Well.... That happened. ( 1-4 )

So, here we are...

"The Weeping Blondes"

The good news is...
Well the silver lining us...
Well the cup is...

Half full?
Half empty?
Who cares it's leaking!

I think it's time for a regime change to lead these Vikings in the right direction!

Frazier is on the left...

I'm not gonna talk about that Loss. At least it easier for us to all come together in the Purpe Party. We all seem to support change, seeing what we have with Freeman and acknowledging that our defense is our biggest problem.


At this point in the season most of us have resigned our playoffs hopes and are watching because we are die hard fans and we hope for some positives.  I haven't ruled out the playoffs yet, but only because I am hoping for some miracles. The fact that we just lost Harrison Smith really adds to my doubts about stringing together some victories but who knows?  Here are the few things I am looking forward to seeing.

• The line playing better and AP getting back on pace for a record (Well he's still on pace actually)
• Freeman playing better then we imagine he will
• Seeing Rudolph and Jennings targeted more
• Seeing some of these youngins on defense get more playing time and produce

As far as the Giants game Monday- Usually I go into these uber confident per our past 4 or 5 games with them but seeing as this year the Vikings give every opposing QB their best game of the year, I don't feel so confident.  I don't have time to look up Eli's best game this year but takes those stats and add 20% haha.  That's my prediction.  In my "pick em" league I picked total 62 points for the Monday night's game... 

Yes I expect us to put up some points.  Hopefully I will be at the game!  We shall see.  I have to run to work now,

Let's regroup and WIN! SKOL!

BREAKING "Vikings sign QB Josh Freeman to a one year contract"

I'm THRILLED!  

I'll give you my take when the dust settles. Firstly I'd like to post some stats and videos of our newest player and welcome him to the team!  His twitter handle is @JF5x 
  

How many much will his followers number go up?

If you're dying for up to the minute news stories on the Freeman signing click here. It's every news source online!  Here is a take from last night from an anonymous source within the Vikings.

"I think Josh Freeman is a good player," a Vikings source told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "We just have to figure out where things went wrong in Tampa Bay so we can help him. He is too young not to progress."

Ok, let's look at his career stats.  Click on any image to enlarge them all and scroll in the light box.  I picked situational stats to get a better look.

It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the dome games week in and out if he sticks around.  (Though he is 2-0 here)  One thing that pops out to me, he seems solid in short and long passing plays, but real herky jerk with intermediate routes, same can be said for when he is in opposition territory trying to get into scoring position.  Does this mean he is just bad at making reads and decisions?  WELP 

I honestly have only seen the kid play the two times he played against us. He played great, he was 41-67, 500 yards, 4 TDs and one INT.  He also engineered that nice 17-0 comeback against us the first time around and last year they beat us pretty sound in the dome as well.  

Here are some highlights of what he is capable of... he definitely has a great arm!  He also seems fearless, which may explain some the interception numbers.  His passer rating in tie games is his best.

Super Bowl homeboy =D

Here is the most recent video after he was benched...

Here are some videos indicting SCHIANO...

Via sports nation

Ed Werder discusses Tampa Bay drama

"Schiano is too damn stubborn"

This is home made but details the Beef between he and Freeman

Here is a "parting shot" at the Bucs by Bob ryan.  

Here Tampa  Bay QB Trent Dilfer discusses the Freeman signing.

Here is a great blog about the implications of the signing on Ponder. 

So what do you guys think? Feel free to sound off in the comments below.  SKOL!

We Won! Pittsburgh @ Wembley Stadium, London (1-3)

Finally! The Viking dream, we hit the high seas, battled and come out victorious! 

Clever work SKOLERS!

London has never seen Big Ben raped and pillaged like this before!

As is the trend with these nerve wracking drink inducing down to the wire games, I am writing this post late.  I've decided anyways to make it more of an archival post, with lots of links about the London game and trip.  But first, lets start with this lovely memory. (fan footage obvs)

He's "still got it" !!

Here are some fun videos from inside Wembley Stadium during the entrance of the team.  I give them props, they were pretty loud.  HQ sound and video.  Enjoy.

Here are some more "fan videos" of live touchdowns.

My main concerns coming into this game were how well the Offensive line would  play, if the offensive line would play well, and would CASSEL have enough time to throw from the offensive line.  I didn't worry about the defense as much because I figured we'd get torched through the air and if we weren't able to score 30+ points we'd lose, again. 

