O & D OD (Overdose of Failure)

My daughter & I debated the Vikings problems. She started by saying it's time for Ponder. I think it's hard to say that because I don't know if Ponder's ready. Am I ready to throw him to the wolves (or Chiefs, Cardinals, or heaven forbid, the Bears)?
There's 2 sides to the 3 collapses.
Her story. Put in Ponder! The offense stalls, I don't like McNabb, never will, and we need Ponder. 1st half to 2nd half scoring is pathetic: 54 points to 3. 3? Yes, 3 points in the 2nd half. We need a new offense.
My story. The D needs to step it up! In the 2nd half, the defense stalls. 1st half wall to 2nd half sieve: 7 to 64. How is that possible? We don't need a new O, we need the D to keep the pressure.

Realistically, we're both right. The O probably cannot run with every team in the NFL, but if the D won't stop anyone, there's no chance (3 games of proof thus far). But without a break, the D tires. So the O needs to put together a nice long drive to give the D a break. If she's right and we need a QB change, I'm not ready for Ponder, but let's see if Webb can hold up...if McNabb's done. Big IF to me!

Here's the game-by-game breakdown:
1st/2nd Scored 1st/2nd Allowed
17 / 0 7 / 17
17 / 3 0 / 24
20 / 0 0 / 23
------- ------
54 / 3 7 / 64

What's your take? O or D? Is it time for Ponder? Maybe Webb?

Vikings Still Control Their Own Destiny

I've been pondering this all week. The doomsayers seem to only look at 2 losses.

Yep, 0-2 is bad. But, there is some good news in the young season. The Vikings have dominated 2 halves of football, potential is rampant, & The Vikings have not lost in their division.

As halftime approaches today, the Vikings are up again. The defense is stout again and the offense is moving the ball.

If the Vikings beat the Lions, no matter what ANYONE else does, the Vikings can sweep their division and win the NFC North.

I know it's early, but I like finding the golden lining on the purple cloud. Am I delusional? Maybe, but there is plenty of room for hope.

It's a long season. 2 games are nothing!

Bleed on,

Don

Good Weekend - Vikes Rise Because All Others Fall

After the weak weekend of football, the Vikings are back to controlling their own destiny. With the NFC showing no real favorite, the division is wide open.

It was ugly, but the Vikings had the best ugly game of the weekend in the NFC North because their game ended with a win. The early games all went Minnesota's way. The Lions fell to the Giants, the Packers lost at home to the Dolphins, and the Bears somehow lost the Seattle.

So the Vikings are back. With two of the most explosive players in football in Randy Moss and Adrian Peterson, can you say the Vikings are out of it? No way. Can Minnesota beat Chicago, Green Bay, or Detroit? It's possible. And if somehow the Vikings cannot win the divsion, a wild card might be available to an 8-8 team.

Or do you think they can't win 6 more games? That's what I thought.

Vikings Now Have National Recognition

The Vikings did more than defeat the Cowboys Sunday. Despite being the #2 seed, the Vikings did not received National Recognition for their amazing 2009-2010 season. Maybe it's because of last year's loss to Philly at home, but many national experts picked Dallas.

With the Cowboys handily dispatched, the next big obstacle is New Orleans, the #1 seed. But back to the Vikings, do you know how big that trouncing of Dallas was? Well, it is big enough that SI.com's Peter King has named 2 Vikings as players of the week:

1. Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota
2. Ray Edwards, DE, Minnesota

That's national recognition and you can read his reasons those picks and a big about #4 at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/01/17/mmqb/3.html.

Sidney Rice Has a Lot to be Thankful About

It's the time of year when we give thanks for all that is good in our lives. I can't help but think of Sidney Rice's good fortune in 2009. He's now a prime-time player on a 9-1 playoff-bound team. He has a quarterback who gives him a chance to get the ball on any play and when scrambling, Brett Favre's more likely to throw it than run it. That means a gift for Rice on any broken play.
The way I see it, Rice is a dangerous threat which translates into thankfulness today and tomorrow (in contract coin).
Yes, 2009 is a resurgence for Rice. If you haven't noticed, he's third in the NFL, yes THIRD in receiving yards (he's 21st in receptions which shows how well he's doing with his catches).
There are many who should be thankful in '09 but for me Rice is the most noteworthy. Who's your choice?

New Vikings Make Purple Magic with 2 Seconds Left

It's amazing to win at virtually the last second of the game. What's more amazing about today's Vikings win is that the winning touchdown pass was thrown and caught by two Vikings that were not Vikings a month ago. Now, both are Vikings and Vikings history.

