Another week...another loss...another post on random thoughts throughout the game:
* There is something wrong with our defense...I can handle a sputtering offense from time to time, but not having a defense playing well going into the playoffs is scary considering the offensive juggernauts we may face down the line: New Orleans, Philadelphia, Dallas, Arizona and Green Bay.
* Adrian Peterson has had fumbling issues his whole career. However, this is the first time it actually directly cost the Vikings the game.
* With virtually all backups in the Bears secondary (actually, pretty much the whole defense were 2nd stringers due to injuries and/or other issues), the Vikings decide to go conservative on the offensive side in the first half. It resulted in 0 points...kick ass offense.
* How do you expect your team to cope and play well in cold weather when our own head coach is in a snow suit roaming the sidelines? I hope Childress gets fined by the NFL for "improper apparel".
* Where would this team be without Favre as our quarterback? It's kind of scary to think about...but, even scarier is that we actually made the stinkin' playoffs last with a combo of T-Jack and Gus as our quarterback...unbelievable.
* Special teams was horrible last night. To sum up the night: we had a blocked extra point, Kluwe had a 15 yard punt on one occasion, and their kickoff return team gashed us on multiple returns. Plus, Percy Harvin was just ordinary at best on our returns. Grade: F
SBG
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Week 15 Recap: Vikings @ Panthers
Another embarrassing loss on national televison...once again here are my random thoughts on the game:
* When the Vikings had 3rd and long situations on offense...the Panthers only rushed three and dropped eight in coverage...however, they still applied ten times the pressure than we could muster against their injury riddled offensive line...and we were rushing 4 or more defenders.
* I praise Antoine Winfield last week...and then our most consistent defender doesn't show up on big pass plays (mostly in the second half) that killed us throughout the game.
* Isn't it common knowledge that a quarterback with little experience...the team's gameplan will look like this: 1. run the ball a lot 2. we will try to screen you to death and 3. we will move him around on the edges/outside the pocket to give our quarterback more space to see the field/receivers.
* It's not depressing that we only scored 7 points in the whole game. It's depressing that we had great field position for the first three quarters (because of their unwillingness to kick to Harvin/and our defense in the first half) and didn't come away with even more points. Even if Longwell makes that field goal...10 points is unacceptable when we got the ball on our 40 on virtually every possession.
* I don't know what to think of the Brad Childress attempt to pull Brett Favre during a 7-6 game in the middle of the third quarter. All I know is we need a bye in the first round of the playoffs, and the way we've been playing lately...I wouldn't mess around trying to play head games with a 40 year old diva as our quarterback during the stretch run.
SBG
* When the Vikings had 3rd and long situations on offense...the Panthers only rushed three and dropped eight in coverage...however, they still applied ten times the pressure than we could muster against their injury riddled offensive line...and we were rushing 4 or more defenders.
* I praise Antoine Winfield last week...and then our most consistent defender doesn't show up on big pass plays (mostly in the second half) that killed us throughout the game.
* Isn't it common knowledge that a quarterback with little experience...the team's gameplan will look like this: 1. run the ball a lot 2. we will try to screen you to death and 3. we will move him around on the edges/outside the pocket to give our quarterback more space to see the field/receivers.
* It's not depressing that we only scored 7 points in the whole game. It's depressing that we had great field position for the first three quarters (because of their unwillingness to kick to Harvin/and our defense in the first half) and didn't come away with even more points. Even if Longwell makes that field goal...10 points is unacceptable when we got the ball on our 40 on virtually every possession.
* I don't know what to think of the Brad Childress attempt to pull Brett Favre during a 7-6 game in the middle of the third quarter. All I know is we need a bye in the first round of the playoffs, and the way we've been playing lately...I wouldn't mess around trying to play head games with a 40 year old diva as our quarterback during the stretch run.
SBG
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Week 14 Recap: Bengals @ Vikings
My wife, myself and our two year-old twins attended the game in person in the upper bowl of the Metrodome. Here are my scattered thoughts while witnessing the game:
* It's nice to have Antoine Winfield back on the playing field. I don't know how productive he'll be in the next five years of his new contract, but he has to be the best free agent pick up the franchise has ever landed. Best part (besides his nine tackles) was him doing the 10 push ups as mock punishment for dropping an easy interception. * By the way...if you're thinking Cris Carter...he was waiver wire pick up...we didn't really have to outbid anyone for his services.
* Cincinnati's offense is very pedestrian. We think we have it bad with the Vikings play-calling...Cincinnati's is worse, and it's not that they lack talent on offense...just imagination.