Thank The Queen of England our boys on the line played well.  I think the final stat was 3 hurries on 27 drop backs. I really enjoyed seeing CASSEL move the ball.  Obviously we have a bit of a controversy at the moment with the QB position, my take is this.  Why not start Cassel again?  It doesn't have to be written in stone. We all know Ponder's play was more mistake prone, be it the lack of time, lack of a consistent running game or what have you.  Point is it doesn't really matter, call it energy, vibes, leadership or just luck, CASSEL got the win.  I know we were one play away from going into overtime but still.  This is what really sold me on CASSEL.  (and for the record I haven't given up on Ponder, I think he still has a future)

Here is a link of the team in the locker room after the victory.  Who knew CASSEl could be so animated?

Here are a couple more videos for archival sake.  SKOL!

CASSEL IS COMING!

I know people are excited about that, I hope he can play at a high level!

Week 3 Browns (0-3)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhrrrrrrrrg!

We lost.

Bummed

Sad Viking Makes Tears

I was too upset to write about it. 
Like the Vikings,  
I need to be more disciplined.

Fake punt
AND a fake field goal?

WTF!

UGH!

Knock knock - Who's there?  OH - Oh who?  Oh and Three

*Exhales

For archival purposes here is the recap.

Week 3 preview round ups - Browns at Vikings

HERE IS A LINK TO A VIDEO PREVIEW BY THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER

Preview via Bleacher Report

Two decisions made by the Cleveland Browns this week ensured that theMinnesota Vikingswill now have no excuse for failing to secure their first win of 2013 during Sunday's home opener.

In selecting Brian Hoyer to start at quarterback and dealing away running back Trent Richardson, the Browns have mostly depleted their ability to attack at positions that have hurt the Vikings during a 0-2 start. 

Hoyer, a 27-year-old journeyman with one career NFL start, was picked over the veteran Jason Campbell to replace BrandonWeeden (thumb) early Wednesday. Only hours later, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Richardson had been traded to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick.  

The winless Vikings were favorites in Week 3 before Wednesday. Cleveland's two decisions should now seal the deal. 

At the very least, a Herculean effort will now be necessary to see the 0-2 Browns upset the Vikings—a 2012 playoff team—in Minnesota's home opener. 

While a number of reasons exist for why the Vikings are without a win this season, the defense's inability to handle quarterbacks and running backs has certainly contributed. 

A 10-point loss to the Detroit Lionsin Week 1 saw Minnesota commit four turnovers and finish 2-for-10 on third downs. But the defense also gave up 357 yards and two touchdowns to quarterbackMatthew Stafford, and running back Reggie Bush racked up 191 total yards, including 101 receiving. 

Overall, the Vikings allowed the Lions to run 77 plays for 469 yards, pick up 28 first downs and score 34 points. Stafford and Bush led the offensive assault. 

Minnesota Vikings vs. QBs and RBs, 2013 Season

	Cmp/Att	Yrds	TD/INT	Rating
MIN vs. QBs	55/81	649	5/3	97.2
	Att/Yrd	Rec/Yrd	Total Yrd	TDs
MIN vs. RBs	49/203	19/241	444	3

Source: ESPN

A strikingly similar storyline played out in Chicago last Sunday. 

Christian Ponder threw a first-half pick-six, and the offense went 0-for-3 in the red zone late in the game. But on defense, the Vikings allowed 161 total yards to Bears running back Matt Forte, and quarterbackJay Cutler threw one of his three touchdowns passes to beat Minnesota in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter. 

In just two games, the Vikings have allowed 649 yards and five touchdown passes to opposing quarterbacks, and a ridiculous 444 total yards (241 receiving) to opposing running backs. The result has been a defense that is now giving up 32.5 points (30th in NFL) and 440 yards (29th) a game. 

Vikings Defensive Ranks, 2013

	Total	Rank
Yards/Game	440.0	28th
Pts/Game	32.5	30th
Pass Yards/Game	320.5	26th
RB Yards/Game	222.0	32nd

Source: ESPN

The Browns offense should provide a much-needed break from each position. 

Even with Weeden healthy and Richardson still on the roster, Cleveland averaged just 275 total yards of offense (28th) and 8.0 points (31st) over games againstMiami and in Baltimore. Only the futile Jacksonville Jaguars were worse at putting points on the board during the season's first two weeks. 