Besides both joining Minnesota in September, both Viking newbies spent last season on the East Coast. Brett Farve arrived in Minnesota on Sept 18 (after being in New York last year) and Greg Lewis was signed on Sept 10 (Lewis was cut by New England after being traded from Philadelphia).

Now both will be Vikings together for recorded history. Captured are Brett's scrambling as time runs out with his throw to the right of the endzone and with him is Greg's reaching out around the defender placing the left and right foot just in bounds.

The newspaper might say "Farve Saves Day with 2 Seconds Left" but Brett has it absolutely right: He did not do it alone. The headline should be "Farve and Lewis Save Day with 2 Seconds Left."

The best part is that it was another team effort. Week 3 is another week in this team's journey as a team. That's the real Purple Magic.

Vikings Stay on Track Versus Detroit

Today, the Lions jumped out to a 10 to 0 lead over the Vikings. This provided a little surprise to score-watcher (ticker-lookers?) but the Vikings were not fazed. To some degree, it was like a car in Winter: it look a little to warm up.

And the Vikings did. With 27 answered and umatched points, the Vikings rallied back from a deficit to dominate the Lions.

All numbers aside, let's focus on 2: Two and Zero. While the Packers were watching Ocho Cinco perform a Lambeau Leap (commentary - A Packer fan motioned an obscenity so his hand is being blurred out. I think the media should blur out the entire idiot as he deserves no airtime), the Vikings were running over Detroit.

It's early but so far, the Vikings are right on schedule. Peterson continues to run well, Brett continues to develop and learn his teammates (an unimpressive 155 passing yards but an impressive 23 of 27 with 2 TDs), Percy Harvin gets the ball 7 times for a total of 55 yards and 1 touchdown, and the defense holds the Lions to 13 points. A nice tidy game.

Next, Minnesota hosts the 49ers who are also 2-0. This provides a nice solid test for the Vikings and a reason to cheer for the sold-out stadium full of fans.

A New Era for Vikings? Nope, It's Game On for AD!

Yesterday the Vikings went to Cleveland and returned home with a solid 34-20 victory. Some may call this the first game of the Brett Farve era. Others might call this the first game of the Percy Harvin era.

Adrian Peterson made it clear that this is neither. This is another year in the Adrian Peterson era. Yes, Adrian Peterson, the man known as All-Day and AD because he can do it all day, gained 180 yards. My daughter summed up his yardage best calling it "one hundred A D" (eigh-ty). He carried the ball 25 times and carried the Vikings to victory.

If you missed it - don't delay - get to NFL.com now! His 64-yard touchdown was the best play of his career because of how impossible it was. AD's highlights are online at this location: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d812925f8/WK-1-Adrian-Peterson-highlights.

If you're still here, share your thoughts on game 1 of 2009. Is it another AD era? Is #4 leading the Vikes to 44?

Don's Best of Favre Moments

It's early in the Brett Favre era but I wanted to share my "Best of" Thoughts through 2 days:

1. Best quote - If you want to kill someone, today's the day. It won't make the news - Jared Allen (no surprise, he's awesomely humorous!)
   
2. Instant impact - Did you hear about the tornadoes yesterday in Minneapolis? If one hit the Dome, it would be amazing because just one day after signing Brett Favre, there was a almost a touchdown at the Metrodome (buh-dum rimshot)
   
3. Minnesota Stimulus Package - With 3,200 season tickets sold and 11,000 game tickets, move over CARS, we have FAVRE.

What is your best?

The Sky is Falling, Love is a Strange Thing

"It's official. Favre is a Viking." is the text message from MaryAnn at 1:34. My reply showed I was dumbstruck, "What?" I truly believed the Brett Favre story was over; I thought Jason was dead.
It's August 18. It's not Friday the 13th but it sure feel like it. The dead has risen.
If the Vikings want to be talked about, they should be happy. There are fans suddenly vying to see practice video. I'm sure traffic around Winter Park is crazy.
This adds interest to a meaningless preseason game. Now, Chiefs/Vikings is a blockbuster!
For me, I will finally get to find out which QB is expendable.
This helps the best team in the NFC North for now. There is still a long-term problem at QB but no one will talk about that. I think this may haunt Coach Childress but I will enjoy watching until then. What do you think?

Farve's Arrival Exposes the Mistake

The Vikings are very serious about Brett Farve. It's obvious they want a quarterback desperately. Talking to the green number 4 means the Vikings made a mistake.

