Who Do The Vikings Want to Play in the Second Round?

Someone send some champagne to the Cowboys, will ya? Some fancy stuff, twenty bucks ought to cover it. Thank the Giants for leaving their hearts in New York, too.

While there is justified bliss over Sunday’s results, and everyone should celebrate in one way or another (be it donkey-punching a friend or drinking paint thinner until tomorrow’s sun goes down), it is hard to dissect a hollow win over a Giants team that abandoned their season weeks ago.

Has the offense worked through the kinks to get back to the midseason juggernaut that rolled downfield? Has the defense solved the problems in the back end?

Only time will tell.

But those are the aesthetic, superficial questions and worries. Fact is the Vikings are in the playoffs, they got the bye, and will have at least one home playoff game. 

Can’t ask for much more than that.

Now the playoffs are upon us and the question is: Who do the Vikings want to see in the Metrodome in two weeks?

One good thing: The Vikings can’t play Philadelphia in the second round, as the Eagles would automatically go to New Orleans if they won their first round game (due to being the sixth and last seed in the playoffs).

Excellent. Let those two offenses tire each other out.

As for the rest, it is like choosing between beef with roach poison, chicken with rat poison, or pad thai—there is no good answer.

But answers you shall receive.

The number one choice is probably the Dallas Cowboys—a team that just happens to have the best defense in the NFC currently, a team that went into New Orleans and gave the Saints their first loss, and just shut out an Eagle offense that had looked like the best in football the past few weeks. Yeah, that would be the team the Vikings most want to play.

These NFC playoffs will be a gauntlet in hell for all parties.

The Cowboys are a team that plays (somewhat) into Minnesota’s strengths, though. Their offense relies on the run more than any other team in the conference, and the Vikings still have one of the most imposing rush defenses in the game. If Dallas can’t run the ball, and Romo is forced to throw more often, mistakes could follow.

And for all the yards the Cowboys piled up on offense this year (second most in the NFL), they were only the 14th highest scoring team in the league. Basically, they have trouble putting the ball in the end zone; the Cowboys have not scored more than 24 points in nine straight games.

That can be okay when you have a defense that has played as successful as Dallas has. The Cowboys have given up the second least points in the NFL and have not given up any points in their last two games.

DeMarcus Ware could give Bryant McKinnie a bad Julius Peppers flashback. Mike Jenkins could shut down one side of the field. Keith Brooking and Bradie James could control the gaps and Adrian Peterson.

But it stands to reason that the Cowboys would have more trouble scoring on a Vikings defense that has had a pretty good year (tenth least points allowed, most sacks in the NFL, and ten less yards allowed per game than Dallas) than the Vikings (second most points in the NFL) would have scoring on Dallas.

So it seems…

Next on the list would be the Arizona Cardinals, a team that embarrassed the Vikings earlier in the season and possesses a plethora of match-up nightmares for Minnesota.

Kurt Warner’s ability to pick apart a blitz or zone; Larry Fitzgerald; how Anquan Boldin can out-muscle anyone in the Vikings secondary; Steve Breaston’s speed; one of the most talented secondaries in the league; an iron-willed defensive line; Karlos Dansby, etc.

Though the Cardinals do have some problems of their own, right now. Boldin is always injured and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was carted off the field Sunday. Arizona beat the Vikings in Arizona, as well; the change in venue would assuredly have an impact on any outcome.

Still, with their passing game and fast, physical defense, Arizona is the last team the Vikings want to play.

Except for the Packers.

Oh, dear sweet Lord in Heaven, do the Vikings not want to play the Packers a third time this season.

Not the way Aaron Rodgers has been playing, or with that much, much improved offensive line. Or with Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, and that entire defense playing at a level only slightly behind Dallas right now.

And no Vikings fan can trot out the “beat them twice in the regular season, can do it again” line. Everyone knows this Green Bay is thoroughly different now, like night and day. Everyone knows how difficult it is to beat a team three times in one season. 

A loss to the Packers, this year, in these playoffs, after that regular season, and those regular season games—and of course, that whole Favre thing—would just…be…devastating.

Just…no.

Get them away.

There you have it: The Vikings don’t want to play any of these teams, really. Sure, they can beat any of these teams, and playing in the Metrodome can’t hurt.

