Two Intriguing Vikings For 2011 And A Moment Of Truth
by Ted Glover on Aug 25, 2011 2:32 PM CDT
in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season
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Well hi there, boys and girls. If it seems like I haven't been around for the better part of two days, it's because I haven't. My computer got a virus and I had to do a factory restore. I need to do a better job of listening to avoid this in the future, because I could've sworn Eric said that website was "the best Asian Corn site I've ever been to".
Let's just say it wasn't corn, and it was where I picked up the virus.
And left my soul.
Anyhow, now that I have the 21st century available to me again (and holy Mother of God, not having a computer connected to high speed Internet is like living in the Little House On The Prairie...scary, never want to have that happen again) and I'm able to peruse through the Webs about our Beloved Purple And Gold, a couple of things caught my eye...besides the, uh, Asian corn.
The first one...and I admit it nearly floored me...was Don Banks--and hold on to your hat here--Don Banks is saying something positive about the Vikings. Maybe it's me, but I've thought Banks was a big time Packers homer before he went to SI. Even when he was the Vikings beat guy for the Pioneer Press several years back.
Anyways, Banks had this to say about our new permanent Head Coach, Leslie Frazier:
Minnesota's elevation of the soft-spoken but well-respected Frazier from defensive coordinator to head coach is the move that most intrigues me. After all, once upon a time, Tony Dungy was the Vikings defensive coordinator, and so too was Mike Tomlin. Both of those guys got away from Minnesota, landed their first NFL head coaching jobs, and made the Vikings regret not knowing they had Super Bowl-winning head coaches beneath their noses. When Brad Childress floundered and was eventually fired last season, Minnesota made sure not to let history repeat itself.
Overall, it's a very good article about Frazier. I mention this because I think the last time Banks had anything positive to say about the Vikings, it was in 1977 or so. I mean, we already know about this, and we're pretty fired up as a fanbase to have Frazier, but it's nice to see him get some recognition from a national guy that probably wears Green Bay foot jammies to bed every night.
Allegedly.*
The other one is...well, you'll have to jump to read the rest. Oh, quit griping. It's not like this the Vikings Scout.com site, where you have to pay for their crap.
Our crap is free.
*Not even really alleged. More like hoped for, or maybe surmised on my part, based on his ridiculously homerific Packer articles. What's that? 'Homerific' isn't a word? I'm sorry, English 101 is down the hall. Get out.
The other guy, who is actually a player, is TE Kyle Rudolph. I don't know if you've been keeping track, but before I went off the grid, I did read the TE Visanthe Shiancoe will not play in what is essentially the dress rehearsal for the Vikings against Dallas this week. He suffered a hamstring injury early in camp, was held out of the first two pre-season games, and then re-aggravated it again, which means he probably won't play at all in the pre-season.
This might mean that the elevation of Kyle Rudolph will be sooner rather than later. I have to say Rudolph definitely passed the eye test in Mankato--he's big, fast for his size, and has soft hands--as was evidenced by his impressive 'catch-the-ball-behind-you-and-at-the-knees' grab against Seattle on that impressive 80 yard drive.
Don't get me wrong, I don' think that Rudolph is going to 'Wally Pipp' Shiancoe (and they will always have to walk three steps behind and to the left of The People's Champion in my book) but I am saying that I liked the Rudolph pick on draft day, and I'm enjoying it even more now. He had durability issues coming out of Notre Dame, but so far, he's been as advertised, and I think by the end of the year, he's going to put up numbers that are better than projected. He seems like a guy that's taken advantage of Shiancoe's misfortune, and it will be hard to keep him off the field once Shiancoe is healthy.
And that's good for the entire offensive unit.
Our moment of truth comes for Anthony Herrera, who will reportedly play against the Cowboys, and play with the first team. If you've been following The Holy Trinity this week, Herrera has really struggled in practice coming off his ACL surgery, and it seems like he's gone from presumed starter to one of those guys that might be a surprise roster casualty that happens on every team on roster cutdown day. It might not be that cut and dried, though, since Scott Kooistra was put on the DL after the Seattle game.
A good Herrera only makes the team better, and if he can get back to his 2008 form, or close to it, it just makes one of the most unsettled units better. If Herrera can't get it done, now the Vikes have to worry about depth as well as starting quality, which is something you don't want to be doing with a unit like this this far down the pre-season road.
So, those are two players I'll be looking at really hard on Saturday. What about you guys?
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Not a fan of Herrera at all
If he is better than what we got that isn’t a good sign.
It is hard going into the season with optimism when your O-line sucks, but I’ll try.
