After Slow Start, Vikings Take Game One
by Anthony21 on Sep 13, 2009 3:03 PM CDT
in Minnesota Vikings 2009 Season
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PrintThe beginning was tough to watch. The Vikings were down at the half and things were heading south as the second quarter concluded. But thanks to a strong second half, the Vikings left Cleveland with a week one victory.
We saw an unimaginative offense in the first two quarters -- with Chester Taylor catching the majority of Brett Favre's early practices and Adrian Peterson getting off to a slow start on the ground. The special teams didn't help the Vikings' cause, as an ill-advised onside kick to start the game gave the Browns excellent field position, and Joshua Cribbs took a punt return to the house with under two minutes remaining in the first half. The protection Favre received also left quite a bit to be desired, and Cleveland displayed an impressive commitment to Jamal Lewis.
Things would turn around as the third quarter got underway. The running game was clicking -- Adrian Peterson surpassed the 50-yard mark in just that quarter alone, and he put the Vikings in the lead with a goal line touchdown run. The other element of the turnaround was the Favre-to-Harvin connection (or Farvin as it's been called). There's an undeniable chemistry between the two, which we can look forward to seeing more of in the weeks ahead.
Indeed, Harvin began his NFL career with an outstanding debut. He looked downright lethal on kickoffs. He was just as impressive when getting hand-offs, and I hope Chilly utilizes him more on the ground as we move forward.
This was an unspectacular game for Favre, and I was disappointed that his targets early in the game were quite limited. He just wasn't asked to do too much, as the running game accounted for the vast majority of the offense.
Whenever I write game recaps, I struggle with what to say about Adrian Peterson. I've said it all before, and I'm sure Gonzo feels the same way. AD's 64-yard touchdown in the second half is one of the most spectacular runs I've ever seen from him, and that's saying something. With a blood-covered jersey, he controlled the second half.
Plenty more to come on this game, but here's what matters: 1-0.
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All Day's Run
Was spectacular! Sent chills down my spine. I’m only sorry it won’t be the play of the day (re:Broncos vs. Bungles end)
I liked the way Favre handled the game…he didnt make any stupid mistakes, which we would see with Jackson..Well done Vikings
OH, Come on.
If TJ puts up Favre’s numbers today, you’d say he sucks b/c he can’t throw deep. I could hand it off to AD with 4 weeks of practice.
SKOL VIKES!!!!!
by JasonAve6413 on Sep 13, 2009 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree Jason
Favre was not asked to do too much this first game…and that’s OK. I have some problems with the play calling on the first couple of drives, but there was one audible that I thought Favre made that I really liked. The right wideout went in motion to the left and Favre quickly called a run to I believe Taylor to that same right spot that went for 10+ yards, and a first down. I don’t know if TJ would have made that same audible.
"Skol pa fiskande"
late TD?
I live in Hartford and stuck watching NFC East :(
How did the Cleveland TD happen? seemed like a very long drive. Were we playing the backups?
this sucks, I was hoping that special teams woes are left in 2008...
What about the one in 4th quarter though?… the game log says lots of long passes by Quinn. Hope this does not become the trend
They had the game in the bag, so the late 4th passing by Quinn doesn't matter. Almost in prevent mode.
I too am bothered by the punt return. Nobody took the outside. It seemed as if 90% of our guys were going right up the middle. The return coverage will be better this year due to better ST personnel, I hope.
Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!
Thats not your all’s fault. Cribbs is just VERY good
" Of course Steroids should be allowed! I wanna see 700 foot home runs and 90 yard field goals! I litterally want to see someone's d**k get shoved in the dirt!"
by BradyQuinnisBeast on Sep 13, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Snap was high
and I think that put Kluwe into an awkward position and he failed to get a good high kick off.
The Biggest Thing To Me...
…is seeing this team get stronger as the game progressed. I don’t know how many times I watched the Vikings over nearly the last two decades pile up points in the first half, then suddenly vanish in the second. That infuriating habit of sitting on leads drove me nuts and cost the Purple many games. The fact that Adrian turned it up red hot in the second half was truly a wonder and the Vikings have a dollar defense (you can get four quarters out of it) means they can hold on to leads and even build on them. The Minnesota Wrecking Crew (Vikings D) is going to raise hell this season.
by Purple And Gold Forever on Sep 13, 2009 3:30 PM CDT reply actions
Second Half
I agree, the first time in a long time that I said “WOW, I like what Chilly is doing in the third quarter”
I think the Vikes shook off the doldrums
of the first half and completely dominated the line of scrimmage in the second, capped off by AP’s reeeeee-dick-uh-lus TD run. If you noticed, once Favre was given a little latitude to open things up, it spread the defense out, and the running game absolutely dominated.