* No Percy Harvin in the lineup...and the offense was still functional...not great, but decent enough to have some much needed quality drives throughout the game.
* Anthony Herrera needs ritalin. He is the most riled up player we have on the field. Hopefully, the opponents are not offended by his actions because out of all the starters on offense...he probably ranks as the 11th most important piece.
* Vendor count in section 201...
Vendors selling beer: 159 times
Vendors selling anything else (food/pop/anything other than beer): 1 time
I'm usually not appalled by this (and actually would encourage this)...but when you have to satisfy the needs of two year old twins at a game...it can get tricky.
SBG
* It's nice to have Antoine Winfield back on the playing field. I don't know how productive he'll be in the next five years of his new contract, but he has to be the best free agent pick up the franchise has ever landed. Best part (besides his nine tackles) was him doing the 10 push ups as mock punishment for dropping an easy interception. * By the way...if you're thinking Cris Carter...he was waiver wire pick up...we didn't really have to outbid anyone for his services.
* Cincinnati's offense is very pedestrian. We think we have it bad with the Vikings play-calling...Cincinnati's is worse, and it's not that they lack talent on offense...just imagination.
* No Percy Harvin in the lineup...and the offense was still functional...not great, but decent enough to have some much needed quality drives throughout the game.
* Anthony Herrera needs ritalin. He is the most riled up player we have on the field. Hopefully, the opponents are not offended by his actions because out of all the starters on offense...he probably ranks as the 11th most important piece.
* Vendor count in section 201...
Vendors selling beer: 159 times
Vendors selling anything else (food/pop/anything other than beer): 1 time
I'm usually not appalled by this (and actually would encourage this)...but when you have to satisfy the needs of two year old twins at a game...it can get tricky.
SBG
Monday, December 7, 2009
Week 13 Recap: Vikings @ Cardinals
Here's my observations from a depressing 30-17 loss:
* Run the ball. Run the ball. Run the ball. We were a 10-6 football team last year with everyone in the world knowing that Adrian Peterson was going to the get the ball 25-30 times a game...and he still had success, as well as the team. What is wrong with this formula? You eat up clock. You protect your 40 year old quarterback. You save your defense from being on the field all game. Run the ball. I don't need Cris Collinsworth crediting the Arizona Cardinals run defense when we've only handed the ball off to A.P. thirteen times.
* E.J. Henderson's leg injury was gruesome. It's one of those injuries that sucks the life out of the stadium (even if it's not the home stadium of the injured player).
* Shiancoe is an excellent red zone threat...however, anywhere else on the field he is virutally useless. He doesn't win any one on one matchups and only gets separation from defenders by the play action...not by his own skill set.
* Brett Favre is entertaining...even when he sucks. My dad and I noticed that on his first interception...he did a no-look throw. He was staring down Percy Harvin to the right, but threw the ball down the middle hoping he could sneak a throw into Sidney Rice. It was highly comical and I haven't enjoyed an interception that "my team" has thrown ever...until this one came about...
* Ray Edwards has two offsides penalties...one of them negates an interception by Tyrell Johnson. I remember John Randle always jumping off sides...and I didn't mind that at the time because at least he got to the quarterback more than once every few weeks. You on the other hand...kill us on both ends...you get penalties, plus you don't get to the quarterback. Go work on your modeling.
* Brenda Warner defeats Deanna Favre 3-0 in the NFL housewives Super Bowl of camera shots. What the hell has Brenda Warner done to garner attention from the cameras to capture her reactions to the game? At least Deanna Favre battled through breast cancer for a feel good story, but Brenda...come on NBC, start a reality show if you want...but, don't ruin my football watching experience by showing me Brenda Warner singing and dancing to a Cardinals win.
* Memo to NFL color analysts: Bernard Berrian has either lost a step or is playing with a nagging injury. You can not give credit to corners and/or safeties and/or linebackers and/or defensive lineman for "blanketing Berrian and his blazing speed". Not only does he not look fast on some of these replays...the routes are not precise enough to get any separation. Berrian and Shiancoe must practice together on how to run routes and not get open.
SBG
* Run the ball. Run the ball. Run the ball. We were a 10-6 football team last year with everyone in the world knowing that Adrian Peterson was going to the get the ball 25-30 times a game...and he still had success, as well as the team. What is wrong with this formula? You eat up clock. You protect your 40 year old quarterback. You save your defense from being on the field all game. Run the ball. I don't need Cris Collinsworth crediting the Arizona Cardinals run defense when we've only handed the ball off to A.P. thirteen times.
