Minnesota Vikings

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 12:02 pm

For sure things are different now. Its hard to have a complete team with the cap and free agency.

But even if my list of needs was met , they'd still have holes. I think you'd have to fill the needs on my list before you start comparisons to the Pats, Bears etc.

Do you really think the Pats / Vikes game would have been close if the Queens had one more player?

Who knows how good the coaching is?

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 12:20 pm

Right you are, one good kick returner wouldn't have made that Monday night disaster any better. It's about matchups and that was a bad one for the Vikes. Matchups are hard to explain, but it is part of the equation. We could never climb the TRF hill, but the taller, colder, steeper Fergus Falls hill was summitted many times.

From my perch there isn't anyone in the NFC that scares me. The Vikes are 6-7 and I believe they could beat any of the contenders in a 60 minute event. I didn't feel that way about the Tice-Culpepper-Moss show. I had zero confidence in them beating that Eagle team, and they didn't.

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 12:38 pm

All this team needs right now is a very good QB to take them to another level. Granted, those players are few and far between, but if this team had one of those, they would definitely be a Superbowl contender.

If Erasmus James is healthy, he can be that pass-rushing DE. We definitely have loads of depth on the D-Line, it's just a matter of health. Greenway and Tank Williams should bolster the D next year, and Cedric Griffin will be one year better.

We're not that far away, there are definitely things going in the right direction. The poor drafting talk is warranted, but there has only been one draft in the Childress era, and that produced a 1st round pick who is injured, Cedric Griffin who has played well, Tarvaris Jackson who is supposedly the QB of the future, and a solid special-teamer, backup guy in Greg Blue. Not a bad 1st draft so far. Even the Tice era produced guys like Mckinnie, Kevin Williams, Brian Williams, Kenechi Udeze, so it's not fair to say those were total flops either.

If Jackson can make huge strides and be a playmaker and leader for the offense, anything is possible in the wide-open NFC for the next few years.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:17 pm

You guys listen to KFAN too much. You sound like Mike Morris.

It starts up front with the line.

The offensive line is eradic. Why? because they only have 1/2 of one. Birk and Hutchinson. McKinnie is inconsistent and the other 2 are filler. No pass catching TE. They can run block but thats it.

The defensive line has the Williams twins who are very good run defenders but cant get to the QB. Teams with soilid passing attacks have shredded them. Erasmus James is not the answer.
They dont have depth here its more like all on the same level. Slighty above average.

Skill position talent is absolutley at the lowest level in franchise history. I cant think of a teams that hsa less skill all around.

They are at least 2 boffo drafts and a couple of key free agents away from contending.

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:53 pm

Most teams would kill to have the Vikes D-Line, they have depth at each position when they are at 100%. Kevin Williams a year removed from back to back 10 sack seasons and has 5 this year, so I don't think you can say he is incapable of getting to the QB. Slightly above average is still better than most.

The huge problem at O-Line is RT, everywhere else is pretty solid with 2 All-Pros at center and left guard. Are you now criticizing the O-Line that you said Robert Smith could already have 1,600 yards and 20 TD's behind?

The secondary is being killed by Fred Smoot's 10-yard cushions and the fact that they have 2 free safetys filling roles back there, it's mismatched parts.

Skill position talent is dreadful. Chester Taylor is the best player, but he is not a gamebreaker. Travis Taylor and Marcus Robinson are both # 3 receivers masquerading as starters. If this team could score 20 points a game, they could go some places.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:09 pm

BB, dont be speed readin on me now bro. I said they were 1/2 of a line. They can run block to bet the band but have you watched the pass blocking?

A good RB would get a lot more yards but they still cant pass block. Ask Bollinger. Johnson is limited the way it is and the lack pass blocking doesnt help.

The D line that you think teams would kill for is near the bottom of the league vs the pass.

Smoot has to give a 10 yard cushion or he would be burned like toast.

I know its not what all of us fans want to hear but...... they arent very good.

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:14 pm

Fair enough, but you can't run left all the time, and you're right, pass rushes get on us quick, usually from the right side.

The D-Line is not really at fault for the pass defense problems. They could get better pressure, but they are hurt by the fact that they are so good against the run. Teams don't beat us downfield with the passing game, they kill us with short slants and curl routes, mostly directed at guys like Smoot or our LB's.

