The Leslie Frazier era is upon us...here are my random observations from the game:
* Nothing says your team has no chance at the post season more than your cable provider (Direct TV) wanting you to air the Packers/Falcons (was being played at the same time of Vikings/Redskins game) based on the channel/guide information.
* Anyone else notice Ray Edwards get hurt late in the first half...and then the pass rush picked up without him in the 2nd half while Brian Robison was in the mix? Maybe some other 2nd half adjustments helped, but maybe not.
* Asher Allen looked serviceable today...it seemed like Leslie helped out a lot by mixing in multiple blitzes and dropping a variety of linebackers and defensive lineman in coverage to change things up. Of course, Washington has absolutely zero play makers though...but, anything is an improvement in play for Allen.
* I want Leslie Frazier to win the head coaching job. Most people bring up Dungy and Tomlin winning Super Bowls as head coaches and both being defensive coordinators previously with the Vikings...but, I just love his demeanor on the sidelines. Everything seems to be in control...even if it's not.
* Is Favre just punishing the Vikings fan base...are you kidding me that he runs for a first down on a 3rd and 8 play (to secure the win) on a team that has virtually no playoff aspirations? Yet, he decides to throw against his body, into coverage instead of gaining a few yards (for a potential game winning field goal attempt) during the NFC Championship game...what the FUCK...???
* How do you explain the block in the back gift call that we received on Banks' punt return for a TD (that would've put Washington ahead 20-17)? It was an illegal block, but I can't believe that they actually had the balls to call it. I just have a feeling that if Childress was still our coach that this would be a convenient "no call" for the refs.
* McNabb won't be with Washington next year. They were showing some of the dialouges that he had with Shanahan's kid (offensive coordinator) between possessions...and it was ugly, almost as if McNabb has already checked out for the year. I mean if the Vikings weren't such a great sideshow week in and week out for the NFL, Washington would be Ed Werder's temporary home during the NFL season.
* Good win for the Vikes...and congratulations to Leslie Frazier.
SBG
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Week 11 Recap: Packers @ Vikings
Packer week had as much buzz as Lion week. Here is a sobering look on what I witnessed in another pathetic week of football (I'm so happy Gopher basketball is in the mix now):
* Clay Matthews gets a weak sack tallied on the opening series (where Favre rolls out and slides right before the sideline). I don't get this play by Favre. He's out of the pocket so he could of just easily thrown the ball away or just take an extra two strides to get out of bounds. Is he concerned about his stat line and/or QB rating by throwing an incomplete pass?
* I didn't fucking start Greg Jennings on my fantasy team. Opted for Fitzgerald and Maclin instead. This game sucked on so many levels.
* Misspelling Kevin Williams (spelled: Willaims) on his jersey....when they have three Williams' on the team. If there is one they could of gotten away with they should have misspelled Madieu's since no one would be able to read it cleanly due to him running circles when getting juked out by opposing wide receivers.
* Ray Edwards had two sacks. But, my favorite part of his game today was him bitching out Cook and Allen (the two corners getting toasted the whole game). I'm not a big Ray Edwards fan, in fact I hate him...but, that was the most life I've seen out of the defense in about three weeks.
* Sidney Rice made his return today. I seriously blame him heavily for how this whole season unraveled. I know there's plenty of other scapegoats for this team's poor performance...but, this guy could have had hip surgery in the off season like it was suggested by two or three specialists. He neglected that information, then decided to do it after all at the start of the season. So we trade Sapp (could of used a corner the way Allen and Cook are playing) to Miami for Camarillo to get receiver depth. We then fail miserably on the Moss deal, while also giving up a 3rd rounder to New England. He then pushes back his return date a couple more weeks when we were still on the outside fringe of the playoff picture...thus, we get eliminated from the playoffs before Thanksgiving.
* No holding calls on Green Bay (offense and defensive...cough Woodson). I just find that hard to believe...just saying.
SBG
* Clay Matthews gets a weak sack tallied on the opening series (where Favre rolls out and slides right before the sideline). I don't get this play by Favre. He's out of the pocket so he could of just easily thrown the ball away or just take an extra two strides to get out of bounds. Is he concerned about his stat line and/or QB rating by throwing an incomplete pass?
* I didn't fucking start Greg Jennings on my fantasy team. Opted for Fitzgerald and Maclin instead. This game sucked on so many levels.
* Misspelling Kevin Williams (spelled: Willaims) on his jersey....when they have three Williams' on the team. If there is one they could of gotten away with they should have misspelled Madieu's since no one would be able to read it cleanly due to him running circles when getting juked out by opposing wide receivers.
* Ray Edwards had two sacks. But, my favorite part of his game today was him bitching out Cook and Allen (the two corners getting toasted the whole game). I'm not a big Ray Edwards fan, in fact I hate him...but, that was the most life I've seen out of the defense in about three weeks.
