Okay, So Who's NOT To Blame Here

by Christopher Gates on Sep 25, 2011 9:36 PM CDT in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season

Obviously, when a team starts out 0-3 and blows a combined 47 points worth of halftime leads, there's a lot of blame to go around. Lots of fingers are going to be pointed, lots of blame is going to be assessed. . .I get that.

But there are a few players on this team that are performing exceptionally well, too. . .and, quite frankly, it's time to point them out. After all, we do have to give out a Game Ball this week (poll for that coming up tomorrow), so we could just as well talk about it.

Who are the guys that have been playing well this season? Let me tell you.

Adrian Peterson - Duh. It's really not his fault that he averaged six yards per carry in the first half today, and was only given five carries in the second half. For my money. . .and pretty much everyone else's. . .he's still the best running back in the National Football League, and he's one of those guys that you're happy is on our side.

Kevin Williams - Because. . .well, he's only played one out of the first three games. I thought he played pretty well this afternoon, to be honest, considering he has the foot issue and hasn't seen any action since Week 3 of the pre-season.

Jared Allen - Hey, remember this past off-season when people said that Allen was slowing down and that he was overrated and all that other stuff? Yeah. . .he's currently tied for the NFL lead in sacks with 4.5. (I thought he had 5, but NFL.com has him with 4.5.) The people who said those things obviously have their heads jammed in their asses.

Brian Robison - Hey, remember when people thought that letting Ray Edwards go was going to be an awful idea? Yeah. . .Robison has played awfully well for the first three games of this season. Much better than Edwards, from everything I've seen.

Michael Jenkins - Yeah, he wasn't the flashiest signing of the off-season, and he won't ever be mistaken for Jerry Rice or Cris Carter, but he's caught pretty much everything that's been thrown his direction this season, and is a pretty underrated possession option for the Vikings. He's a really good blocker on the outside, too.

Percy Harvin - Still a great playmaker. . .you know, when he's not on the sideline puking into a trash can. At least his migraines really do seem to be gone, which is nice.

Special Teams in general - Ryan Longwell is still deadly accurate, Chris Kluwe continues to be one of the best punters in the league, and Marcus Sherels has provided a real spark in the punt return game. Without going back through all of the game books and stuff, I can't think of any huge returns allowed off the top of my head. . .which is pretty good, since a lot of us thought that Longwell's shorter kickoffs might still be an issue, but he's really let it rip on a few kickoffs this year, and the coverage has been relatively good, all things considered.

I'm sure that there are other folks that fall under this heading, too. . .I just wanted to put some folks out there that should sort of be spared the wrath of Viking nation thus far. What do you folks think?

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Comments

don't blame me, i didn't do nuthin wrong

warcraft, you are my guitar hero !!!

by danny lloyd on Sep 25, 2011 9:43 PM CDT reply actions

i'm pinning it on musgrave's mother and frazier's daddy

warcraft, you are my guitar hero !!!

by danny lloyd on Sep 25, 2011 9:44 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah...

Those people saying Jared never comes up with big time sacks/plays are crazy. The last defensive possession for the Lions of regulation was 69 making plays all by himself, trying to will the Vikes to a win. But…ya know…we’re the vikings, we dont win this year i guess.

by 7Twins7 on Sep 25, 2011 9:47 PM CDT reply actions

Yep

We made the Lions punt from their own end zone, and should have had possession in Detroit territory with a shot at a field goal.

If I were running the Vikings, Kenny Onatolu would be getting a pink slip tomorrow. How the hell do you take THAT penalty at THAT point in the game?

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by Christopher Gates on Sep 25, 2011 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions

The fine line between winners and losers was exemplified by that play...

you have to have your head in the game at all times.

by Mel Allen on Sep 25, 2011 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions

He

Wasn’t the frist or the last to make a stuid Penalties it was like watching the 3 stoogies in the second half with all the Penalties

by skorepo on Sep 26, 2011 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions

That was one of the most dominating series by a D lineman I have seen.....

since, well, never. The closest is Lawrence Taylor, yes a LB, who would dominate like that. Hope JA keeps it up.

by Mel Allen on Sep 25, 2011 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Perhaps you are too young

to have seen Alan Page in his prime. But were you around when Keith Millard had stretches in games where he could not be blocked? Millard had one great season. LT and Page did it over most of their careers. We shall see how long Allen can do this. It is inspiring to watch when it happens.

