Lake Michigan Getting More Bitter Every Day
by Christopher Gates on Nov 28, 2009 4:57 PM CST
in Vikings 2009 Season
54 comments
Jon Greenberg, a writer for ESPNChicago.com, did a wonderful little hit piece on Jared Allen this weekend, full of backhanded complements as he drones on ad nauseum about #69's past transgressions.
(Can anyone explain to me how we can justify an ESPN offshoot for Chicago? Is it the mid-80s? Did Michael Jordan come back? Are Chicago sports somehow relevant again and I've just missed it somehow?)
Greenberg spends the article alternating between calling Allen annoying, stupid, and a cheap-shot artist, in so many words. He brings up the DUIs, naturally (not bothering to note that the guy has been clean and sober since his last incident, meaning he's been clean the entire time he's been in Minnesota), the low hits on quarterbacks, all that other good stuff, and then makes a half-hearted attempt to make it sound like he respects him after all.
Sorry, Jon. . .not buying it.
Honestly, I might be a bit biased as a Viking fan, but I don't get how anybody can hate Jared Allen. The guy came into the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick, busted his tail to become the best pass-rushing DE in football, and has made huge strides to being a great all-around defender. Maybe it has to do with the fact that the trade has worked out so well for the Vikings to this point. In his 26 games with Minnesota, Allen has registered 24.5 sacks and has transformed the Minnesota defense from merely being good to being outstanding. So, really, I don't get the Jared Allen hate.
But there is somebody coming to the Metrodome tomorrow that doesn't get nearly the level of hate that they should, in my opinion, largely because so many people are too busy trying to make excuses for him. Allow me to explain myself a bit. . .and there won't be anything backhanded in this article, believe me.
So, Mr. Greenberg, and anybody else that might be out there listening. . .let me tell you a little bit about Jay Cutler.
When we look back at the end of the 2008 season, we remember that the Vikings held off a challenge from the Bears to win the NFC North. After watching each team for 16 games. . .17 in the case of the Vikings. . .the football intelligencia out there made the declaration that the Bears and the Vikings were both merely a quarterback away from being serious Super Bowl contenders. So, when the Denver Broncos made Jay Cutler available, the Vikings and Bears were immediately named as the two most logical suitors for the Broncos to trade with.
Cutler, if you'll remember, was the guy that spent the last three games of the 2008 season not securing the one victory it would have taken for the Broncos to eliminate the San Diego Chargers and win the AFC West title, including a season finale that saw him get his head stomped in repeatedly by the Chargers on national television. He was also second in the NFL in interceptions in 2008, and finished the season with a QB rating of 86.0. (For the record, Tarvaris Jackson had a 2008 QB rating of 95.4. Just sayin' is all.)
So, with such a stellar performance in his back pocket, you can surely understand why it is that when Cutler got wind that new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels had explored the possibility of trading him, Cutler thrown what my late grandmother would have referred to as a "conniption fit." He whined, he cried, he pouted, he screamed, he trashed McDaniels in the press, and refused to meet with McDaniels, all because the coach had the nerve. . .the gall. . .to potentially explore an option that he thought might improve his team.
For such an elite, outstanding, mature specimen, the Chicago Bears were willing to give up two first-round draft choices, a third-round choice, and quarterback Kyle Orton. Bears' GM Jerry Angelo had, apparently, bought into the "one player away" hype, and was immediately lauded for bringing the greatest damn quarterback since. . .heck, I don't know. . .Sid Luckman, I guess, to the Windy City.
And I, for one, am so glad that he did. See, like Greenberg said about Allen, I should like Jay Cutler. But I should like him for different reasons than Greenberg should like Allen. Greenberg should like Jared Allen because he hustles, he always gives 100%, and he's outstanding at what he does.
I should like Cutler because he's a loser and a coach killer. Don't believe me? Here's the record of every team that Jay Cutler has been the starting quarterback for since he left Heritage High School in Lincoln City, Indiana.
2002 Vanderbilt Commodores: 2-10
2003 Vanderbilt Commodores: 2-10
2004 Vanderbilt Commodores: 2-9
2005 Vanderbilt Commodores: 5-6
2006 Denver Broncos: 2-3
2007 Denver Broncos: 7-9
2008 Denver Broncos: 8-8
2009 Chicago Bears: 4-6
Total: 32-61
This is worth three draft choices and a $30 million extension? Man, am I glad the Vikings "settled" for Brett Favre for $12 million a year. Think that chair that Lovie Smith is sitting on isn't significantly warmer now than it was at the beginning of the year?
In Denver, Cutler had a great coach in Mike Shanahan, a great offensive line. . .he took only 11 sacks in all of 2008, and has taken 20 already this year. . .a great group of receivers and tight ends in Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, and Tony Scheffler, and a solid running game. He has none of those things in Chicago. With the Bears, his #1 receiver is a guy that's at the position because Lovie Smith woke up one morning and said to himself, "Hey, you know what I think would really help our football team? Let's take the single most devastating special teams weapon in the history of the league and turn him into a significantly below-average wide receiver. Man, I'm a genius!"