McKinnie down in weight and ready to start at LT over Oher come week 1? I know he was a headache, but with no replacement having been groomed and Peyton’s old LT being Peyton’s former LT for a reason…
Look out for Hutch to sign with Baltimore next season so they can have the 3 best O-linemen the Vikes have had in the past 10 years.
Maybe the Vikes decide to finally draft an O-lineman early next year? I frinkin’ hope so.
I'll have your mother call you shortly.
It's nothing a
3-0 start won’t cure.
I just can’t act like this could be a playoff team with the O-line it has now and I’m a bit pissed they didn’t try to upgrade the O-line early in the draft.
I was shitting/pissing/spitting rainbows last year…
I'll have your mother call you shortly.
Well, we can't update....
the OLine, DLine, CBs, QB, WRs, S, OLBs, P, K every year in the draft. We took a QB with the #12 pick overall. That way, we have a rookie QB not required to start and he gets to sit behind a vet and learn, no pressure; and I’m sure we’ll get OL next spring because it’s a glaring weakness. Also, we probably didn’t plan on our probowl LTOTF to come in wearing a fat-suit
Skol!
Actually, I'm surprised I'm saying this, but I kind of like our receiver corps.
The offseason moves look like they worked out okay. If Berrian and S. Burton are dropped from the team, then I’m feeling really good about the receivers. No stars outside of Harvin, but they are looking dependable and solid.
Kicker and punter are fine. I’d like our QB situation at the moment with or without Ponder.
The young CB options (Sherels, Burton and Carter) are intriguing to me. Sherels and Burton already look like keepers. I’d like to see more of Carter.
Not sure about the D-line, but they looked good against Seattle.
OLB could use some depth, but I like Erin Henderson.
Oline is the Oh-dear line. Not a good situation.
Well when was the last time
We addressed the O-line in the draft other than Loadholt. We knew McKinnie was a big fat headache before he showed up to cam 50lbs over weight and I do believe going into his tenth season it my be time to draft and groom a replacement.
As far as I’m concerned McNabb could be the starter for the next 3-4 years so the Vikes could have waited until next year to draft a QB. During the lockout they knew they were getting McNabb. Ponder is who they wanted, really? I can’t say that knowing they probably would have taken Blaine G, or Locker over Ponder if they were still on the board.
I'll have your mother call you shortly.
...hindsight is 20/20.
The Vikings had NO IDEA that they would sign McNabb before or during the draft. Gabbert and Locker were NOT available when the Vikings picked, so that is a moot point.
by jimuellenbach on Aug 27, 2011 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Moot this
Ponder wasent their 1st choice.
No idea about McNabb, except they were new last year he wanted to play in Minny and they had some light talks with the Redskins after the season knowing he could be had for low draft picks. Yes b4 the lockout.
I'll have your mother call you shortly.
I was pulling for Rodney Hudson in the second
But as bad as our O-Line was last year, having old man Favre (who is actually slower and less mobile than the statue he trys to impersonate) under center didn’t help. We now have McNabb who is mobile in and our of the pocket and Ponder, who is also very mobile. On top of this, our line is healthy again and I expect a much better year for them and our entire offense.
The road to fulfillment in any line of endeavor is always marked by an initial breakthrough; however, that first taste of success needs to be replicated again and again in order for supremacy to be sustained. We are Vikings, and we shall rise again.
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Aug 25, 2011 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Okay
That stuffed half a rainbow up my ass, feeling a bit better.
I'll have your mother call you shortly.
I’ll try to be more gentle next time.
The road to fulfillment in any line of endeavor is always marked by an initial breakthrough; however, that first taste of success needs to be replicated again and again in order for supremacy to be sustained. We are Vikings, and we shall rise again.
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Aug 25, 2011 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, we finally got rid of the reason why we couldn't pick Oline early
(Mount McKinnie). If he hadn’t been around, or if the powers that be had admitted to themselves that he was a bum, we could have drafted Rodger Saffold instead of trading the pick to the Lions in 2010. He’s a player already.
Now maybe we can move on and add some talented Olinemen in the upcoming draft.
by Bodysuit Man on Aug 25, 2011 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions
They wouldn't have taken Saffold
If they hadn’t traded back, that pick would’ve been Patrick Robinson. They were gunning for a CB with their first pick, that’s why they stretched out to take Cook.
by REVENGE4KLUWE on Aug 26, 2011 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Good point.
