Two quick things

1

CROM has a twitter!  It Updates in the side bar. 

Please follow me or just visit the page, it's public.

2

  NEW POLL (in the side bar) 

Can Kyle Rudolph be as good as Steve Jordan?

Rudy has height and hands!

The wiki file on #83 Steve Jordan.  

Our best TE ever hands down. 

Six Pro Bowls, 498 RECs, 28 TDs

Over 40 tight ends have more TDs then Jordan 
but he was OUR best. Rudy will do it, no? 
Hell, he already has 6 TDs.

Week 4. At Lions.

Detroit... our second home haha. 

Trivia question- Who was the team we played against in our "home" game at ford field in 2010?

Well well well.  Won't this be fun!  Last year's two games against the Lions sure were.  First one we were up 20 and they came back and won in OT (see link below).  McNabb was our QB...  ACK!  Seems like 10 years ago!  

The second game we started out awful in Ponder's worst game ever probably.  He had 3 INTs and a fumble, they lead directly to two TDs.  Then WEBB came in and scored on a 60+ yard scamper and drove us to a first and goal down 6 with under a minute left.  We failed a play or two then they face masked him for a fumble that they recovered 50 yards back.  We should have had another first and goal... oh well.   

Cue the benny hill music. Who needs replacement refs?

Everyone is wondering about STAFFORD and MEGATRON... if Matthew is playing, if they'll light us up.  I have no idea.  We did pretty good against Crabtree, Moss and V. Davis last week though.  I am sure many Viking fans are starting both of them on their stupid fantasy team though.  I hope they don't do well.  We are playing more man and our safeties this year, though not great, are a lot more consistent.  (And getting better every week)  They'll still have some miscue- some guy will beat us over the top and the safety will arrive late but... let's not hope it's for a game winning TD or FG like last time.  Remember when they found Megatron on the long completion in OT last year.  Ouch

I hope we can string 4 quarters of offense, defense and special teams together.  We are a team built for a physical game, a possession game, a bend but don't break defense that occasionally can make the big play.  This game will come down to big plays and field goals.  Let's hope this isn't the game where Ponder throws his first INT or WALSH misses his first FG.

What do you guys think?  I think it's anyones game.  It will be close no matter what they have been year in and year out.  I hope AP has a big game, he AVG 99 yards and has 8 TDs vs them, he also loves turf and playing indoors.  Also let's not forget we have JEROME SIMPSON back. He'll be good for 5 for 80 I bet. (I hope)

tee hee

Jared Allen also likes to play the Lions.   In 13 games he has 9 sacks. Not bad.  He's a turf guy too.  (54 sacks on turf vs 51 on grass in 20+ less games) Our only other road - day - turf game this year was in INDY, we started out awful.  Hopefully Ponder and Company won't repeat that.  Hell let's see some razzle dazzle.  Do a hurry up for no reason.  Do a reverse WR option, run WEBB in a wild cat.  Pressure is on Detroit for this one.  Let's have some fun go in there and get the W!

SKOL!

I want to see this 4 times

Niners Game (2-1)

TWO and ONE... not too shabby.

I think I was the only person I know who wasn't expecting the Vikings to get blown out. (Edit- and David C. in LA)  My pregame sentiments...(time stamped by twitter)

"HELLO!?"

Obviously we played a real solid game, the opening drive, the end of the first half when we blocked a FG w/52 seconds,  then got our own FG.  Early in the fourth quarter with the long TD drive to put us up 11...  Then things got downright freakish at the end with the turnover fight between each team, the officials giving 4 time outs, Gerhardt fumbling 3 in a row etc.  I'm glad they didn't stick AP in he already had 25 carries and to be honest after the first two, I thought, "No way Toby fumbles again."   Weird shit happens.  He will probably fumble once the rest of the season. 

So what did that game accomplish besides the obvious 2-1 record.  As far as Vikes fans go, a lot.  Lots of people are being cured of their negativity and downright paranoia... I admit I too thought a couple times that the NINERS would get within three, kick and recover an onsides kick but then the miracle happened. 

We got an interception.  

Wait, who picked that off?

Even THEN it wasn't over, we fumbled, they recovered and on the next play Jared Allen said "eFF this" went in and got his first sack/forced fumble of the season (Robison recovered).  We were then able to take the knee.  The key here is, between a few 3 and outs and 2 turnovers, it was our DEFENSE making plays down the stretch to win this game.  Let's reflect on that... the DEFENSE.

They definitely get my game ball.  

Robison went went to Jareds for his gift wrapped pigskin

Ponder played stellar, here is a video recap... seems the announcers are warming to Ponder's ability. I'm not surprised at all by his success thus far.  Vikings only had one penalty, created 3 turnovers, had long drives... against one of the "best" teams in the league.   

Skills

All in all there is nothing but positives the only negative was the end of the game shenanigans with the fumbles and challenges etc but thanks to our defense we were unaffected by the Niners extra possessions.  The "old" vikings would have let them back in the game.   We did this with out any deep threat...  Look at these pedestrian numbers for San Fran.

