The Vikings Thread

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by canuck2

Apparantly not!!

There is.

He's a mobile quarterback who has very good speed to get out of danger. His poise under pressure is VERY solid for a youngster. Week one he showed that in leading the team down the field with under a minute to get into position for the game tying field goal.

He is showing great chemistry with Percy Harvin, and it's leading to some great drives.

I just wish the team would take the little kid gloves off and open up the offense to him. It's painfully obvious there is no faith or no desire from Bill Musgrave (the OC) to open things up. The team is as ugly as it get offensively (creativity wise), and that's not on Ponder. Hopefully Jerome Simpson comes back from suspension and it helps in that regard, as that's another big target that can catch the ball and stretch the field.

His decision making, I hope, comes with age and experience.

[canuck2]

Originally Posted by jkidd

There is.


His decision making, I hope, comes with age and experience.

This is the key I think that makes a QB.

Here in Cardinal land many fan faithful think in time John Skelton will start making better decisions and somehow become more accurate. the guy was a fifth round draft pick from Fordham and somehow they think he's going to morph into Payton Manning over time. I seriously doubt it.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Originally Posted by jkidd

I don't expect Erin to cover Reggie flat out. It's two, and three fold.

1. I expect Erin to get much deeper in that defense than what he got. I'm not sure if he was peeking into the backfield or what, but he's responsible for getting deep into the middle.

2. I expect the safety on that side to come to his aid and pick Reggie up.

3. I expect Harrison Smith to not jet over to the far side of the field when there is no threat to that zone, and see Reggie streaking down the middle. As we've seen in this Tampa 2 for the past decade, the strong safety (in it's hey day, think John Lynch) needs to be much more aware of what's going on and when there is a guy splitting the seam - go lay that mother ****er out.

Many fails. Whether it's the players not understanding the system, not physically being able to play the system, or what... it's a number of fails to the very basic Tampa 2 system that was employed on that play.

I guess you didn't hear. Frazier said HENDERSON CAN COVER WAYNE, AND THAT'S WHY HE WAS ON HIM. Guy is insane. Countdown until these clowns are gone.

[JKidd]

Lots of local media ripping the Vikings this week for their lack of even trying the big play during the first two weeks.

I give Frazier at the very most, this year and next.

If Musgrave doesn't start opening things up, I doubt he'll be back next year. Unfortunately for him, the pressure from the Lions, Bears and Packers to put a somewhat exciting and winning team on the field means this 3 yard dump and 2 yard dunk offense he's running just won't cut it... especially if win's don't come from it.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Jkidd, I think if they finish with less than 6 wins, Frazier will be done. unless wilf is worried about saving money, which he shouldn't be after getting his new stadium deal.

[JKidd]

Hell of a game yesterday.

I had a good feeling heading into the game for one reason:
The Niners best and only true offensive weapon, Frank Gore, plays into the biggest strength of the Vikes - their run defense. To put it lightly, the Niners completely abandon Gore and from the opening series didn't really give him any touches.

Also, I'll take Chad Greenway running with most tight ends in the league. And he did a solid job on Vernon Davis most of the game - when he did get lined up on him.

I was thoroughly pleased with Christian. He ran when he had to, threw the ball away when he needed to, and converted some HUGE 3rd downs. The scamper he had to the end zone was amazing to watch. Haven't seen something like that in a VERY long time, and it was great to see.

He does get a huge weapon added to his disposal next weekend with the debut of Jerome Simpson. He looked solid in the preseason, and any extra weapons we can get for him to stretch the field, I'm game for.

What the **** is wrong with Toby? 2 fumbles on what, 3 touches? Can't have a case of fumbilitis as a back up, that's normally grounds to be sent packing.

AP had a solid outing against a very stingy rushing defense. One of my favorite things to watch was how him and Niners super line backer Patrick Willis would come together every now and again. Man those two, AP and Willis, are just ****ing animals.

2-1 right now! Not sure how much longer I'll be able to celebrate a winning record, so I'm going to live it up now!