With Weeden nursing a bad thumb, the Browns will now turn to Hoyer in hopes of engineering an offensive turnaround. 

The Cleveland native has played for four teams (Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers andNew England Patriots) over five under-the-radar seasons in the NFL. His 96 career passes have resulted in 616 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions and a passer rating of just 72.2. 

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Hoyer will make the start in Minnesota Sunday.

Hoyer's lone NFL start came in 2012 with the Cardinals. Facing the San Francisco 49ers, who needed a win in Week 17 to clinch the NFC West and the No. 2 seed in the postseason, Hoyer completed 19 of 34 passes for 225 yards, one touchdown and one interception (73.8). 

While the Cardinals received much better quarterback play from Hoyerthan anyone could have reasonably expected, Arizona still trailed for the final 37 minutes of the game. And at one point in the fourth quarter, the 49ers were up by three touchdowns, 27-6. 

Hoyer shouldn't be expected to play considerably worse than Weeden, who has completed less than 55 percent of his passes with three interceptions to start this season.Weeden's passer rating of 62.0 is better than only Geno Smith (55.2) and Blaine Gabbert (30.8) among starting quarterbacks in 2013. 

But Hoyer also can't be expected to be on par with either Stafford or Cutler, two quarterbacks who sliced and diced the Minnesota secondary at times over Weeks 1 and 2. IfHoyer goes off, the Vikings will have much bigger problems. 

Complicating Hoyer's start Sunday is the loss of Richardson, who previously represented one of the Browns' few offensive weapons. In 15 games as a rookie, the former No. 3 overall pick rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns, and also caught 51 passes.

And here is some info on HOYER
(Via ESPN)

BEREA, Ohio -- Third-string quarterback Brian Hoyer will start for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings in place of injured Brandon Weeden, who sprained his right thumb last week and could be sidelined for several games.

First-year coach Rob Chudzinski surprisingly decided to start Hoyer over more experienced backup Jason Campbell. Hoyer had been listed as Cleveland's third-string quarterback since training camp opened and was inactive for the first two regular-season games.

"I feel like based on our current situation -- where we're at offensively as well as getting into the game planning for Minnesota -- that Brian's strengths are the best fit for this week and that he gives us our best chance to win," Chudzinski said. "The things that he does well fit what we need. For me, it's about who gives us the best chance to win."

In a stunning move later Wednesday, the Browns traded running back Trent Richardson to theIndianapolis Colts for a first-round pick.

Chudzinski did not commit to giving the starting job to Weeden when he returns from injury.

"I'm going to leave all the options open," Chudzinski said. "Really, it's a matter of where he's at from a health standpoint and all that plays into it and where we're at and how guys are playing, as well."

When he was Cleveland's offensive coordinator in 2007, Chudzinski oversaw the benching of starter Charlie Frye after the opener for Derek Anderson. The change sparked the Browns, who finished 10-6.

Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas called Hoyer leap-frogging Campbell on the depth chart "unusual." Hoyer will be the 19th quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999.

Weeden injured his thumb when he banged it on the helmet of teammate John Greco during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 14-6 loss to Baltimore. The second-year player will visit a hand specialist on Thursday and should get a better sense of how long he will be out.

(Via Bleacher Report)

Here's a look at what the Vikings need to game-plan for in this Week 3 matchup against the Browns.

When the Vikings Have the Ball...

Normally this would be a simple call—line up, snap the ball, give it toAdrian Peterson and repeat. However, Peterson has struggled to get on track this season averaging only 96.5 yards per game—right, only. For any other player not named Peterson this might be a very good average, considering it projects to 1,544 yards in the season. 

As well, the Browns defense has been very stingy giving up running yards. It has yielded an average of 59.5 rushing yards per game—of course that is skewed badly by giving up only 20 yards to the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. 

Peterson didn't hit full speed last season until the fourth week. That was when he first surpassed the 100-yard mark in a game. Like last season, he did not run the ball at all during the preseason, but this year he is completely healthy. 

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Look for his breakout game to come a little earlier this year. The game is on the fast surface of Mall of America Field, and the Browns have not faced the likes of Peterson yet this year. 

The key is to not give up on Peterson—as the games wears on he gets stronger as the defense gets weaker. Peterson should have a nice blend of his first two games, with a good chunk of yardage and a couple of touchdowns. 

Interestingly enough, the Vikings have averaged 226 passing yards per game and the Browns have given up 226 passing yards per game. So, of course, that means the Vikings should end up with 226 passing yards—expect more than that.

