Saying Goodbye (For Now...)

by zkonedog on Feb 20, 2012 7:03 PM CST

With my other sporting passion (the Minnesota Twins) beginning to crank things up down in Fort Myers, FL, I will be spending a lot less time on this blog in the coming months as my brain shifts from the gridiron to the diamond...

I'm not a big "draft guy" and I don't feel inclined to comment on all the stadium stuff until a deal is done, so to me football is pretty much off the radar until those summer mini-camps begin.

As such, here are my "parting thoughts" regarding the 2011 Vikings season...

First off, I truly believe that Christian Ponder is the quarterback of our future:

When the McNabb experiment failed miserably due to our inability to perform in the second half of games early in the season, I was impressed by the young Ponder and thought he gave our offense the spark it desperately needed.

Sadly, Ponder struggled to the finish line due to an offensive line that had him running for his life. That O-Line, to me, is easily our biggest team need going into 2012:

That kind of thing happened at an alarming rate last season and needs to improve if Ponder: A. Can survive for a decent number of NFL seasons, and B. Can be effective in slinging the ball downfield. Without the o-line the lack of a field-stretching receiver is moot.

Defensively, I think the Vikes need some help in the secondary but are okay on the line and the linebackers. The last few games of the season don't bear that theory out, but one must remember that the team was dropping like flies and the unit was patched together terribly.

Thus, if I were to make a "laundry list" of things for the Vikings to do this off-season, it would primarily include:

-O-linemen to protect Ponder

-Deep-threat WR to compliment Percy Harvin

-Safety/Corner DB players

Oh yeah, and I almost forgot: Pray that Adrian is a fast healer...

Poll

What do you feel is the biggest Vikings need this offseason?

Deciding the Ponder/Webb conundrum

3 votes

Offensive Line

100 votes

Field-Stretching WR

2 votes

Defensive Secondary

14 votes

Other

2 votes

121 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.

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Comments

adrian peterson

Is a cyborg, its pretty much a known fact in these here parts

by Lunchpail on Feb 20, 2012 8:08 PM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

The O-Line is a major concern however

I think the secondary is in much worse shape. The Vikings pass defense almost went down as the worst ever this last season. In this pass oriented league this team cannot allow another repeat of 2011’s defensive effort and hope to be anything but the laughing stock of the NFL. While I do not have the stats to back up this next claim, I am going just by what I saw over the season. I think the Vikings scored enough points to win most games, it was really the defense that collapsed when we had leads.

I also think that linebackers and at least one DT spot are needs as well. EJ is not an every down player. Erin is on the rise but still has a lot to prove. Out of the linebackers the only one I feel good about is Greenway. As for the DL I think they are set on quality ends and Kevin Williams is always going to be a solid contributor. But the NT (Ayodele) was terrible in 2011, The Vikes should definitely bring someone in just to push him at the very least.

This is not to say I think the Vikings should forsake the offense in the draft/free agency. I do think they would be wise to put the emphasis on defense though. This is not a one year fix, and personally I think a good defense will help this team better than a good offense while the rebuilding phase starts.

"none of us is a fan of the team" - Judd Zulgad (also fabricated the "schism" reports of 09')

by Grape Drank on Feb 20, 2012 10:26 PM CST reply actions

Its 2012

Screw the defense. Pats had an awful defense and almost won the super bowl. The vikes are a LT and LG away from a really good offense. First things first I say

by dirtyplay on Feb 25, 2012 2:07 PM CST up reply actions

Toby Gerhart's younger brother

Will perform great block’s for “his” older brother…….

6th round supplemental……

Trust Me……

by RickyBrune on Feb 21, 2012 12:02 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

Had to put other

for the fact that we do need a O-Line and D-Secondary and a Stadium taken care of. A WR would be good, but if not, between Harvin, Jenkins and if the rest that we do retain come around to alright status, I think we will be ok.

Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is a war room!

by VikesFaninNM on Feb 21, 2012 8:00 AM CST reply actions

Sorry, but Ponder has a lot to prove yet. But I'd take care of other needs this year.

And we can see how long Ponder lasts next season, and find a stud qb after we spend this year making some big roster moves in other areas. I have a feeling that the mirage of Ponder will fade next year. Hopefully the team will actually develop Webb at qb, cuz I think we are going to need him a lot more next year.

You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask of the Spiderman
And you don't trash talk about him

by REVENGE4WEBB on Feb 21, 2012 6:52 PM CST reply actions

secondary SAFTIES

even with our crappy o line the vikings should have won more games as the offense got the lead and our secondary would just give it right back.injuries and cooks f up didnt help but our safeties are THE WORST SAFETIES IN FOOTBALL.keep m raymond and sanford for depth but replace them both in starting line-up.PLEASE

by vikes 1 on Feb 21, 2012 11:50 PM CST reply actions