First Quarter Grade? C Minus (From Tark)

Hello fans of the purple, and a how are ya to the 64,217 close friends of Tark. Well, the first month of the season is over. Tark wants to talk about what he calls the first quarter of the season. Tark is giving the purple crew a C- so far in the campaign. Tark has some highlights and low points to discuss in this edition. Everything from the underachieving Defense to Pepper's all of a sudden case of the fumbles. So let's get in to it and find out what is going through Tark's head at this point.

Tark is going to get right in to the defense. Tark had such high hopes for this group back in the beginning, but the group has not accomplished too much. At this point Tark was hoping to rave about our front four. Once again, this group is empty. A few sacks here and there, but not enough pressure on the quarterback. We have gotten rung up on passing yardage in most games. There is just no pressure. Tark is tired of standing on the rail on third down, because it is not helping. Opponents are making everything. The line backer corps, are trying. They are not trying enough. They are not shutting down the run. Tark sits in his favorite chair in the world, and watches all these running backs get 5-7 yards a carry. Come on fellas suck it up. The secondary is doing all right. Tark is not seeing as many turnovers as he did last year, but the coverage is good. Winfield was a good pick-up and can hit harder than Tark hitting a Packer fan. I know what you all are saying right now, but Tark, we are 2-1 and tied for first.Well this is true, but our Defensive unit has to step up or it will all head south. Once again Tark believes it all comes down to pressure on the Quarterback. Hovan and the boys need to step it up. At least start getting after the run.

Now Tark wants to talk about the Offense. At this point go ahead and get a beverage or something because this won't take long. THEY ARE GREAT. Everything is going as planned. Tark loves watching Randy just own his field. Tark believes he is quickly developing in to the go to, #1, most feared, get it done, guy. Anytime the purple need yardage throw to Randy. Tark can't say much about the running game. Smith is good, but we won't be seeing him for a month. Tark is really looking forward to the return of Bennet. He is a very explosive and fun to watch back. His return will be huge. The only bad note is the hesitation and misball handling of Pepper. Tark was very discouraged watching the Eagle game. Our boys came to play, and the game should have been ours. YOU HAVE TO SCORE INSIDE THE 5 YARD LINE. Play like champions while moving the ball, then finish the job. Tark knows now how much the absence of Kliensasser amd Moe is now. They were truly missed in Philly. Hang on to the ball Pepper, and finish the drive.

Going in to the Bye, the Purple look like a bad MASH episode. Every time the play is stopped Tark waits to see if everyone gets up, or if Radar is sending in Hawkeye. Tark knows he have some banged up fellas. Tark also knows it is early, but we have to gut up and cover our fallen guys. This is being done. Tark was really impressed with the play of Dorsey on the line. This guy just turned 21 and is playing like a season veteran. If his play keeps up, Tark is not worried about missing Rosenthal. Tark also like the play of ends, Owens and Duggin. These guys have great hands, and are filling in fine. They just have to learn to block a little. As long as the backups can step up the injury situation will be fine. But, lets not make it a habit of losing two guys a game.

Well that is all Tark has to say, If you agree let Tark know if you don't, still let Tark know. Enjoy the bye week, After it the schedule looks a little better, lets come back and put some space between the wins and losses next month. Hopefully the Crew will get their grade up next quarter. Take care.

Skol,
Tark

GameDay Report with 32 and 59

Today I attended Vikings GameDay and happened to sit right in front of the chair where RB Onterrio Smith (#32) and LB Michael Nattiel (#59) sat. After collecting their autographs, I asked them some questions about football.

Touchdown Audible to Onterrio Smith

I asked Onterrio what he was thinking after getting the ball. He said the Vikings have been practicing that play for two years. As soon as the Vikings saw that alignment, Smith said everyone knew it was a touchdown. All the players on the line and all the players on the sideline knew a touchdown was coming.

About Monday Night

Both Smith & Nattiel are very excited about their first Monday Night matchup. Nattiel has an ex-roommate playing for Philly so he's extra excited about the game. If I remember right, Nattiel called it "crazy." Smith couldn't sum up his feelings in one word but is completely ready for the spotlight. You should have seen the smile on his face. Honestly, the glow in his smile matched the glow coming from his beautiful cross necklace. Yes, he's ready and I sense no pressure felt at all! He is ready!

D on Tight End

The Dallas offense loves to use the tight end so I had to ask the linebacker how they stopped the Dallas weapons. Nattiel said Dallas wasn't throwing to the tight ends often and Keyshawn was getting the ball often. It looked to me like the linebackers were covering the tight ends.

Lovin' the FieldTurf

Of course I had to ask about FieldTurf. Being second-year players, I asked them to compare last year to this year. Smith said it's softer and much easier to cut on. Nattiel said hitting the Metrodome turf was like hitting the tile floor at the Mall. The turf is softer. Hitting the 'Dome field would cause bruised knees.

