Henderson, MN Forums General Bleeding Purple Vikings Talk

Did i miss Bnag or Norton's take from the game Friday?

Cassel (Howard?) looked real good and will be the starter by game 7 after a 2 and 5 start. The MLB is real weak so K. Williams and Fred Evans will have to have a good year. The new Sheriff didn't impress me much. Colatteral Patterson made some plays but his hands look more like Quadry Ismael than Chris Carter. Hard to get a read on Pounder as he had three plays. They said it was going to be one series whether it was 3 plays or 7 minutes - there is no logic in that, very Denny Green like which shows the coaching staff is regressing. One thing they do have going this training camp is not a lot of press besides Jennings (Peter?) spouting off about his old team the Packers. Save the trash for Packers' week, I'm thinking he might have been brainwashed, which was probably a quick wash as there doesn't seem to be a lot there.

Right now I'm thinking 8 and 8 but after I get a haircut I'll know more.

I don't know if there's anything worth commenting on so far. Punter looks good. They'll get their money's worth out of him this year if THEY KEEP INSISTING ON THROWING THOSE #$!%& BUBBLE SCREENS!

Big tilt this Sunday in the motor city, in fact I would even go so far as to say the biggest game of the year so far. Backs against the wall, do or die, and get 'er done. (OK that might have been a stretch). I look for the Lions QB Fred Sanford to torch the Vikes for at least 6 TD's and the D line of the Lions will give the Vikings fits all game long. (Fits?) Lions favored by 5 points, take the Lions.

The big question going into the season - will Pounder develop into a better QB? I don't see it to be honest, towards the end of last season he did enough to win but his play needs to get a lot better and until he shows it, don't expect it. If fact, I look for Howard Cassel to be the starting QB around week 6 or 7.

Can AP and the offensive line stay healthy all year? Last season they all played in every game and one really shouldn't expect that this year. With the Vikes snapping up a lineman that was cut from the Bears it shows they are not real pleased with the backups for the O-line. Any hiccup along the way there will be a disaster.

The receiving group has some decent players, not sure if any of them are the game breaker like Percy was, but then again none are probably the head case he was either. Bottom line - if the QB is sailing the throws high look for some disgruntled receivers. Although, they can't get any worse at getting open than last year.

The D line is probably getting a little long in the tooth and don't expect Kevin Williams or Jared Allen to be any better than they have been in the past. The Williams leg injury is bigger than they are letting on to which means The Sheriff will get some major playing time. There's probably a reason why he dropped so far in the first round and first year D tackles don't exactly light up the place unless of course their dad named them Sue.

Besides Greenway, the whole linebacker crew would be backups at best on most teams. The middle linebacker position will be something to watch - I don't have much faith.

The D backs are a mixed lot. Chris Cook and Harrison Ford are probably above average but Josh Robinson reminds me more of Mrs. Robinson than Antonio Winfield. Where Xavier falls into place here will be something to watch - nothing too impressive in the preseason out of the kid but maybe he wasn't really trying.

Overall, I'm thinking this is the year the Vikings finally put it all together and win the Super Bowl. Well, either them or the Broncos.

Norton nailed most of his takes, especially that Sanford would light up the Vikings defense, the Lions D line would eat the Vikings offensive lineman like they were "iddy biddy crumbs at the bottom of the jar." And mostly, the Lions had little trouble covering the 5 points. If it hadn't been for the four or five TDs that the Lion's had called back it might've been 55-24 or something like that.

Norton's season preview missed on point, and after yesterday certainly rings true - Fire Childress!!

Somehow, Ponder managed to get sacked on this play. Apparently, #15, Greg Jennings (who Ponder appears to be staring straight at) IS NOT OPEN ENOUGH! Note the down and distance and time left on the clock.



Expect a whole lot of the same this Sunday in Chicago.

Da Bearse 30
Vikes 20

Wow!
Do you work for Fox?

One thing that you failed to mention is the passing lane that Ponder has to deliver an accurate throw. There are many a couch potato that could throw a football 10-yards to Jennings if given this situation. Keep in mind that Ponder and Jennings are still finding their way, and Jennings has to recognize the linebacker before him and know when to "sit down" on this route, although it looks like the linebacker has his attention turned to Peterson who appears to be emerging from the backfield.

The Bears don't have near the D line that the Lions do and Cutler doesn't have near the weapons that Stafford has which means a close game this Sunday. Peterson and the O line have some things to prove and look for them to pound the ball. The game really hinges on Cutler's performance so if the Vikes can get some early hits on the QB, look for the Vikes to win it in a close one. Don't count on it though as the Vikes' D line struggles on grass. Also notice how Cutler throws it in there when the receiver looks covered and how Ponder can't.

Bears favored by 6 1/2 points so take the Vikes.

Norton's takes are among the most prophetic that I've read, ever. He took the Lions in week #1, and his breakdown of the Vikings squad was spot on. His breakdown of this week's game v Chicago provides some great insight. It's refreshing that we have such great football minds in our midst, like Norton and BNag.

My football mind is limited to blaming it on the officials, like that roughing call and that interference call and that fumble at the goal line that they overturned. All were TOTALLY WRONG!!! Even the pronouncers hate Minnesota when they called us knuckleheads.