* Sidney Rice made his return today. I seriously blame him heavily for how this whole season unraveled. I know there's plenty of other scapegoats for this team's poor performance...but, this guy could have had hip surgery in the off season like it was suggested by two or three specialists. He neglected that information, then decided to do it after all at the start of the season. So we trade Sapp (could of used a corner the way Allen and Cook are playing) to Miami for Camarillo to get receiver depth. We then fail miserably on the Moss deal, while also giving up a 3rd rounder to New England. He then pushes back his return date a couple more weeks when we were still on the outside fringe of the playoff picture...thus, we get eliminated from the playoffs before Thanksgiving.
* No holding calls on Green Bay (offense and defensive...cough Woodson). I just find that hard to believe...just saying.
SBG
Monday, November 15, 2010
Week 10 Recap: Vikings @ Bears
Bears suck, but Vikings suck worse...here's a recap:
* What a bitch move by Bernard Berrian declaring he can't play at the last minute, thus wasting a roster spot that could have been used to help our special teams (who played like shit). Just add it on the pile of selfish moves made by players on this roster. Brett Favre misses camp and has to be begged by three teammates. Sidney Rice elects for surgery during the start of the season (instead of the off season, this happened in the NFC Championship Game LAST YEAR). Randy Moss being Randy Moss. Anonymous players go to Chicago's press to air out dirty laundry on Childress and the locker room situation. The "culture of accountability" is out the window.
* Adrian Peterson was ineffective. I'm not sure if he's nursing an injury, but I've never seen him look that slow and upright while running the ball since he's been a Viking. Even his bad runs can some times be entertaining, but he just looked out of it.
* I can't put my hands around how to evaluate this defense. Obviously Lito, Cook, Allen (when healthy) and the safeties are targeted via pass by the opposing offenses. Our defensive line is generating no rush, thus we blitz...but, our blitzes are even getting picked up (rather easily I might say) so then we're man-to-man on the back end which is a horrible situation if you go back to where they (opposing offense) pick on every person in the secondary, not named Winfield. How do you have Jared Allen and Kevin Williams (who both demand double teams occasionally) and not generate a PASS RUSH??
* On Hester's TD, Ray Edwards fell down while back-pedaling in coverage. He would've at least been there for the tackle, maybe even a possible interception (I doubt it, but I like to exaggerate). Speaking of Ray Edwards...you need to give Chilly and management some props for not signing this guy to an extension. He wanted the bank based on one stinking performance against Dallas in the playoffs. He hasn't done anything since. He blows.
* Just thinking back to last year, I thought we were squared away (balance and depth) at every position (outside of a long term answer at quarterback) for the 2010 draft. Now, fast forward to this year...I don't think we have enough picks to accomodate all our needs. I think we still have a great base of talent, but the depth I thought we had last year is not there...or, at least it needs to be re-evaluated. Corner, safety, quarterback, offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver...all need help. I think the running back and linebacker core is strong, but depending on injuries and who leaves via free agency (maybe Greenway)...those might even need a bolster.
* In a drunken temper tantrum because of the outcome of the game, I broke my son's toy basketball hoop. Don't judge me...it was a piece of crap anyways...and we needed an upgrade any ways. How do you convince your kid to play basketball over hockey when the rim falls off after every five shots...?? Pretty soon he's going to think that's part of the game.
SBG
* What a bitch move by Bernard Berrian declaring he can't play at the last minute, thus wasting a roster spot that could have been used to help our special teams (who played like shit). Just add it on the pile of selfish moves made by players on this roster. Brett Favre misses camp and has to be begged by three teammates. Sidney Rice elects for surgery during the start of the season (instead of the off season, this happened in the NFC Championship Game LAST YEAR). Randy Moss being Randy Moss. Anonymous players go to Chicago's press to air out dirty laundry on Childress and the locker room situation. The "culture of accountability" is out the window.
* Adrian Peterson was ineffective. I'm not sure if he's nursing an injury, but I've never seen him look that slow and upright while running the ball since he's been a Viking. Even his bad runs can some times be entertaining, but he just looked out of it.
* I can't put my hands around how to evaluate this defense. Obviously Lito, Cook, Allen (when healthy) and the safeties are targeted via pass by the opposing offenses. Our defensive line is generating no rush, thus we blitz...but, our blitzes are even getting picked up (rather easily I might say) so then we're man-to-man on the back end which is a horrible situation if you go back to where they (opposing offense) pick on every person in the secondary, not named Winfield. How do you have Jared Allen and Kevin Williams (who both demand double teams occasionally) and not generate a PASS RUSH??
* On Hester's TD, Ray Edwards fell down while back-pedaling in coverage. He would've at least been there for the tackle, maybe even a possible interception (I doubt it, but I like to exaggerate). Speaking of Ray Edwards...you need to give Chilly and management some props for not signing this guy to an extension. He wanted the bank based on one stinking performance against Dallas in the playoffs. He hasn't done anything since. He blows.