I pity the fool who started them against us in fantasy haha

IT was a pretty great game, not perfect but definitely refreshing.  Next up, a hungry Detroit Lions team coming off a huge comeback loss... my sentiments about the game?  They're still the Lions.  Sure they swept us last year but once was in OT the other 34-28 on the road.  AP and ALLEN own the Lions.  No reason we can't win. I think the spread is Lions -4.  Here's some bulletin board fodder for the vikings from a betting site.

Though Christian Ponder is playing well for the Vikings to start the season, I still see him having a hard time against a Detroit Lions defensive line. The Lions are still giving up less than 100 yards on the ground so Ponder will have to make throws. With or without Matthew Stafford who is currently questionable, I still like Detroit to cover.

Yeah cuz he had such a hard time against the Niners defense right?  SMDH  Ponder has played the Lions once, in their house, it was the game where he threw 2 TDs but was pulled for 2 bad interceptions and Webb lead the comeback and we lost on the last play, first and goal, when they face masked Webb for the fumble. (it wasn't called) Ponder was also sacked for a fumble TD on the opening drive.  So that's two defensive touchdowns they scored.  Unlikely to happen again this time around. Ponder will be fine.

INDY. LOSS. 1-1

Reflections on the game...

This was a horse shoe and hand grenade kind of game...

Kid was elusive

Obviously the Colts had more Luck that day.  We pitter pattered for 3 quarters then turned it on.  We had a valiant comeback to tie it up scoring two touchdowns in the last 6 minutes.  Only to watch Luck make consecutive long completions with just 30 seconds left and set up Vinatieri for the game winner.

The first 3 quarters every Vikes fan was bored, listless, waiting for anything to get going.  Our only offense was Percy Harvin. But these games are 4 quarters. We finally got productive and scored a couple.  Though one was a lucky double tipped ball in the end zone.

If the game ended in the 3rd quarter there would be a lot of grumbling and bitching by Vike fans, and rightfully so, but I am glad our young offense showed some heart and a never say die attitude.  All in all Ponder played well, no interceptions, efficient passing.  We just didn't have a lot of options.  Hat tip to the Colts defense for that.   They also sacked Ponder 4 times.  We only got Luck once i believe, on that huge 3rd and long play at the end of the game.  We would have had 7 sacks against a QB who wasn't mobile. Oh well.

Another non sack

Over all you come from the game saying, "well, we're 1-1, and we won one we shouldn't have and lost one we shouldn't have" and it seems fair enough.  We haven't played a complete game yet.  And if you look around the league the list of 2-0 teams is quite odd.  It would have been nice to steal another one but if we can start playing 4 quarters of solid football we will be OK. 

Week 2 - INDY on the ROAD

Yo. 

We all want to play our "let's mess with the new rookie franchise quarter back" card.

Who could ever forget this?

Ok, Orlovsky wasn't quite "franchise"

Will it happen?  I have no idea.  If you want Xs and Os here is a real quick and concise take about coverages and disguises...  CLICK THIS LINK

We DID use a lot more man last week then we did last year.  I expect the Vikes to try their luck the same against INDY. (see what i did there?)

What are the other talking points of this game?

• Andrew Luck
• How will Andrew Luck do?
• Andrew Luck
• Dwight Freeney isn't playing
• Andrew Luck 

Meh.  Let's make that kid be an after thought.  Let him have his career day against someone else.  I want ALLEN to get 2 nice hard sacks and 5 knockdowns in total. That would make me happy. ( Or  Robison)  

To be honest I do not follow INDY at all.  They've always been the UTAH JAZZ of the NFL to me and it seems we've always done well against them barring a recent game. I can't even think of their coach or RB but then again I do not play fantasy football anymore.

I like this feature on NFL.com... it's in their game center.  I echo the sentiments of the majority here.

(click to enlarge)

What do you guys think?   I get so impatient on Saturday I don't even like talking about keys to the game, making predictions etc...  Instead I will tell you my modest hopes.

1. Defense  has more teeth. Get's more sacks & turnovers then week 1 (EDIT - DIDN'T HAPPEN)
2. Offense strings together more drives, that take up more possession (EDIT - DIDN'T HAPPEN)
3. AP doesn't get hurt. (EDIT - YAY! NO INJURIES)
4. People do their jobs (EDIT - NOT FOR ALL 4 QRTS)
5. Destroy the Colts, see them driven before us, and hear the lamentations of their fans

Is that asking a lot?

Croms says no it isn't!

What it will look like when Andrew runs out of luck

Welcome to the 1 - 0 Club

Feels good right?

Kid was clutch

It was fun to see how upset, worried, concerned and negative people got in the first half.   Sure we were playing sluggish, not many positives, but let's not jump to conclusions.   Especially with the complaints about play calling and the "Ponder sucks" sentiments.  Already?

There are many positives to take away from this game even though we barely won at home against a team that sucked balls last year.  On paper we played real "solid."  

