday night. Perhaps Favre’s 500th TD pass.

The following lyrics is a remix of Lorne Greene’s famous cowboy song titled Ringo.

He lay face down in the Oakland sand
Clutching a football in his hand.
Left behind his career was dead
But under his heart was an ounce of dread.
But a spark still burned so I used my knife
And late that night I saved the life, of Randy.
Randy… Randy…

I Coached him till the danger past
The days went by, he learned so fast.
Then from dawn to setting sun
He practiced on his deadly run.
And hour and hour I watched in awe
No human being could match the draw, of Randy.
Randy…. Randy.

One day we rode the mountain crest
And he went East and I went West.
I went to Dallas and wore a star
While he spread terror near and far.
With speed and leaps he gained such fame
All through the league they feared the name, of Randy.
Randy…. Randy.

I knew some day I’d face the test
Which one of us would be the best.
And sure enough the word came down
That he was playing in my town.
I left the team out in the street
And I went in alone to meet, Randy.
Randy…. Randy.

They said my speed was next to none
But my lightning peddle had just begun.
When I felt a hit that stung my wrist
The ball went flying by my wrist.
And I was looking down the bore
Of the deadly 84, of Randy.
Randy… Randy.

They say that was the only time
That anyone had seen him smile.
He slowly lowered his hand and then
He said, we’re even friend.
And so at last I understood
That there was still a spark of good, in Randy.
Randy…. Randy..

I blocked the path of his retreat,
He turned and stepped not missing a beat.
A million New England fans were jaded
A moment later, he was traded.
The Vikes began to shoot and cheer
No one in Boston shed a tear, for Ringo.
Randy… Randy.

The story spread throughout the land
That I had beaten Randy’s hand.
And it was just the years they say
That made me put my cleats away.
But on game day they can’t explain
The tarnished star above the name, of Randy.
Randy… Randy.

SKOL VIKINGS!

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Fantasy Football Tips From The Experts

The NFL regular season debuts tonight at 7pm. Fantasy Football team coaches have had their draft and submitted their starting lineups. Many questions will be answered early on such as:
Was Browns quarterback Derek Anderson a fluke or a bonafide all star?
Does Chargers RB Tomlinson still have gas in the tank?
Will Vikings DE Jared Allen have double digit sacks?
Will Patriots QB Brady and WR Randy Moss continue their dominance?
And why the hell did McCain choose Palin for a running mate?
Either way, it’s to late to turn back now. The die is cast.

With that said, the Grassy Knoll Institute bestows our infinite wisdom to all fantasy Football League coaches.

Quarterback: Tom Brady, New England Patriots. Tremendous numbers last year, and although he won’t have a record smashing year, will still have 40 plus TD’s and 4500 yards passing. And that’s without a single snap in the preseason.

Stay away from Viking QB Tarvaris Jackson. He has too many ‘I’s', as in Injury, Incompletions, Interceptions, Inconsistent. He is already listed as questionable for the opening game.

Kicker: Nate Kaeding, San Diego Chargers. This is a tough one but the Chargers score points and Kaeding will have ample opportunity to kick his three’s.

Stay away from the Ravens kicker, Jeff Stover. With a new offense, new head coach, and a rookie quarterback, this equation equals a low scoring offense.

Tight End: No, not Jessica Simpson. Instead, Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts, is the choice here. Although Jessica has it going on upfront, Clark is the complete package, including brains.

Stay away from Amy Winehouse. Seriously, stay away from the Bears Tight Ends, Clark and Olson. The Bears don’t have any receivers to speak of so the ends will be covered. And Orten is the starting QB

Running Back: Surprise! It’s not LT but another set of initials, AP, as in Adrian Peterson. The Vikings Peterson rushed for over 1300 yards and double digit TD’s even with an 8 man box. If free agent receiver Berrian can stretch the field, just a little, Peterson is going to run wild. Can we say 2000 yards and 20 TD’s. Yes we can.

Stay away from the Packers running back, Ryan Grant. With Favre gone from the backfield, the corners and safeties won’t be fooled on play action. Grant will see more 7-8 men fronts than before. That spells low production. And Rodgers hasn’t started an NFL game yet.

Wide Receiver: All receivers need to be in the limelight like Terrel Owens and Chad Johnson. They need that face time, crave the attention, feed on the controversy. But Randy Moss, New England Patriots is the winner this year. Moss caught 23 TD passes last season to break Jerry Rice’s single season record. He won’t get 23 this year, but he hits 20. Moss and Brady have something to prove. Seriously, they do. I can already hear reporters asking Moss if he was disappointed losing the super bowl and a perfect season with plenty of records broken.

Stay away from Colts receiver Marvin Harrison. He turns 56 years old in October and is coming off a severe injury. He has lost more than one step. More like an entire leg. He will catch passes just because Peyton is slinging the ball, but his numbers will be minimal.

Defense: Minnesota Vikings. Not only does the Viking defense score touchdowns on interceptions, blocked kicks, and fumbles, they are also one of the top 5 teams in over all yards against.

Stay away from the Bengals defense. In fact, stay away from all the players on that team. The franchise has imploded upon itself. They will win some games, score some points, but their defense will get beat more often than a red headed step child.

Sleeper Pick: Troy Smith, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens. Smith will start the season riding the pine but will see action by week 3-4 and will use his running skill to avoid sacks and pick up some extra yards. He has an adequate arm and good accuracy. Given the chance, he will be a good insurance policy.

Put To Sleep Pick: It’s a tie between J.T. O’Sullivan, 49ers QB and Kyle Orton, Bears QB. Both won the starting job from the incumbents. Alex (Trebeck is tougher than me) Smith and Rex (My head is to big for my helmet) Grossman. By mid-season, nay, before that, fans will be calling for their heads chanting for the backups to come in and save the team. Alas, the nightmare will continue for the season.

Rookie Pick: Darren McFadden. He has a snappy nickname, Run DMC. He also averaged 6 yards a carry in the preseason. I know, it was preseason, but the Raiders are going to use him a plenty. What better way than to keep pressure off QB Russell.

Here’s to an entertaining NFL season, may your team be the super bowl winner, (Vikings) and may your fantasy team kick ass.

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