Week 2 Preview: The Sky Can't Be Falling Yet
by Eric J. Thompson on Sep 16, 2011 8:00 AM CDT
in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season
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Story 1: "I went to a movie the other day that I was super excited to see. The opening credits started out pretty well, but after a while those scrolling names were just atrocious. I walked out right away. Gosh that movie sucked."
Story 2: "Back in high school, I was dating a girl I really liked. Halfway through our first makeout session, she stopped because she had to sneeze. She sneezed! Like three times! Gross! Absolute deal breaker. I dumped her on the spot. No way was I going to be known as the guy who dated Sneezy McSneezerson."
Story 3: "I bought a brand new car this week. Supposed to be real fuel efficient. The dealership promised me that my car would get at least 50 miles to the gallon on the highway. So after driving on this mountainous highway with all sorts of curves and inclines, I found out I was only getting 39 miles to the gallon. Only thirty-nine! AHHHHH!! That is like the worst car performance of all time! So naturally, I immediately lit the car on fire and went back to the dealership to pick out another new car."
All three of those stories sound pretty ridiculous don't they? You wouldn't say a movie sucked after the opening credits, or dump a girl for sneezing, or trash a new car because it didn't perform exactly how you thought it would right away.
So why is it OK for Viking fans to flip out and act like the sky is falling after only 6.3% of the season is complete? Why is it OK for us to write Donovan McNabb off as a complete bust after only 15 passes as a Viking? How is it perfectly normal to be jump-off-a-building upset just because we lost by a single score to a Super Bowl contender on the road after a shortened preseason?
Look, I get it: we're Viking fans. We're very, very familiar with our hopes being crushed quickly after our favorite team performs well. It comes with the territory. But for those of you pandering for Ponder out of pure principle, let's remember that the general consensus was that he wasn't ready to start after just a month of lockout-shortened preparation. Suddenly after a month and a week he should take the reigns? I don't get it. Our offense stunk last week, but we aren't irrevocably broken.
Like ESPN's Gregg Easterbrook often claims in his TMQ column: Don't panic yet; there will be plenty of time for that later. It'll get better, I promise.*
Just how will it get better? For starters, we're at home. Do you realize that stretching back to the beginning of the 2008 season, the Vikings are 19-4 in home games played at the Metrodome? I was surprised too, especially after last year. For whatever reason, the Vikes always perform better in the decrepit confines of the dome. Surely, the Vikings couldn't break such a hot streak against a fellow 0-1 team, could they?
Speaking of situations that need a lot more money in a hurry, let me introduce you to our Week 2 opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers! The Bucs are still roughly a gazillion dollars underneath the salary cap, even after doling out a six-year, $19 million contract to their punter. For those of you that don't know, the Glazer family that owns Tampa also owns the richest soccer club in the world, Manchester United. Even though the lads across the pond are basically printing money, the Bucs rarely see a dime of it.
Since the Glazers' sphincters are so tightly wound regarding their (American) football team's salaries, the Bucs have naturally migrated to younger (read: cheaper) players. Many of the young starters have a ton of talent, especially the likes of quarterback Josh Freeman, running back LeGarrette Blount, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, and defensive back Aqib Talib. But with youth comes inexperience, and with inexperience comes mistakes. Surely, the Vikings couldn't lose to a team that spends like the Cleveland Indians did in "Major League" and has tons of players that just had their first legal adult beverage, could they?
And the final reason why the Vikings are going to win? I'll be there in person, about 20 rows behind the Vikings bench. (Look for me on TV--I'll be the white guy in the Adrian Peterson jersey. Super easy to pick out.) I'm going with my former roommate, an avid Buccaneers fan. (Don't blame him--he's from central North Dakota. Those people aren't right in the head...as the founder of this website can attest to! Zing!) Surely, the Vikings wouldn't subject me to another painful loss while my friend mercilessly taunts me in the next seat...would they?*
(*Aw dammit, I'm still a typical Vikings fan. I'm scared sh*tless about this game, and I have absolutely no idea whether or not it'll get better. But I'm still picking the Vikes to win in a close one.)