* E.J. Henderson's leg injury was gruesome. It's one of those injuries that sucks the life out of the stadium (even if it's not the home stadium of the injured player).
* Shiancoe is an excellent red zone threat...however, anywhere else on the field he is virutally useless. He doesn't win any one on one matchups and only gets separation from defenders by the play action...not by his own skill set.
* Brett Favre is entertaining...even when he sucks. My dad and I noticed that on his first interception...he did a no-look throw. He was staring down Percy Harvin to the right, but threw the ball down the middle hoping he could sneak a throw into Sidney Rice. It was highly comical and I haven't enjoyed an interception that "my team" has thrown ever...until this one came about...
* Ray Edwards has two offsides penalties...one of them negates an interception by Tyrell Johnson. I remember John Randle always jumping off sides...and I didn't mind that at the time because at least he got to the quarterback more than once every few weeks. You on the other hand...kill us on both ends...you get penalties, plus you don't get to the quarterback. Go work on your modeling.
* Brenda Warner defeats Deanna Favre 3-0 in the NFL housewives Super Bowl of camera shots. What the hell has Brenda Warner done to garner attention from the cameras to capture her reactions to the game? At least Deanna Favre battled through breast cancer for a feel good story, but Brenda...come on NBC, start a reality show if you want...but, don't ruin my football watching experience by showing me Brenda Warner singing and dancing to a Cardinals win.
* Memo to NFL color analysts: Bernard Berrian has either lost a step or is playing with a nagging injury. You can not give credit to corners and/or safeties and/or linebackers and/or defensive lineman for "blanketing Berrian and his blazing speed". Not only does he not look fast on some of these replays...the routes are not precise enough to get any separation. Berrian and Shiancoe must practice together on how to run routes and not get open.
SBG
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Gopher Hole
The Minnesota Golden Gopher basketball team has an unimpressive 4-3 record thus far. The three losses include: Portland, Texas A&M and Miami, Fl. The season is still long, but the team has put themselves in a hole to start the season. The team has struggled mightily in various aspects of the game...here are my frustrations thus far:
* Ralph Sampson III is weak. I don't know if Tubby is trying to build confidence in the young man by leaving him in the starting lineup, but Colton Iverson should be playing major minutes over him right now.
* No one on the entire squad has a mid-range game off the dribble on the offensive end. We either spot up behind the arc or drive carelessly at the hoop and risk a charge being called against us. Does anyone know what a jump stop is on this team?
* The zone offense is ridiculous. I'll be surprised if the Gophers don't see a zone thrown at them for stretches during every game (besides Michigan State/Izzo loves man to man defense) this year. Their ball movement is horrible and it's all around the perimeter during the majority of the possession. Get the ball in the middle and attack the zone.
* Our "defense" is overrated. I don't think they fight through and/or switch on picks well enough. We give up way too many uncontested three point attempts to our opponents. And lastly, but most importantly...we don't rebound well at all on the defensive end.
* Rodney Williams should not be starting. I know he's only a freshman, but he's a liability with the ball in his hands. With a team struggling to generate points...it's hard to do that while you are turning the ball over to the other team. Let him come in off the bench during stretches in the game where we decide we might want to put some full court pressure on our opponents.
* Good teams make free throws...Minnesota hasn't done that, potentially costing them at least a game (Texas A&M) if not two.
SBG
* Ralph Sampson III is weak. I don't know if Tubby is trying to build confidence in the young man by leaving him in the starting lineup, but Colton Iverson should be playing major minutes over him right now.
* No one on the entire squad has a mid-range game off the dribble on the offensive end. We either spot up behind the arc or drive carelessly at the hoop and risk a charge being called against us. Does anyone know what a jump stop is on this team?
* The zone offense is ridiculous. I'll be surprised if the Gophers don't see a zone thrown at them for stretches during every game (besides Michigan State/Izzo loves man to man defense) this year. Their ball movement is horrible and it's all around the perimeter during the majority of the possession. Get the ball in the middle and attack the zone.
* Our "defense" is overrated. I don't think they fight through and/or switch on picks well enough. We give up way too many uncontested three point attempts to our opponents. And lastly, but most importantly...we don't rebound well at all on the defensive end.
* Rodney Williams should not be starting. I know he's only a freshman, but he's a liability with the ball in his hands. With a team struggling to generate points...it's hard to do that while you are turning the ball over to the other team. Let him come in off the bench during stretches in the game where we decide we might want to put some full court pressure on our opponents.
* Good teams make free throws...Minnesota hasn't done that, potentially costing them at least a game (Texas A&M) if not two.
SBG
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