Another Wacky Mad Lib of a Loss
Yesterday, after the Minnesota Vikings fell to 2-9 at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons, I decided to watch the first two Twilight movies for two reasons: 1) they have absolutely nothing to do with football and 2) I promised my sister I would go see Breaking Dawn--Part 1 with her so I thought I should find out what the story was. Turns out it's a pretty basic forbidden love story with a vampire/werewolf angle thrown in and yet, not since 1993 have morose, plaid-clad people in the Pacific Northwest enjoyed such an influence on pop-culture. But I'm inclined to think that history will show that Nirvana and their grunge-rock cronies could have kicked some vampire ass.
That said, I'm grateful to those star-crossed vampires and werewolves because if I had to brood any longer on the Vikings' latest example of how to lose in football while really trying, I think I would have gone mad. Not a great attitude to have about your team when you write for a Vikings fan site, but not wholly unexpected given the way this season has gone.
Fill in the blanks on this most recent loss after the jump. Oh, there just might be a caption contest too.
It's getting to the point where football writers can almost use a 2011 Minnesota Vikings version of Wacky Mad Libs to write post-game stories. Honestly, it's more or less the same litany of problems leading up to a disappointing loss with just the specifics changing. That makes each loss, in addition to disappointing, well,...kind of boring.
In fact, let's just give that a try. Let's just see how ridiculously interchangeable the Vikings losses this season have become. I'll write the form and you can fill in the blanks, tell me how many of the losses this season it would work for.
After an uneven effort Sunday against the (opposing team name), the Vikings fall to (current record). While very few would have picked the Vikings to beat (opposing team name), there were times during Sunday's match-up when it looked like the Vikings would make a game of it, only to have those efforts nullified by costly (mental errors/penalties/coaching mistakes/injuries/all of the above).
Early in the game, (most recent player to suffer catastrophic injury) was knocked out of the line-up. (Another player) was pressed into service outside of his usual position. He occasionally looked (good/bad/uncomfortable/annoyed), but managed about as well as you'd expect. The team says they will know more about (injured player) after an MRI, but it is uncertain when he will be able to return.
(Opposing defender) powered through the Vikings' offensive line and harassed (Donovan McNabb or Christian Ponder), preventing the Vikings from finding an offensive rhythm. The Vikings' running game struggled against a (opposing team) defense that has routinely given up 100-yard rushing games to opponents this season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Vikings tried to compensate for their depleted secondary with a strong pass rush, but, although (opposing team)'s offensive line has faltered in protection frequently this season, they held the Vikings to a (opposing team) season low quarterback hurries and sacks, allowing (opposing quarterback) to remain untouched in the pocket so he could exploit the Vikings' depleted secondary.
In the fourth quarter the Vikings rallied with an explosive play from (Adrian Peterson/Percy Harvin) that brought them within (amount of points) of (opposing team), but (opposing team) managed to hold on and prevented that spark from becoming a fire.
The (opposing team) held on to win, dropping the Vikings to (current record) for the season, the Vikings' worst record since (equally awful season). Said Jared Allen after the game, "(something folksy and candid about how the Vikings suck and need to get better and how the other team played well enough to win)".
How many more of these formulaic losses will the Vikings have before the team's ownership does a complete rewrite? I don't know, I suspect that given the perfect storm of bad that the NFL lockout was on the last off season, Leslie Frazier and his staff will probably have another season to rebuild the team, hopefully, I won't have to use this template for another season. It would be nice not to have to use it for another game.
But, there are a few more games and we have a sense of humor here to maintain at the Daily Norseman, so let's commence with some silliness.
Because the people have spoken, I've left the caption off this image of Percy Harvin's incredible kick return on Sunday. Wow and amuse us with your clever captions for this picture. I'll pick a winner, possibly with the help of my fellow DN staff members, and we'll give you some metaphorical laurel leaves and an imaginary pat on the back. We'd do more, but the DN budget is somewhat smaller than Oprah's. We'll just have to hope the allure of being crowned king/queen of the caption contest is enough of a thrill for your ego.
Note: Once again, I have forgotten to include a deadline for the caption contest. The deadline is going to be Tuesday, 8pm central time. Look for the winner on Wednesday.