(And Bear fans have the nerve to imply that Brad Childress is an idiot.)
The thing that disgusts me most about Cutler is the way he carries himself on the field. He whines. He cries. He pouts. He blames teammates. There isn't one single thing about him that would make you mistake him for any sort of a leader at all, which a lot of teams depend on their quarterback to be. He's realizing just how hard it is to be a quarterback in the NFL when you're not playing with guys that are capable of bailing you out all the time. And with a dearth of draft choices for the Bears (having used their first-rounder this year on Cutler and wasting their second-rounder on Gaines Adams), the cupboard isn't going to fill up for him any time soon.
As I said in my article about Favre's candidacy for the MVP award the other day, some quarterbacks can raise the games of the rest of the players on the offense. Some quarterbacks, on the other hand, need to have their games raised for them by the rest of their offensive teammates. Cutler falls firmly into the latter category. He doesn't know what it takes to be a winner, because he's never been a winner at any level. And there's a very good chance that he never will be. Forget comparing him to Favre. . .I'm not sure if he's a better quarterback than Tarvaris Jackson at this point.
So thank you, Chicago, for putting an absolutely ridiculous offer on the table and saving us from Jay Cutler. Thank you for actually thinking that you were only one player away from glory, despite the fact that your offensive line is awful, your secondary isn't very good, and your defensive line is getting old.
Chicago deserves Jay Cutler, and Jay Cutler deserves Chicago. I didn't like Cutler when he was with Denver, and I sure as heck can't stand him now.
(See, Jon. . .if you're going to hate someone, you should really try for somebody more hate-worthy.)
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TheViking83 Likes This
If you can't laugh at yourself... Who can you laugh at?
The Packers, that’s who.
-- The almighty Manimal
Wow, you don't pull punches at all, do you?
Denver fan here. When the trade went through, it really divided the Bronco’s community of fans. Many of us (myself included) had spent 3 years making as many excuses for JC as we could; he was part of OUR team. A nasty divorce, some time, and watching his act from a distance made most of us realize that Phillip Rivers (SD QB) was right when he pantomimed that Cutler acted like a baby. But, what of the road less traveled; what if he HAD been coachable (big if) and stayed in Denver to learn and play within a system that can function very nicley once you’ve mastered it? He will never know. Perhaps that’s when any chance of a HOF career for JC was picked off by the opposition. And no, I don’t think he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Farve OR Elway.
PS- I live in Pocatello, and enjoyed watchin Allen play for our otherwise woeful Idaho State.
He worked his butt off here also.
Orton's arm isn't as weak as people think either. So you may have come out okay with this
Oh yeah, 2 1st rounders and a 3rd with a replacement at QB. Not bad. I’m not saying Orton is awesome, but he doesn’t seem to be a downgrade from Cutler.
Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!
Agree
Last month I did a blog comparing Cutler and Orton. My thought was, Broncos got the better end of the deal far and wide. Cutler is showing how Leaf-like he is. Some posted responses that I should give Cutler a year. I don’t think 1 or 3 years will do anything for him. He had very competent WR’s in Denver in Marshall and Stokley and decent with the rest and still wasen’t impressive. Orton made a semi contender with crap WR’s in Chicago, and other then the 4 game slide, which I can’t lay on him, Orton has excelled with those competent WR’s in Denver. Cutler on the other hand, needs a team to float him, but can’t float one like Orton did.
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk."
"That is the craziest sonofabitch I ever saw, how many more like him do you think are up there?"
"We have clearance Clearance. Roger Rodger, what's our vector Victor?"
by VikesFaninNM on Nov 28, 2009 6:54 PM CST up reply actions
I was glad to see Orton gone from the NFC North
I couldn’t believe the Bears would get rid of Orton, who is going to be a good QB. Cutler has a good arm but his intangibles haven’t been good so far in his career.
by medicineball on Nov 28, 2009 7:10 PM CST up reply actions
Nice post Gonzo & good follow up Idahobronc
I’m one of those Vikes fans that is glad that we didn’t get in on the Cutler sweepstakes.
Had Culter got that chip off his shoulder and played team ball Denver has all the things he needs.
You guys have run into a rough patch of late but you have the makings of a contender in the years to come. Solid defense, good running game & receivers. Cutler didn’t need to go anywhere. Oh well his problems are between the ears. Chicago got what they deserve. Those 1st round draft picks from Da Bears might end up being in the top ten. Way to go. Will do our part & beat Da Bears down for you. Whats a 6-10 record get you these days.