There's a direct report from the players themselves.

Bleed purple!

Don

Vikings Excel in Opener: Now the Fans Must Step Up

Man, the Vikings played a great game Sunday. They showed the NFL something! Offensively, the Vikings excelled. Culpepper was great and is showing everyone that he's maturing as a QB and becoming the NFL's posterboy for quarterbacks. Moss was catching touchdowns and even completing passes of his own!

Yes, Sunday started slowly as the Cowboys came out firing but Minnesota finished everything that Dallas started. Early on Cowboys receivers were making great catches. Personally, I don't fault the defense. If the Cowboys receivers are tapping toes to catch a ball in bounds and are pulling in balls that are inches from the turf, there is nothing you can do - no defense can stop that.

In the second half, the Cowboys dropped back to earth and the Vikings took off. In the end, it was not close as Minnesota trounced Dallas 35 to 17.

Despite the Viking's full-on effort, I must admit that the fans need to step it up. I've been to many Vikings games and the 'Dome was not properly rockin'. I took my Dad to his first regular season game. I also took my step-mom to her first game at the Metrodome (she's from Detroit and had been to the Silverdome many times) and we did not assault their eardrums. Personally, I was disappointed. What do Viking fans need to get loud? I tell you, the season opener was everything you'd want: The rival Cowboys in town, the national spotlight, and the Viking offense firing on all cylinders. So why was it so quiet?

Also, I have to take issue with Culpepper detractors. During the game, some fans behind me were calling for Culpepper's head. They were frustrated with him calling timeout and mad that he took so long to hike the ball. Immediately after one comment, Culpepper calls an audible and throws the ball to a wide-open Onterrio Smith. Running past broken coverage, Smith ran for 63 yards and put the Vikings stamp on an until-then hard fought game. That shut the Viking fan up for quite some time. I just hope this 'fan' recognizes that timeouts are your friend and a quarterback who takes time to read the defense is special. Hey rubes - leave Culpepper be!

But enough about the fans. I plead those of you planning to attend the Bears game on September 26th. Bring the noise! After all, it's nicknamed the Thunderdome!

Back to the game. Culpepper's great play is due to great playcalling. When Moss threw his 37-yard pass to Marcus Robinson, it was genius. Shut down most of the game by Dallas' defensive scheme, everyone including me was thinking that Moss needs the ball. So when Moss gets the ball on a reverse, I'm thinking this is how Randy gets the ball. Wanting to shut down Moss, the Cowboys were all over the reverse and preparing the stop any slicin' and dicin' Moss was cooking up. But the Vikings coaches played to that fear. When Moss slowed down and cocked his arm, my eyes got wide. Wow! I couldn't believe it. This was a perfect call. I NEVER expected that play. It was beautifully designed and perfectly timed. That play will have long-affecting repercussions. The next time Randy touches the ball on a sweep or reverse, cornerbacks and safeties won't be crowding the line because they will remember the play. On one play, the Vikings broke Dallas' back and set up everyone to come. More than likely this opens up the field for Randy for the year to come. All I can say is "Brilliant!"

What's Next?

Done with Dallas, Minnesota stays in the national spotlight with a Monday night visit to Philadelphia. This game is big and showcases two great wide receivers in Moss and Terrell Owens as well as two running quarterbacks in Culpepper and Donovan McNabb. Both clubs have defensive weaknesses so this game could be a shootout! It should be fun to watch!

Bleed purple!

Don

Vikings Honored with National Stage

Sunday afternoon, the Vikings take center stage across the nation and across the world when they host the Dallas Cowboys at the Metrodome. I know many fans will be bored at home around noontime because they cannot get their Vikings fix. Hey, I know the feeling. I hate a Monday night matchup when I can't watch my football team all weekend. And let's not even think about the emptiness felt during a bye week. But for those tailgating tomorrow (I'll be there!), the extra three hours is more time to soak in pro football at its finest.

Because of the later start, I don't expect the tailgate lots to fill any later and I don't expect the fans to be any quieter at game time. I do expect fans to be a little more tipsy and more ready to rock the 'Dome.

I must admit I was surprised when FOX and the NFL (Yes, in that order. We all know that money drives the NFL) circled the Cowboys at Vikings as their premier matchup. After the debacle in the desert, FOX recognized this could be Minnesota's year and the Vikings a team to watch in 2004. Of course, the media and the Cowboys still cling to the America's Team title from the '70s for Dallas. This may not be true anymore in today's diverse NFL (expansion has segmented the US so that almost everyone has a local team) but the average fan still seems to watch the Dallas Cowboys when they are on TV.