Which mistake? Well, if Brett shows up in camp, one of three quarterbacks will go and:

1. If Tarvaris Jackon is gone, the Vikings admit they made a mistake making him a contender for the starting job and are ready to let him go.
2. If Sage Rosenfels is gone, the Vikings admit they should not have traded for him.
3. If John David Booty is gone, the Vikings admit that draft choice was a bust.

So Purple, which is it? What's your vote? Results will be posted in Mankato soon!

Just Say Neaux to Favre

Vikings, it's time to say neaux (no) to retired quarterback Brett Favre.

I understand that you might feel the need to improve your quarterback situation but, enough is enough. I completely understand what the New York Jets did last year. But it's not last year. Getting Favre gave the Jets fans hope, sold tickets, sold shirts and jerseys, and showed the players that the Jets management could go for it. All that for a 4th round pick and some money.

Well, it didn't exactly work out. The Jets made a run during the regular season but fell short of the playoffs. Oddly enough, the Vikings, who are acting like they are more desperate than those Jets, had a better year.

I understand those who say that it's time to get a solid quarterback for this team. That is the one missing piece. But Brett Favre is not that piece. Why should things work out better for the Vikings than the Jets? Brett Favre can carry his team but he can also sabotage his team. He is not a mistake-free quarterback. Honestly, the Vikings do not need to take the risk. The current team is very good. Yes, winning requires getting through the window of opportunity. I don't think the window is so small that you need a Favre-crowbar to keep it open. I don't think the current quarterbacks are enough but don't see the need to the Vikings' desperate cry 4 help.

I read Adrian Peterson likes his passion, his leadership. I agree but will say all day long that this is not the time. Brett wants to retire, I say respect his wishes and move on. There are other quarterbacks out there. Go find another person. Bon voyage and good luck!

Bleed on,
Don

Vikings Gamble Again at Draft

And why shouldn't they gamble? They spin and they win. Since yesterday's pick was a wide receiver, I'm sure we will hear many comparisons to Randy Moss. But you do not have to go back to 1998 to see a winning pick. When the Vikings selected Adrian Peterson, they gambled and won. And based on the number 296, they won big. Choosing Peterson worked.

Because they do win, the Vikings continue to gamble with Percy Harvin, a 'troubled' wide receiver from Florida with immense potential. Can you blame the Vikings? They are able to make it when other teams fail.

Somehow, the Vikings make it work while other teams struggle. The Vikings have spun the wheel and won with Moss, Culpepper, and Peterson. Those are the first three names that instantly come to mind. Whatever the Vikings do, other teams cannot replicate. After Minnesota, Moss & Culpepper moved on to failure and success. Moss couldn't integrate in Oakland and Culpepper couldn't establish himself in Miami. Before leaving Minnesota both were all-stars.

Sorry, like their careers, I wandered. Let's get back to the point: the NFL draft. When the offseason started, the Vikings had to address quarterback and wide receiver. With Rosenfels and Harvin, the Vikings have made moves (I don't think addressed them but have made an effort). With the big needs addressed, the Vikings were able to continue. With the rest of the seven (7) rounds, the Vikings moved their focus to defensive by drafting these players:
Loadholt, Phil OL 6'8" 332 Oklahoma
Allen, Asher CB 5'10" 194 Georgia
Japer Brinkley ILB 6'2" 252 South Carolina
Sanford, Jamarca FS 5'10" 214 Mississippi

I don't know much about them yet, but I'll learn and like you, I'll see what's next.

Bleed on,
Don Ackerman

Vikings Schedule Announced & It's Good News!

In the NFL, it's not whom you play but when you play them. The Vikings schedule lays out perfectly in my eyes. Sure, it's no fun to start your season with two road games but it's great to play two rebuilding teams. Here is the 2009 Vikings schedule with my comments:

Sep. 13 (Sun.) 12:00 at Browns Winnable road game in a rabid environment

Sep. 20 (Sun.) 12:00 at Lions The Lions continue to rebuild and a focused Vikings club can win

Sep. 27 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. 49ers The Whiners could be change to Winners but early in the year, they should be getting a grip. This is a good time to play them at home

Oct. 05 (Mon.) 7:30 vs. Packers This helps keep the Vikes focused and the Vikings are honored with a Monday night matchup

Oct. 11 (Sun.) 12:00 at Rams Week 5 and a rebuilding Rams team can easily provide a road W

Oct. 18 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Ravens Back home to face a tough team

Oct. 25 (Sun.) 12:00 at Steelers Back-to-back against tough AFC opponents but deep enough into the season to be ready

Nov. 01 (Sun.) 12:00 at Packers The weather will be bearable this early in the year and provides a solid test before the bye

Nov. 08 (Sun.) Bye week Time to access the team and heal. Did I say I like this schedule?

