Game Balls...

by LoveHate on Dec 14, 2008 8:17 PM CST

The Vikings played superbly this afternoon. In my opinion, the heroes and game ball recipients are...

...Firstly, Adrian Peterson had a fantastic game. He was relentless with his bruising running style while setting a MN Vikings team record for yards in a season. He is first and foremost the catalyst for success and sets the tone week in and week out.

Secondly, Tavaris Jackson stepped up like he'd been playing for the last 11 weeks. The benching of young players, especially quarterbacks, threatens to do damage not only to their egos, but also their confidence. Tavaris was having none of that! His play should have caused Childress to second guess his decision to bench him in the first place and ought to give the coaching staff reason to make a change at the position for the final run at a championship. He completed all of the passes required in the offense, smartly took an early sack and protected the ball without error. He was accurate throwing passes Gus Frerotte has struggled throwing. He truly gives the Vikings the best chance to win.

Lastly and most surprisingly, Head Coach Brad Childress deserves a game ball. Coach Childress did more than just stay out of the way of his teams success, he participated in it. The game plan was wise and he did a fantastic job in the second half controlling the clock (a 2:1 advantage I believe). Aside from the first two minutes of the second half, the team maintained its poise and composure. The team will need to score more second half touchdowns and limit mistakes, but this was a great building block game at this point in the season.

The Defense deserves an 'Honorable Mention' for its outstanding job. Limiting the Cardinals to one offensive touchdown, albeit the result of two missed tackles and a bad angle, was unexpected and warmly welcomed. Though they gave up more than 250 yards passing, the secondary was respectable - they saw more than 40 passes! Individuals who deserve mentioning are: Griffin, Sapp and of course Winfield

Go Vikes!

Would you have given a game ball to anyone else? Let me know who and highlight why!

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.

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Overall dominiation

Running game = A+ . . . anytime your running backs combine for more than 200 yards . . . its a good day. Not to forget that they gained some decent yards with the passing corps also. And HORSE COLLARED all day long with no flags.

Passing Game = A . . . Berrian was a stud today. What a catch on third down to give us that TD. TJ . . . no picks. I’ll repeat that, TJ . . . no picks, 4 touchdowns! He looked like a pro today. Wade . . . great job with the TD.

Run Defense = A . . . They did a pretty good job of stopping the run most of the game but there were a few instances of a guy breaking loose. But you have to be proud of your front line when thier reputation alone stops teams from running the ball. Arizona did not even try to establish a run game. Skol.

Pass Rush = A . . . That was not a mud stain on the back of Warners pants today.

Berrian = A++ . . . Bernard gets his own section this week for his amazing play. Tip toeing the line for an 82 yard return . . . more concentration than a kid overdosing on ADHD drugs on the 41 yard pass on 3rd down. A real game changer

Play calling = B . . . and a B is a HUGE step up from our previous games this year.

Overall . . . domination. We deserved to win this game without a doubt.

Skol!

Mr. Weatherstone

by Mr. Weatherstone on Dec 14, 2008 8:38 PM CST reply actions

lol Run Defense = A? They probably shouldn’t even be graded. Cardinals ran the ball less than 10 times. Not enough for grading.

I like that the pass defense came through though. They threw over 40 times, and to only give up around 250 is pretty good, considering. That’s a little more than 5 yards per pass attempt, which is good for a defense. Good job D-line and secondary. How about Greenway tipping passes all day? Wasn’t he amazing.

by Frost on Dec 14, 2008 9:09 PM CST up reply actions

Great Point!

Greenway, a Vikings linebacker touched the ball while the Cards were on offense more than some of the Cardinal playmakers did! He was stellar. The crew calling the game on Fox made a point to discuss how important the Vikes linebacking corps is to the teams defensive success – I wished they’d have mentioned the fallen soldier and leader of the unit EJ!

by LoveHate on Dec 14, 2008 9:55 PM CST up reply actions

Greenway...

I think Chad Greenway, from my home state of Iowa (University anyway), is stepping into that leadership role. He is all over the field, week in and week out. Even before E.J. Henderson got hurt, they were tackle for tackle. I was really nervous about this game because Greenway has been a little slow on pass coverages, but he did amazing today.

He’s been getting better every game since he got to Minnesota.

Visit:
http://www.vikingvigil.com

Skol Vikings!
Woot Woot!

by Manimal on Dec 15, 2008 10:29 AM CST up reply actions

I forgot about this, but it was a big play at the time. How about Robison forcing that fumble on Warner that knocked them out of field goal range in the third quarter? That was an amazing play.

by Frost on Dec 15, 2008 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

Your right LoveHate...

I would have given one of those game balls to Adrian Peterson without a doubt.

by vikingfiend on Dec 14, 2008 9:04 PM CST reply actions

Throw one in for the crowd

I might be a little biased being here in AZ, but throw one of those game balls into the crowd of purple that invaded the Cards’ home nest today!
Hard to argue with any of your picks for gameballs or grades. Berrian is making plays(and not dropping balls like the start of the year), and that punt return really set the tone for the game.
TJ did all that was asked of him, and I do think the play calling was helpful in keeping his passing attempts high percentage.

AD, well what can you say. I think we are getting spoiled by his outstanding play. Hell, he could be player of the game almost every week.

The D did great in putting the heat on Warner and that was the key to them disrupting the timing to those great recievers.

by AZVikesfan on Dec 14, 2008 9:06 PM CST reply actions

How was your day at the toaster?

by vikingfiend on Dec 14, 2008 9:07 PM CST reply actions

OUTSTANDING!!

Loved it when our D was able to pump up the noise when the Card’s offense was on the field in their own home!

by AZVikesfan on Dec 14, 2008 9:09 PM CST up reply actions

lol Yeah I saw a TON of purple jerseys out there. It was crazy. You could even hear them chanting “Lets go Vikings” at one point. Absolutely crazy, especially when the home team has the division locked up.

by Frost on Dec 14, 2008 9:12 PM CST up reply actions