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My Mad Libs:
After an uneven effort Sunday against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, the Vikings fall to -3 – 19. While very few would have picked the Vikings to beat the Gophers, there were times during Sunday’s match-up when it looked like the Vikings would make a game of it, only to have those efforts nullified by a costly outbreak of explosive diarrhea in the secondary.
Early in the game, Fran Tarkenton was knocked out of the line-up. Paul Allen was pressed into service outside of his usual position. He occasionally looked like a walrus, but managed about as well as you’d expect. The team says they will know more about Tarkenton after an MRI, but it is uncertain when he will be able to return.
The Rock powered through the Vikings’ offensive line and harassed Donovan Ponder, preventing the Vikings from finding an offensive rhythm. The Vikings’ running game struggled against a Gopher’s defense that has routinely given up 100-yard rushing games to opponents this season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Vikings tried to compensate for their depleted secondary with a strong pass rush, but, although the Gopher’s offensive line has faltered in protection frequently this season, they held the Vikings to a Gopher’s season low quarterback hurries and sacks, allowing Tony Danza to remain untouched in the pocket so he could exploit the Vikings’ depleted secondary.
In the fourth quarter the Vikings rallied with an explosive play from Adrian Harvin that brought them within π of the Golden Gophers, but the mighty Gophers managed to hold on and prevented that spark from becoming a fire.
The Gophers held on to win, dropping the Vikings to -3 – 19 for the season, the Vikings’ worst record since 32 BCE. Said Jared Allen after the game, “fuck it, I’m gonna go throw a spear at some shit”.
Looking forward to more explosive plays from Adrian Harvin.
Don’t blame Jared Allen for wanting to throw spears at shit, I kind of felt like throwing spears after the Vikings couldn’t punch it into the end zone after Percy Harvin brought them so close after that incredible return.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Caption Contest
You mean to tell me that this doesn’t even get me a single fantasy point!?
White Horn Gold Pants
I think this ones a winner.
by AP's Future Replacement on Nov 28, 2011 10:04 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Very well could be a winner...
We’ll see what else shows up.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
"Swiss Army Knife... Now Comes With Foldout Percy Harvin!"
"Like I said, I don’t think anybody on this team knows what schism is, let alone could use it in a sentence. I thought it was an STD when I first heard it. And I was like whoa, we preach abstinence around these parts." - Jared Allen
That is a very annoyed-looking kitten.
Don’t think I’d want to cross him.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Percy Harvin says,
quote: “I would have run 104 yards plus up to 2,000 miles to get to a team with a real coach and some kind of possibility of going .500 within the next decade… meanwhile, I’m looking for someone to bite that statue Leslie Frazier in the neck to see if their is any actual life in there…” unquote
by liveforadrenaline on Nov 28, 2011 9:43 PM CST reply actions
Nice incorporation of the whole Twilight thing.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Caption for all the IASIP fans out there:
“I’m gonna make Hester look so bad. My form is perfect—I’m like Jerry Rice. Feel that stride, so fluid and fast. I’ve got the stride of a gazelle: a beautiful, beautiful gazelle person. My body is achieving a perfect symmetry right now. Its that long, lean muscle I’ve worked so hard to achieve. I should have popped my shirt off first…god-dammit, I really should have popped that shirt off. I wonder if there are any women watching from the sidelines.”
Twilight...
… a girl’s internal debate on whether to choose necrophilia over beastiality.
by blowfishes on Nov 28, 2011 10:50 PM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
That's probably gonna be funny
as soon as look up necrophilia! Don’t end the contest yet Skol Girl!
by abba7 on Nov 28, 2011 10:57 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I promise I won't.
We’re accepting captions until Tuesday at 8pm central time. Looking forward to seeing what the DN readers come up with.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Check yoself for you wreck yoself Abba ; )
"Let's go our there, and stick our fists through their ribcages, rip our their hearts, eat them, and shit them back out on the field!!" - Blue Mountain State
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Nov 29, 2011 9:51 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Percy Harvin to the special teams coach after the return:
I have no idea how that douchepickle caught me, coach.
They must be making douchepickles faster than they used to.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Caption Contest
My pose would look so much better on top of a trophy than that side wise stiff arming dude’s dude’s. Plus the Harvin Trophy is easier to spell.