Nov. 15 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Lions A trap-game at home after a week of rest. This will test the focus but is a possible W

Nov. 22 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Seahawks Still at home and there's time to gauge this team using the bye week

Nov. 29 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Bears A month at home can't hurt a club

Dec. 06 (Sun.) 3:15 at Cardinals Just as the weather chills in Minnesota, the Vikings get to chance to head west. This could be a test to the playoff mettle of the Vikes

Dec. 13 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Bengals Home again and today this looks like another winnable game. If AZ is tough, this is a week to rebound

Dec. 20 (Sun.) 7:20 at Panthers A playoff test awaits but it's late in the year and you want to be ready for the playoffs

Dec. 28 (Mon.) 7:30 at Bears NFC North Divisional title game? I think the NFL hopes so!

Jan. 03 (Sun.) 12:00 vs. Giants Again the Giants and this year a repeat of last year. This battle could determine a playoff spot. Another great playoff primer or playoff test

This schedule lines up nicely with a mix of home and away. What do you think?

No Surprise - Jared Allen Serves on USO Tour

I don't have a history with Jared Allen. He became known to me on the day the Vikings 'drafted' him by trading their first round draft pick for him. In 2008, he was a rock star for the Vikings, impressed everyone, and made the Vikings look very smart for getting him.

I think he's been a great addition to the Purple. He had a Pro Bowl Season and now I see he's having a Pro Bowl off-season, too! Today, I received my NFL newsletter. And guess who is in the picture I saw with the "USO Tour blog: After long trip, NFL stars arrive in Kuwait." heading?



Yep, it's Mister Motor and it's no surprise that he's in Kuwait supporting our troops. It's great to see a Viking doing great things all year long. Check out the story and when you see Jared, tell him thanks! Thanks, Jared!

Bleed on,
Don

Vikings Shine in Pro Bowl

Maybe you missed it amidst the mix of NFL stars. Maybe today you heard that ex-Minnesotan Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. won the MVP. I hope you didn't miss the Pro Bowl because the Minnesota Vikings shined in Hawaii Sunday.
In a short span, Antoine Winfield was being interviewed for his amazing interception. Moments later Jared Allen stripped the ball from AFC QB Kerry Collins. The NFC's offense took the field and Adrian Peterson ran the ball with his typical momentum into the endzone. I half-expected Ryan Longwell to kick the extra point. It was a good day for the Vikings as they said Aloha to those watching Sunday. I hope you didn't miss it.

Good News; This Can Be Fixed!

I know it's bad to fall to Philly. I don't like the Eagles. They are one team I don't like to see win. It sucks to talk about "next year" and there is no trophy for "Next Year's Champion." But there's good news.

This can be fixed! There's one OBVIOUS problem with the Purple (sorry, Zig, it's not the stadium). The problem is QB. And it's a problem that can be addressed. Look around the league: Do you want to try and fix the Detroit Lions? Want to tackle Ohio's Cleveland or Cincinnati? Where would you start? Do you have any idea what's wrong with the Saint Louis Rams? Where do you start in Dallas? The only team I see with Minnesota's problem is Chicago. If one team can land a quarterback over the other, it will add to the black & blue rivalry.

So Minnesota's situation is bad but repairable. The hard question regards USC quarterback draft choice John David Booty. Is next year his year? If yes, then no major signing or trading is needed. If he's Hertz (not exactly), then a move is needed. And when I say it's time for a move, I'm not talking about grabbing a Brooks Bollinger during the final week of preseason (2006). I'm talking about making a move before training camp begins so a system can be built around the QB.

That can be done and that's very good news.

As It Should Be, Vikings Control Their Destiny

There's no need to be scoreboard watching now. Minnesota, it's time to earn the right and win your way into the playoffs. Sunday's game was bizarrely calm. Maybe knowing that you have to win one of two games or that Chicago only had to lose one game took the edge off. Well, I didn't like it. The Vikings control their destiny which means they need to take it, grasp it, and make it theirs! No waiting!

I'm glad Green Bay lost (I'm not sure Chicago won) and I want the Vikings fired up and needing a win. It shouldn't be handed to them by way of Green Bay. That's tainted! So darn tainted!

I was at the game Sunday and the fans didn't seem as amped up as Fox was about the game. While the TV network 'flexed' the game from noon to 3:15 because this was a great playoff-like matchup, the fans did not seem as excited.