(MORE FROM BLEACHER REPORT)

Week 2 - BEARS - LOSS (0-2)

Well that sucked. I was too emotional at the end to write anything but now that some time has passed and we've spent the whole week discussing the last possession of both the Vikes and da Bears I just have the following opinion to offer. 

If we had a more experienced coach we would have won that game.    FRAZIER didn't do himself any favors in my eyes. I would have gone for the TD and let Ponder make the reads when we got down in the red zone. After his awful pick 6 (I wanted to pull him then) I think he showed great poise and leadership for 3 quarters. He didn't just "manage" the game for us he made plays for us. I woulda ran a couple options or a bootleg. And if we don't get the TD? Well I'd rather take our chances giving up a game tying field goal in the wind and rain then rely on our defense to stop a pass. 

On the Bears possession all I saw was CUTLER casually tossing the ball downfield. He was playing 5 apple football. We couldn't stop them. It was embarrassing and infuriating and reminded me of all the games the defense blew when we had Randy Moss getting us leads in the 4th quarter. IDK someone didn't call a time out when there was obvious confusion during that TD we have up. That's on the coaches. 

BUMMER

Week 2 - At Chicago (pre-game thoughts)

Lets hope this pic is an omen

Well this week all I've been thinking about is the butterfly effect and our offense.

"The Butterfly Effect:" (Physics / General Physics) the idea, used in chaos theory, that a very small difference in the initial state of a physical system can make a significant difference to the state at some later time.

I think it all starts with the offensive play of our tackles and guards. So many questions left on the field last week that its really hard to make an educated guess about how we will play this week.  I consider Detroit's front 7 better than Chicago's but I don't know how much their dominance last week had to do with our awful play vs their talent and execution. But here's how I see our chances fluttering...

1. Will the O line give AP better holes and allow for more productive 1st and 2nd downs?
2. If YES, will this allow us to move the chains more, stay on the field and have more manageable 3rd downs?
3. If YES, will this allow us to score more early, maintain a competitive time of possession, run more plays- involve more people and rest the defense?
4. If YES will this allow us to play with a lead, be more aggressive and have a chance at winning?

Since we're talking about chaos theory, here's a few more variables that may be thrown at us. 

1. Will they Blitz? 
2. If YES, will we pick it up well or beat it with audibles?
3. If YES, great. If not... Their might be a few stalled drives.

1. Will we have any turnovers?
2. If YES, will we be able to keep them for scoring too many touchdowns off them? Keep them to FGs and Punts?   

Obvious cause and effects here, same goes for causing turnovers and capitalizing off them. Last but not least, let's not forget the poster boy of chaos himself!!

I have no idea what's gonna happen tomorrow to be honest. As far as Hester goes we've done good against him the last four games, but that just means he's due haha. Hopefully we'll play solid Vikings football and AP will lead us to victory. SKOL!

Never Forget

Well I didn't expect that... [ 0-1 ]

Well... I didn't expect that... I guess that's why it's week one.  So much happened yesterday I didn't anticipate.... this blog might be a doozy.  I think all fans are on edge during week one because it's the first chance we get to see the new product.  All off season teams make changes to their roster and implement new schemes and by the time opening day comes around, you hope your team has built on the successes of last year and shored up a few holes.  You go into opening day feeling positive and hopeful. 
( And if you're a Vikings fan, nervous)   

Here were my questions before the game... the answers in red. (Please click to view in the light box / enlarge)

I don't like to do recaps you can find those anywhere.  I like to talk about what I think and feel after the games. Yesterday was some serious manic depressive stuff. I was exhausted afterwards.

HIGHEST HIGH

LOWEST LOW

My twitter feed yesterday was pretty hilarious.  The Ponder haters were out in full force every time he'd make a mistake.  I certainly feel their pain and I can see for myself when he does something really stupid like the INT at the end of the first half, but  I just don't think those people realize how most football minds don't buy the magic pill arguments.  Also it's impossible to "debate" with them because they're arguing a hypothetical (as if it were fact) saying things like "IF Ponder wasn't playing we would have won" etc.  Which is obviously an opinion born out of bias and spite not rational facts.  We scored 24  points yesterday, (more than 20+ other teams in the NFL) that is usually enough to win a game.  Unfortunately as you all know we gave up 34 and couldn't stop them at all really.