TiggerSr

by TiggerSr on Sep 26, 2011 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Not so........

been a fan for 40+ years. Know all too well what you speak of. I spoke of the series only, which is up at the top for one player making another look absolutely silly on 3 downs. Page was the best interior DL ever, including Lilly, Greene and Randle.

by Mel Allen on Sep 26, 2011 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd love to blame the training staff, but...

This team clearly is gassed in the second half of games. Problem is, football players build the foundation of their stamina in the off-season, and it looks like most of these guys exercised more like Bryant McKinney than Adrian Peterson.

As a trainer, you’re in a bind. If you work the players too hard, you get injuries, pulled muscles, hamstrings, etc. The ugly outline of this season took shape in mid-winter, when offensive and defensive linemen spent too much time getting drunk and fat, and too little time in the gymnasium. With a few exceptions, the Minnesota Vikings are out of shape.

by jimbo55403 on Sep 25, 2011 9:55 PM CDT reply actions

Damn it, put in Webb yesterday!!!!!!!!

he can electrify this offense in a hurry. Too soon for Ponder, Webb has the skill set, work ethic, PASSION (I am eyeballing you Donovan), and a little more experience right now than CP.
McNabb is D O N E. Webb has the energy on O that Jared has on D. All he needs is the chance, and once he has some success, he will take off. MARK MY WORDS! I would hate to see him have it with another team.

by Mel Allen on Sep 25, 2011 10:01 PM CDT reply actions

Yea Mel I say put either one in mcnabb is lost out there !!!

by cali viking on Sep 25, 2011 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Either one would do better than McNabb

Seriously, Donovan McNabb is done. He was huffing and puffing like he’d just run a dozen wind sprints and it was just the second quarter! In the second half, McNabb was missing passes badly, I think because he was exhausted. Possibly he’s also got a wrist injury that’s bothering him more than he’s admitted.

Either Ponder or Webb would give the team a better chance to win than McNabb at this point. I don’t expect to see a change soon, but that’s because this coaching staff is too conservative.

by jimbo55403 on Sep 25, 2011 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree

Webb proved last year he can handle the pressure and perform. He may screw up alot and lose games. But he has the capability to win them, and that is inspiring for the others on both sides of the ball, which is what I think is lacking in the second half. Players gotta believe in themselves and their team — they clearly do not right now.

TiggerSr

by TiggerSr on Sep 26, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for pointing out the positives Chris

At least it balances out all the negatives I just wrote about.

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by Eric J. Thompson on Sep 25, 2011 10:14 PM CDT reply actions

Don't worry

There will be enough negatives for everybody before too much longer!

by Christopher Gates on Sep 25, 2011 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I just don’t understand why we can’t fix the problem. I would rather flat out lose. Atleast then we wouldn’t feel as bad.

It feels as if we are at some sort of dance, start making headway with the hot chick in the room, go get some drinks, come back and she is going to town with everyone but us.

I’m not sure we’ve hit the bottom of the hole we are in. The fact that we’ve been watching the same movie ending for 3 weeks, I’m not sure they even know how to eject the DVD at this point. What I’m afraid of is that it might get worse before it gets better. I SERIOUSLY hope I’m wrong though.

Onatulo should be cut, just like Sapp was. I just can’t see Frazier pulling a power play. Berrian should’ve been cut last year.

by FSUViking on Sep 25, 2011 10:27 PM CDT reply actions

If Berrian drops another pass I'm going to go Tanya Harding on his ass....

by jkunce507 on Sep 25, 2011 10:33 PM CDT reply actions

Through three games

Bernard Berrian still has exactly one more catch than I do.

by Christopher Gates on Sep 25, 2011 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Suit up

Maybe they are taking walk ons.

by FSUViking on Sep 25, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions

They could pay me a lot less

And wind up putting a real receiver on the roster instead.

by Christopher Gates on Sep 25, 2011 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe Berrian is McNabb's scapegoat

I’m not at all sure Donovan McNabb can still throw a football fifty yards within ten feet of where he wants to put it. At that point it may not matter who your “deep threat” is, because he’s not going to get a ball thrown his way anyway.