K whoever wrote this article must be retarted. He’s blaming the Bears troubles on Jay Cutler. In reality they have the worst o line in the NFL. GreenBay has a bad line but at least they can run the ball. Cutler also has the 31st ranked run game in the league, in addition to having a bunch of 2 and 3 receivers. There defense without Urlacher is also terrible. The Vikings on the other hand have the best o line in the NFL. Favre is not that good anymore he has 5-10 seconds to throw the ball evry play. He also has the best running back in the NFL. Every team is sticking 8 in the box so he has a hey day throwing, any NFL quarterback would. He also has one of the best defenses supporting him. How did Favre do against a good defense in Pittsberge? If you switched Cutler and Favre the Vikings would be 11-0, and the Beas would be 2-9. Yah Cutler might not have made the play against San Fran but he wouldnt have had to because the game wouldn’t have been that close. The funny thing is I live in Minnesota and I have to hear all these people who think there team is better then the 85 Bears. One year these fans talk about how much they hate Favre and he’s on there team and they are obsessed. That shows you the quality fan base the Vikings have. How come you guys needed Fox to buy out 1,000 seats to sell out a playoff game? Soldier Field has sold out every game since it’s been renovated in 2003. Let’s watch what happens when the Vikqueens come toChicago on December 28th. Let’s also watch the next couple of years; the Bears will fire Lovie and Angelo, then they will sign either Cowher or Shannehan, sighn a couple free agents and they will be right back in the mix. The Vikings on the other hand are a older team who has no future at quarterback once Favre is gone.
By the way Chicago deserved Cutler yes sir, we do on the other hand you do not deserve a good team you might be the worst fans in the NFL. Are you a fan of the Los Angelos Vikings?
Take it easy Jay#6,
I thought you hung in there pretty well. You actually played better than I thought would. although the end result was the same.
"What is best in life?"
"To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."
Wow
I laughed so hard with this post it took me awhile to post a reply. First, um, might want to learn how to spell, but this might be on purpose as you created the name today and joined DN 2 hours ago, so Mr. Troll, why hide behind a fake name? Also, if that is your true grammer, may want to back off learning ghetto english on MTV. And finally, lay off the Bacardi
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk."
"That is the craziest sonofabitch I ever saw, how many more like him do you think are up there?"
"We have clearance Clearance. Roger Rodger, what's our vector Victor?"
by VikesFaninNM on Nov 29, 2009 10:21 PM CST up reply actions
It's not Mr. Troll,
Clay6=Jay6 it’s Mrs. Elway.
"What is best in life?"
"To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."
Ah
So someone needs to lay off the Bacardi
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk."
"That is the craziest sonofabitch I ever saw, how many more like him do you think are up there?"
"We have clearance Clearance. Roger Rodger, what's our vector Victor?"
by VikesFaninNM on Nov 29, 2009 10:41 PM CST up reply actions
I tried to console him,
but I doubt it will help.
"What is best in life?"
"To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."
Oh well
What can you do? Kinda sad someone has to say crap like that. But oh well, that’s what makes us better then that.
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk."
"That is the craziest sonofabitch I ever saw, how many more like him do you think are up there?"
"We have clearance Clearance. Roger Rodger, what's our vector Victor?"
by VikesFaninNM on Nov 29, 2009 10:56 PM CST up reply actions
Who on earth is Jon Greenberg?
From the only TRUE North division
by thewild_viking_twins on Nov 28, 2009 5:34 PM CST reply actions
Who on earth is Jon Greenberg?
I’ll tell ya “Who on earth is Jon Greenberg?” He is none other that Jay Cutlers personal “Fluffer”.
"What is best in life?"
"To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."
hustler type
“Freelancing” and hyping his newsletter. Here’s a bio if you want a chuckle. And the websites for the local ESPN radio stations are pretty much anything goes. The one in SE wis has Zulgad’s BFF, Jason Wilde. He’s got a show that is pretty funny in that its little more than hating Favre and talking about how dreamy and fabulous Arodge is.
I thought you could of been a little more critical;
you should have said something about their mothers.
"(And Bear fans have the nerve to imply that Brad Childress is an idiot.)"
It should be noted that Bears fans also think Lovie is an idiot.
It’d be kind of funny if the Bears won now after this article.
If it helps
Regardless of who wins on Sunday, I’ll still be of the belief that Cutler is a pansy-ass cry baby.
The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!
by Christopher Gates on Nov 28, 2009 6:28 PM CST up reply actions
And I'll still agree with that notion
Another note: Allen has never beaten Cutler before. They are both AFC West castoffs. Honestly, the Bears have a good chance if A.P. doesn’ play. Not that I’m picking them, as they are horrid on both sides of the ball, but it’s got my interest enough to watch this one.
by Donald Driver on Nov 29, 2009 2:32 AM CST up reply actions
He is speaking for his fans(?) I guess
Good to see here a post on what I consider to be more newsworthy subject than denigrating one of the best D line players in the game (Cutler is LOUSY!)….
What was that guy (Jon) thinking? Sure that he considers himself a rallying point for Bears fans who have very little to be happy about (and likely will have little for the next few years)….
I think the trade for Cutler may go down as the worst since the Herschel trade Vikes made so many years ago that we suffered so long for… Hahahahahahaha!