Let's start with Christian Ponder, his numbers were nice. 20-27 for 270 yards, no INTs but no TDs. He also fumbled once on a nice fumble hit from behind.  I'll take it.  He showed poise in the 2nd half and completed some nice passes. He also spread the ball around to 3 receivers, the TEs and RBs.

How about WALSH!

BALLS

What else? Well aside from giving up that Janky late touchdown that would deflate ANY team (thanks Chris)  We showed resolve, heart, poise.  These are cliche sentiments but that's football.  Opportunities, guy is open, do we have protection?  Do we make the good throw?  Does he catch it? All sounds so simple when those over paid assholes on TV say "nice throw and catch" but it's actually pretty complicated in real time. We had 4 WRs against a zone when PONDER hit DEVIN AROMA in the seem. Nice play, in the clutch.

We all went from "OH no here we go again!?"  to "WHAT! YEAH BITCHES" in 20 seconds. This game is so rooted in momentum it's almost annoying.

I peeped C. Cooks twitter after the game to see how he'd handle his one bad play.  I liked his response. 

But it's nothing to handling assault charges, which he handled well.  Sometimes off field shit can mature a player... make them appreciate things better, try harder. Watch him get a pick 6 against LUCK.  Why not?

Here's my "glass half full glass half empty" point of the week.  People will say "Yo, Crom, we didn't get any sacks from our D Line though.. wtf?"

True

But we still won.  So imagine when we get 5?  We'll win by 10. 

Ima leave this short and sweet... This was about feelings.  We're all feeling optimistic right?  Positive at least.  We're in the top half of the league right now, and it feels good haha.

One and Oh- we missed you!

But not as much as we missed this...

Welcome Back A P !!

Never forget 9/11

Lego Matt!

(Via Shaun P)

click to enlarge

SKOL VIKINGS!

My Homer Take for 2012!

This will be the most vanilla post of the year.
Forgive me as I haven't gotten my juices going yet.

Having said that.

We can make the playoffs.  We have the skill sets!

Power

Agility

Speed

Intelligence 
(he learns fast!)

There are actually a  few logical things that keep me positive going into this season, I'm not just being a homer.  I'll make a nice bullet list and get this year's blog off to a professionalish start.

1. Ponder is showing the progress you want to see from a rookie to a sophomore QB
2. The offensive line has shown some congealing 
3. We lost TEN games last year by 7 pts or less
4. Those games came down to the last possession(s)
5. Cream puff schedule- have you seen it?  (It's to the left)  Easiest I've ever seen.

Normally a writer would go into these points one by one and expound on them but I am a blogger so I am not gonna do that.  I get all the reasons people are skeptical, if for nothing else then that no one wants to get their hopes up then feel like shit.  I didn't want to renew FRAZIER'S contract, he made more game time mistakes in his 19 games then CHILLY did in his whole career with the Vikes.  But I got how the WILF's already had CHILLY's money to pay as well.   He didn't show me anything but I know the company line is "he didn't have time to implement his system."   He's obviously a "great guy" and a player's coach.  Let's hope they got rid of the bad apples and are all gonna play to a high level.

We'll see.

Last year I waxed on about how I thought McNaff would be a good fit for us... I had no clue what a weirdo he would be.  I admit I WAS WRONG. At least the post was fun to read. The guy is just cancer.  So were a few other players...  The only players who played balls out last year were Allen, AP, Harvin and Kluwe.  I think Ponder did pretty good considering he started VS the PACK, had no training camp and played with injuries the last few games.  I think that guy is gonna be a gem and he isn't scared to stay in the pocket.  The real key for us will be the O LINE, ball control, staying on the field, giving the RBs holes and keeping our defense off the field.

This is the kind of real estate we need

I know this is all obvious stuff... I never liked to report on training camp, who made plays etc. In fact I didn't even see one preseason game this year.  That's all hype and speculation.  Sunday VS Jacksonville the new campaign starts and then I am all in.  I am looking forward to how we use the TEs, how PONDER mixes in roll outs with pocket passes, how well we set our RBs up for positive yardage.  Will AP be his old self?  I think so.

Y'all know this too- In the first ten games we only play division games twice, vs DETROIT.  Let's call that a split.  Let's call the others 5-3. I would take 6-4 going into the last 6 games with two a piece VS the Bears and the Pack. Anything can happen by then...

It couldn't be any worse then last year could it?

How can a team that is top 5 in Sacks be tied for worst in interceptions and dead last in opponent passer rating?  

I have no clue.  I know the damn PACK led the league in INTs but was bottom 20's in sacks. I still scratch my head. Obviously it has a lot to do with schemes, pressure, baiting and executing etc. Things we never did last year.

If we can just MAKE SOME GOD DAMN PLAYS on defense we will be OK.  Rookies CAN make an impact.  It doesn't have to mean we will suck. Remember this rookie? 

Pick Six Bitch

No better time then Sunday against Gabbert to play confident, make plays and rejuvenate some seriously shell shocked SKOLERS.  A bad game and people will be saying "here we go again..."

I hate those people.

We shall see.

Please peep the POLL in the side bar and let me know what you think.

SKOL!