Brought to you by Mr. Cheer or Die and the Vikes Geek, welcome to the
Views and Personal Photos on the Vikes from the Inaugural Hall of Fame fan.
Brought to you by Mr. Cheer or Die and the Vikes Geek, welcome to theI've only enough time to express views today. I'll try and get back to more detail later in the week.
Talk about a laugher on Sunday. The only issue is, are the Vikings actually improving or was Detroit just that bad? We'll find out this Sunday when the Vikes travel to New York to play the NFC East leading Giants.
Just as Tice has a great record against the Lions, not having lost a game in his tenure, the Giants have won three straight against Tice. I've often referred to the Giants as Tice's Achilles Heel. In seasons past we have seen the Vikes on a roll and then play the Giants and get smoked. And Vegas already has Big Blue as ten-point favorites.
We'll find out just how much the team has improved this coming Sunday.
Tice Approval
After the loss to Carolina, Tice's Approval Rating tumbled to 11% for the week and 42% for the season. Vote your rating post Detroit to the left. You can also vote your thoughts on why you think the team won against the Lions in a new poll found also to the left.
NFC North
Is there still hope ahead? You bet there is. You can do a similar exercise and come up with your own season end projections as I did below:
The current standings
Chicago 5 3 (3-0 Divisional)
Minnesota 3 5 (2-1 Divisional)
Detroit 3 5 (1-3 Divisional)
Green Bay 1 7 (0-2 Divisional)
My projected season end standings
Chicago 7 9 (5-1 Divisional)
Detroit 4 12 (1-5 Divisional)
Minnesota 8 8 (5-1 Divisional)
Green Bay 2 14 (1-5 Divisional)
Huge games that loom ahead for the Vikings are the St. Louis game on 12/11 and the season ending game against the Bears on New Years Day which could actually decide the divisional championship. The Bears have a very tough schedule in the second half of the season.
Bottom line; the Vikes are still in the thick of it!!!!
Where Was Daunte?
Did anyone see Daunte at the game? Did I just miss him? I didn't see him at all and was disappointed in that. Again, I could have missed him so please correct me if I'm wrong in that. I heard he watched Sunday's game from home because of the knee injury but I would have expected him to be in attendance.
Big Bad Brad certainly made an impression with his teammates in the win against the Lions. And I'm not trying to start a QB controversy. But look at some of these quotes:
"Brad just has had a calming effect," said offensive coordinator Steve Loney. "It's like when you're a little kid and there's a thunderstorm, and you're with your Dad, and he says, 'Everything's going to be all right.' You know it will be."
"The thing with Brad is, you always know he's going to be a professional," said offensive tackle Mike Rosenthal. "You always know he's going to help us out, he's going to talk to us, he's going to come to us and ask, 'What can I do to help you guys?'"
Guard Adam Goldberg said. "He's proven to this league, and our team, that he can come in there and orchestrate victories. He's a great player. He takes charge of the huddle, gives reminders on key things on every play. He does everything a veteran quarterback should do."
"He's a smart quarterback," coach Mike Tice said. "He's going to be efficient for us. He might not be as explosive, but he made a couple of nice plays down the field. He manages the game very well."
Your thoughts on Brad's play and Daunte not being at the game? Leave a comment below.
I think the Super Bowl victory has a LOT to do with it. Think about it: The biggest game of your career, every play will be analyzed from frame to frame, and you are in a neutral stadium. After pulling out a victory, wouldn't YOU, as a QB, be a little more calm during a regular season game in the future seasons?
Brad did bring something to the QB position that Culpepper didn't: Quick decision making and release. He also seemed to have a little life in his arm. That being said the offense still stalled at times and we could not convert thrid downs. I thought there was too much pressure (still). So if we are not going to improve our pass protection this year - Brad Johnson is a better QB for this offense, with his quick release and decision making. I am a Culpepper fan but he needs a bit more time in the pocket, and he is not going to get it with the current Offensive line. I am not convinced with the win. We scored 14 points off turnovers with a extremely short field, but aside from that not much there. We will find out next week.
Posted by: Thomas K at November 7, 2005 08:29 AMDaunte Culpepper is like KG and Karl Malone a great player that doesn't rise to perform under the greatest pressure. Ride the season out with Brad, draft a new QB (Vince Young shoud be avaliable mid first round among others, Leinart will obviously be gone) let Brad train him for a year and hope we are contenders again by 2008. If we get anything trading for a rehabbed Daunte even better.
Posted by: Geoff at November 7, 2005 09:02 AMBrad has always been one of my favorite Vikes, so if Culpepper had to go down, I am glad it's Brad backing him.
It's ridiculous and insane for anyone to suggest that Brad is a better QB for this team or any other team than Culpepper. The difference yesterday was the offensive line. We haven't had holes for the running game all year like that.
It's a shame and it's very sad that so many people in Minny will always be blinded by color when it comes to judging a QB. It's painfully obvious.
Posted by: JR at November 7, 2005 10:00 AMBrad is a good backup, who should have replaced the starter when that starter struggled.
Do not judge Daunte based on this one bad season. If they improve the line next year and he still stinks then let the discussion begin, but the Daunte is a great QB and has a much higher ceiling than Brad.