I liked what I saw in terms of pressure from the defense. Pass coverage was stupendous, and special teams…sigh. One step forward, two steps back. Give up a TD and the best you can be considered is average, although if take that away, both kick and punt coverage was pretty good. I also like what I saw from Percy Harvin—good hands, a good ‘feel’ for the game, and a nose for the endzone.
I really liked the Favere- Harvin TD celebration. I hope that’s the first of many.
Brett Favre is a Viking, and John Smoltz is a Cardinal. The Cubs and Packers still suck. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
+1
I really liked the Favere- Harvin TD celebration. I hope that’s the first of many.
I think this is going to be a big year for Percy….he looks pretty comfortable out there. And the celebration after the TD was great to see! Great things to come down the road for these two.
SKOL!!!!
I get 3 bonus points in fantasy for 100 return yards.
Its okay Percy I’ll take 99 every week!
Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!
I Favre wants to throw more TDs to "get more face time"
That’s fine by me.
And if you want to post this same broken-record crap less often, that would would also be very fine by me too.
ummm, memo to brett: percy has an injury history. watch it with the jumping and tackling, please.
by Natty Bumppo on Sep 14, 2009 1:51 AM CDT up reply actions
My thoughts on the game are
that the right side of the OL remains worrisome as Loadholt had problems on several occasions and my guess is that we’ll see lots of the type of corner/safety blitzes against Favre this year Cleveland was running y’day. Brett needs to recognize those quickly and hit the slant to Shiancoe/Rice when they do it.
On defense, a solid effort albeit against a very mediocre offense. Still worry about our corners lining up ten yards off the ball and where was the safety on that one Edwards caught over Griffin where interference was called?
And dammit Chili, wtf were you thinking running a pooch kickoff to start the game?
Glad we have SF at home as they played an inspired game against the Cardinals in y’day’s biggest upset.
by VikingBillArlingtonVA on Sep 14, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Hang on there, Cowboy.
It’s 1-0, but you gotta remember, it’s the Browns. If they played the same first half against a real team, say, the Saints, this one might’ve been out of hand by halftime. They need to start strong and finish strong to be SB bound, not one of the two.
Cowboy?
I think you’re on the wrong site…
Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. ~Homer Simpson
by thewild_viking_twins on Sep 13, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Anybody missing Wade's downfield blocking?
Didn’t think so! Best move of the year for the WR corps was getting rid of Wade. Sidney Rice is already a better blocker. Did you see him pushing on AP’s long run?
Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!
What was Lewis' contribution?
I can’t say I really remember him making any plays. Would the game have been any different with Wade on the bench instead?
http://vikingsmashfootball.wordpress.com/
Yes only slightly
Wade wanted to be the #2 or #3 WR on the team and was slotted as the teams #3. By getting rid of him there is more room for Harvin, Johnson and Reynaud to grow. I could care less about Greg Lewis.
Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!
I agree
but Sulli is learning though. I’m just glad we have a forgiving schedule the first 3 weeks to help us get into sync. hopefully we can gel quickly and get to dominating our division.
by midnightwonder on Sep 14, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I for one
am not very happy with the first drive play calling. 9 men in the box on the first drive and we run against it. Should have opened it up with some passes. Nothing spectacular by Favre…nothing that one of our other QB’s couldn’t have accomplished. Thank goodness we have AP. AP won the game for us. I was impressed with the Cleveland’s left tackle. Allen barely got close to Quinn the whole game. We won the game none the less. Got a lot of work to do with the timing between Favre and the receivers. Harvin looked great though. That was nice to see.
"Skol pa fiskande"
Quinn seemed pretty elusive
That left tackle did a good job on allen as well.
http://vikingsmashfootball.wordpress.com/
Joe Thomas
He’s probably the Browns best player.
by packallday555 on Sep 13, 2009 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions
He is an amazing LT.
