Minnesota Vikings

As OTA's and minicamps progress while training camp begin to roll over the horizon, America's favorite sport nears its regular season.  While nobody knows how well teams will do in a season with the randomness of injuries and several other factors, it's always interesting to look ahead at the schedule and prognosticate.  Unlike most people, I'm not going to give just a win or loss for each game, rather I'm going to predict how many times the Steelers would win if they played a team 10 times.  For instance if the Steelers were playing a very crappy team, I would say 9/10 or 10/10.  At the end i will add up the wins and divide by 10, giving us how many wins they will have this season.

Continue reading "Steelers Game By Game Preview of ..."

I just wanted to post a little note saying that I will no longer be blogging on this site in the future.  I want to thank the host of this blogosphere for letting me postulate about the Vikings during the 2008 season, and I'm definitely not leaving this blogosphere because I feel uncomfortable posting or anything like that.  Basically, I just want my blog to get a little more exposure in the NFL community.

Continue reading "Moving Day"

 As football fans across the globe cast their longing eyes in the direction of the April draft, I decided that now might be a good time to reflect on draft classes of the last 10 years. Too often in this business, we rush ahead to the next big event without taking pause to evaluate the past and learn from it. In a way, this study will still be a celebration of the coming 2009 draft as I believe it will shed some light on certain overlooked trends that no one ever stops to consider. I will begin with a class by class showdown of sorts at the quarterback position over the last 10 drafts.  This is part II in the series:

Continue reading "NFL Quarterback Draft Class Showdown: 2002 vs 2001"

The first year I ever watched a Super Bowl was after the 1996 season, when the Green Bay Packers (whom I, ironically, as a Vikings fan, was rooting for) beat the New England Patriots thanks in large part to a kickoff return by Desmond Howard for a touchdown to open the second half (if my memory serves me right).

Continue reading "My Favorite Super Bowl"

Being a fan of the NFL, by all accounts right now I should be doing nothing but preparing for the "holiest" of all days...Super Bowl Sunday.  Now don't get me wrong, I will watch the game on Sunday and enjoy it, but I really don't get into all the hype that precedes it.  In fact, I really dislike the fact that two weeks must commence between the AFC/NFC Championships and the overall title game (although I DO like the fact that it gives the players a chance to rest up in order to give their best performances).  However, at about this time every year, I start to become hooked by another sport...bowling.  I'm usually just a baseball (Twins) and football (Vikings) guy (I haven't watched an entire basketball or hockey game in years), so that February-March void needs to be filled with something (and Spring Training doesn't quite cut it).  Thus, I turn my attention to bowling.  Whether it be lacing up the flattened shoes at the actual alley or watching the pros break a sweat over every ball, I love what the sport of bowling represents: the idea that a task (knock down ten pins) that looks so easy can be so frustrating.

Continue reading "The Third Season"

About a week ago, I blogged about what I thought was the biggest question mark for the 2009 Minnesota Vikings...Head Coach Brad Childress.  In this post, I would like to examine the quarterback position, which will also come under deep scrutiny as the season plays out.

Continue reading "Issue #2: The Quarterback"

(First of all, I want to sort-of apologize for this picture...I usually don't like to personally attack people on this blog without due cause, but it is just too funny not to put up!)

Now that the proper time to reflect on the Vikings' first-round playoff loss to the Eagles has been taken, I want to comment on what I feel is the biggest area the Vikes should address in the offseason...the Head Coaching position.

Continue reading "Dismiss the Sheriff, Promote the Deputy"

Although "my" Minnesota Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs last weekend, the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs for both leagues offers a host of great matchups, Vikings or no Vikings...

Continue reading "Quick Picks For The NFL Divisional Playoffs"

Last Sunday's 26-14 Viking defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card round was a tale of two halves:

In the first half, the Vikings' stingy defense limited the Eagles to just three field goals (although an interception of Tarvaris Jackson by Asante Samuel gave them 16 points for the half).  On offense, the Vikings looked more than decent against a difficult-to-decipher Philly defense and got two Adrian Peterson runs for scores.