But they can just as easily lose to any of these teams.

Can we just skip ahead to the NFC Championship game? And can the Saints win their game while Drew Brees breaks a patella?

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Ten NFL Myths for 2009

There is some commonly held beliefs out there, shared ideas and thoughts that are so entrenched in the minds of the NFL viewing public, that they eventually become believed as facts.

They are not facts. They are myths, and if these myths don’t end, we’re gonna end up like the Greeks. Or something similar. More like the Aztecs, probably.

So here are some of those current commonly held beliefs, these current myths about the NFL, and a different opinion.

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’09 Saints/Vikings Eerily Similar to ’98 Vikings/Falcons

Once upon a time a dome team went 15-1, with the highest scoring offense in the league (in league history, at the time), the highest point differential in the league, a turnover-happy defense that pounced in the fourth quarter when their team had the lead, and were generally regarded as a lock to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.

At the same time another dome team went 14-2, with the fourth highest scoring offense in the league, the third-best point differential in the league, a veteran quarterback having the best year of his career, a running back they were running to death, and a coach generally regarded as kind-of a moron.

But later in the season, in the most important game, when the 15-1 team’s defense needed to get a stop, they couldn’t stop the opposition.

The 2009 New Orleans Saints are the number one scoring offense and have the highest point differential in the league. Just like the 1998 Minnesota Vikings.

The 2009 Vikings have slightly better statistics (second highest scoring offense, second in point differential) than the 1998 Falcons.

And, when you really think about it, O.J. Santiago might be Visanthe Shiancoe, after taking gallons of steroids and Fountain of Youth Juice (tm: Johnson and Johnson).

We’ve seen this movie before, and the ending.

The dome surface doesn’t give an advantage to either team; the team with the sturdier defense holds up; Gary Anderson skips in, shanks a field goal, and skips off; and the gamblers of America weep sadly. Or cry joyfully. It is always hard to tell what the gamblers of America are feeling.

No one knows if the story will be the same this time. That’s why we watch. But the analogy is pretty interesting, even if doesn’t hold up entirely.

This ’09 Vikings team is being given a better chance than the ’98 Falcons were given; perhaps rightfully so, perhaps not.

Back then, nobody really thought the Falcons would stop a record-setting Vikings offense that featured MVP Randall Cunningham; the devastating trifecta of Cris Carter, Randy Moss, and Jake Reed; and the Robert Smith/LeRoy Hoard combo in the backfield.

Nonetheless, the Falcons defense—led by a consistent and talented defensive front four—were able to stymie the Vikings just enough, and let their offense go to work on the Vikings statistically-overrated defense.

The Falcons offense was riding Jamal Anderson in the best year of his career, but Chris Chandler and the passing game pulled out this game. Time and again, Chandler was able to find an open receiver (usually Tony Martin or Terrance Mathis) against the Vikings slow secondary.

Brett Favre is not Chris Chandler, though. Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin have much more talent than Martin and Mathis had, even if they lack the veteran awareness of the Falcons duo. And then there is Adrian Peterson. 

The Saints defense and that Vikings defense have a couple of distinct differences, though.

The Saints have a young, talented, emerging defensive line; whereas the Vikings had John Randle and three guys who couldn’t take advantage of all the attention opposing offensive lines gave John Randle.

Will Smith and Charles Grant, the Saints defensive ends, would cause a lot of havoc for Vikings tackles Bryant McKinnie and Phil Loadholt. The Saints young, first-round defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis could annihilate the Vikings young, sixth-round center John Sullivan.

Jonathan Vilma, the Saints middle linebacker, is faster and bigger and stronger than Ed McDaniel, the Vikings middle linebacker in 1998.

But any possible Saints-Vikings game would inevitably come down to what that Falcons-Vikings game came down to: Which secondary blinks first?

The Falcons secondary was under the most stress, as the Vikings secondary would be in any game against Drew Brees and the Saints’ passing attack. If the Vikings blink, and Brees has one of those Brees games that gives fantasy owners fantasy wins, the Vikings chances to win would go from “possible” to “highly improbable.”