Our real answer (and JA’s answer) will come on Sunday and again in Chicago…The writer of the article has provided fuel for our fire….Vikings fire!!!! Look out…
After our sound W tomorrow in the dome,I hope they have the sense to figuratively hide the women and send their children away prior to the Vikes arrival in Chi Town….Sunday will be just an appetizer of what they have coming…Aghhhhhhhhh!
Cryhavoc you are right…this Jon john is nothing but a fluffer! Bring on Mrs. Cutler and crew….come on, we dare ya!
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Nov 28, 2009 5:50 PM CST reply actions
You asked for justification
(Can anyone explain to me how we can justify an ESPN offshoot for Chicago? Is it the mid-80s? Did Michael Jordan come back? Are Chicago sports somehow relevant again and I’ve just missed it somehow?)
I can explain it to you. I am 26 years old and I spent the first 23 years of my life in the twin cities, and I am a die hard vikings fan.
I moved to Chicago right out of college and have been there for almost 4 years, living in the heart of wrigleyville the whole time. Chicago does deserve an offshoot of it’s own version of ESPN, if any city does (I don’t think there should be city-based offshoots, but they exist, I’m dealing with it.)
Chicago fans a simply more dedicated and more intense fans than Minnesotans. I’m sorry to say it, but I’ve learned it from experience, observation, living in one of the craziest sports neighborhoods in America. The teams being “good at this point in time” is insignificant. Chicago lives and dies by its sports teams. There are a lot of hardcore vikings fans out there, but unfortunately they aren’t the majority population in the twin cities. Look at the stadium issues that have gone on here in MN. They’re this close to letting the Vikings walk. Chicago wouldn’t even hesitate to build a team a stadium. There was even talk of Chicago last year maybe trying to get a second NFL team. The market is that huge and that dedicated to support another one.
I won’t ever take a Bears fan’s side on anything football related, but Chicago is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the entire state of Minnesota in terms of fan dedication, support, and craziness. Chicago is a huge sports town. I don’t know if you can say that about Minneapolis.
Light years my asterick.
The Chicago metro area is what 4 maybe 5 times the number of people as the Twin cities. Of course they have a bunch of yahoo’s. Don’t give me this better fans crap. We have done a pretty good job supporting our teams considering the market size. The Wild have sold out every single game since they started. The Twins have put a solid team on the field for years at a fraction of the cost of the White Sox or Cubs. The Vikings have had 13 losing seasons in their history. That’s 49 years. Five of those losing seasons were in the first 7 years. That’s 8 losing seasons since 1968. We got plenty of great fans, you just out number us.
Good for you
Stay in Chicago….Wrigley is a dump of a stadium and the fans are stupid…they have no idea who is on their team let alone the other team. I went to 4 straight cubs games because my buddy is a cubs fan from MN. We sat in left field for two games…the drunken retardedness was off the charts….Its one thing to drink and have a good time, its another to start fights every inning from the 5th on two games in a row, vomit on yourself and others, fall down the stairs, piss yourself, get arrested, throw things on the field, unleashed absurb amounts of foul language and have no idea who was on the other team. Yeah, the little traditions between left and right field are cute…chanting the name of the opposing outfielder…just great…..YOu can keep that mess…Chicago is a dump and a criminal breeding ground. So if thats what makes you think dedication is then your right….there is also blind stupidity…..Chicago has a lot of that. Wasn’t it the white trash soxs father/son combo that jumped on the field and attacked the elderly Royals base coach some years back? Again…what dedication…Dont take the lack of Minnnesotans urge to be consistently violent and stupid drunk as a lack of dedication.
by DallasGopher on Nov 28, 2009 10:18 PM CST up reply actions
MN fans
are pathetic. I’ve lived in MN my whole life and will personally admit that they throw away a team as soon as they start losing.
The Wild are the only team that you can’t say that about (even though their sell-outs are a little tainted seeing as they’re basically giving away their tickets for free to keep their sell-out streak.)
Speaking of giving away tickets, Go Wolves! When they were winning, the Target Center was sold out every game, since that Cassell/Spree/KG season, they’ve probably sold out 3 games.
The Twins have done a fantastic job putting together a competitive team, if the team is winning, the fans show up in decent proportions, but I’ll let it slide because watching baseball in a place where only like 10% of the seats face home plate, blows.
The Gophers… yeah, even students don’t attend those games in force, even with a new stadium. Every time the team lost, less students showed up.
and (dun dun dun) The Vikings… almost had a blacked out playoff game cause no one wanted to go, wooooo! Unfortunately the team is going to move to LA because quite frankly, no one here wants to pay money for a stadium because… well… who wants to pay for something that has never won a championsip how many seasons iowaron?
Maybe if the Vikings would bring in more high quality people on and off the field. Less Pat Williams/Jared Allen/Percy Harvin/Brett Favre (from back in the day… Smoot/Moss/Underwood/many more) and bring in more Chris Carters (despite the whining, he had troubles ie Jared Allen, but didn’t just clean up, he made contributions to society) and Antoine Winfields
Although I admit the numbers in Chi are greater than the numbers in Minnesota because of the total population, people don’t come more fair-weather than Minnesotans. Mostly because there is every major sports (pro or not pro) within 8 miles of each other.