Continue reading "Eagles 26, Vikings 14: Can't Quite ..."

agles wild card playoff matchup was finalized last weekend, the Las Vegas betting line had the home Minnesota Vikings as 10-point underdogs to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.  Personally, I think that a different sort of "line" will be much more important on Sunday, that being the defensive variety...

Continue reading "Vikings/Eagles Preview: "Line" Is ..."

Before previewing the big Vikings/Eagles matchup that will cap off the NFC Wild Card playoff round, I would first like to give my "official" (meaning they are most likely completely wrong!) predictions for the other three wild card games:

Continue reading "NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Preview"

I'm a bit late on commenting on the Vikings' last-second win over the New York Giants to catapult them into the playoffs on Sunday, but I do want to put in my two cents worth on the Vikings' effort.

Continue reading "Vikings 20, Giants 19: Getting the Job Done"

I'm not going to analyze this game a whole lot, as it is pretty simple why the Vikings fell to the Falcons.  Despite dominating in nearly aspect of the game, turnovers (four fumbles in all) doomed the Purple in their quest for the NFC North Division title.

Continue reading "Falcons 24, Vikings 17: I Should ..."

To me, this Sunday's Minnesota Vikings-Atlanta Falcons matchup is very even: On defense, the Vikings are clearly the better squad.  Offensively, though, the Falcons have more star talent (Michael Turner, Matt Ryan, Roddy White) than the Vikings, so, again, a big effort from Adrian Peterson will likely be the key to victory.

Continue reading "Vikings/Falcons Preview: An Even Line"

Boy, that was a headline I never thought I would write...WANTING Tarvaris Jackson to be under center of a crucial, playoff-implication game!  At the beginning of the season, I was one of those fans calling for Gus Frerotte to replace the struggling Jackson, and even supported Rot with a post about a month ago on this very blog.  However, it became clear in that much-too-close game against the Lions that Gus Frerotte just isn't a very good quarterback any more.  Not only is he slow and prone to being sacked, but he also isn't careful enough with the ball (basically the premium task he is charged with) and throws many interceptions as well.  Basically, when Gus is under center the defense had to dominate for the Purple to get into the win column.  With T-Jack, the offense has a chance to stretch the field and get some aggressive scores (not lucky 99 yarders or screen passes).

Continue reading "The Right Man Under Center"

In the wake of all the playoff hoopla surrounding the Vikings seemingly imminent (famous last words, I know) clinching of the NFC North sometime during the next two weeks, news came down that DT Pat Williams suffered a fractured shoulder and will miss 2-6 weeks.

Continue reading "Pat Williams Eats Fractured Shoulders For Lunch"

Because of my work schedule, I was unable to preview this past Sunday's MN/Arizona game.  However, had I done so, I would have predicted a 35-14 Arizona victory (that was the number in my head).  I would have gotten the scoring correct, at least!

Continue reading "Vikings 35, Cardinals 14: An Impressive ..."

I just wanted to quickly comment on the recent retirement of NFL kicker Morten Andersen.  For Vikings fans, Andersen will ultimately always be remembered as the kicker who converted when our Anderson (Gary) could not in the 1998 NFC Championship Game and sent the greatest Vikings team of all-time home too early.  However, in a strange twist of fate, Andersen actually kicked for the Vikes in 2004 and had a decent season.  Bygones, I guess (!).

Continue reading "A Great Tormentor (And One-Time Friend) ..."

Well, anyone reading this blog likely watched Sunday's contest between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, so I'm not going to provide a summary.  Suffice it to say, though, that the Vikings got away with playing another terrible game yet walking out with a victory.

Continue reading "Vikings 20, Lions 16: Getting Away ..."

With both Pat and Kevin Williams now going through the appeals process for their four-game suspensions handed down by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy, there is a lot of "taking sides" going on right now.  In one camp are the "oh, steroids...suspend them up the wazoo" people, while others think "hey, maybe the Williamses DO have a legitimate complaint".  Of course, without being privy to the details of the case, it is difficult (i.e. impossible) to know exactly what is going on.  However, I usually find myself in the "suspend up wazoo" camp (even if it involves my favorite team).  The reason?  There is so much deception going on involving the steroids issue right now, that being firm on the issue (even if it screws a few people over) is, at least in my opinion, the best policy.