Prediction: Vikings 24, Buccaneers 20
Now for the rest of my Week 2 NFL picks (home team in ALL CAPS):
Raiders over BILLS: Either way, I'm not sure if I'm prepared to live in a world where one of these two teams is going to be 2-0.
SAINTS over Bears: Because I know I'm not prepared to live in a world where the Bears go 2-0 by knocking off two NFC contenders.
COLTS over Browns: I looked at their schedule, and this might be the last time I pick the Colts to win all year unless Peyton Manning comes back. And yes, count me in as one of the people who thinks Manning should be named the MVP if Indy goes 2-14.
LIONS over Chiefs: Hey Kansas City: you're just lucky that losing at home to the Bills by 34 points is still only worth one loss.
Packers over PANTHERS: I got a kick out of the SportsCenter poll the other day when they asked who had the better game between Cam Newton and Tom Brady. Um, Cam was definitely more surprising, but he still lost. Think of a better poll, please.
Ravens over TITANS: Good gracious did Baltimore look good last week. But I suppose that happens when Big Ben was throwing to a wide open Ed Reed all day. And hey, whoever replaced Jeff Fisher in Tennessee (I don't want to waste the four seconds Googling it): give the ball to Chris Johnson more, or suffer the wrath of 40 million scorned fantasy owners.
JETS over Jaguars: My Survivor Pool pick of the week, unfortunately still going strong after my reverse-jinx-attempt Chargers pick last week. I just have a feeling that the Jags will still be happy going 1-1 with Luke "Oh, that McCown, not McNown or the other McCown" McCown.
REDSKINS over Cardinals: When in doubt and/or you don't give a crap, pick the home team.
STEELERS over Seahawks: Congratulations, Tarvaris Jackson! You get to deal with an extremely pissed off Pittsburgh team in their own back yard! Good luck!
Cowboys over 49ERS: I had a great joke here, but Tony Romo just handed it over to another column. At the worst possible time, too.
BRONCOS over Bengals: "TEE-BOW! TEE-BOW! TEE-BOW! TEE-BOW!" (Regardless of this game's outcome.)
Texans over DOLPHINS: I had a great joke here too, but Benny Sapp just let it run directly past him for 99 yards.
PATRIOTS over Chargers: The Chargers barely squeaked by THE WORST TEAM OF ALL TIME, EVAH, THAT TOTALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN STARTING CHRISTIAN PONDER FROM DAY ONE (according to many of our commenters) last week, at home! No way can I pick them on the road against the Pats.
Eagles over FALCONS: MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick MichaelVick.
Rams over GIANTS: Since picking the Rams to upset an NFC East opponent worked out so well for me last week.
Last week: 7-9 (uffda.)
Season so far: 7-9
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Panic
“So why is it OK for Viking fans to flip out and act like the sky is falling after only 6.3% of the season is complete?”
I can answer that with one word. :)
TWINS
Well that's just mean..truthful, but mean.
Go TWINS GO! Erm..I mean Redwings!
by PURPpplEATER on Sep 16, 2011 8:42 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Gotta love the predictions eric. Very funny.
I’ll be recording the game..I’ll keep an eye out for you..you did say you were white, am I correct?
by PURPpplEATER on Sep 16, 2011 8:37 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Time to Regroup
Why is it OK for us to write Donovan McNabb off as a complete bust after only 15 passes as a Viking?
Two words; 39 Yards.
So a wee bit of concern, even mild alarm, might be warranted after the man’s recent history in Maroon and Gold.
I’m not writing the man off, anyone can have a really, really, really crappy day. Had one of those myself, not too long ago, fortunately for me, unlike McNabb, NOBODY SAW IT BUT ME! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!
Here’s to hoping Donny and the boys pull their collective heads out of their collective … funk :), and show us what a real NFL offense looks like. We got a lot of season in front of us and I believe this team can do better.
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!
agreed, because their offense looked SO inept
39 yards passing. The rest of the defenses in the NFL must look at this and can’t wait to play the Vikes to improve their statistics.
After hearing all preseason about how creative Musgrave is and all these plans he had, the game he called was very disappointing. No downfield throws, no throws down the middle to tight ends, etc.