Much easier to spell.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Caption Contest
“I don’t like this game anymore. I am taking my ball and going home”
Yet, to sum up our season, gets beat up by a bully just before he gets home….. :(
That does seem to sum up the season.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
CAPTION
“Aww shit, they scored again. I’m taking my favorite football and getting the hell outta here before this gets ugly. Wait, stop chasing me, I’m headed for the tunnel. STOP IT!!”
"Let's go our there, and stick our fists through their ribcages, rip our their hearts, eat them, and shit them back out on the field!!" - Blue Mountain State
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Nov 29, 2011 9:46 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Some days are like that...
Even in Atlanta.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Caption
I gotta pee!
The Vikes aren't in a remodeling or reconstruction they are in a burn the place down and start praying they don't mimic the Lions rebuilding process.
That would explain the urgency.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Caption
Harvin sets his sights on the end zone, unfortunately he doesnt set the ball in the end zone in the Vikings most recent loss
by A shot at greatness, probable failure on Nov 29, 2011 10:08 AM CST reply actions
Very faux-Associated Press sounding.
Nice.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Not in that play but I believe there was a certain play where he did set the ball in the endzone.
Now only if we can convince Frazier that it is not rude to use the red flag!
If only the coaches in the booth who are paid to notice such things...
Saw what the fans saw.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Ok SG I don't know how long it's been since you played Mad Libs...
But you are doing it a bit wrong it’s supposed to be Adjective, adverb etc…
So lets see here.
After another (adjective) Sunday against the (opposing team name), the Vikings (verb) to (current record). While very few (noun) would have picked the Vikings to beat (opposing team name), there were times during Sunday’s match-up when it looked like the Vikings would make a game of it, only to have those efforts nullified by (adjective) (mental errors/penalties/coaching mistakes/injuries/all of the above).
Early in the game, (Player Name) was knocked out of the line-up. (Player Name) was pressed into service outside of his usual position. He occasionally looked (Adjective), but (verb) about as well as you’d expect. The team says they will know more about (Player name) after an MRI, but it is uncertain when he will be able to return.
Was going to go further but don’t have the time or creativity. As a bonus I asked the guy in the next office to give him said adjectives, nouns and what not. I was trying to fit a gerund in there as I’m pretty proud I know what it is, but simply thought it would be a bit to pretentious..
After another BLUE Sunday against the PANTHERS, the Vikings DRIVE to 2-9. While very few TREES would have picked the Vikings to beat PANTHERS, there were times during Sunday’s match-up when it looked like the Vikings would make a game of it, only to have those efforts nullified by JELL-O (yes he thought Jell-o was an adjective.) (mental errors/penalties/coaching mistakes/injuries/all of the above).
Early in the game, TIGER WOODS was knocked out of the line-up. PALMER was pressed into service outside of his usual position. He occasionally looked BUMPY, but MOWED about as well as you’d expect. The team says they will know more about DENNIS RODMAN after an MRI, but it is uncertain when he will be able to return.
The Vikes aren't in a remodeling or reconstruction they are in a burn the place down and start praying they don't mimic the Lions rebuilding process.
When you make up the form...
You can make the Mad Libs however you want it to be. But I think the idea of seeing Tiger Woods knocked out of the line-up would appeal to many of the female fans out there.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Caption
“I’m about to take this 104 yards, bitches…wait, how far am I in the endzone? 7 yards? Ok, doing some math here…carry the 1….DAMNIT, I won’t reach the other endzone.”
SKOL Vikings!
Math, the Achilles heel of the Vikings abortive comeback attempt.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
And as Madden says:
“Usually the team with the most points wins the game!”
and
“They’ll score if they can just get into the endzone.”
and this one, while head-scratching-ly bizarre, is still very apt:
“Real frontier-busting math explores new worlds . . . . If you can communicate that experience, somewhere between math and uncertainty, life experience provides the balance.”
SKOL Vikings!
Caption
“I cannot believe that, for a split second, I actually thought special teams would block well enough for me to take one to the house.”
"Arguing with anonymous strangers on the Internet is a sucker's game because they almost always turn out to be—or to be indistinguishable from—self-righteous sixteen-year-olds possessing infinite amounts of free time."
― Neal Stephenson, Cryptonomicon
Sad, but true.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
you lost me at Breaking dawn...
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
And yet you are still commenting.