Continue reading "Hard To Take Sides On Steroid Issues"

With the tearing down of the "Williams Wall" forefront in all Vikings fans' minds right now, I would like to go off on a little bit different of a tangent, comparing the AFC juggernaut of his year to a similar 1998 NFC dominating force...

Continue reading "Vikings-Titans: An Interesting Comparison"

Well, just when you thought things were looking up for the Purple, it was announced today that both Pat Williams and Kevin Williams have been suspended for the remaining four games of the regular season.  Both will be inactive until Dec. 29 due to taking diuretics (water pills) that can serve as masking agents for certain types of steroids.  Though the Williams' vehemently declare they were taking the pills only to lose weight (Pat has a case there, Kevin not so much), it is EXPLICITLY stated in the NFL's drug and foreign substances policy that those types of pills are not acceptable.  Thus, it leads to one of two conclusions: 1. They both are trying to cover up steroid use; or 2. They both are idiots.

Continue reading "Mr. Goodell, Tear Down That Wall..."

Coming into Sunday night's nationally televised contest against the Bears, the Vikes were a team (and a fan base) that expected a victory.  Remarkably (if you know anything about the Vikes in pressure situations!), that is exactly what transpired, with an exclamation mark!  Why did the Vikings have no excuse not to win this game?  A quick recent-history lesson:

Continue reading "Vikings 34, Bears 14: Doing What Needed To Be Done"

In 1961, the first year of the Minnesota Vikings franchise, the Vikes opened their inaugural season against the powerhouse Chicago Bears.  Nobody (probably not even the Vikings themselves) gave themselves much of a chance against the class of the NFL, but on that day a young whippersnapper named Fran Tarkenton threw for 250 yards and four touchdowns to beat Da Bears 37-13 that, in all reality, rivals Super Bowl III (Joe Namath over Johnny Unitas) in "upset factor".

Continue reading "Vikings-Bears Preview: Nothing Too Special"

Based on the statistics sheet, this game should have been much closer than the actual final score indicated.  The Jaguars got more first downs than the Vikings (17-15), more passing yards (286-104), and held about even in time-of-possession.  However, the Vikes dominated the game in two key areas: turnovers recovered (five) and rushing yards (122-35).

Continue reading "Vikings 30, Jaguars 12: One Tough Son Of A Gus"

After meeting with NFL top brass this past week, it just just announced that DE Jared Allen will be fined $25,000 (but not suspended) for a rash of plays that NFL referees deemed to be late on the quarterback.

Continue reading "Jared Allen: Fined, Not Suspended"

Eleven weeks into the 2008 NFL season, the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings all sit atop the NFC North division with identical 5-5 records.  The Bears have overachieved, the Packers the opposite, and the Vikes are right about where I thought they would be.  Here's a quick look at the remaining schedules for both teams, and how I think each will fare down the stretch...

Continue reading "Vikings, Bears, Packers...The Rest Of The Way"

Wow...I don't think I've ever pegged a Vikings matchup as exactly as what I did before last Sunday's MN-TB contest.  Unfortunately, my incredibly accurate prediction came in a losing effort.

Continue reading "Tampa Bay 19, Minnesota 13: A Tale ..."

Tomorrow's contest between the Minnesota Vikings and the Tampa Bay Buccanneers will likely shape up to be a tight, defensive-type struggle.  The Bucs can stop the run, which doesn't bode well for the Adrian Peterson-led Vikings, while the Vikes can do the same, neutralizing the Bucs' main threats as well.

Continue reading "Minnesota-Tampa Bay Preview: A Slim ..."