But if it’s Bernard Berrian… Ah, then McNabb can nod knowingly without saying anything. Guy can’t catch! Guy can’t get open! Guy won’t fight for the ball!

Whether or not these charges are true, they shield McNabb from criticism. On the other hand, if the Vikings replace Berrian with a league-average wideout (even a decent rookie like Arceneaux), then the focus of criticism would shift to McNabb, who no longer can throw a good deep ball.

The sad part of all this subterfuge is that the Vikings offense is now operating with a physically washed-up veteran QB and an absentee number one wide receiver.

Tonight the Colts might have figured out that Curtis Painter is a better option than Collins. The Vikings need to make a similar decision. At this point, either Webb or Ponder will do better than what’s left of the great Donovan McNabb.

by jimbo55403 on Sep 25, 2011 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions

I think you're overcomplicating it

I highly doubt, with only 53 men to keep on a roster, they would have a designated ‘scape goat’ for the offense. Frazier probably expected ‘08 Berrian is all, but instead he’s getting ‘09/’10 Berrian. He could just, you know… suck..

by REVENGE4KLUWE on Sep 25, 2011 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions

even better he's tied in catches with Jared Allen...

I'm like the Dali Lama of kicking ass

by Grime on Sep 26, 2011 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm willing to add Chris Cook to that list

Yes, he got beat on that jump ball but honestly, i’m struggling to think of a corner in this league would could single cover Calvin freaking Johnson doing what he does best and using that insane vertical leap to go up and grab those balls. There certainly arent any on the Vikings roster with that kind of size and leaping ability.

He had a slow start in pre-season but he’s really stepped up his game these past 3 regular season games.

by Amrius on Sep 25, 2011 10:45 PM CDT reply actions

Megatron cannot be stopped

Unless your CB’s nickname is Optimus Prime.

by jimbo55403 on Sep 25, 2011 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I crushed Chris Cook in the pre-season...

…but he looked really good today against Megatron. He lost out on position on that TD, but totally understandable.

by All'Aboard'The'Purple'Love'Boat on Sep 25, 2011 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree on Cook

He actually did a fairly good job today, but both big receptions by Johnson over Cook were the result of poor positioning on Cooks part. He’s still young and he will grow into a solid corner. Griffin, however, would be better placed at a safety position.

by DaBagel on Sep 25, 2011 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions

There's a thought

Move Cook to start, put Sherels in the nickel, move Griffen back to safety, cut Johnson and rotate Sanford and Griffen

by Amrius on Sep 25, 2011 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree on Ced

I mean he’s just undersized out there on those man-ups, can’t hate on him for it, he had his best game so far I thought.

by All'Aboard'The'Purple'Love'Boat on Sep 25, 2011 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah I was thinking Cook has had an excellent year so far he took Vince Jackson out of the game as well

That leap he made to keep that ball out of CJ’s hands was inspired, if he’d missed that I’m pretty sure we were seeing a TD there.

I'm like the Dali Lama of kicking ass

by Grime on Sep 26, 2011 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions

That's a good point

I forgot they lined Cook up against Vincent Jackson in the Chargers game. That’s two big time receivers that he’s had to defend against with very little to no help over the top. If he can stay healthy, we might just have a starting caliber corner on our hands.

by Amrius on Sep 26, 2011 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

You know how a good 69 is meant to go both ways?

Well 96 is proving the rule.

Even though I’m in the midst of a post game depression, and would really like to find out the exact recipe for this ‘purple drank’ that all of the rappers are drinking (Liquid codeine/alcohol)……. I still really like watching our ends play football. Silver lining and all.

by All'Aboard'The'Purple'Love'Boat on Sep 25, 2011 11:11 PM CDT reply actions

Hmmm.... A Substitution

Drink most of a case of Grain Belt Pounders, that should get you near where “purple drank” might.

by Adam Sorum on Sep 25, 2011 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Can you drink it out of a gasoline can?