[blades29]

The Vikings outplayed the Niners. Our D sucked...

Nice win.

[canuck2]

Unreal win.

did the Vikes really play that well or did the Niners lay an egg?

This really helps the Cards. thanks Vikings!!

[nilan30]

SKOL Vikings. Haven't had much chance to watch them play but a 3-1 start is probably better than expected. Does this look like a team that will still be in contention for the division in two months or are they playing over their heads?

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Originally Posted by nilan30

SKOL Vikings. Haven't had much chance to watch them play but a 3-1 start is probably better than expected. Does this look like a team that will still be in contention for the division in two months or are they playing over their heads?

No clue, too young a team, but the defense is playing great, and i think they have the best special teams in the NFL. Ponder is the only qb in the NFl not to throw a pick.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by nilan30

SKOL Vikings. Haven't had much chance to watch them play but a 3-1 start is probably better than expected. Does this look like a team that will still be in contention for the division in two months or are they playing over their heads?

Much better. They've already hit the half marker for the number of wins most predicted for them.

As far as the contention portion... looking into my crystal ball, I don't see why they can't still be there.

First, they're playing really solid defense. As long as they stop this prevent defense bull**** in the 4th, they're ok. Otherwise, they're running AP - who is getting better every game, and mixing in enough passes to convert 3rd downs, and Ponder is managing the game without making mistakes or forcing plays.

Considering the Packers are banged up, and have issues with stopping the run, and the Bears are here and there each week - the division is really a coin flip, IMO.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Jkidd is believing. I still have too see more to convince me, but I'm bitter anyways.

Peterson has surprised the crap out of me. He doesn't look like he has the same burst he did before, but he still is ridiculous after the contact.The line is playing much better than last year.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by BobNystromOwnsU

Jkidd is believing. I still have too see more to convince me, but I'm bitter anyways.

Peterson has surprised the crap out of me. He doesn't look like he has the same burst he did before, but he still is ridiculous after the contact.The line is playing much better than last year.

I'm not really believing they're as good as some think they are.

However, given the division make up, if you can run the ball and play defense against the pass, you have a chance.

I worry about the defense holding up to the pass down the road. The biggest point about the defense, is how will they react when they give up the big play? And how will the offense react? We seen some serious poise by Ponder against Jacksonville, but that's ****ing Jacksonville. It isn't the Bears or the Packers who can really pin their ears back and get after a quarterback if they get a lead and force the opponent into a passing game.

If the Vikings can keep out of games they're forced to play catchup, they have a solid chance. Playing the deep Tampa 2 really helps limit the big play, but they're bound to happen eventually.

The final point to make, their last 6 weeks is murderous.
@ Chi
@ GB
Chi
@ StL
@ Hous
GB

I don't see that helping them in the least bit to contend for the division or a playoff spot. But, if they can get up on those teams early and not have to play from behind, they have a chance.

I see them winning their 4th game of the year this week against the Tits, but I'm having a hard time believing they'll be above .500 come the end of the season given the ending schedule, and how consistently high of a level they'd have to play on defense to stay in it.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Now I know why I no longer memorize the schedule. That's brutal. I'm sticking to my 8-8 prediction. I think somewhere they will realize how young they are and start messing up. But I do see a bright future at least. This year's draft class could go down in Vikes history the was Kalil and Smith are playing.

I did think our defense would be much better than last season because we had so many injuries last year, but I have been surprised at how good it has been.

[JKidd]

Good to see Ponder get those first couple picks out of the way in a blow out win vs an AFC team as opposed to throwing them in a close, divisional game.

I really wish the team would get Kyle Rudolph involved more. The guy is doing it all, blocking, and when thrown the ball - catches damn near everything.

I honestly have never seen a team tackle as poorly as the Titans did yesterday. I mean, just brutal display of the basics to the sport. Guys with their heads down and lunging, no wrap ups, and not bringing their lower half at all. Percy Harvin made them all look completely pathetic beyond what a pro should ever look like.