I didn’t mind the trade back and Cook pick as I think he’s got some good potential. I do think the trade up for Gerhart was a very stupid move. They should’ve taken a quality O-line prospect in the second round or waited to take Ben Tate or Montario Hardesty if they were set on getting a complementary back to Peterson. Like Toby but I feel like he wasn’t a good choice given that his strengths will always be underutilized behind AD.
by CanadianViking on Aug 26, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Agree with you, VikesPma
I think that (sadly) our O-line is the reason why we won’t just suddenly surprise everyone and ourselves by doing above what is expected from us this year. We’re very, very likely to be an 8-8 team, at best. I can live with that as long as the following eventually occurs (within the next year or three):
1. We get our stadium, thus permanently establishing our franchise here. This is my #1 concern right now, not this season, which looks to be an average season, if that.
2. We continue to draft some decent players in the ensuing yearrs – notably O-line, then Secondary help, then WRs.
3. If Ponder does develop into what we’d hoped he would – if not, that we find and draft a different alternative who will fit the bill.
:)
You forgot one
4. We beat Them at least once this year.
The road to fulfillment in any line of endeavor is always marked by an initial breakthrough; however, that first taste of success needs to be replicated again and again in order for supremacy to be sustained. We are Vikings, and we shall rise again.
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Aug 26, 2011 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions
don't look too much into the mckinnie signing
The ravens are just as desperate as us to fill their void at LT. The raven fans themselves have admitted to overhypingOher and have realizes that he is better at RT than protecting Flaccos blindside.
by StuckInCA on Aug 25, 2011 3:40 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I hope you heard the story of what Big Mack was doing on the "Love Boat Cruise"
Walking around on the main deck jerking off because the stripper wasent doing it for him.
Nothing like painting a pretty picture.
I'll have your mother call you shortly.
don't look too much into the mckinnie signing
The ravens are just as desperate as us to fill their void at LT. The raven fans themselves have admitted to overhypingOher and have realizes that he is better at RT than protecting Flaccos blindside.
by StuckInCA on Aug 25, 2011 3:40 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Frazier, Rudolph and Kooistra
Okay. Let me say I’m going to reserve judgment on what I think of Frazier’s actual head coaching decisions until he’s had some time to develop a track record. However, I can tell you from day one I really like this guy’s demeanor and what he says in public. How can guys not love being around this guy? I’ve never, ever liked the screaming, shouting type of football coach, and I’ve always thought the pep speech in the locker room at half time was silly. Maybe it works for some people, but I figure professionals don’t need that stuff. Give them a guy who knows football, can explain what he needs, can mentor and assist as needed, make tough decisions when called up, but is ALWAYS (or almost always) an adult and a gentleman. Frazier’s personality embodies a lot of what I respect in other people. We’ll see how he does as a head coach, but I like the man personally.
Rudolph’s catch against Seattle had me saying, “Wow!” That has to be one of the toughest catches for a TE to make. Reaching low back across your body while in stride is a tougher catch than laying out for the ball IMO. His mobility and catching are very good. No doubt. However, I’m nervous that his blocking skills are horrible. He looks really, really bad at blocking. Even our WRs look better. Hopefully that’ll improve…and quickly.
Kooistra’s injury is just awful. I haven’t heard anything since Monday, but it’s a really frightening situation. I’m only guessing here, but I think the injury may have occurred with 8:30 left in the 2nd quarter. Peterson took his run wide left for a 2 yard 1st down. On the play Kooistra pulled left and blocked an incoming linebacker. At the point of impact, Kooistra lowered his head for a fraction of a second at the same time the linebacker planted one of his legs preparing for impact. The impact sent both guys to the ground. With Kooistra’s weight advantage, I would have assumed he would have sent the linebacker backwards. That didn’t happen which makes me think he might have taken the brunt of the impact. It didn’t look like Kooistra was phased at all, but there wasn’t another play after that that could have caused his neck injury. The 1st string guys were replaced after that series. What I find terrifying is the fact that Kooistra stayed in and played after that play. Granted, it might be the injury didn’t occur on that play, but I’m guessing that it did. Needless to say, I hope he makes a full recovery.
Frazier
I went off on O-line tangent, but yes it is very nice to see Leslie get some respect. He looks as much like Dungy as any other coach, for what its worth.
I'll have your mother call you shortly.
I'm trying to find one.
I’ve watch the Seattle game three times now and this catch did indeed stand out. The guy will make some noise this year. I did find a pretty cool college high clip of his. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by6cLiXLJbs
OK
Not the best view but Rudolphs catch at about .50 sec followed by the earth shattering of The Sausage right after. http://www.thevikingship.net/2011-nfl-preseason-week-2-minnesota-vikings-vs-seattle-seahawks-highlights/random-vikings-highlights/
Our line rocks!
