Nincompoop of the Week: Week 1 (Bengals)

We have a lot of blame to go around this week. I have my nominations below. Pick who you blame the most for the loss.

Mike Zimmer - Why is Zimmer a nincompoop? Has a team ever looked more unprepared to play a game than the Vikings did on Sunday? The penalties, the slow start and poor clock management are inexcusable for a coach with Zimmer’s tenure.

Dalvin Cook - Why is Dalvin a nincompoop? The fumble. It didn’t look to be an actual fumble, but it shouldn’t even be close. He needs to know the team is already in good shape and the primary objective needs to be to take care of the ball. If you fumble in OT, you are going to make my list (even if the call stunk).

Bashaud Breeland - Why is Bashaud a nincompoop? He couldn’t cover a darn thing out there on Sunday. He was getting smoked by a rookie that couldn’t catch in the preseason. He looked like a rookie himself and was the worst player on defense. The big plays he gave up cost the team dearly. Maybe he was hurt or maybe his pride was hurt. Either way, he wasn’t helping the team on Sunday.

The Entire Offensive Line - Why is the entire OL nincompoops? They couldn’t block anyone on Sunday. If they did manage to block them it was likely because they weren’t lined up correctly or they were holding. Multiple holds, multiple sacks, multiple false starts and illegal formations all lead to the team getting behind the chains early. Any momentum was instantly killed by their incompetence.

The Refs - Why are the refs nincompoops? Get a call right on the field. Justin Jefferson was 4 feet in the end zone and they called it short. If they call it in, the review is automatic anyways. Generally when it is close, they call it in. The replay wasn’t conclusive and it cost the Vikes a TO. The “fumble” in OT wasn’t a fumble. Cook was clearly down, but they decided to call it a fumble and review it. They say there wasn’t a conclusive shot of Cook with control of the ball, but I see him sitting down on the ground with the ball in his hands. They’re not the reason the Vikes lost, but they contributed to it. However, I don’t blame them for the penalty difference that some gripe about. That was just plain old fashioned undisciplined football.

nin·com·poop

/ˈniNGkəmˌpo͞op/

noun

1. a foolish or stupid person.