Looking Back

by LoveHate on Dec 29, 2008 11:45 AM CST

So, the Vikings won and head into the playoffs with their heads held high. Still, the naysayers will point to the Giants having clinched home field throughout and their subsequent decision to rest key players during the finale as the reason the Vikings were able to complete the comeback.

Someone had noted earlier that Tavaris Jackson could be considered the second string quarterback playing because of an injury to Frerotte. But TJack doesn't get any credit for the job he's done in Frerotte's stead.

I also have a question about what exactly is a backup or second stringer in the NFL.

Chester Taylor was a career backup before rushing for more than 1300 yards in his Viking debut season.

Michael Turner career backup before joining Atlanta this season and...

Players who make an NFL roster are NFL players. For one reason or another, albeit talent is surely one, they haven't had a full time opportunity. Not every player begins his career as a starter. It is more than likely that you play some sort of reserve role for a period of time before you excel. So, all of this talk about Giant backups should be put to rest.

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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I Had A Discussion

with several co-workers one time on the levels of talent. When a player’s in high school there are a few great players and a whole lot of bad ones. When he gets to college there are more great players but still a few bad ones. By the time he makes the pros there’s no room for error because EVERYBODY’S GOOD. The very moment you think you can let up you’ll get your head handed to you on a platter. All this crap about the Giants playing there backups is just that. When those bench guys get their chance to play, they’re going to give 110%. They’re hoping someone will notice and they’ll get their chance to start, if not for the team they’re on then for another one somewhere.

by purplegrey on Dec 29, 2008 1:50 PM CST reply actions

Yes!

The great majority of athletic careers end in high school. Good high school athletes go to Div. 3 college programs, the All-Conference athletes go to Div. 2 programs and the All-Staters are the Div. 1 athletes receiving the few available full scholarships. Few people from small Div. 1 schools/ conferences make it professionally and even fewer from Div. 2 schools realize the dream. Those players that do make it are the best of the best of the best. It’s what makes it such a great game.

by LoveHate on Dec 29, 2008 3:03 PM CST up reply actions

you are right

You are right to a point. But when the starter is in it is much different. Tjack need to be more consitance. If the giant play their stater his mistake would be magnified. In the NFL when a man is open you have to take advantage of it you can’t miss a thrown so bad that he can’t catch it. He had a couple of play, That is saw. He need confidence in his read. The INT over the middle should not have been made. Over the middle and in the red zone the only one should be able to catch it is your own rec.

by vikefansd on Dec 29, 2008 6:43 PM CST up reply actions

You're telling me...

that a team basically FULL of backups would be very similar to their starters? Um, what? Slotting a backup into a system of starters is different than a whole TEAM of them. That’s what we call the Detroit Lions, haha.

by squid92 on Jan 4, 2009 8:08 AM CST up reply actions

And remember...

We were actually winning the entire time the Giants had their first string in. It was that darn David Carr and the second stringers that gave us trouble!

by Eric J. Thompson on Dec 29, 2008 4:53 PM CST reply actions

Vikes looked fine

The Vikes starters should have lead the Giants 10-6 at halftime if it weren’t for the retarded quarterback draw play call. If you’re going for it, at least pick a play that might work. A draw won’t work against the way the Giants line and linebackers were packing it in and staying in lanes. (same reason Jackson had zero positive yard rushes. they took that away with their scheme)

Also the Vikes squandered a field goal with Jackson’s horrific end zone interception while giving the Giants field goal position on the int return. Just saying overall the Vikings outplayed two opponents in two weeks while edging out the second. If the Vikes meet the Giants again there is a good chance big pat is in the middle and I guarantee the Giants don’t have near the interior rushing success they did.

This Vikings team has proven it can hang with any team in the NFL on a good day. The problem is not laying an egg and being able to carry it onto the road. The ultimate undoing may be Chilly’s bad football mind. So many weak calls and schemes last week. They did not attack the edges nearly enough. Just run headlong into the Giants strength. Brilliant. Still got he win though so I shouldn’t complain.

by Sand0 on Dec 30, 2008 6:51 AM CST reply actions

I’ve convinced myself that Childress made those ridiculous calls so that the opponent next week will see how stupid he can be and let their guard down, or at least waste time game planning for a QB draw on fourth and 1. . . for some reason. But I do hope that I’m at least somewhat correct and he’s been playing vanilla-ish in the regular season so that he can bust out new schemes and better plays in the play offs. But a part of me realizes that’s a pipe dream.

by Frost on Dec 30, 2008 9:30 AM CST up reply actions

LOL i think they know he is stupid

Now the trick is get smart

by vikefansd on Dec 30, 2008 10:42 AM CST reply actions

Do you guys think you would've beat the Giants

had they not put their jock strap holders in the second half?

There is a HUGE difference between a backup qb and a back up rb, very bad justification

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Jan 1, 2009 6:04 PM CST reply actions

Well,...

What was the score at the half? If the Vikings would have played the Giants reserves int the second half the way they played their starters in the first, would you have anything to say about it?

by LoveHate on Jan 4, 2009 12:48 AM CST up reply actions