Why did I notice? Well, I was excited and I was there to root the Vikings to victory. I took my cousins to their first ever game and I wanted them to see firsthand the excitement that the Metrodome can offer. I wanted them to complain that the fans were too loud and I wanted them to walk away from the 'Dome with a quiet ringing in their ears and amazement in their hearts and minds.

Instead, the game fell short. The Vikings never seemed to be as fired up as they needed to be. Why, I don't know? Maybe, you're supposed to be on an even keel.

I know the Vikings gave the game away with four lost fumbles. Adrian Peterson again struggled holding onto the ball. It's mind-boggling. My cousin Jessie said it best after his second fumble, "You keep doing that and you do not have a career." Genius! That's so poignant!

I was really surprised with how well Atlanta played with their rookie running back. They took Tarvaris Jackson's running for big gains in stride and kept their poise. With the Vikings giving away the ball, I can't really say that Atlanta won the game but I can certainly say that Atlanta didn't lose it. It was the Falcons that looked like they controled their destiny. And now, with the other losses in the NFC, they have seized their destiny and earned a playoff spot. Now, I want the Vikings to do the same.

Vikings - Almost! Vikes Fight But Fall Short, Still in First, Still in Hunt

The Vikings fell short 13-19 but fought hard and showed that the Vikings belong in the black and blue division of NFL football.

Why black & blue? Three reasons:

1. Well, first the D is solid and punishing. This D is almost strong enough to carry this team. In the NFL, that's key. You can win with a solid defense. The offense may get all the credit but it will not win a title. Looking at NFL champions over the last 10 years, only Kurt Warner's and Marshall Faulk's Saint Louis Rams stand out as an offensive team that won it all. And that Super Bowl is most remembered for the Rams' defensive stop by Mike Jones on the last play of the game. D is key and the Vikes have the pieces in place to be that good.
2. 28 can truly go all day. Adrian Peterson is a bruising back. Already at 1,000 yards for the season (1100 after Sunday's game), All-Day has shown that he can carry this team. Peterson leads the NFL in rushing and is averaging 110 yards a game! Wow!
3. Frerotte-n QB is killing me. I really thought Gus Frerotte was a great off-season signing. I expected him to help like Kerry Collins in Tennessee and Kurt Warner in Arizona. Instead Gus is beating up his own team, making them black and blue. He's hurting Minnesota like Brad Johnson hurt Dallas. It's so amazing to see Gus continue to start. Was Tarvaris Jackson that bad? Is John Davis Booty paying attention?
   

Death by Quarterback?
I can't believe how the QB position has failed Minnesota. I really expected wide receiver to be the weakest link but that's not the case. The hard part is fixing that during the season. I feel for head coach Brad Childress. He's truly trying and being tried by his quarterbacks. He tried to address it this offseason with a veteran and a draft pick for the future. Instead, he's being killed now. Ouch!

5-5 is alive.
The bad news, the Vikings lost. The good news is that Chicago lost, too, and this division is wide open. Besides Detroit, a division title can be found in Green Bay's, Chicago's, or Minnesota's Christmas stocking. With the troubles thus far, being alive - heck FIRST place! - is wonderful.

Jack's Next!
Next Sunday, the Vikes return to Florida to face Jack Del Rio's Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jag's stumbled losing to Tennessee Sunday and fell to 4-6. Their playoff life is also in the balance. Sunday's game is huge to both squads. Sunday will be fun to watch.

Bleed on,
Don

Vikings/Packers - A Game Worthy of the Rivalry

28 to 27 - the game could not be closer. The game Sunday is worthy of the great rivalry between Minnesota and Green Bay. 2008 continues a great tradition of hard-fought, it's-never-over, matches. And as it should be, the home team won.

Okay, some pieces of Sunday's game are not worthy of the rivalry. Two bad offense trying to outfail each other is not worthy of the classic Black and Blue division.

But much of the game was. It's great that both teams were 4-4 and needed a win. What is worthy is Adrian Peterson and Ryan Grant fighting for every yard. Worthy is two defenses locking horns. Worthy is also two teams working 60 minutes and not giving up. It's worthy that it comes down to the last minute of the game.

As it should be Sunday ended five straight wins by Green Bay. To make a rivalry relevant, each team needs it's day in the winner's circle. Each team needs to lose to fuel the anger for the rival. After five straight losses, I think it's only right that Minnesota returns to the win column. The win by Minnesota puts the all time series at 45-49 with 1 tie (I found the stat in a newspaper article but couldn't find a second source so this is unverified). The all-time series is almost as close as Sunday's score. And that's as it should be.