Players I’m on watch for this week, I want to see Everson start pulling even with Robinson at LE. So far he’s been playing solid ball and I think he’s better vs the run than Robinson for sure.
Whoever they have playing for K Will in the first half of the game, because that’s who’ll be playing for the first couple of games this season. Who do they think is worthy of starting? I’m interested in finding out
Like me that Sherels kid, I want to see people fear that guy in the future and I think he can be a special teams head hunter as well.
Erin Henderson, because we have a drinking game where my buddy has to take a drink every time he gets a tackle. I have the same issue for some noob on the cowboys team.
When we’re on offense I’m just going to play trivia. :)
Actually I’ll be hoping to see something out of Webb and ponder and pray to God that Charlie Johnson can protect our QB from Ware.
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
What about Love?
I thought we had picked up a nice steal in the draft when we got him. How does he look? no one has really talked much about him, which i guess answers my own question….
I don't remember eating corn.......
Ted, Ted, Ted, have to stay away from thge corn, just keep it cheesy…..har har har……
I’ll be watching every one no matter what position or team they are playing. I mean 1st, 2nd or 3rd team. No matter what, There’s been enough turn around personel wise that I am not sure we will improve drastically over last year, if at all. I mean ok, seems there is alot more positive energy so far then last year, and yes, we had alot aloder players here last year, but we have unproven or, so far, ho humm players at the moment as replacements. About the only thing I think we have improved at is QB, and that’s all 3 we have now.
Right now, I am paying more attention and more concerened with the WR corps, still, and still the O-line.
But hey, at least we aren’t Cincinatti! Yikes. Next two weeks are gonna be must watches as we are going to start seeing more and more of the starters actually playing, baring injury.
R.I.P. Harmon Killebrew & Derek Boogaard, Minnesota sports hearts will always have some emptiness without you.
Not as huge as Fat Bastard.
“Everyone likes their own brand”
by Bodysuit Man on Aug 25, 2011 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Too obvious
But I will be watching McNabb Saturday night. After the bad year he had last year – and the dreadful QB play the Vikes had last year, it has to be priority 1, 2, and 3 for this team. All the points about OL and DB are valid, but it all starts with Mr. McNabb if you ask me. I want to see some completions to WR’s down the field.
Ted - Please take your article through the spellcheck machine
Not to be a grammar Nazi or anything, but you have spelling errors riddled throughout your article. I’m not sure you even read over this thing before submission, it feels a bit sloppy overall, but I’ll give you a pass for the good stuff you’ve contributed to the site throughout its history. :)
Was in a rush to publish something
I’m gonna go back and fix.
This is like O. Henry and Alanis Morrisette had a baby and named it "this exact situation"--Sterling Archer
Ted, about your computer...
Ex-PC tech here. I’m not up to the minute on this, but here’s a short list of software you should be running:
Windows 7, AVG (or Avast!), CCleaner, and McAfee SiteAdviser. Browse with FireFox or Google Chrome. If the SiteAdviser icon turns pink, get the hell out of there. It’s all free, and Win7 comes with a new computer.
By the way, there are some fantastic deals these days on notebook computers at a place you wouldn’t expect: OfficeMax. Check out their Clearance table for i3 and i5 notebooks from HP or Acer. Some of these babies are going for easily $150 below retail, and the demo units are barely used. I bought an HP i3 a few months ago for $455, and it’s great. Bright screen excellent webcam, Bluetooth, fingerprint reader…
Ghaaaa! Must…stop…computers…evil!
Okay, I’ve got a few early predictions on the roster:
Chris DeGeare will take Hererra’s job at RG.
DeMarcus Love will replace Charlie Johnson at LT by mid-season, or earlier.
Christian Ballard is the next Kevin Williams.
In a surprise move, Conan Amituanai will be named the starting QB. Tackle that, linebackers!
Of course, I will bet no money on these predictions, but I am willing to wager the Total Consciousness on my deathbed that the Dali Lama promised me. It’s a pretty cool thing to have going for you.
Regarding that last part...
…I’d think Total Consciousness would just make me worry more. The stuff I’m ignorant of doesn’t keep me up at night.
Herrera not the starter
He’s getting the start out of respect but I’d be surprised if he played the whole half. DeGear will probably be the starter while Herrara gets healthier and waits in the wings.
Charlie Johnson will be fine. I hope.
Our best chances at having a good season:
Young defensive lineman and secondary players step up.
McNabb plays well.