Jared Allen remaining sober is impressive and good for him… but the fact remains that he was pathetic enough to get 3 DUI’s… there’s no reason he should be allowed to be out in civilization with that kind of recklessness. There’s no excuse for that. Jared Allen is a cheap shot artist and his stupid antics get pretty old, pretty quick. I get it, 69, hilarious. Oh and the “look at me, I have a mullet and I’m going well out of my way to make sure everyone knows it” show that he puts on gets annoying.
I want to see how this team and Viking’s fans hold together if the team starts losing.
How about over 40 years of "holding together?"
There are some members of this site who are old enough to have lived/seen/experienced the many ups and downs of this team during their fandom…I am one of these, and I will say that your position is not unbiased, as mine is not…BUT there are Viking fans that feel quite different than what you describe based on the many fans I interact with here and elsewhere…we are there year in and year out, to watch/support/rant/rave…and enjoy OUR team….
On grandstanding, as you are referring to with Allen…When you are good, is OK to enjoy being at the top…It is a fleeting moment (or career) and why not enjoy? This applies to the many stars we have on the team at the moment., not just Allen…This is a time of confluence – when the many factors that make a good team good come together…as the Vikings are now experiencing….and is a pleasure to watch them in action….win or lose….
At the same time, when bad times are present (know what I mean Chicago fans?), diehard fans hang in there until the elements once again align to change things around…Sounds like you are in that boat now…hang in there, should only take 4-5 years and Chicago may once again rise from the ashes of this season and moves they have made…Cutler has certainly not added to the likliehood of a turnaround in the near term…Are you one of those fans that will hang in there?
Going back to Jared Allen – He is not a cheap shot artist as you state. He is good at what he does, intimidates opponents, and rightfully so based on his skill set. That is one of the reasons why there is talk of a rebirth of the Purple People Eaters out there…The attitude and performance of not only him but that entire line is to say the least impressive…He has raised the level of play of the rest of the line….just as Favre has done on the O-line…
Watch and see how we “hold together” as a team, and as fans….Be scared….This is not a one year phenom team…Unlike Chicago, we will be competitive easily with the team members we have over the next 4-5 years….Oh yes, better get some hankies for Cutler, he will need them tonight!
SKOL!
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Nov 29, 2009 4:51 AM CST up reply actions
Cris Carter and your other points
Cris Carter had a drinking problem. That’s why Buddy Ryan cut him from the Eagles, to make him face up to reality and hopefully get his life back on track. Carter did the the difficult, important thing, asked for help, and sobered up. With his life on track, he worked hard and became the Hall of Famer we remember today. As we see with Cris Carter, just because you made bad choices doesn’t steer your ship forever. You can work on redeeming yourself.
So…. what were you saying about Jared Allen, Brett Favre, and Percy Harvin? And how do you get Pat Williams into that mix? Seriously, gentlemen.
The Metrodome was built in the wake of the great 70s Vikings teams. Fast forward to now. It took a while to rebuild the team after Tice and McCombs had left it nearly devastated, but the Vikings are rebuilt now and fun to watch. I think that once Minnesotans realize that the Vikings will fold up the tent and move the team away, finally and absolutely, unless the new stadium is built, and there is $300 million in private money sitting on the table waiting to be received, and the cost will be spread over 30 years, Minnesotans will support the new stadium.
by medicineball on Nov 29, 2009 8:11 AM CST up reply actions
Not to mention that even during the bad years of Redneck McCombs and to a lesser extent Tice, we were still selling out. Not bad. Seems like alot of support there.
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk."
"That is the craziest sonofabitch I ever saw, how many more like him do you think are up there?"
"We have clearance Clearance. Roger Rodger, what's our vector Victor?"
by VikesFaninNM on Nov 29, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions
Problem solved, uofmike
Get the F@#% out of MN then, you whiny @hole and don’t come back.
"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Nov 29, 2009 9:24 AM CST up reply actions
Sorry, a little over the top
Please feel free to leave and never return. Thanx!
"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Nov 29, 2009 9:38 AM CST up reply actions
Only pathertic one I see mike....