So how lost exactly are you?
I’m not really into the whole Twilight thing, but my sister is and it’s a chance for us to hang out together. For a couple hours, I can deal with morose monsters if it means making someone I care about happy.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Not intended to be an insult
I really am lost. Last week or so several my facebook friends were posting about it, but they only referred to it as “breaking dawn.” Of course I’ve heard of the “Twilight” movies, but I had no clue about the titles of the sequels. I was really thrown off when people were posting “Team Jacob” with their comments. For minute I thought Breaking Dawn was some new Survival type show, hence the Team Jacob comments. I assumed Team Jacob was the group they wanted to win the prize.
That’s awesome that you had a nice time with your sis. I think the last movie I saw in theater with my bro was Remember the Titans :-(
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
Back in the day...
I dragged her to see Dude Where’s My Car so it’s only fair that she gets to prod me into the whole Twilight thing. Really, there are worse things than looking at a shirtless Taylor Lautner for a few hours. But I can’t even tell you how confused I am, if you don’t read the books, the movies are hard to follow.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Dude and Breaking Dawn...
I’d say you two are now even ;-)
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
Ah, but Breaking Dawn is in two parts.
So I think that means I need to see both in order for us to be even.
I’m more interested in the December 16 release of Sherlock Holmes a Game of Shadows. Sherlock is my homeboy.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
I enjoyed the first Holmes movie
Let’s hope the sequel lives up to the expectations!
"At this point, what we got to lose, right? So we might as well throw caution to the wind and hit people in the face."
--Vikings DE Jared Allen
Hells yeah :)
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Not so much a caption, but the music and sound effects to the opening credits of the “The Six Million Dollar Man” Stronger, Faster and Gooder (we’re scientists not Grammarians )
And please….it was an Action Figure…..not a DOLL ! (I’m sensitive)
that was the gooderest one.
The Vikes aren't in a remodeling or reconstruction they are in a burn the place down and start praying they don't mimic the Lions rebuilding process.
After another typical Sunday against the cast of Star Trek, the Vikings transported themselves to “Beam me Down Scotty” status.. While very few admirers of the fabulous George Takie (giving the international sign for Vikings),
would have picked the Vikings to beat the Treksters there were times during Sunday’s match-up when it looked like the Vikings would make a game of it, only to have those efforts nullified by the ancient and mystical word, “Aromashodu” . Shit I don’t know what that means either.
Early in the game, Dr. McCoy was knocked out of the line-up, and Spock was pressed into service outside of his usual position. He occasionally looked fascinated, but performed the Vulcan Nerve Pinch about as well as you’d expect. The team says they will know more about Chris Kluwe after an MRI (who referred to Spock as a Vulcan DouchePickle) but it is uncertain when he will be able to return.
Spock may in fact be a Vulcan DouchePickle.
It would explain a lot.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Twilight newbie...
The movies won’t make much sense without reading the books. It’s really the books directing the user experience, regardless of the director directing it.
As a play on the twilight theme incorporated in the introduction…
Hey Victoria!! Look at me run with the rock. I made fools of grown men for a 104 yards! Even Laurent would be impressed! The only thing scarier than me is a Percy Harvins with red eyes.
by VikesFanSince1967 on Nov 29, 2011 4:24 PM CST reply actions
In case anyone who doesn tknow who Victoria is...

by VikesFanSince1967 on Nov 29, 2011 4:29 PM CST up reply actions
I read the first Twilight book...
But I knew that I wouldn’t have time to read the rest of them before my sister wanted to see Breaking Dawn—Part 1 in the theater so I crammed by watching the movies Sunday night and last night. However, from a whole lot of experience trying that same tactic in literature classes, you can really miss a lot of material.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
And who does Victoria's hair?
There she is in all that Pacific Northwest humidity and her curls are fantastic. I’ve got naturally curly hair too, and that level of frizz-control is amazing.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Victoria in Twilight 1 and 2 is different
in Twilight 3 (as shown in the picture – Bryce Howard http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0397171/ ) It seems the curls are not natural here when compared to imdb pics.
Agree on how you can miss material in the books. Seeing Breaking Dawn one with no reference to the books will give viewers a whole different experience than one who is up to date. Very polarizing experience (readers know what’s ahead and enjoying it vs following the lukewarm bathwater story as it unfolds).