The team isn't good, but they're at worst just below mediocre, and in the NFC, that places you as a playoff contender. Put a competent QB and somebody who can make a play with the football, and this squad is being mentioned as a Superbowl possibility from the NFC.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:33 pm

I wont argue that their defense is not good enough to contend. I have to put the NE game a side to do that but thats OK.

But the offense is just terrible.

And if you are life long Viking fans like we are, the most troubling thing is how are thye going to get better?

Are the same geniuses that drafted Troy going to supply us with talent that will get us to the playoffs and beyond?

Is the same brain trust that figured we could do just fine with Brad Johnson at QB going to lead us to glory?

I have said it before and Ill say it again. Get a broom and start over.

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:59 am

3 more hours to kickoff=

6 more hours to final=

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 1:35 pm

This whole organization is a joke.

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 3:33 pm

Okay, I've cooled off now.
Even though I know they are gonna get killed before the game, I keep watchin' anyway.
Looks like Jackson will go the rest of the year now. ( I would think )
Also: How you can you be that good against the run- and that bad against the pass?
Just 1 more- When you are down by 3 td's, making a tackle is not that big a deal.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:10 pm

Like I said, the Vikings are one good kick returner away from being a .500 franchise.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 6:58 pm

Maybe.

They arent very good.

If Jackson and Bollinger stay healthy, Johnson shouldnt be allowed any where near the first team offense. Worst QBacking I have ever seen in the Purple and Horns.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 7:34 pm

Brng Joe Kapp (sp?) out of retirement???

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 9:13 pm

The Vikings did two things right the whole day.

1. Bringing Jackson in finally.

2. Losing helps get a higher draft pick. Keep losing. Play for the future. The present is painful...

WBJG-4-life · Post by **WBJG-4-life** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 9:35 pm

Dude, the vikings blow and probably won't be good a another hundred years, and this whole topic is a waste of time. Even i am wasting time typing this garbage.

RSI · Post by **RSI** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 10:56 am

It was irrelevant to the outcome, but did anyone else notice that Williamson dropped the ball on the Hail Mary at the end of the game? I had to laugh.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:46 am

Not only that but even in the unlikely event he would have caught it, he wasnt in the end zone.

This team cant do anything right.

Jackson will now be thrown to the wolves. The Nordeast offense has a new leader. But with no talent at any of the other skill positions, good luck.

Farve will shred the Vikings on Thursday. Talk about a bad match up. The Vikqueens cant stop the pass, especially the short and intermediate stuff, and the Packers live on that.

It wont be pretty. Get a broom.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:08 pm

Based on the games the Vikes have already played, all things point to Favre having a fine night in the primetime, nippy, holiday air of Green Bay.

Not sure how many games the Vikes have left, with the bye weeks now, week 17 could mean they've only played 14 games. In anycase, tommorow's game is my stop to exit the bus, as no more snaps shall be broadcasted in my livingroom.

I look forward to this weeknight treat because when you expect nothing, you have nothing to loose.

Good Luck to Coach Childress and whoever he puts on the frozen tundra.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:07 pm

Yah sure IS. You are gonna quit watching the Vikings. How many times have you said that.

The same guy who says they are one player away is now giving up on them.

You cant quit. None of us can.

We are stuck with the deal. Its part of being from Minneysota, dontcha know.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:18 pm

Some of us Northerners nhave a petition about requesting a change to the Vikings name.

We would be much happier with Minneapolis Vikings.

elliott70 · Post by **elliott70** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:19 pm

Some of us with Norwiegen heritage and ancestors that actually sailed aboard vessels with Viking crest would be happy if they would change their name to the

Iowa Farmers.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:30 pm

Never said I would quit listening, caring, or commenting, I just don't anticipate the Viking/Ram tilt airing here.

With Neut's permission of course, I could be the guy at the dome holding the sign that says "Zigi WHAT"

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:35 pm

I have 4 tickets for the Viks/Pack matchup at Lambeau tonight.
Cold, rainy, windy, I am sure glad I can't stay home and watch the Rapids/EP game on FSN.

Why do I do this to myself?

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:58 pm

For anyone still interested. What will be a bigger number tonight?

Chris Kluwe punts or Brett Favre incompletions?