" Of course Steroids should be allowed! I wanna see 700 foot home runs and 90 yard field goals! I litterally want to see someone's d**k get shoved in the dirt!"
by BradyQuinnisBeast on Sep 13, 2009 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Syndey Rice Block
I have a total man-crush on AD/AP. On his long TD run, the way he shoved that would-be tackler to the side after being too strong for two other guys to bring down was nothing short of AWESOME.
However, if Sydney RIce isn’t there, and more importanty, doesn’t stay with the play and make that block about the 45 yard line, AD is tackled right there.
GOOD JOB, SYD!!!!!!!!!!!!
btw...
Though he was barely out of bounds, HELL of a catch he had on the sidelines.
Excellent
The Browns are a real team. One can tell this because they appear in the NFL schedule. Remember, six weeks from now the Browns play the Packers, and a week later, they play the Bears. I would not have wanted to see them blown out or fail to score an offensive touchdown. Never demoralize an opponent who can recover and do good things for you later in the year. (Of course, I do admit that I still have that NFL football in a case signed by Ozzie Newsome and Brian Sipe in my closet, and still have family living in northeast Ohio.)
There is still a lot for the Vikings to polish up, mainly because Favre was not in training camp and Berrian was injured in preseason, but there is also no point in killing teams and getting on everyone’s radar in the NFL early. Let the Steelers deal with that kind of stuff. Not even Rambo walks out in the open naked and yells shoot me unless he’s set up some sort of trap. All victories only count once in the standings, whatever the score was. Crushing every team is not expected to happen in the NFL, due to the compensation in the draft process for losing. That’s the idea, because only sadistic, moronic frontrunners would enjoy that kind of thing, because betting needs to have risks, and because the NFL needs to keep all their franchises in the black to keep the league going.
This race is not a sprint. You don’t win it by blowing out of the blocks. You win by peaking at the end and kicking away from the rest of the pack.
We might look back in a few months
and see that the browns are actually pretty decent. Stranger things have happened in the NFL. This was mostly the same team that knocked the Giants down a peg last year when they were the team to beat.
http://vikingsmashfootball.wordpress.com/
especially,
if they cause the rest of the NORTH some problems!
I believe the 'push off' cost us 'our' SuperBowl...
I believe you 'go for the win'... instead of 'taking a knee'...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Sep 13, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions
did not watch the game but
I was watching the game trax and it seemed like they just wanted to make sure Farve was comfortable before they opened it up. Still pretty conservative and thats ok. We have not tipped out hand yet and there is a lot of season left.
Anyone have a clip posted of the AP run? I would really like to see it.
by montana vikes fan on Sep 13, 2009 4:34 PM CDT reply actions
What still irks me
is during pre-seson we showed some signs of imaginative play calling. How often do we try and sneak in a 1st down pass-never! It is back to bread and butter.
The offensive line is horrible on pass protection and needs a locker room beating. I watch lesser teams provide more time for their QB. We are great on run blocking but someone is blowing a gap somewhere.
Let favre get some of those mid range throws going and it takes the heat off AP. They were still stacking us in the 1st half. Til we put the ball up a little more then AP(and Chester) start start finding bigger holes.
Good game, but some O-line work needs to be done if we are going to establish any passing game.
The two questions I had were answered
And they were: our passing Defense, how would it hold up? answer: great! Our team will go as far as our passing Defense holds it’s end of the field. Second was our Special Teams, answer: Ughhhh! After looking great in the preseason with all the new personel and change in kicking style, Kluwe resorted to his old ways of out kicking the coverage and of all people a great returner like Cribbs who took it to the house. We need to fix this or we may lose a game or two just because of poor STs play.
True NM
but my goodness! What is up with the pass protection. They have got to spread things out better. Teams are still stacking. BF handled the pressure fine but still got mobbed. That is where T-jax would have lost his poise.
by CitrusFLViking on Sep 13, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
just saw the clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6pKIj87CYA
man that is a great run!
by montana vikes fan on Sep 13, 2009 4:38 PM CDT reply actions
the run
Examined the run again you can thank BK for the first 10 yards…killed that guy, I mean he vanishes!
by montana vikes fan on Sep 13, 2009 4:42 PM CDT reply actions
B mcK?
I believe the 'push off' cost us 'our' SuperBowl...