The sad thing is he looked very much like a rookie OC. Which, of course, is what he is. Let’s hope he learns on the job. And fast.
Thirty-Nine Yards....
is three words.
We are to reactionary to one game, we always have been. McNabb will be better, even if his skills have declined, and we need to stay focused on the game plan of developing Ponder for the future.
There is blame to go around from the pitiful offensive output. I think the coaching staff has to have a better strategy this week, and a better ability to adjust the strategy so that we can be effective for four quarters.
I will not be PONDERing anything, ever again....I'm so tired of this pun. Maybe we could use antonyms to be different, like: "FORGET about last season, as we COGITATE about winning in 2011!"...Whatever, SKOL VIKES!!!
Love the Sapp and Romo references!
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It's sad when you can't just say 19-4 playing at home
Because you know last year was like fear and loathing in Minnesota….
I think we’ll win this one though.
I'm like the Dali Lama of kicking ass
Because we are Minnesota fans
That’s why it is ok to panic 6% into the season. I am a die hard fan of all MN sports teams but we really don’t have anything positive to cheer about (Timberwolves no season, Twins diseased, Gophers lost to New Mexico State) so why not give up now therefore we can’t be disappointed.
That being said Vikings 24 Bucs 17
"A man who can't look back at the end of the day on a hard days work is an empty man" --My dad
*Sarcasm*
Before I get blasted as not a true fan that was sarcastic. I completely agree with you Eric we are way to early in the season to give up on our team.
"A man who can't look back at the end of the day on a hard days work is an empty man" --My dad
As Daniel Tosh pointed out
No one cares about girl basketball
by PURPpplEATER on Sep 16, 2011 12:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Do you hear that?
It sounds like a herd of angry, unusually tall women on the warpath! Run PURP Run!
Panic is not just about McNabb.
I see alot of the same problems we had last year but without the injuries we had last year.
even with the injuries last season to sullivan, herrera, loadhoadt, rice, harvin and well mckinnie being mckinnie and BB being BB, there was never a game where the qb only threw for 39 yds. this season, everyone is healthy and the oline although better still can’t protect, the RB and TE’s still can’t pick up the blitz, the WR’s still can’t get separation and the qb threw for 39 yds. It’s not time to panic but we need to see some improvement.
please can we stop with
the manning for mvp talk. Manning is a great qb but he hardly qualifies to be mvp because their gm built the team solely to mannings strengths. Manning has played in the same system, with the same coaches and most of the same players for 10 yrs. he knows the system inside and out, he knows where every player will be in every play. it allows him to run the no huddle continuously, get the lead, wear down opposing defensses. they have no running game, their defense is built to play with the lead. collins has been there 5 weeks.of course he can’t do what manning can do. of course he needs a running game. he needs a defense that can keep the other team from scoring. shame on the gm for not building this team correctly.
I get it, but...
All that focus on building the team around their superstar resulted in a superbowl ring. Imagine if we had been building around AP since he arrived (read: Huge O-Line investment). How would that have changed the last few years?
Not to be an ass...
But we did have a chance to go to the superbowl (and probably should have) but we lost a game we should have won. I don’t blame Favre, as was/is popular today; I blame Peterson’s fumbles, and a bad 12-man penalty.
Mostly I blame Peterson’s fumbles, as the game should not have been close. That does not mean that I don’t believe we should use AP all day, but lets temper the “ride Peterson to the finals” talk, it sounds naive and played out. We will win, when we develop chemistry and everyone takes ownership of thier jobs on this team, and executes those jobs well.
I will not be PONDERing anything, ever again....I'm so tired of this pun. Maybe we could use antonyms to be different, like: "FORGET about last season, as we COGITATE about winning in 2011!"...Whatever, SKOL VIKES!!!
Actually
Of the three Peterson fumbles in that game, the Vikings recovered two of them, and one of them could just as easily have been credited to Favre as it could have been to Peterson.
The killers were the fumble by Harvin (about ten yards in front of our own end zone) and the fumble by Berrian (about five yards from scoring a touchdown).