However, if the Vikings secondary—like the Falcons secondary—can work in tandem with their defensive line to hold down Brees’ potent passing game, then the pressure would shift as it did in ’98, albeit to the Saints.

While they are enjoying a statistically good year, the Saints secondary can be had.

Darren Sharper might still be able to catch a pass thrown to him and run straight, but he is a 34-year-old safety; those creatures don’t last too long in the NFL. Chris McAlister might have been one of the best corners a couple of years ago, but that was a couple of years ago. Their other corners are very young, and in the playoffs, young corners are often exposed by veteran quarterbacks.

If pressure is put to this secondary, they could easily fold. And if the Saints have to re-adjust their defense to focus on the Vikings pass, that’s when Peterson would make them pay.

Lucky for the Saints, pressure might never be applied them. Much like the ’98 Vikings, their offense looks unstoppable. Unbeatable. And their defense looks good enough.

But just like in 1998, there is a team that is right there with them, unafraid of going into their dome, with all the necessary pieces to expose that Achilles’ Heel, and the necessary talent to win.

There really are some eerie similarities going on here.

Of course, this could all be moot.

Maybe the Cowboys or Cardinals or Eagles put it all together, and ruin this almost-assured NFC-championship matchup. Maybe Brett Favre retires tomorrow; that actually seems more likely than the Cowboys putting it all together.

Sean Peyton could be jailed for tax evasion. What if Drew Brees quits football to be a monk in Tibet?

Who really knows what the future holds.

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Minnesota Vikings Continue to Fly Under Radar

NFL fans got a lot of questions and storylines after week ten, didn’t they?

String Belicheck up! What was he thinking!? (Are the commentators aware that when his team was losing one time, Belicheck purposely took a safety, giving the opposition two points and the ball? That he became a “genius” by going against the grain? That we should probably all calm down about a regular season decision? No? He’s worse than Hitler? Okay.)

And what is the problem with the Saints?! The Rams almost won! (The Saints defense is being held together by glue and yarn, right now. And Steven Jackson is a legitimate MVP candidate despite his team’s record.)

The Bengals can’t lose! The Broncos can’t win! Jay Cutler can’t pass! Roy Williams can’t catch! Which Cardinals team is going to show up? Which Chargers team is going to show up? Dick Jauron can’t coach and JaMarcus Russell just can’t do anything and…oh yeah, and the Vikings are 8-1.

Yes, the Vikings are 8-1 and (somehow) an afterthought in the national media’s eyes.

Through ten weeks, Brett Favre is the highest rated passer in the NFL with a 107.5 rating, and 17 touchdowns to three interceptions; wasn’t the Internet supposed to short-circuit if this happened? Weren’t the ESPN studios going to implode? Is Peter King having a heart attack or an orgasm or both?

Apparently none of the above, as King still thinks a 6-3 New England is the better team. Pardon the Interruption can’t be bothered to discuss the Vikings. ‘Nor Around the Horn. It seems the national media can only pay lip service to Minnesota’s Super Bowl chances, if they can even be bothered to talk about the Vikings in the first place. 

In addition to Favre having arguably the best statistical season of his career, Adrian Peterson is number two in the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns. Sidney Rice is number four in receiving yards. Jared Allen is number two in sacks. Percy Harvin does what Percy Harvin does. Pat Williams lives. Ray Edwards improves. The team is second in the NFL in scoring offense and 12th in scoring defense.

The Vikings are locked, stocked, and loaded. 

And they are flying completely under the radar, all things considered.

The Redskins get more coverage for being a horribly boring, dysfunctional team. Ditto the Raiders, but replace “horribly boring” with “interestingly awful, car-wreck style.”

Should it be that way? Possibly. Is it sour grapes to complain about media attention? Most definitely. But that doesn’t mean the thesis isn’t true.  

The Vikings could go 15-1 this season, with each win taken for granted along the way by television analysts, and the questions would still remain in that first postseason game: Can Childress get out of this teams’ way? Can Favre stay smart and healthy? Can the secondary keep a good passing game down?

Valid questions, to be sure, but questions that could be asked of any of the top teams; are the Saints going anywhere if Drew Brees gets hurt? Or if Darren Sharper can’t return to the level he was playing at before his injury? What if that glue/yarn defense falls apart?  