…….is yourself. New’s flash (dun, dun, dun), the Vikings havent had a black out since 1997, and that includes several 6-10 teams and a 5-11 team. So that pretty much throws your little theory right out of the water. Sure, a few times corporations stepped in to buy tickets, but guess what, that’s happened in Denver several times and I’m more then sure every team in the NFL. So what Allen likes a little flash, at least he backs it up with his play. I’m sure folks in Chi-town had no issues with star struck McMahon back in the 80’s. So he had a drinking problem and is sober, guess what, so has some relatives of mine and friends. They sobered themselves, so I guess that still makes them pathetic too? Or are you like that moron blogger in Chicago who thinks just because Allen hunts and may not agree politically with the current President, he is automatically a buffoon? Nice Progressive “open” ideology there. And your point that Allen hasent made any contributions to society unlike Carter. Ever heard of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Center? Allen is a donor and spokes person. Ever heard of the “Sack Diabetes”? That was started by Allen. Not to mention he does alot of work for the USO and our troops. WOOPS, do more research there mikey. Tthe Bulls went thru a serious attendance down time when Jordan left, because I can remember seeing the Wolves play them on TV here and guess how many seats in Chicago were empty? ALOT And that would go along with every team in the NBA, along with the Blackhawks and every team in the NHL. So your point of desperatly trying to make it sound like Minnesota is the ONLY state/city that attendance drops when teams start losing or corporations buy tickets to keep the sell out’s going is well, pathetic.
As far as no one wanting to help with a new stadium, everytime Ive seen people talk about it, polls and what not, it’s usually around 75% that are saying get it done now. So again, a totally baseless argument. Sounds like you’re the type that believes the only form of entertainment one should “enjoy” is sipping their white zinfidel with their pinky sticking out looking at some Picasso. So, if it’s so terrible for you there, please, be one of those that leaves. Go to Seattle or San Francisco or some other supposedly “upscale” town. Even from 1,200 miles away, I’m still proud to be a Minnesotan, still support my home and teams in any way possible and still get annoyed by whiny boo hoo types like yourself with pointless arguments on how crappy life there is or even in this country, Get a life.
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk."
"That is the craziest sonofabitch I ever saw, how many more like him do you think are up there?"
"We have clearance Clearance. Roger Rodger, what's our vector Victor?"
by VikesFaninNM on Nov 29, 2009 11:01 AM CST up reply actions
Dude I rooted for Wade, Kramer and Johnson
As well as many many others who made me cry, rant and rave. So stick the fair weather fan crap up your #$$.
Insulting and idiotic
To dismiss an entire fan base because of your experience at a handfull of ballgames is quite foolish. Every team, every sport, every game has a handful of morons attending the event. Believe me, I understand that it’s quite frustrating to get stuck sitting near obnoxious people when you really care about the outcome of the game, but don’t mistakenly assume that the frat party that goes on in the leftfield bleachers at Wrigley is a good representation of Chicago sports fans.
Chicago sports fans are quite knowledgable, incredibly passionate, and very tolerant (unless you show up wearing a Cubs or Sox jersey on the wrong side of town). I suppose everyone’s entitled to their opinion regarding the stadium, but I happen to feel that Wrigley Field is one of the best places in baseball to watch a game, and I’d honestly have to say one of the few stadiums I would classify as a “dump” is the Metrodome (and yes, I am a die hard Cubs and Vikings fan).
Your comments do nothing more than portray you as a bitter, misinformed fool. Stereotyping and rushing to judgement based on limited experience is assinine. I’ve only been to a handful of Twins home games, but I’ve sat near some odd characters. Once, I had the misfortune of sitting next to a large family who spent several innings trying to talk to me about the benefits of cutting your own hair and thier fear of public restrooms. Another game found me in the middle of a bus load of folks on a field trip from a home for mentally handicapped adults. Another time I sat behind a gay couple with PDA issues. If I were to use your logic, I would think that Twins fans must ALL be gay retards with funny haircuts that are afraid of the toilet. OR – thanks to your comments, I would have to assume that all Minnesotans are intolerant, judgemental, and ill informed. Instead, I choose to form opinions based on fact and look at more than one moron before passing judgement on an entire fan base. Perhaps you should do the same. I invite you to come on down to a Cubs game with me, and I’ll introduce you to some real fans – people who are passionate about the sport, its history, and thier team. I’m sure you could do the same at the new Twins stadium too, so please realize that your comments say nothing about real Chicago sports fans, but tell loads about you.
I’ve been reading this blog regularly for quite some time, and haven’t really felt the need to comment until now. I hope the folks that run this place realize that the Vikings have fans from all over the world, and insulting different cities and teams isn’t a way to keep folks coming back to this place.
SKOL Vikings and Go Cubs Go!!!
This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
by HectorVillanueva on Nov 29, 2009 7:22 AM CST up reply actions
Like that typical Cubs fan
Steve Bartman.
by medicineball on Nov 29, 2009 8:15 AM CST up reply actions
fyi
I don’t live in Chicago. I support maybe 10% of the things Obama does. I’m pretty right-winged, I defended most things Bush did as president… so all you’re assumptions were pretty far off and done with no facts, glad my perception of Vikings fans haven’t changed.
Allen donates money to a cause… WOOoOOOOOOOW that must be really hard to do when you make that much. Allen is a cheap shot artist, just look at the Texans game last year. I never said anything about people with alcoholism, but 1 DUI is pathetic, grow up and don’t endanger other people’s lives. 3 deserves to never be allowed behind a wheel ever again… that’s 3 attempted murders as far as I’m concerned.