Posted by: J. Lichty at November 7, 2005 10:03 AMI agree with you J. Duante is not a pro bowl Quarterback because he looks good in purple. He was the QB for a team that has ranked in the top 5 if offense for the last 5 years. That, in it self, should define him as a outstanding QB. And he is #3 lifetime in Quarterback Rating, you don't do that if you aren't an elite QB. His only problem is he can't play defense too.
My point was that because of Brad's quicker release he has a better chance this year because of the poor pass protection. Brad did not light it up on Sunday, but he did get rid of the ball, something Duante struggled with this year. It is insane to give up on Daunte, he is a compeitor, and he will come back stronger, tougher and perhaps wiser.
And I agree with your color observation, no other reason for the bashers (even with the year he had last year)
Posted by: Thomas K at November 7, 2005 10:40 AMI think DC would have done the same this week maybe even better. Having said that I would not be suprised if we draft a QB this year. 12 months rehab for a quick healer puts him out next year also, unless the team wants to carry him on the roster. If it's 18 months like some suggest then he won't be back until training camp 07 and I don't think BJ can QB this team for 1.5 years without being in the same spot as Cully. So what to do? Bite his signing bonus, restructre his contract, or draft? Looks like the GM Zygi picks is going to have an impact right away.
Posted by: Lonnie at November 7, 2005 12:59 PMOne other thing. We will see how calming Johnson is next week. I hope for the best and expect the worst. I hope I eat this post 42-10 Giants.
Posted by: Lonnie at November 7, 2005 01:02 PMHow can questioning Daunte's ability to lead on the field be considered a racist statement? I don't see it. Hell, I questioned Jeff George back in 1999...great ability but no leadership. I believe that's all that people are saying here...at least I hope so. Brad has less ability than Daunte but a history of leadership.
Look, I've said this on my podcasts for the past several weeks. With two minutes to go in the game and the team down, I don't have confidence in Daunte. Look at the history of Elway, Young, Montana, (gulp!) Favre. When the chips are down, those QBs found a way to rally the players and win. I don't get that with Daunte. Maybe he can develop it. If not, then we move on...period.
Posted by: Brian Maas at November 7, 2005 01:13 PMI just remember two games last year (at Colts & at Green Bay) where a Daunte led offense scored Touchdowns to take a lead in the game only to watch (yet again) our defense give up yards and points to lose games. What can Daunte possibly do about that? Put Montana on a team where a defense gives up 25 pts a game and he dosen't win any Super Bowls.
Daunte can do one thing Brad can't - and that is win a game by himself.
Posted by: Thomas K at November 7, 2005 01:37 PMI mean come on - even Favre didn't win the big one until Reggie White arrived in Green Bay!
Posted by: Thomas K at November 7, 2005 01:42 PMTK: You are reading too much into my statement. Let me make it very simple. Your team is down by 6 pts with under two minutes to go and you are 85-yards away from a game winning TD. Whom do you want as your QB? Elway or Daunte?
Daunte has the 'ability' to get the job done but do his teammates 'believe' he can lead them?
Posted by: Brian Maas at November 7, 2005 01:52 PMBrian: Elway.... but you are talking about a Hall of Fame QB, and you don't find those on trees. I mean how many QBs playing today would you put on Elway's level? Elway didn't win the big one until Terrel Davis joined him.
I do believe his teammates believe in him, look at the game w/Green Bay this year; They said he is the Michael Jordan of their team (Darren Sharper).
I do think there is some self doubt on this team, but I don't think its of DC, I think they doubt the coaching, and rightfully so!
Posted by: Thomas K at November 7, 2005 02:08 PMTK: Well, if you are going to bring in coaching then we might as well spit into the wind. As Tice would say, "I need a hug....hahahahaha"
Posted by: Brian Maas at November 7, 2005 02:33 PMBrian: Thanks for the debate; hopefully we won't be debating about Shuan Hill vs Brad Johnson in a few weeks. Then we will know we hit rock bottom (althou the term Rock Bottom as it applies to the Vikes keeps on taking on a new meaning).
Posted by: Thomas K at November 7, 2005 02:46 PMWho do want, Elway or Daunte? What kind of question is that?
Quick, you're down in the 9th with 2 outs, need a HR to win, who would you rather have - Babe Ruth or Adam Dunn? 1 second left, need a bucket to win, who would you rather have - Jordan or Dewayne Wade? It's just a silly question... um, I would have to go with the all-time greats over the good but no track record yet young guys. But that doesn't really tell you anything.
How about, who would you rather have, Daunte or Vick? Or Daunte or anyone that is still in the league? I can only think of 3 or 4 active players i would rather have in that situation... so that's not to shabby.
Get well soon Daunte. Big Bad Brad is gonna get your job!!
Posted by: Patrick at November 7, 2005 06:14 PMBrian. didn't Daunte bring us to a last second victory over the 'Peckers' just a few weeks ago? No, he isn't an Elway or Montana but, who is? I don't recall but, i'm sure someone will; How many game winning drives as Daunte produced? I'll bet he's had his share in the short time he's been around. I like Brad...alot! But i'm STILL a Daunte fan through & through!
Jesse
(in Calif.)