At times, the Vikings have answered all the questions; the Packers games, the performance against Roethlisberger and the Steelers. At other times, the questions lingered; the fourth quarter against the Ravens, the second half of the 49ers game.

One can somewhat understand the skepticism about the Vikings. Somewhat. 

Over the next few weeks though, as the Saints and Colts and other teams’ flaws continue to get nitpicked and the reactionary media gets all reactionary-like, the Vikings Super Bowl chances will likely be addressed ad nauseum. So they got that going for them, which is nice. 

And right now, there are still two undefeated teams out there, and pretty good teams in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New England, and even New York (if the Giants can get their secondary in order). Who knows what Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, or even Houston will do. Cincinnati has sure proven themselves in the past couple weeks, haven’t they?

There really are plenty of storylines in the NFL, as there always are. And of course it’s sour grapes to be angry at the talking heads for not discussing the Vikings more.

But those same pundits will probably be singing a different tune in a few weeks, and at the end of the season.

…besides, the Vikings have gotten plenty of pub this year when you really think about it.

Now, how about Belicheck?! Can You Believe That!?

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Minnesota Vikings Look Super

The sun is shining bright in Minnesota these days (figuratively speaking, not literally) as the Vikings proved their mettle Sunday in Green Bay, and put themselves firmly on the short list of Super Bowl contenders in the process.  

The Vikings continued to demonstrate that they can beat any team, any Sunday, on any field, with any number of players and weapons: The Brett Favre-led passing game methodically matriculating the ball down the field and into the end zone, or the defense holding the opposition to 47 total yards in a half, or another big play from Percy Harvin, just as the opposition is gaining momentum.

And Adrian Peterson is still there, who—despite the inconsistent run blocking he is receiving—remains the most sensational and feared player in football with the ball in his hands.  

Give Brad Childress credit for giving Peterson the ball four times inside the 10-yard line, allowing Adrian to will the ball into the end zone towards the end of the first quarter. It was also the right call to go for it on another fourth-and-one attempt, despite the fact they were stuffed due to that inconsistent run blocking.

Even though the run blocking has been a tad lackluster, and everyone wants a higher yards-per-carry average (which seems greedy since Peterson is averaging 4.8 ypc), their pass protection has been first-rate. Favre has been sacked only 10 times in the past six games, including a big fat zero times against Green Bay.  

The added time in the pocket has allowed Favre to find the talented foursome of Harvin, Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian, and Visanthe Shiancoe down the field. These developments have made it seem like the passing game improves with every drive.

Meanwhile, the Vikings defense got six sacks—all from their front four. Minnesota currently leads the NFL in sacks and Jared Allen is the NFL leader with 10.5.

They should probably send a gift basket to the Green Bay offensive line for those stats. 

The re-emergence of Pat Williams has been crucial to the defense’s recent success. The big man might’ve needed a couple of games to get into game shape, but he has had consecutive superb outings against Pittsburgh and Green Bay. He looked like a tidal wave during his sack Sunday, easily brushing past a weak attempted block from Ryan Grant, before engulfing Aaron Rodgers.

Throw in the fact that Ray Edwards had his best game of the season and that Kevin Williams is the lineman who gets doubled the most on this team these days, and the Vikings front four might be more intimidating than ever.

The secondary is still prone to taking drives, quarters, and halves off, though.

They deserve plenty of credit for their dominant game against Pittsburgh, and their impressive first halves against Green Bay and Baltimore; but they still deserve plenty of scrutiny for their lifeless play whenever the Vikings have a big lead.  

Maybe defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier should reconsider his play-calling in those situations.

Or maybe Benny Sapp could figure out how to take an angle; or Karl Paymah and Madieu Williams could work on wrapping up; or Asher Allen could find a happy medium between his cagey-veteran performance in Pittsburgh and his sloppy-rookie performance in Green Bay.  

Or Antoine Winfield can come back healthy and solve everything.

But, while the score might’ve been close at times and the Vikings might’ve made some irritating mistakes in the second half (looking at you, Brian Robison), Minnesota responded to every Green Bay score and comeback attempt with definitive statements.

And it was those responses, those statements, those touchdown drives in such a hostile environment, during a division game, that have the Vikings looking so super today.  