I believe you 'go for the win'... instead of 'taking a knee'...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Sep 13, 2009 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Pretty vanilla, but a good win.
Nothing tricky at all (except the kickoff), not even many play action passes (that I remember).
There were at least 4 dropped passes (or passes that could have been caught). There was the miscommunication on the end zone throw and one probably ill advised pass down the sideline to Berrian. That leaves one incompletion unaccounted for (I just don’t remember), but Favre actually hit his receiver on at least 18 of his 21 throws.
It would be nice to see us go downfield a little bit more eventually, but if Favre hits that kind of percentage, no matter how short the throws are, then we’re going to move the ball.
No turnovers. No ‘real’ touchdowns allowed by the defense (I’m not counting during the prevent in the 4th quarter). That’s solid. And AP was, of course, absolutely incredible.
Pass protection was not good at times and of course the special teams coverage is still worrisome.
There is a lot of room for improvement, but a solid start; they did what they needed to and didn’t try to ‘fancy’ it up.
Yes, both passes on the first drive in the 4th were pure drops by receivers
(taylor & Kleinsasser I think) then there was the “pushed out of bounds TD” that you can’t call a bad throw either.
my general impression was that Favre started out shaky the first series or two, then was pretty good from there out. Most importatnly, there was nothing even CLOSE to being intercepted, nothing even clsoe to forced. A coupel times Favre took a sack where, for example, a QB named Cutler who played later than night threw picks in same situation :)
This is was most of you said you wanted, a game manager, so I hope none of you who said that complan
My thoughts on the game are
that the right side of the OL remains worrisome as Loadholt had problems on several occasions and my guess is that we’ll see lots of the type of corner/safety blitzes against Favre this year Cleveland was running y’day. Brett needs to recognize those quickly and hit the slant to Shiancoe/Rice when they do it.
On defense, a solid effort albeit against a very mediocre offense. Still worry about our corners lining up ten yards off the ball and where was the safety on that one Edwards caught over Griffin where interference was called?
And dammit Chili, wtf were you thinking running a pooch kickoff to start the game?
Glad we have SF at home as they played an inspired game against the Cardinals in y’day’s biggest upset.
by VikingBillArlingtonVA on Sep 14, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I was glad to see...
TJack coming in late for clean-up after the BIG RUN – the Keeping Brett fresh plan.
I believe the 'push off' cost us 'our' SuperBowl...
I believe you 'go for the win'... instead of 'taking a knee'...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Sep 13, 2009 5:11 PM CDT reply actions
Interesting -
AP saying he was not feeling well during the first half, got an IV before the 2nd half and felt better.
wow.
I believe the 'push off' cost us 'our' SuperBowl...
I believe you 'go for the win'... instead of 'taking a knee'...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Sep 13, 2009 5:17 PM CDT reply actions
lol
Me too. Iwas tired all day from this rain down here. Have to admit that big TD run put an “IV” of excitement in me. :)
Good game for you guys
Favre didn’t do a whole lot, but he really didn’t make any mistakes either. AP is an absolute beast. I’m happy I have him in fantasy football haha. I also have to admit Harvin looked great today. I never really questioned his running ability, so his success in that aspect of the game didn’t surprise me, but his play catching passes really impressed me. The defense looked good, though they gave up a lot more to Lewis then I thought they would. Sidney Rice also looked good, and if he can stay healthy he could be a great endzone threat for you guys.
There were some things that might be of concern to you guys as well. I think Favre was sacked 5 times today, and the o-line struggled against blitzes. Sullivan looked awfully shaky, but he was going against one of the better DTs in the league in Shaun Rogers. It’s also evident Favre still doesn’t having great timing down with some of the WRs, but that will come along. The STs gave up a TD as well, and that was a big problem for you guys last year.
Overall, it was a good win, and you guys proved to be just too much for the Browns. Quinn is still trying to get comfortable playing, but once he gets there the Browns could be a better team then some people expect them too.
Any chance...
…AP gets some rest next week. I doubt you will need him in Detroit? For that matter, just send a picture of him taped to a tackling dummy…I’m pretty sure the dummy will run for 200yds against the Lions defense.
Love the passion in that run by All Day.