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by Christopher Gates on Sep 16, 2011 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions
the fumble by Peterson
at the end of the 1st half. Could have really put the pressure on the Saints. This WAS credited to Favre, but it shouldn’t been. It was on AP. Agree with the Berrian fumble. Harvin was only in that situation of taking over for Peterson running the ball(until he fumbled) because AP had butterfingers
by scottfromcmh on Sep 17, 2011 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Those last few sentences are exactly the reason Manning should be the MVP. Why should it go against him that he’s been in the same system for 10 years? You’re a Favre guy right? He played in a west coast system for well over 10 years. You gonna use that against him? I doubt it.
If Manning were playing the Colts would be a 10+ win team and would make the playoffs. I can say this pretty confidently because it’s been a trend now for a ridiculous amount of time. They might not win the SB but like you said, that’d be because their GM hasn’t done a great job building the team. Their OL is poor, which leads to them having no running game — and it’s been that way for a few years now. But it doesn’t really matter because Manning still manages to tear defenses apart. The phrase “You can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him” couldn’t apply to Manning anymore perfectly.
Fire Slocum
by packallday555 on Sep 16, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Favre played in the same system
but he didn’t have the luxury of playing for the same coaches or with the same core of players for most of his career. I’m not bashing manning. he’s one of the all time best but lets face it, it’s a luxury to play with the same coaches and players for the course of your career. pollian has done an excellent job of keeping the players manning is comfortable with around him. same with the coaches. a better comparison is the 2008 pats. brady went down and cassel, who hadn’t played since high school stepped in and won 11 games. that’s the way it should be. cassel knew the system, the players were used to him in pratice, they were able to run their scheme. by contrast collins has been there 5 weeks. he doesn’t know the players or the scheme. of course the colts can’t win with collins under the conditions he’s been handed.
The part that makes Manning so different
Is that he IS essentially a coach on the field. And that makes him that much more important. He is indispensable to them, as he is the only one player in this league that will remove at least 10 wins if you lose him, which we will soon witness.
by Vikingsfan17 on Sep 16, 2011 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Protect this house.
Gotta win the home games. McNabb should do better. Then again how can you not do better than 39 yards. Our defense will keep us in this one. Lets just hope the offense performs better & I believe they will.
I want the line to block well enough..
That AP and Percy have huge games like the monsters they are. My FFootball team wouldn’t mind it either
by PURPpplEATER on Sep 16, 2011 9:52 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm hoping for at least 100 yard passing.
Too much?
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!!!
Hey the Colt's may just Luck out.
Without Peyton they are in deep s#*t. If Manning’s injury is career threatening they may be in line to draft the next Manning so to speak. How Luck-y can you get.
But that was last year.....
with the collapse of the dome. Oh wait, we’re talking about the play on the field.
Seriously, did anyone really have high hopes for our beloved Vikings this season? I don’t think they are as bad as the stat line suggests, nor did I think they looked it. However, I still think an 8 win season would be a win this year.
I don't understand why we need to panic when this was to expected.
To bench McNabb at any point this year would be a mistake. There is no way he is going to have as bad of a performance as he had last weekend. This sit time for Ponder is so important for his development. There have been so many cases over the last decade of QB’s falling flat on their face when they are asked to start right away. With a new head coach, a new offense coordinator, new quarterback, new offensive line, new defensive line, new wide receivers, and the list goes on; we shouldn’t be expecting a lot this year. Next year we could make a playoff push with this group ,but this year it is all about learning. I really feel we brought McNabb in to teach Webb and Ponder while also keeping us competitive. I’m sure the Vikings are hoping for a Kurt Warner situation ,but even if that doesn’t happen with McNabb the training and time to learn he is giving to these two young QB’s is the most important thing for the Vikings future. Once again we have our hopes way to high for this season in a much more difficult division. If McNabb works out we might have a shot at the playoffs next year. Let’s keep our goals realistic and give the Vikings the time they need.
by Vikings55Thunder on Sep 16, 2011 10:59 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Totally good with this
This year, and to be honest, next year, I’m not really that concerned about the W/L record. The Vikings are in rebuild-mode, whether the FO wants to admit it or not. Yes, we have enough great players to still be competitive, but there’s a big difference between being competitive, and being a contender for the Big Dance. The team needs time to work in the new coaching, playbook, and QBs, and to finish the rebuild.