That and the fact the Vikings have the second-highest points-per-game in the NFL halfway through the season.

Yes, there are still questions and another half-season to play before the playoffs begin; and yes, the Vikings are a missed field goal and a miracle away from being 6-3. 

But their record isn’t 6-3; it is 7-1 as they head into the bye week, which will be followed by home games against Detroit and Seattle.

Anyone could look at this team before the season and see that the ingredients were there for an outstanding season, or disappointment.

So far, the Vikings haven’t disappointed.

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A Real Ravenous Test Is Coming

There are a couple of ways to talk about the Minnesota Vikings 38-10 win over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

One could discuss the maddening defense, which gave up 400 total yards to an offense that was mired in a season-long slump, but then stopped the Rams inside the 10-yard line thrice. Or the Vikings continued dominance in the third quarter.

But why even bother with a third discussion option about a blase win over a team going nowhere this season, when such an important, Ravenous test looms next weekend?

The Baltimore Ravens are coming into the Metrodome this weekend with a two-game losing streak, and are considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders by most NFL pundits. They might be undefeated if Mark Clayton’s hands didn’t vanish at the worst time against New England or if a couple calls went their way against Cincinnati. 

The Ravens will play angry, angrier than usual, and with the desperation of a team needing a win. This isn’t the typical Baltimore team either, as their offense has finally caught up with—and possibly surpassed—their defense.

Second-year quarterback Joe Flacco is the head of the NFL’s fourth highest total offense. He has a 90.2 quarterback rating, a 64.2 completion percentage, and is throwing for 258 yards per game. He has become one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, as opposed to the caretaker he was last year.

Baltimore has five receivers with 17 receptions or more and 200 yards or more, including Rice. Flacco has spread the ball around between a talented and veteran receiving corps featuring Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, Kelley Washington, and Mark Clayton.

Flacco and the passing game’s accelerated development has in no small part been helped by the Raven’s great running attack. Currently ranked sixth in the NFL, Baltimore is averaging 133 rushing yards per game.

Ray Rice, the second-year running back from Rutgers, is progressing into one of the best running backs in football. Despite splitting carries with Willis McGahee, Rice has 364 rushing yards on 5.8 yards per carry, and has contributed 208 receiving yards in the passing game. His receiving touchdown against Cincinnati in week five was a mix of Marshall Faulk and Walter Payton and hyperbole-inspiration.

The offense has been surprisingly excellent, while the defense has been surprisingly mediocre. Baltimore’s run defense is still it’s normal top-five self, but the pass defense is languishing (25th in the NFL) near the Detroits and St.Louises of the NFL. But with their track record, and Ed Reed, no one can expect this anomaly to last, and the Baltimore defense should still be feared. And respected. And feared.

Especially feared.

The Vikings, meanwhile, have a problem nobody saw coming: Adrian Peterson is going to have to help Brett Favre out more.

Peterson has averaged 70 yards on 3.5 yards per carry over the last three games. Arguably, he hasn’t needed to do more than that, but it is hard to believe the Vikings can beat the Ravens without Peterson contributing more.

Something to consider: The Ravens had not allowed a 100-yard rusher for 44 straight games, until Cedric Benson hung 120 yards on them last week. It remains to be seen if that’s a sign of things to come, or something that will motivate Ray Lewis into a hurricane-like tizzy.

A reason for Peterson’s recent lack of yards is that opposing defenses have stacked up against the run, and dared Favre to beat them. So far, Favre has done just that. In the past two games, Favre is averaging 251 yards, with a 76.3 completion percentage, and four touchdowns.

If he can continue that kind-of performance against the Ravens, MVP chatter will soon begin for the player who is discernibly the difference for a team that was 2-3 after week five last year, and 5-0 after week five this year. But that doesn’t mean Favre is or should be the MVP—he’s but one great cog in a great team.

The Vikings have shown through the first five games that they are flush with disciplined playmakers all over the field who can take over a game at any point. Favre, Peterson, Percy Harvin, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, etc.. The Vikings are not undefeated because of any one aspect or any one player. This is an all-around team that could beat anybody in the league in any number of ways.