I will admit that, due to the opening of deer hunting season here in Minnesota, I did not watch the big Vikings/Packers game last Sunday on TV.  However, from listening to most of it on the radio and watching all the postgame shows and highlights, I would like to add a few thoughts on what has (at least so far) been the Vikings' most exciting victory of the season:

Continue reading "Vikings 28, Packers 27...A Few Thoughts"

The debut of the Crypt Keeper was not a success. Two consecutive 2-2 records in the past two weeks (tongue twister yikes) keeps the overall record at .500 for the season. No worries though, I know success is on its way as the Crypt Keeper and I will go back to the drawing board to chalk up better predictions and analysis. With that said, let's see what happened in Week 9 of the NFL.

Continue reading "NFL Week 9 Fallout"

Week's Record: 2-2

*Classic NFL Films music hits*

1) Houston Texans @ Minnesota Vikings

The Texans are coming off a romp of the Cincinnati Bengals while the Vikings are fresh off a bye. A couple things that scare me being a Texans fan is Adrian Peterson and our run defense and the fact that Minnesota put up 41 points in Week 7 against a Bears defense. However the Texans have a couple things Minnesota fans can worry about: Andre Johnson and Mario Williams. Johnson has been absolutely ferocious as a receiver and Williams has been a sack master. Texans aren't a good road team and thats also a concern, but I'm picking them in this one as they'll win their 4th game in as many weeks getting them back to .500 after dropping their first four.

Continue reading "NFL Week 9 Predictions"

An article (written by the venerable Minnesota sportswriter Sid Hartman) appeared in the Star Tribune newspaper the other day that I was very intrigued by.  Here is the link...

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/33551839.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1PciUoaEYY_4PcUU

Continue reading ""Without A Doubt"? I Think Not"

>

This week, news reports have been circulating that Daunte Culpepper, former quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, and (most recently) Oakland Raiders, has been working out for the Detroit Lions, and Detroit coach Rod Marinelli is considering Pep to replace the struggling Dan Orlovsky.  Gus Frerotte is the starting QB for the Vikings.

Continue reading "Blast(s) From The Past"

is Jackson:

Pros-A few years ago, T-Jack was exalted as the "QB of the future" for the Minnesota Vikings.  He has excellent mobility, great athleticism, and is the only QB on the roster with long-term potential (excluding John David Booty, whose time may only come way down the line yet).

Continue reading "The Lesser Of Two Evils"

After that debilitating loss to the Chicago Bears last Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings will not return to a game-day field until November 2nd, as a result of their Week 8 bye.  While most of the players are enjoying a week's vacation before hitting the pads again next Monday, the coaches are by and large breaking down film and studying schemes in order to determine how to fix the lethargic Viking offense (or at least how to repeat last Sundays' yardage totals without shooting themselves in the foot with stupidity).  However, whereas most pundits consider the Vikings' toughest part of the schedule behind them, I would beg to differ.  Coming out of the break, here are the next four teams the Vikings have to face:

Continue reading "Seize The Day"

In my previous post, summing up the Vikings/Bears contest of last Sunday, I touched on the multiple areas in which the Vikings failed to put that game in the "W" column, including offense (four interceptions thrown by Gus Frerotte), and special teams (two mangled plays that led to Bears touchdowns).  However, in this post, I would like to lay the blame where I strongly feel it sorely belongs...on the pass defense.

Continue reading "Laying The Blame On Its Rightful Place"

Week 7 is officially in the books as Tuesday, the 21st of October rolls around today. This week's Fallout report will cover the most interesting games from the week 7 slate in the National Football League. The alarm is going off in Big D as the Cowboys struggle for the second week in a row to find a win, the Vikings put up 41 in a loss, and Brett Farve gets the ball three times in overtime against the struggling Raiders, but can't chip any points in. I'll cover those happenings....right now!

Continue reading "NFL Week 7 Fallout"

In my previous blog, I predicted that the Chicago Bears would defeat the Minnesota Vikings in large part because of the Vikes' terrible pass defense.  Thus, while I did not expect a 48-41 final score, that is pretty much EXACTLY what transpired at Soldier Field:

Continue reading "Wek 7 Review: How Did We Lose? Let ..."

As I will likely be in church up until moments before the opening kickoff of the Vikings-Bears game tomorrow, I would like to quickly give my predictions as to what will transpire at Soldier Field:

Continue reading "Week 7 Preview: Too Much Speed, Too ..."