On the contrary, reading True Blood books is unlike anything shown in the series. Having True Blood expectations of being shocked, glammed, and awed will have you way off base and disappointed.
Of the 4 movies so far, BD pt 1 is the best and sets the stage for a fitting ending. It follows the book very well and brings an extra dimension to the experience. Yeah, I think I lost my man card by posting about Twilight here.
by VikesFanSince1967 on Nov 29, 2011 8:43 PM CST up reply actions
I had girls' night out with my sister tonight and went to see Breaking Dawn Part 1
So confused. And I don’t like the feeling so I may have to read the books just to understand what the heck is going on.
As for True Blood, I’ve read another Charlaine Harris series and I didn’t think she was that good of a writer so I’m not surprised that HBO did a little razzle-dazzle to change it up. Haven’t watched the series though, is it good?
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
I haven't read the books
Nor do I intend to read what Stephanie Meyer thinks is softcore porn, but from what i’ve heard the books are barely more coherent than the movies and most people slammed the Breaking Dawn book despite being fans of the previous 3. How Meyer got funding to write 4 books is beyond me.
Meyer simply gets the female audience 12yrs to 45yrs
with a mix of fantasy, conflicting drama, and a love story. It does for them what Harry Potter did not.
by VikesFanSince1967 on Nov 30, 2011 9:34 AM CST up reply actions
I maintain that the whole paranormal thing is just a trendy McGuffin
I don’t know if any of you are Alfred Hitchcock fans, but he’d talk about the concept of a McGuffin, the thing that is terribly important to the characters but that the audience/readers don’t really care that much about. Women are probably more drawn to the idea of two attractive men vying for the female lead and being willing to give their lives to protect her, than the paranormal element.
The vampire/werewolf thing just makes it edgier and less like a Lifetime original movie. But when you look past the paranormal stuff you have the story of a teenage girl who feels awkward, finds two handsome guys who make her feel comfortable and are willing to die for her, but are both pretty unsuitable, hence the basic forbidden love angle.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
You're probably not alone feeling that way.
Best to see it with another twi-fan to help make sense of things. The book read can either fill in the blanks or frustrate you if it is not your style of reading material. I found it easy to follow and it turns pages quickly.
If you skipped the 3rd movie and went to BD pt 1 – you missed how things got back on track between Bella and Edward to set the stage for the wedding. No wonder there’s so much confusion.
Getting out of this twi-mess however can be a fun experience to see things over and straighten it out. A good excuse for more girls’ nite out time.
True Blood – it takes some getting used for it’s mature content and makes Twilight series look like a g-rated version (really no comparison). You’re not sure what to expect and it has you looking forward to the next episode. How HBO did it in its own twisted way has created it’s own cult following asking for more. As bizarre the situations may be, it is possible to find humor in it and one-liner gems. Be warned… it gets a bit gross and dirty.
The bottom line… both Twi and TB have a love story thread with complications. I’ve been told the romantic root appeal of these series is having a significant other who will do anything to protect and love the central girl (bella, or sookie). Women are drawn to this storyline and the drama that surrounds it.
Now to keep it back on topic with football, I will close it for die hard footballers who enjoy cheerleader pics. There’s more eye candy in TrueBlood, for both sexes. ;)
by VikesFanSince1967 on Nov 30, 2011 9:31 AM CST up reply actions
Caption
“Surely if I take this one to the house Skol Girl will follow ME around at training camp…get off me man, you’re ruining my chances here!”
by Beserker on Nov 29, 2011 5:39 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Going for the vanity vote!
I like it. Flattery will get you very far.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
Fantastic!
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
I got a 104 yards
But a touchdown ain’t one. If you need fantasy points, I feel bad for you son.
Ponder to Harvin for 6!
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 29, 2011 6:18 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Origin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9f68ca6wUE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Ponder to Harvin for 6!
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 29, 2011 6:19 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Caption -
key music- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w
“If I keep this up, the doctors are going to have to subscribe me some Imodium A-D!”
“Time to put the team on my back…hey dude, its a metaphor. Get off.
by Amrius on Nov 29, 2011 6:42 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Stupid literalists.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/
That might not be raising the bar very high.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
http://www.dailynorseman.com/

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