That is just the paper though, what has happened, what is known. And we watch for the unknown, what will happen.

As for what will happen in the Baltimore/Minnesota game, there should be big hits, big turnovers, and big performances. These are two evenly matched, evenly talented, determined teams.

But Miss Cleo won’t even predict a winner, except to say they’ll be wearing purple.

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Minneosta Vikings Won’t Need Brett Favre To Break Packers’ Hearts

The Monday night game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers has an abundance of storylines that ESPN has hammered into America’s collective consciousness for the past months.

Brett Favre trying to become the first quarterback in history to defeat every NFL team, against the team he crafted his legend with. Aaron Rodgers reprising the beleaguered role of Steve Young. Two favorites for the NFC North division title challenging each other. Fanbases forced to recognize the folly of sport. Rivals and Ryan Longwell. All of these storylines have been covered, except one.

The Vikings should run the Packers out of the dome. 

This is an ideal time for the Vikings to catch the Packers, and if they make the most of it, this game will be done before the fourth quarter.

Consider the Packers’ mess of an offensive line against the Vikings stout defensive line. The Packers have already given up 12 sacks through three games, and according to the latest reports, starting left tackle Chad Clifton won’t be able to suit up Monday. That leaves converted guard Daryn Colledge to block All-Pro Jared Allen, who is probably practicing his sack celebration dance right now.

Jared Allen is constantly practicing his sack celebration dance, though. Constantly.

The Packers passing game has not lived up to preseason expectations (207 yards/game, 18th in the NFL), thanks to the woeful line and a surprising rash of dropped passes. The Vikings pass defense has been much improved over past seasons, giving up an average of 168 yards/game, fourth best in the NFL.  

So if the Packers’ line can’t protect the pocket, Rodgers won’t have much of a chance in his personal battle against Favre. And if Rodgers were to get time, that might not even be enough.

The Packers defense will have a predicament just as intimidating: Adrian Peterson. Peterson has averaged 113 yards in four games against the Packers (including a 192-yard performance the last time these two played), and the Packers run defense has underachieved this year, giving up 128 yards/game for 10th worst in the NFL.  

Peterson, meanwhile, is averaging 119 yards/game this season, and the Vikings as a team are averaging 143 yards/game, seventh best in the NFL.

And Percy Harvin constantly gets touchdowns. Constantly.

All of that and Brett Favre’s relentless need to stick it to Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson. The paper and stats and momentum side with the Vikings on Monday.

But the Packers need the win more in order to keep ground in the competitive NFC North.

If the Packers win, the division would be tied between Green Bay, Minnesota, and the Chicago Bears. If the Packers lose, they would be two games behind the Vikings, and one game behind the Bears.

This is as close to a must-win game as a week four game can be, even without the added incentive of playing against their former idol. 

No one will be surprised if the Packers take the air out of the dome with a victory, the Vikings’ current and evident advantages notwithstanding. Any given Sunday, or Monday, as it were.

What if, as the cartoon says, Brett Favre has a senior moment, and throws to green and white instead of purple.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers could have gleaned something from the tape of the 49ers/Vikings game, when the 49ers reined in Adrian Peterson (save one 35-yard run). The Vikings’ excellent pass defensive statistics could be revealed by Greg Jennings and Donald Driver as nothing more than a mirage, or Ryan Grant unexpectedly pokes holes in the Vikings run defense.

The Vikings’ offensive line hasn’t created much time for their quarterback, for that matter; Favre could see Aaron Kampman many, many times.

That is where this game will be won, like every NFL game: in the battles between offensive lineman and pass rushers, between corners and wide receivers, running backs and blitzing linebackers, and obviously the all-important turnover battle. Any given Monday.

This is a big game for both teams, and not just because Favre is competing against Green Bay.

But that is pretty crazy when you really think about it. Favre versus the Packers, wow. 

It should be a great game.

For Vikings fans.

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How Quickly We Forget

Ho-hum.

Ho-hum, 180 yards. Three touchdowns, ho-hum.

Let’s talk about Brett Favre! Splendid! What did you think of that throw, Mr. Elizabeth Hasselbeck? Did it have the tight, crisp spin of a Brazilian pole-dancer?