* Just thinking back to last year, I thought we were squared away (balance and depth) at every position (outside of a long term answer at quarterback) for the 2010 draft. Now, fast forward to this year...I don't think we have enough picks to accomodate all our needs. I think we still have a great base of talent, but the depth I thought we had last year is not there...or, at least it needs to be re-evaluated. Corner, safety, quarterback, offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver...all need help. I think the running back and linebacker core is strong, but depending on injuries and who leaves via free agency (maybe Greenway)...those might even need a bolster.
* In a drunken temper tantrum because of the outcome of the game, I broke my son's toy basketball hoop. Don't judge me...it was a piece of crap anyways...and we needed an upgrade any ways. How do you convince your kid to play basketball over hockey when the rim falls off after every five shots...?? Pretty soon he's going to think that's part of the game.
SBG
Monday, November 8, 2010
Week 9 Recap: Cardinals @ Vikings
Wow...the roller coaster of emotions through a three hour football game the week is off the charts. It was another lousy executed game on many fronts for the Vikings, but they somehow find the magic from 2009 season to pull off an extremely important win for Brad Childress and their own playoff chances. Here are my drunken observations:
* Greg Camarillo. Brilliant. Awesome hustle play to strip the ball (from the defender just before he crosses the goal line). If that play ends up being a pick six...negativity sets in early on the drunkards at the game and it might go down in flames quickly. Also, how about Camarillo getting some good chunks of yards on the punt return game...and he also chipped in with some big catches. We're finally seeing dividends in week 9 (better late than never, I guess) on the Benny Sapp deal.
* Is Kenny Albert the ugliest play-by-play man you've ever seen? I think so.
* Bernard Berrian stepped up. However, it's hilarious to watch Percy catch it and run recklessly over the middle (sometimes running over defenders) versus Berrian twinkle toeing his way around big hits. And he's doing all this while wearing bright yellow shoes...as if he was Donald "Yellow Shoes" Brown from Wayne State University.
* The Fox halftime show (Strahan and Long) was ridiculous. They basically admitted without admitting that they didn't watch the entire first half. Their commentary was that Arizona was winning because Derek Anderson was a great game manager. Arizona was up 14-10. Half of those fourteen points was because of special teams (kickoff return for a TD). Derek Anderson did operate ONE solid drive at the end of the half against a "prevent/lets not tackle anyone defense" for a touchdown, but other than that he was virtually invisible for the half (and the rest of the game). Way to dig deep by watching the last two minutes of the half to create your opinion on the game.
* Percy Harvin steals "The Willis Reed: Limper of the Game Award" this week from Brett Favre. Brett Favre has dominated this award since his arrival to Minnesota in 2009.
* It's getting harder and harder to defend Brad Childress. I'm starting to think his play-calling/philosophy is HORRIBLE on offense. We still suck on 3rd and short situations. We still don't use Adrian Peterson enough (he would've only had around 40-50 yards total on the ground on minimal carries if he didn't break that 30+ yard gain in overtime...unacceptable.) Childress was on the verge of losing his job if he lost this game, and his offensive game plan was pretty much just throw it all around the field so we can show the whole league that we didn't need Randy Moss....while abandoning the most consistent threat he has on the team (Adrian Peterson). We're going into week 10 of the season...and I have no fucking clue what our identity is on offense. Next week: my wild guess is that Sidney Rice comes back healthy and then we turn into an ultra conservative offense and Peterson gets to carry the ball 35 times against Chicago.
SBG
* Greg Camarillo. Brilliant. Awesome hustle play to strip the ball (from the defender just before he crosses the goal line). If that play ends up being a pick six...negativity sets in early on the drunkards at the game and it might go down in flames quickly. Also, how about Camarillo getting some good chunks of yards on the punt return game...and he also chipped in with some big catches. We're finally seeing dividends in week 9 (better late than never, I guess) on the Benny Sapp deal.
* Is Kenny Albert the ugliest play-by-play man you've ever seen? I think so.
* Bernard Berrian stepped up. However, it's hilarious to watch Percy catch it and run recklessly over the middle (sometimes running over defenders) versus Berrian twinkle toeing his way around big hits. And he's doing all this while wearing bright yellow shoes...as if he was Donald "Yellow Shoes" Brown from Wayne State University.
* The Fox halftime show (Strahan and Long) was ridiculous. They basically admitted without admitting that they didn't watch the entire first half. Their commentary was that Arizona was winning because Derek Anderson was a great game manager. Arizona was up 14-10. Half of those fourteen points was because of special teams (kickoff return for a TD). Derek Anderson did operate ONE solid drive at the end of the half against a "prevent/lets not tackle anyone defense" for a touchdown, but other than that he was virtually invisible for the half (and the rest of the game). Way to dig deep by watching the last two minutes of the half to create your opinion on the game.