Brings to mind Payton and Roger Craig. Loved him tossing aside the second tackler, and the last stiff arm didn’t even appear to be necessary. He just wanted to show that last tackler what was waiting for him if he caught up again.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Sep 13, 2009 7:00 PM CDT reply actions
Just some random thoughts on the day...
1. It’s special to have Harvin in there with AD—both are legit threats to take it deep any time. Anyone else notice the KR Harvin had after (I believe) the Cribbs score? He was a few yards deep, hesitated, and still brought the ball out to the 26 or so. Impressive quickness.
2. Kluwe needs to work on putting more air under his punts—he shouldn’t have kicked to Cribbs, but I felt it was too much of a liner to cover with maximum effectiveness.
3. I liked that Frazier dialed up some different blitzes today. JA got bottled up well against Thomas, but the rest of the line stepped up their game.
4. Favre didn’t force any throws. No, he didn’t make a huge impact, but he also didn’t hurt us with turnovers. I’m not a big fan of #4, so his play today gives me some hope that he may play within the offense and—when called upon—make a big play or three.
5. Sidney Rice looked pretty solid. His non-catch along the sidelines shows me what he has the potential to do.
Overall, good win. Nothing special. Hopefully the team’s getting prepared for Detroit (unlike the last two nail-biters).
The one time I really thought, ‘Man, I’m glad we have Favre," was right after he was sacked on the 2nd TD drive of the 2nd half. We had been marching down the field, and the sack brought up 2nd and 18. Just as I was cursing our luck and expecting the drive to stall, Farve threw the bullet to Harvin in the middle for 21 yards. That kind of play hadn’t even occurred to me as an option. I just assumed we’d try a quick slant, or a screen pass to the flats. He made it look so easy.
by Firebeard_23 on Sep 13, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
... a most amazing run by a running back I've seen in a long long time...
(Favre never had anyone to hand off to like that… ever!)
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"What's the point of getting in a sword fight with a guy you can run away from?" - Chris Doleman
And the Bears/Packers looked like crap
Seriously, are those defenses both just really under rated or do the Packers and Bears each posses very over rated offenses. Granted the Vikings played the Browns on the road but last season neither team had a good defense and each had a good offense and today neither offense could do much of anything.
I think the answer to your question is fairly obvious
There should be no doubt that we have a good/great offense, and the Bears offense is better as well. Hopefully you’ll take your Vikes blinders off and recognize that both the Packers and Bears have made some good improvements defensively.
by packallday555 on Sep 14, 2009 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Defense...
While the defenses looked good, it was also a case of the offenses looking, well, not so good. I’d say as the year goes on, the defense will fall more toward average and the offense will catch up with the defense.
It’s only natural for the defenses to be more game ready in week one than the offenses. Look around the league – seems to me that there are a lot of kinks still being worked out on offense. It’s all about execution, and teams haven’t had that.
Defense? Read and react. Much easier to gel with your team.
So the defenses may be improved, though the Bears had some injuries and the Packers did switch to the 3-4 (I’m not convinced yet), I’d expect offenses to catch up by week thee or four.
Visit:
http://www.vikingvigil.com
Skol Vikings!
Woot Woot!
NFC North has the best overall defense for a division
The Bears-Pack game confirmed my thoughts. Both defense will be good, but the terrible receiving corp. of the Bears will keep them from being a serious threat on offense. The Packers are the real competition. They’ve done a far better job switching to the 3-4 than anyone could expect. Hopefully teams see that Rogers isn’t nearly as good when pressured (he’s still average) and keep the Pack’s offense in check.
Defenses are always generally ahead of offenses
this time of year. Cutler reminds me of the Favre of old with his tendencies to force throws with that cannon arm of his. Will lose as many with picks as he’ll win. I like Aaron Rodgers a lot but Al Harris and Woodson can be beaten at this stage in their careers. Pack has a good set of LBs and safeties though. They’ll be tough.
by VikingBillArlingtonVA on Sep 14, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes, I have been thinking about this more the last few days. Both of those Ds (which together comprise over 25% of our remaining games) are going to probably expose our problems on OL pass protection. Unless those get better. Favre will have to really get in sync with receivers so he can dump balls quickly in those four games.
It’s a lucky thing that the first of those four games does not come til week 4, IMO.
Peterson's Run
Anyone else notice how AP came to a complete stop during that run and then turn on the jets again to blow past two defenders running at full speed down the field? Now that’s FAST.
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