Pat Williams calls out teammates and throws them under the bus, I wouldn’t put up with that kind of BS if I was coach. But I wouldn’t expect Childress to do something respectable.
I never said that every fan is fair-weather. I live and die with the Twins/Gophers/T’Wolves and there’s been some pretty rough times there, but there’s very little support around town. People want them to win, but if they don’t they won’t give them a second thought, there’s no passion there. The Vikings are no different, I love Minnesota as much if not more than the next guy, best state in the union as far as I’m concerned. But the fans here are pathetic.
LOL
Keep grasping at straws there. You can go back to your friends at ACME now.
"If you're gonna shoot, shoot, don't talk."
"That is the craziest sonofabitch I ever saw, how many more like him do you think are up there?"
"We have clearance Clearance. Roger Rodger, what's our vector Victor?"
Gonzo strikes gold again. Great article.
How do you only get sacked 11 times(league low) and throw the 2nd most INTS? That is with good WRs, so his decline in Chicago with sub-par receivers shouldn’t be a shock.
Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!
About saving us from Cutler
The way I had read it, Vikings representatives had traveled to Denver before Cutler was “officially” on the table. I remember this because I was a little upset. I thought Cutler had talent (no mistake), didn’t know much about his personality, and figured he might be that missing piece for the Vikings offense. Then I heard he went to Chicago. I wasn’t super upset anymore because I looked at the decisions Childress had made regarding PLAYERS and I put my faith in the guy. Despite TJack, he’s been dead on with every risky personnel move he’s made. I consider Cutler the best move he DIDNT make.
I am wondering
what are the records of those teams after he left? If Denver is any indication that would be a fantastic statement
by just another viking on Nov 28, 2009 6:29 PM CST reply actions
nuff said
i just am in love with chicago for making a trade so……great?? i personally thought that kyle orton was one of the more underated qb’s in the league.
SKOL!!
Incisive and Brutal - Well done Gonzo :)
I had no idea the past records were so abysmal, that’s just devastating…. Chilly made a rock-on assessment in not trying to out-bid Chicago, and Chicago’s crippled their draft for the next couple years.
Reading cdub’s observation on why there’s an ESPNchicago, unfortunately that’s not much of a surprise at all. Minny might pull it out in time though, I hope so.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
Articles like this are why this is my favorite Vikings community.
I also love the Broncos fans chiming in as they have a very solid perspective on both players involved.
Anyone think what Urlacher told Bobby Wade before the season (Cutler is a poo fifty five why…etc) is true?
by drew10 on Nov 28, 2009 8:53 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I’m not down on Cutler for all of the reasons that you pointed out, Gonzo:
[In Denver, Cutler had]. . .a great group of receivers and tight ends in Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, and Tony Scheffler, and a solid running game. He has none of those things in Chicago. With the Bears, his #1 receiver is a guy that’s at the position because Lovie Smith woke up one morning and said to himself, “Hey, you know what I think would really help our football team? Let’s take the single most devastating special teams weapon in the history of the league and turn him into a significantly below-average wide receiver. Man, I’m a genius!”
For all of those reasons, Cutler should probably get another year before judging him too harshly. Lots of good QBs learn to lower their INT rates given time, and so could Cutler.
Sure, the Denver brass looked great 4 consecutive losses ago, but things could even out in the next 6 games. I doubt it will completely even out since Orton is at least OK and the quality of draft picks involved could nab some very valuable players (or not).
Nice Article
I must say I am surprised none of the commenters thus far have invoked Rick Mirer, Cade McNown, Jim Miller, Moses Moreno…
by Midnight Rambler on Nov 28, 2009 10:54 PM CST reply actions
I rip on my Cutler-loving roommate all the time now.
Because I hate Jay Cutler, I hate him so much.
In AP I trust
F-A-R-V-A =/= F-A-V-R-E
Okay, I was wrong about Favre.
by FarvaForTheVikings on Nov 29, 2009 12:12 AM CST reply actions
Is anybody really surprised by this article?
Allen’s one of those players that fans love to have on their team but can’t stand if he’s a rival. The writer even says the Bears could use a player of his talent and even personality. That’s basically the point of his article. The banner at the top says “So good you have to hate.”
I love Allen because he’s a stud and he’s always saying something entertaining, but he’s a total goober. He’d definitely be annoying to me if he wasn’t on my team. As far as the DUIs go, I read that line as saying that he was a wild card when he got here and has been nothing but positive since. The only thing the guy doesn’t like about Allen is his personality because he’s annoyed by him. That’s all he is: annoyed. I don’t feel like hating on this guy at all; I’m just enjoying having the biggest, most talented annoyance in the league on my team and not his.
There were a lot of people who couldn’t stand Favre’s personality when he was on the Packers. Now that we have him, we love him (in most corners). I always respected Favre, but I hated hearing about his personality all the time. Now that he’s on my team, it’s a positive. The author respects Jared Allen as a player but can’t stand him as a persona. I completely understand the feeling and I know it changes if you have that player.