* Percy Harvin steals "The Willis Reed: Limper of the Game Award" this week from Brett Favre. Brett Favre has dominated this award since his arrival to Minnesota in 2009.
* It's getting harder and harder to defend Brad Childress. I'm starting to think his play-calling/philosophy is HORRIBLE on offense. We still suck on 3rd and short situations. We still don't use Adrian Peterson enough (he would've only had around 40-50 yards total on the ground on minimal carries if he didn't break that 30+ yard gain in overtime...unacceptable.) Childress was on the verge of losing his job if he lost this game, and his offensive game plan was pretty much just throw it all around the field so we can show the whole league that we didn't need Randy Moss....while abandoning the most consistent threat he has on the team (Adrian Peterson). We're going into week 10 of the season...and I have no fucking clue what our identity is on offense. Next week: my wild guess is that Sidney Rice comes back healthy and then we turn into an ultra conservative offense and Peterson gets to carry the ball 35 times against Chicago.
SBG
Monday, November 1, 2010
Week 8 Recap: Vikings @ Patriots
It's hard to write these when we're losing...in the beginning when Favre came back, and then we acquired Moss a few weeks later...I thought that even if the season got ugly, it would still be interesting with the cast of characters we have in the mix. Well, when you're an actual fan of the TEAM (not just the people wearing the laundry)...it still sucks when you lose...no matter what type of side shows you have on your roster. Here's what I took away from the game:
* How do we pound the ball on the ground relentlessly at the Patriots defense throughout the majority of the game and still manage to not be able to convert first downs on 3rd and short or 4th and short situations...?? Are we too predictable...should we do play-action instead...why do we even think about running to the right side (weaker side of our offensive line)...??
* Chilly's challenge on the Patriots (Brandon Tate, I believe) long reception over the middle was stupid. Way too early in the game and it was quite obvious in real time that the ball wasn't even close to hitting the ground.
* Also, not kicking the field goal before halftime and going for it on the 4th and goal play was the right decision. The play-calling like all 3rd and shorts & 4th and shorts however, was horrible. But, the actual decision to go for it was not. And if you think a three point lead would somehow have won us the game...just rewind to a week earlier when the Vikings led the Packers by a score of 17-14 at halftime.
* Shiancoe is overrated. I wrote this last year, but he's tough to watch. He ONLY gets open on pass routes if the play-action is in play and the defense bites on it. He can't get any separation otherwise. He never catches a pass clean (bobbles or just plain doesn't trust himself to catch it clean and turn up the field), thus he doesn't get any YAC (yards after catch). He's big and athletic, but can't break a tackle to save his life.
* Have to admit that I was kind of anxious to see if T-Jack would come in and lead us to a comeback victory...that was up until I saw him drop back and get sacked on his first attempt of the second possession. That was a typical T-Jack sack...staring at one receiver the whole time while getting bullrushed up the middle and not even noticing it due to his eyes being glued on the receiver.
* Patriots need to just wear their "throwback" every game from here on out. I hate Boston in general, but those jerseys are sweet.
SBG
* How do we pound the ball on the ground relentlessly at the Patriots defense throughout the majority of the game and still manage to not be able to convert first downs on 3rd and short or 4th and short situations...?? Are we too predictable...should we do play-action instead...why do we even think about running to the right side (weaker side of our offensive line)...??
* Chilly's challenge on the Patriots (Brandon Tate, I believe) long reception over the middle was stupid. Way too early in the game and it was quite obvious in real time that the ball wasn't even close to hitting the ground.
* Also, not kicking the field goal before halftime and going for it on the 4th and goal play was the right decision. The play-calling like all 3rd and shorts & 4th and shorts however, was horrible. But, the actual decision to go for it was not. And if you think a three point lead would somehow have won us the game...just rewind to a week earlier when the Vikings led the Packers by a score of 17-14 at halftime.
* Shiancoe is overrated. I wrote this last year, but he's tough to watch. He ONLY gets open on pass routes if the play-action is in play and the defense bites on it. He can't get any separation otherwise. He never catches a pass clean (bobbles or just plain doesn't trust himself to catch it clean and turn up the field), thus he doesn't get any YAC (yards after catch). He's big and athletic, but can't break a tackle to save his life.
* Have to admit that I was kind of anxious to see if T-Jack would come in and lead us to a comeback victory...that was up until I saw him drop back and get sacked on his first attempt of the second possession. That was a typical T-Jack sack...staring at one receiver the whole time while getting bullrushed up the middle and not even noticing it due to his eyes being glued on the receiver.
* Patriots need to just wear their "throwback" every game from here on out. I hate Boston in general, but those jerseys are sweet.
SBG
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