Before I preview this Sunday's Vikings-Bears matchup this Sunday, there is one more area of the Vikings I would like to discuss...their pass defense.

For a short history lesson, the Vikings have had a porous pass defense for a good many years.  Even in the 1998-2000 years, when the offense was racking up the points and wins, the defense would almost certainly give up 250 yards through the air and a few scores.  Things only got worse during the Mike Tice era, when the "McCombs Administration" would not spend a time on the defense.  As Brad Childress put together such talent as Pat Williams, Antoine Winfield, Darren Sharper, and Dwight Smith (until the whole sex-in-the-stairwell thing), the overall defense seemed to improve, but teams (starting with the New England Patriots on a fateful Monday night in 2006) began to realizing that all you had to do to beat the Vikings was pass, pass, and then pass a little more.

Continue reading "One More Weak Link"

Back in the late 1990s, I remember being confidant of the Vikings special teams unit.  While they did give up the occasional big return (but who doesn't?), they were generally very good in that area.  What set them apart from others, though, was return man (on kickoffs and punts) David Palmer (pictured above).  Now, this was at a time in the NFL when return "specialists" had not yet been catered to yet, so most returners were either starting cornerbacks or fourth and fifth-string wide receivers (like Palmer was).  Palmer was quick enough to turn on the burners when needed, and slippery enough to elude even the craftiest of tacklers.  Over the course of the game, the Vikings could usually be counted on to rack up more return yards than the opposing team.

Continue reading "Nothing "Special" About It..."

In my previous post, I made the case that Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress should be fired after this Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears, regardless of the outcome, and former St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan should be installed.

Continue reading "Fixing The Vikings Offense"

As the Minnesota Vikings left the field in the first half of Sunday's lackluster contest against the Detroit Lions, Vikings fans reigned down boos on their Purple.  Midway through the second half, chants of "Fire Childress!" could be heard booming through the Metrodome.  With the type of anemic offense the Vikings have had over the last three years, there is good reason that Childress should be doing no more than updating his resume by now.  On the other hand, the Vikes ARE 3-3 this season and tied with Green Bay and Chicago (next week's opponent) for first place in the hapless NFC North.

Continue reading "If I Were Ziggy..."

etroit Lions) that we have had complete domination over for pretty much their entire existence, the Minnesota Vikings had ever excuse to be supremely confident heading home to tame the Lions.  Of course, this being the

Continue reading "Despite Safety, Win Over Lions Is Anything But"

NFC East

Week 6

Hello East Fans,

Well after a week of Hiatus to curse the football gods for my team’s embarrassing losses. I felt a preview of the Best division in Football was the only way to quench the thirst. Every team in the division except for Washington is on the road, let’s start with the leaders of the pack.

Continue reading "The East!"

While watching my Vikings play the Saints the other night, I was treated to one of the most hilarious moments I have ever had while watching an NFL game.  I don't exactly remember when in the game this was, but at some point a defensive lineman from one team jumped into the neutral zone and made the offensive lineman from the other team move.  The penalty should clearly be for offensive false start (as a defensive player is only penalized if he touches an opposing offensive player before the snap), and that is exactly what happened.  However, it was the way in which the much-maligned Ed Hochuli made the call that was so hilarious to me.  A few years ago, the NFL began cracking down on their officiating crew, most notably to get them to thoroughly explain each call made on the field.  Thus, Hochuli's statement about the false start penalty: "A defensive player jumped into the neutral zone before the snap, but that does not excuse the offensive player from false-starting, resulting in a 10-yard penalty".  I love it!!  Perhaps it was just the lateness of the hour or my lack of sleep at the time, but I found the in-depth description of that play to be absolutely hilarious!

Continue reading "One Hilarious Moment"

y Cline (or Gnarls Barkley, for this generation), the recent Monday Night Football game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints was the epitome of "Crazy".