I do agree with your take on Jay Cutler. Guy’s incredibly talented and bright, but FAILS the leadership/intangibles test. I’ll take an obnoxious All-Pro defensive end who is a good teammate over a talented but underachieving diva QB any day.
here's my take on some of the discussions thus far
Minnesota sports fans: I am not from Minnesota, have never even been to the land of 10,000 lakes, therefore I will not comment on people from Minnesota. However I am a die-hard Vikings and twins fan living in the southwest. Surprisingly there is a strong collection of Norsemen (in spirit) living in the southwest. I have been to several Viking games in AZ, Denver, and even the exhibition game a few years ago in San Antonio. I can say that “some” Viking fans in the SW are fickle. Now I imagine that every team has fans that only come out when the team is winning. However if I compare the level of true support from Viking fans to that of say Steelers fans, I would have to say we dont compare. Now I am simpy speaking in ratio’s. Out here, most Vikings games get the back seat to Cowboys and Broncos games as far as TV goes, a trip to any local sports bar will show that even though those fans can watch their games from the comforts of home, they still go out in masses to watch them at sports bars. 9ers fans are as loyal as any in these parts. Steelers fans are just crazy when it comes to their teams. Viking fans however, if the team has a bad year, a bad game, heck a bad series, many fans out here are calling for the coach’s head. I hate to see that. I hate to hear fans boo their own team. I understand the whole I paid $150 for this ticket I can boo if I want to idea, but I just wish that criticism would wait for the offseason. In-season we should support the franchise (players, coaches, even owner unless its Al Davis LOL) for better or worse.
Jared Allen: The love hate stuff I don’t get either. The guy plays his heart out. Never takes a play off, literally! Did anyone hear about JA being a contraversial character while he played for the chiefs? I dont remember it. All I remember was hearing about his DUI’s, which I don’t think is a reason to throw a guy under the bus for. I mean the dude needed help. Who among us hasn’t needed help? I don’t remember people saying that they hated the dude. Must be another example of the national hatred for our beloved purple.
Cutler: The guy is a loser (in football). He never won at Vandy, never won in Denver. Now he has taken a team that went 9-7 and a playoff contender, into a 4-7 1st pick in next year’s draft contender. I don’t like the way he carries himself on the field. I love the way he throws to the other team LOL! Seriously though, as mentioned earlier here in NM, most people are bronco fans, including my brother. I told him that the trade would be a good thing for denver. I knew that Orton would be a good fit in that offense. I remember him in his Purdue days, he can throw the rock. Even though they had a 4 game skid, most people will agree that the 7 games they have won to this point are about twice as many as most people expected; my brother included. Had they not pulled the trigger on Cutler, they would be in worse shape than the bears.
"We Szekelys have a right to be proud, for in our veins flows the blood of many brave races who fought as the lion fights for lordship. Here, in the whirlpool of European races, the Ugric tribe bore down from Iceland the fighting spirit which Thor and Odin gave them, which their Berserkers displayed to such fell intent on the seaboards of Europe, ay, and of Asia and Africa too, till the peoples thought that the werewolves themselves had come."
-Bram Stoker
Another Broncos fan here
And THANKS SO MUCH for this article. I especially liked the points about his absolute lack of anything resembling leadership and the fact that he just does not know what to win. He is the epitome of the phenomenon described in that classic masterpiece of cinema known as “White Men Can’t Jump.” He would seemingly rather look good and lose than put up weak numbers and win. (As evidence by his reaction to winning a conservative game against TB last year.)
I was appalled when Plummer was benched in favor of this coddled little brat. Plummer may not have been the greatest QB, but he was a leader and you always had the feeling his teammates would follow him into Hell.
As for Broncos fans perspectives on Orton vs. Cutler, I am big on Orton. I know he’s not the sexiest QB, and he may not put up the numbers, but he epitomizes both of your points. The guy just wins, and he seems to be a natural leader. From the outside looking in, he just seems to inspire his teammates, and he also appears to be one of the hardest-working QBs around. The guy just loves the game, and it’s obvious for all to see. He has a rep for a noodle arm, which is totally undeserved if you followed him at all in college. He doesn’t have the howitzer, but he has good arm strength and can “make all the throws.” He just plays within whatever system the coach puts in front of him, because it is about the team with him. Foreign concepts to JC. Yes, JC puts up huge yards, but usually because his INTs have put the team in a hole already. Also, ALL his yards come between the 20s. Not just this year, but all of last year as well, his INTs mostly come from the 20 heading toward (but rarely into) the end zone.
Thanks again, and rec’d. And I just have to add…Go Favre!!!
- Nick
"We got 'em right where we want 'em!" - Keith Bishop, right before John Elway orchestrated The Drive. 'Nuff said.
whoopss...
first line was supposed to be that he doesn’t know “how” to win….
- Nick
"We got 'em right where we want 'em!" - Keith Bishop, right before John Elway orchestrated The Drive. 'Nuff said.
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