Childress really truly was that bad of a coach and new competent guys take us places.
If DeGeare starts
We’re in serious trouble
"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."
Not to state the obvious here, but...
…don’t you think we’re already in serious trouble? Kooistra’s out. McKinnie’s out. Sullivan’s in.
I think we're in trouble
But if DeGeare starts, we’re in serious trouble.
"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."
I guess I just dont see what others have seen in DeGeare
He has not impressed me at all.
"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."
Just In Case
You don’t have enough football information the quarterback for the ’69 Steelers was Dick Shiner. Top 10 Gutsiest calls – pretty decent NFL network program if u can catch it. Skoool Vikings!
Anyone watching Baltimore vs. Washington?
McKinnie is on the sideline in pedestrian clothes and when the panned to him, his measureables came up. I thought it was funny that they had him listed as 335.
The road to fulfillment in any line of endeavor is always marked by an initial breakthrough; however, that first taste of success needs to be replicated again and again in order for supremacy to be sustained. We are Vikings, and we shall rise again.
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Aug 25, 2011 8:58 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
If he's 335
I won a pulitzer
This is like O. Henry and Alanis Morrisette had a baby and named it "this exact situation"--Sterling Archer
Just did some research
And in fact, you were not the first astronaut on the moon.
The road to fulfillment in any line of endeavor is always marked by an initial breakthrough; however, that first taste of success needs to be replicated again and again in order for supremacy to be sustained. We are Vikings, and we shall rise again.
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Aug 25, 2011 10:21 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
They never landed on the moon, just a big sound stage in New Mexico.
Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!
Two other positions I'm interested in watching is
Who takes hold of the starting safety spot; Johnson or Sanford at SS? or does Raymond surprise and start at FS, with Abdullah moving to SS?
And how much does Ced play? Is he fully healthy that we won’t have to worry each time he takes the field, and say not again? A healthy Ced goes a long way……….
Without question Sanford beats Johnson...
…unless Sanford gets injured, is caught sleeping with the coach’s daughter, or starts playing like Johnson.
Hadn’t thought about moving Abdullah to SS. I kind of like where he’s playing now, but it’s an interesting thought. Not sure I fully grasp the implications though.
I’m looking forward to seeing Sherels, Burton and Carter play. I’m hoping one of more of them can make the team and replace Asher Allen (and the memories of Walker, et. al.)
Thank YOU for mentioning Banks' blatantly annoying bias
He sucks. I cannot stand his biased, moronic cheese-sucking-up arse. \:(
I’m glad to hear that I wasn’t the only one who has noticed it over the years. What a jackwad. Peter King is awesome (imho) but Banks? That guy stinks.
Watch the final cuts
We could easily get a quality safety, DB, or O-line player out of those final cuts – especially if a team is dumping a vet to get younger.
by Vikefandc on Aug 26, 2011 6:10 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
kevin haydon
Wasnt he supposed to meet with Vikes Monday? Why havent I heard anything else about that? Come on LaConfora follow up on your reported.
by memphis viking on Aug 26, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Use Avast Antivirus
There’s a free version, but I use the paid version. Good stuff!
Free version and paid version of an antivirus program?
Interesting concept. How would that work? The paid version identifies and wipes out viruses? The free version simply says, “You have a virus. Your hard drive is about to crash. Oh dear. Too lat…”?
:-)
NERD ALERT
Generally the free version of an anti-virus suite will scan on a schedule, vs. the paid version scanning files as they are opened. Also, the paid versions generally have more add-ons (like mail scanning, web scanning, etc. etc.). Or, it might just be the presence/absence of ads.
Everyone should be using Microsoft Security Essentials at this point.
And it’s totally free.
"I wanted to do it because it's fun, it's fun to do bad things and drive into a car."
by PurplePeopleEaters on Aug 26, 2011 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Everyone should be dumping Windows at this point.
by berserkerND on Aug 26, 2011 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Why?
Apples are too expensive and anything linux is not meant for normal users.
by domesticllama on Aug 26, 2011 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Nah...
Windows is great. The issue with Windows (as with all software fundamentally) is that it does what you TELL it to do, not what you WANT it to do. If used properly Windows (especially 7) is fantastic. Apple has proven to be too expensive and restrictive for my taste, and while Linus is satisfying, it’s far from mainstream-ready.
Did I fall off the Norseman and end up in Tom’s?
Yeah, wow.
Suddenly I feel my horizons expanding beyond football. What do you know about performance diesel engines, installing a solar attic fan and the sugar content of 8 ounces of strawberry milk? Those are the three things that are currently on my mind.
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