In any case, the eyes of the world will be on Minnesota tomorrow. I hope everyone enjoys the game. I expect America will get a full plate of NFL drama. The big question for me is can Nate Burlson step up if Dallas keys on Randy Moss? Can Randy shine anyway?

Minnesota's offense has looked ready for the season but Dallas' D has not been what it was last year. The Vikings D is also looking to improve in 2004 trying to make Minnesota a complete team. Though Dallas has new players in key positions (new QB in Vinny Testaverde, new WR in Keyshawn Johnson, and new RBs in Eddie George and Julius Jones), they are veterans looking to contribute. However, the Dallas offense has not looked sharp in pre-season action. Can they get on track Sunday?

In the end, the Vikings will probably outscore the Cowboys. That being said, turnovers can always be a team's downfall. If the Vikings avoid costly turnovers - especially throwing to Randy Moss in triple or more coverage - look for purple grins from seas to shining sea.

So Viking fans enjoy the spotlight tomorrow! I think the extra wait for football will be worth the wait.

Bleed purple!
Don

P.S. Yes, this is a column I've been working on in my head since the game was first announced.

Was Brock Lesnar Punk'd?

08/31/2004

Brock's departure does seem a bit odd. I wonder if the Vikings gave Brock a real chance? I watched the preseason games and Brock was easy to find on the sideline but hard to find on the field. His playing time was very late in games and I don't think he even appeared in the road game at Atlanta on Friday, 08/20. Brock seemed to contribute well on special teams in very limited playing time. At a minimum, he provided a spark plug that so many teams need in today's money-hungry, bling-bling, me-me-me! world. I thought Brock would be a great special teams player. After all, the Pro Bowl now brings a player just for special teams. I think this position was created because of the contribution of Bill Bates (#40) of the Dallas Cowboys in the '80s and '90s. Bill Bates is a Cowboy fan favorite and his presence on special teams made an impact. After all, besides a play as effective as the Randy Moss bomb (and how many teams can do that?), the kickoff is a team's best chance to score. Any way to prevent that should be examined.

But at least there is justice in Brock getting to play late in the two home games. First, the fans wanted to see him play. Second, the Vikings wanted the fans to stick around. At the game last Friday night, the buzz was for Brock and people around me were looking for #69. I had heard rumors that he might be cut today and I wondered if Mike would give him a curtain call or make him go away quietly.

But the rumor confused me. Brock was rumored to be cut but just last Thursday, I received a Vikings newsletter informing me I can order a Brock Lesnar #69 jersey (or my favorite player) and that the jersey will ship soon. That didn't seem right if he was halfway out the door. Obviously, the Vikings's marketing machine knew Brock was gathering Moss-like attention. Honestly, I heard he was the most sought after Viking after Randy Moss. I think many fans wanted to see Brock and see him succeed.

But the marketing machine didn't catch up with head coach Mike Tice. I guess Tice doesn't get the Vikings newsletter. Maybe he didn't hear the fans roar every time his name was uttered. Maybe Mike didn't see Brock ask fans to cheer on the Metrodome's giant TV screens. Or maybe, just maybe, there's a real reason...?

Since day one, I have watched Brock Lesnar and wondered about him being a Viking. I was excited when he tried out for the Vikings. Being a local boy, Brock almost seemed destined to wear the Purple. His hometown neighbors, high school buddies, and college classmates could all watch him play each Sunday. I was happy that the Vikings extended him a contract. Was this guy a better addition to the team than some scrub from Mini-Small School State? Could he actually contribute as the 65th player on the roster? (The NFL allows teams to carry 65 players.) Honestly, I knew it was a long shot to see Brock starting in games. I knew he was a 'project' and he would need time to learn the system and get his football legs. But one month later it's over? That doesn't seem right. Where's Ashton Kutcher and his hidden cameras?

After he signed on the 28th of July, there were two big questions:

1. Could Brock survive?
2. Would the fans accept an ex-pro wrestler in the NFL?

The biggest question for me, is what about that slot. The day Lesnar was signed, the Vikings waved goodbye to Ben Nauman, a rookie safety from Augustana (S.D.) College. Now that Lesnar's gone, I must ask, is Brock's spot really better served by player number 65 on the roster? Does that guy show the fire? Does he push his teammates to be better? I sure hope the 65th man does!

But Brock's story does end on a good note. For a guy chasing a dream, his last game (until further notice) ended perfectly. On the last play of the game, Brock's name poured over the loudspeakers at the Metrodome as he collected another tackle before time ran out on the game and his short career.

For history's sake & Brock's scrapbook, here's the official last play of the Vikings versus 49ers on Friday, 08/27/2004:

San Francisco 49ers at 0:22
1-10-SF 12 (:22) 26-J.Wright left tackle to SF 17 for 5 yards (69-B.Lesnar).

Bleed on,

Don

BleedPurple.com