Percy Harvin caught three balls! Blimey! And then Brett tackled him and then they hugged and then it got a little awkward and then children’s eyes had to be covered and then raunchiness was redefined and then a nun wept.

Adrian Peterson, 180 yards, three touchdowns, a 64-yard ankle-breaking zig-zag through blocks and defenders, the brick stiff-arm, and a rocket booster-like dead sprint…ho-hum.

Expected.

Has it gotten to this point already? It usually takes a DWI or a season in Oakland or The Plastic Ono Band before we start taking greatness for granted.

But barely three seasons into his career, and Adrian Peterson gets the back seat after gaining more rushing yards than 28 National Football League teams?

Ho-hum, let’s talk about the special teams. Nothing special there, am I right?! Huh?! Yeah!? Sorry.

Just step back for a second and think: Peterson is on pace for 1,800 yards and 30 touchdowns, with six games left in the season.

The 30 touchdowns will obviously come down – Chester is a vulture, Brett has got a lot of free Wranglers thanks to the one-yard touchdown pass, and Jeff Dugan is goin’ get his! – but 1,800 yards through 10 games?

Sure, why not.

It’s an outlandish and foolish statement, but so what? Have you seen this “human”? Or his future “opposition”?

The Vikes are playing in Detroit next week. The Lions just gave up 358 passing yards and six touchdowns to Drew Brees and the Saints. Despite all those passes, running back Mike Bell was still able to rush for 143 yards.

Mike Bell. He couldn’t get yards in the Mike Shanahan running back machine.

The lesson is, as always, Detroit’s defense might not be that good this year.

Peterson could get 300 yards next week, and only with Peterson can such an outlandish and foolish and drunk statement be taken somewhat seriously; i.e, Adrian Peterson is the reason Superman keeps some kryptonite around, in case Adrian turns evil.

But, as we all know, Superman keeps some kryptonite around because he’s suicidal. Being the world’s savior is too much pressure for one man, even a Superman. Or a Christ. But that’s a story for another day.

The Vikings won Sunday – and will continue to win, or lose – because of many reasons. It’s a football team; there is always more praise or criticism to go around, don’t get me wrong.

Yes, they won because Brett Favre completed important passes; because Percy Harvin gets first downs; because Chester Taylor is a professional; because Kevin Williams makes impact plays; and because the E.J-led defense made the important third down plays.

But while it’s a football team, and they win and lose as a football team, the Vikings will go as far as Adrian Peterson can drag defenders.

He is the bread butterer, and no one can ever forget this.

Especially you, Brad.

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Meaningless Thoughts About a Meaningless Game

During the 2005 preseason, the Minnesota Vikings were a popular choice to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Heck, Sports Illustrated picked ’em to win the Super Bowl!

Daunte Culpepper was coming off a career year, the defensive side of the ball had finally been addressed, and Mike Tice was the head coach. What could go wrong? Culpepper lit up the preseason, Tice stopped scalping tickets, and expectations rose.

Then that fateful, hideous season happened.

The Vikings finished 9-7 on the back of a six-game winning streak after Culpepper suffered a season-ending injury. He ended his season with just a 2-5 record, and 6 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Tice was fired for not meeting expectations.

Though he never should’ve been a head coach to begin with. I mean, just…just think about that for a second. Mike Tice was a head coach in the National Football League. Just…just think about that.

What a country.

Culpepper’s career and earnings potential soon evaporated.  Fast.  It improved for a short time on a lakeboat in Minnetonka one night, but that’s a story for another time.

That would be my example of how meaningless the preseason can be, and how important Randy Moss is. But that’s a story for another time.

The preseason can’t tell us how a team will perform in the regular season or how a player will play. Granted, Daunte’s injury did him no favors, but neither has his inability to read zones and react to blitzes.

While the preseason is no great indicator for how a season will go, it is where jobs are earned and lost.  Position battles are settled in preseason games. Rookies and diamonds in the rough are found in preseason games. And that is why seemingly meaningless games are needed and useful. 

But they are meaningless games. And make it three instead of four games.

Alright, good talk. On to observations.

The QB Situation

Sage Rosenfels started the game, going 10-13, passing for 91 yards, and running for five yards. Showed good mobility and good accuracy.  Didn’t throw past 15 yards once, though. Not much to get excited about, but not much to criticize. 