And to be perfectly clear on this… Whether the Vikings post a 16-0 or a 0-16, I’m still a Vikings fan and I’ll still be standing with them and pushing.
Damn but it was a long off-season this year, we got us some real, regular season FOOTBALL again!
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!
by DCPurple on Sep 16, 2011 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
No panic here yet
but if this week goes like last week, it will be in full force. My office is right by their practice field, so yesterday I watched practice for about an hour (because why wouldnt i rather than do actual work) and they looked pretty good. I know its only practice, but with the home fans and the complete embarrassment that happened last week, I really think they might light it up this week. If that would happen, I wouldnt jump on board with the whole “oh they are going all the way” mantra, but it would certainly keep me from hiding under a soon to be snow covered rock.
by A shot at greatness, probable failure on Sep 16, 2011 11:05 AM CDT reply actions
Have any of you heard...
… anything more about EJ for Sunday’s game? EJ’s knee injury would have me in a panic if he couldn’t play. With our current situation at linebacker I would say EJ and Greenway are our MVPs. Even Erin Henderson we can’t afford to lose at this point.
by HammeroftheGods on Sep 16, 2011 11:16 AM CDT reply actions
Awesome news, thanks....
… the worst would be if we lost him to the season. I think the season would be officially over if EJ went down. I think we are just that thin at linebacker.
by HammeroftheGods on Sep 16, 2011 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions
That first loss was planned guys
We just didn’t want to have to deal with all of the drama that goes with a perfect season. Now we are free to go 15-1 without worries.
by PURPpplEATER on Sep 16, 2011 12:27 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
All the games are preordained by Rodger Goodell
and Rodger Godell’s brain is controlled by an alien being deep inside uranus.
Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted. - John Lennon
by JethroBoViking on Sep 16, 2011 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions
we lost to a team that was
number 1 in offense and defense last year and for 55 minutes of game time we were ahead or tied , road game , shortened offseason with new personel in key positions . and the biggest reason we lost was no number 93 . the thing that gets me is when we audible from run to pass cuz 8 are in the box. why not audible to run away from the stack even with 8 in the box you can still make an area a 3 on 2 for us one miss tackle or juke by 28 and its a homerun .
Well put. you get my vote
by A shot at greatness, probable failure on Sep 16, 2011 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, the audible into an interception didn't seem to work as planned.
I’ve never been a fan of that play. Lots of risk. Very little upside.
McNabb’s version of the play looked slo-mo compare to how Favre did it.
Careful with the sky is falling reference.
I did that last year with a fan post and that week, the dome collasped.
I’m just saying.
I'd put a 100 dollars on McNabb Having more then 39 yards in one play
And i’m assuming it won’t be too long in the game. The Vikings are going to scare the Bucs out of 8 in the box. I don’t expect the Vikings to really start pounding the ball until they have to start dropping back into zones.
The Chargers had 8 in the box on the majority of the 1st and 2nd downs. I hope Bill Musgrave has the play-calling available to take advantage of these 1 on 1’s DOWN the field and not a screen pass where the majority of the defenders are already packed in.
SKOL
Heck I wouldn't even mind if like another poster suggested
he went to a spread offense a bit and tried to pull people out of the box that way. First play on the field has four WR’s in it. Would be interesting and I guarantee the Bucs wouldn’t be looking for it.
I'm like the Dali Lama of kicking ass
I'd like to see it, but
The play calling seemed to be atrocious. Very conservative.Looked like Childress himself phoned it in. I felt they should pass some to set up the run. They ran and went AP first, passing mostly on third down. Mcnabb threw to guys ankles mostly when he did pass the ball. No passes completed to tight ends. Nothing in stride. He needs to have a good game.
by scottfromcmh on Sep 17, 2011 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions
New HC, new OC, new Playbook, no OTC, limited training time, new QB
Seriously. What did you expect?
The Chargers didn’t have to change their playbook, they picked right up from where they left off last year. It’s not really that surprising.
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!
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