This is my first post on this blogging system, and really, could I have picked a better game to start my Vikings coverage with?!  What I will do in this post is try to summarize and comment on the events that took place on the field on Monday night, with more in-depth commentary coming in later posts.  Here goes:

Continue reading "Crazy"

       Sean Salisbury offers his fantasy football preview for week 6 of the NFL. Check this out every week at my blog.

Continue reading "Sean Salisbury's Fantasy Preview for Week 6"

The Crying Game

The Terrell Owens story

Hello NFL fans,

Well here we are, week four of the third year with his last team. This will be his last team, I truly believe that. If I were an owner I would rather get a letter full of anthrax and then imprisoned IN Cuba to spend the rest of my days. The continuous onslaught of reporters and fans condemning my name and wanting my head on a stick would be too much for me to bare.

Continue reading ""

              The economic “crisis" is not that complicated. The stock market always wants positive press to continue its trading

Continue reading "Economic Crisis"

This is an ongoing record of the funniest sports' quotes from the major and local sports talk shows like ATH, PTI, Jim Rome, etc.  I missed a few during Hurricane Ike and could use your help. Feel free to contribute some of you own from TV and radio or comment on the ones you see here. Your new quotes will be integrated daily as part of the ongoing record.  To post a quote or make a comment just follow the comment link at the bottom.

Continue reading "Funny Sports Quotes"

Your favorite method of getting your football returns this week . The popular video series can be found at my blog.

Continue reading "Fantasy girl returns"

   I just wanted to let you know that I may be unable to post for a few days. I live south of Houston, near Galveston, Texas. As hurricane Ike approaches there may be power outages and loss of internet access. If that is the case, I will be unable to write my column. Remember though, there are things much more important than sports. If you need Ike information, you can go to:

Continue reading "Hurricane information"

Houston Texans injury update:

Megan Manfull of the Houston Chronicle has reported these injuries -

               Running back Ahman Green - It wasn't a cramp that limited his play Sunday. He has a sprained ankle.

Continue reading "Injury Update"

Here is the great Jack Buck's poem that was given on September 17, 2001."Since this nation was founded ... under God
More than 200 years ago
We have been the bastion of freedom
The light that keeps the free world aglow

Continue reading "Jack Buck's Poem remembering 9-11"

Believe. Believe. It’s the one word in sports that says so much but says so little. You’ve seen signs in every NFL stadium at some point with this simple word. ”Believe.” When MLB baseball approaches the postseason every year, the word reappears. “Believe.” But believe in what I ask you? Do the Chicago Cubs “believe” that they will win a World Championship? Or do they “believe” that some strange twist of fate will ruin another promising season. What does your team “believe” in?

Continue reading "Believe!"

NFL Week 1 Results
NY Giants 16 Wahington 7
Pittsburgh 38 Houston 17
Atlanta 34 Detroit 21
Tennessee 17 Jacksonville 10
Baltimore 17 Cincinnati 10
Philadelphia 38 St. Louis 3

Continue reading "NFL SCOREBOARD"

You can get your fantasy football updates here as well as columns, funny sports quotes, injury updates and anything else sports related. If your not already seeing this video just hit the sportspoet link and you will get everything that you need to keep up with your favorite sports teams. Thank you for visiting this site.

Continue reading "Fantasy Football Video by Sportsgirl"

This is an ongoing record of the funniest sports' quotes from the major and local sports talk shows like ATH, PTI, Jim Rome, etc.  Feel free to contribute some of you own from TV and radio or comment on the ones you see here. Your new quotes will be integrated daily as part of the ongoing record.  To post a quote or make a comment just follow the comment link at the bottom.

Continue reading "Funny Sports Quotes-September 10"

         What better way to start my life as a sports blogger than this. It is my opening post, yet more importantly to the sports fan it is Pro Football Eve!!! That's right.  Football is back and the 5 month holiday is "The Most wonderful Time of the Year", but only some of us will get presents. Santa Coughlin may be in the giving mood again. It is more likely however,  that Giselle will lead the Patriot fans in a Marilyn Monroe inspired "Santa Bra-dy", asking for that "one thing, a ring".

Continue reading "Welcome! Pro Football Eve"