Tarvaris Jackson didn’t play with the first-string, so cut him some slack.  But also know this: Sammy Baugh’s corpse would’ve played better. Pump-fake throws into the ground; I know what you’re saying, “Pump-fake throws? Not possible.” It is. It is possible. Short loopers behind receivers, inaccurate knuckleballs nowhere near a receiver, and the pocket presence of a jumping, blind lemming.  Not a good recipe for a quarterback.  7-15, 39 passing yards, and 0 rushing yards on three attempts.

And God help us all if John David Booty ever has to play.

Percy Didn’t Play

And that was a real buzzkill. 

Phil Loadholt and John Sullivan

Loadholt got beat more than a handful of times. He was spun around several times and the speed rush to the outside gave him trouble. However, center John Sullivan had a pretty impressive game, holding the point of attack very well.

3rd string RB

An intriguing, overlooked battle in Vikings camp.  Second-year player Albert Young against undrafted rookie free agents Ian Johnson and Antone Smith.  Young seems to be the front runner for the spot; he had the most rushes of any Vikings back with 14, and the most yards with 58. Johnson had 9 rushes and 50 yards, and the longest Vikings run of the night with a 16-yarder. I would say Smith looked the best, though.  On the last play of the game, he bounced off a tackle, spun, and dragged a defender for a 13-yard run.  All three players look like NFL-talent, but they can’t all make the roster.

Special Teams

Looking good, looking good.  They were flying around; Eddie Frampton, Heath Farwell, and rookie Jasper Brinkley always seemed to be on the ball.  Glenn Holt forced a fumble on punt coverage.  It should be a vastly superior unit compared to last year’s abomination.

Nickelback

Based on the training camp chatter, this is likely rookie Asher Allen’s job already.  He enveloped a Colts receiver on one play and tied for the team lead in tackles with Erin Henderson.

Storylines In Vikings Training Camp

Harvin signed, kind-of

Rookie WR Percy Harvin has signed a five-year contract worth up to $14.5 million and $8.5 million guaranteed. The contract is currently in the process of being approved by the NFL due to some language problems in the contract.  However, Harvin can still train with the team.

Harvin has already taken snaps at QB-along with Chester Taylor-as the Vikings are working on a version of the wildcat offense. In addition to time at receiver and running back, Harvin has received punts. The Vikings need him to touch the ball as much as possible without taking too many touches away from Adrian Peterson. And while some expect Devin Hester part two, Harvin bringing something to the return game should be considered icing on the cake since he never returned punts or kicks in college.

Not saying he can’t be Devin Hester part two, though.

About Harvin, safety Tyrell Johnson said, “He’s a blazer. He’s the fastest guy I’ve seen on the field yet.”

 

Loadholt’s job to lose

Second-round pick Phil Loadholt was presumably drafted to start at RT and every indication is that will happen. He has taken the majority of first-team snaps instead of incumbent Ryan Cook. Loadholt-and second-year center John Sullivan-need to perform at a high level in order for this offense to succeed, and that has traditionally been hard for young, inexperienced offensive lineman. They could be exceptions to the rule. Hopefully.     

 

E.J. is Back

MLB E.J. Henderson has returned from injury, and might not have lost a step. Head Coach Brad Childress has said, “I swear he’s faster.” At camp on Thursday, he made the defensive play of the day according to Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune. It might seem like this defense does not need E.J.; after all, they finished first against the run despite his season-ending injury in week two. But a healthy E.J. is vital to their success; he could’ve been the difference between fourth down and Brian Westbrook scoring off a screen pass.

 

The QBs

Tarvaris Jackson’s sprained MCL has healed enough for him to return to practice. Sage Rosenfels is there, too. It’d be nice if one of them turned into a good quarterback, soon.

 

Sidney Rice—still here

Rice has added weight to his skinny 6’4” frame. If he can begin to utilize his talent and body to his advantage (and stay healthy), Rice could sneak up on oppositions on the way to a big year. A common thought is that the third year is the make or break year for a receiver, and this is Rice’s third year. A productive Rice would also ease some of the quarterback’s burden, whoever that poor bastard ends up being.

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