Because that’d be what I’m looking for.

This sucks.

The sad part is that the start of our season looked like the win-able games on paper.

by All'Aboard'The'Purple'Love'Boat on Sep 25, 2011 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions

The issues aren't as big as people think

And no, I’m not drinking the “Kool-Aid”. If the exact same roster can manhandle a team for 30 minutes, what keeps them from winning games?
1) McNabb simply cannot deliver. Balls were short or way over the heads of the receivers all day. Time to put him in the place he should be occupying…holding a clipboard and mentoring our young QB’s.
2) Sherels should be our nickle CB and Griffen should move to safety. Cook is a good corner who is just inexperienced (missed most of last year to injury)
3) Berrian is OUT!…the guy can play, I think, but he doesn’t have the heart to fight for the team. Bring back Jaymar or move Aroma to his spot.
4) Loadholt needs to move to guard. Out of our tackles, it was Tubby who was constantly toasted of the edge. Not a new problem for him either.
5) Less shotgun in third and short and more play-action. You have Peterson!!! Use him even when you’re not using him.

by DaBagel on Sep 25, 2011 11:19 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I was extremely impressed with Chris Cook's play today...

Hope he can keep it up.

by Bjorno on Sep 25, 2011 11:31 PM CDT reply actions

same here.

I'm like the Dali Lama of kicking ass

by Grime on Sep 26, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I have no issue with Chad Greenway. The guy makes plays. I am pretty unhappy with E.J. Henderson’s coverage ability. Also, why is Antoine Winfield not on this list? He’s been fantastic this year.

Really, most of the blame for this season goes on three men so far: Donovan McNabb, Leslie Frazier and Brad Childress.

McNabb’s shortcomings are evident. I’ll give him credit for trying and working hard, but he’s just not a good quarterback. He’s below average down the field and it’s killing this team.

I wanted Frazier as the head coach and it’s too early to run him out of town, but the lack of halftime adjustments and the inability to find different ways to protect this lead or move the ball in the second half falls on him. Talk is cheap, we want results.

Childress still gets some of the blame for leaving this team in quarterback purgatory. None of us know anything about Christian Ponder yet, but we know Childress failed to develop a QB during his tenure, used stop gaps like Kelly Holcolmb, Gus Ferrotte and Brett Favre. We’re paying for those mistakes now with another stop gap in McNabb.

Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute

by mjschaefer on Sep 26, 2011 12:40 AM CDT reply actions

Make some roster changes NOW!

McNabb is not going to be back next season, this is certain. Either put Webb in at QB or he has to go in as a WR, I bet he could out perform Megatron with all of his talent and definitely jumping ability. He’s got 11in hands that ball is like catching a little league ball for him. Either way he has to be on the field! Take out Berrian and put in Aromashodu or Camarillo. Cam at least seemed to get open and always catch the ball. Berrian has done neither one. Put in Ponder for the first half and McNabb the second half. If he plays the way he does in the 1st half in the 2nd half the Vikes will turn into a 2nd half team, at least. All the O needs to have done is score one or at most 2 more TD’s in the 2nd half and we’d be 3-0 right now. I can say, I am looking forward to having Andrew Luck on our team next year though.

by ratskan29 on Sep 26, 2011 3:04 AM CDT reply actions

This is getting incredibly frustrating

I agree that McNabb needs to be replaced. He’s got nothing left and there’s no reason for us to be playing for the #1 pick. Either Webb or Ponder has to be the better QB at this point.

Attention Vikings Offensive Line: Please do not get Donovan McNabb killed.

by Td1984 on Sep 26, 2011 10:29 AM CDT reply actions

Put Allen on Both Sides of the Ball!

His performance at the end of the game was amazing. Putting the team on his back and trying to carry them to victory by himself. Hell, put him on offense, too—attitude is everything!

by newps on Sep 26, 2011 10:30 AM CDT reply actions