Here is my take on Ponder.  He's started 28 games. (Not quite 2 full seasons) Many of those games he had poor line play, no one to throw too, played from behind etc.  I am not a "Ponderholic"making excuses,  I am just observing.  Even under those bad circumstances you want to see improvement and not poor decisions like that awful one yesterday not to take the sack or throw it away.  (He should be very very good at throwing the ball away by now.  He can get out of the pocket in seconds and I don't know why he doesn't throw it away more often)  I share people's frustrations when I see him do something that he just shouldn't do anymore.  I think maybe I am just more patient than most people.  I saw plenty of good QBs do plenty of really bad things yesterday.  That's part of week one.  I say give him a few more starts and then re-evaluate him.  It's not like we have a great talent waiting under his wings anyways.  I share people's concerns over his long ball accuracy but I know that he hasn't thrown deep that much at all. He and the receivers just need more reps hopefully.

"I didn't expect..."

• us to hold Megatron to 37 yards
• Bush to shred us rushing and receiving
• AP to get completely shut down for the last 55 minutes!
• our offensive line to play as bad as I have ever seen them
• SIMPSON to get 140 yards. *Offensive Player of the Game!
• us to be unable to stop them from running against us
• us to lose by ten and it could have easily been more
• Rudolph to be quiet
• Coradoradora to only get one catch

Some of these things above got me in a foul mood and I will tell you why.  I don't understand what FRAZIER and company are doing sometimes.  My biggest argument is this, if for 3 quarters you haven't been able to stop DETs 4 man rush, even with 6 or 7 blockers, why keep doing max protects and roll outs?  Over and over Ponder would be under pressure and only have 3 targets to throw to. (trying to get open against 7 defenders)  Here's a perfect example, this pic is 1.4 seconds after the snap.

7 vikings . 4 Lions. Actually just 3 rushed! (nice coverage by the ref on Jennings!)

Not once did I see a 3rd and medium/long where we went to 4 or 5 WRs and gave him some quick 3 step drop routes to work with.  It's very puzzling. You factor in all the low/no gain rushes AP had on 1st and 2nd down with these formations on 3rd and it's no wonder we were 2 for 10 on third down!

I have never been on board with FRAZIER or his crew of inexperienced coordinators, and I doubt I ever will be.  You can't just hire a DB coach and a QB coach and give them your offense and defense.  This isn't college.  Maybe the WILFS gave him a tight budget I don't know but that was the first of many SMHs FRAZIER has supplied me with since he was offered the coach position.  I like what the O.C. did with Percy last year and I hope to see similar things with CP84.  I will never complain about basic AP plays- run left, run right, run down the middle because AP has always been a feast or famine back.  This line is supposed to be very good, and be able to "force their will"onto teams... but what happens if you can't?  You need to make adjustments!  If we can't make any holes for AP, then change it up.  We did the same things over and over against that insanely efficient front 7 of DETs yesterday and didn't get any results.  How about pulling some guards, doing some screens, options, anything! SMH

I haven't had a chance to listen to FRAZIERs presser today and I doubt I will.  I know it's gonna be the same old cliches about working harder, fixing things and making plays.  He'll talk about turnovers, he won't single out any one player and he won't show any fire.  He's like the dad in third rock from the sun. I wonder what he would about MUSGRAVEs play calls?

What he said

I just have to say, offensive line, defensive line, LBs, we got manhandled.  Look at this hole on that screen pass.  We have to play more together next week on defense!

As far as defense my player of the game is this fella!

SKOL HARRISON SMITH!

He did his job well yesterday.  Helped keep MEGATRON in check and got in a few licks too.  Even did enough on this play to make him have to stretch for the TD and bobble it.  SKOL!

I hope for next week that we will play a lot better.  I don't think the BEARS will give us as many problems getting holes for AP, maybe it will snowball.  He'll have more success, playaction will actually work and we can make more throws down field.

Also obviously Ponder has to play better.  Just don't make any bad throws, kid.  Take the sack or throw it away.  We will never win with 3 turnovers.

And now time for a bit called, WTF was that, REF?!

How the hell are you gonna call a personal foul for a guy putting his hands up to block a pass and brushing STAFFORD's helmet in the name of protection but not blow the play dead on an offsides YOU'RE calling that allowed the LION a free shot at PONDER?

WTF was that REF?

SKOL guys!  Please fill out the poll at the top-right. What do you think our record will be this year?