Bye Week Bitterness, Denial and Angst.

I know, I shouldn't be panicking after a 1-3 start like everyone else in the Twin Cities, but I am, just for different reasons.

It's not that I am alarmed by the fact the Vikings are doing worse on offense than last year's anemic team. Despite the fact that "Kick Ass" O is averaging one touchdown per game (a rate lower than last year), I still think T-Jack is learning, and Kelly Holcomb is the best 3rd String QB in the NFC North. It's not the players fault that the Vikes forgot to get a viable veteran back-up for the 2007 season. They are what we thought they were.

The Defense has been pretty serviceable to sometimes great. I mean, losing three games by 13 points? That says your defense is doing the trick and keeping the squad in games. Against the run, the "Williams Wall" and company are holding opponents to 62-yard-per-game average. Oh sure the d-backs are giving up passing yardage, like Brittany Spears gives up her panties, but that is nothing too alarming.

I can tolerate the penalties too. The Vikings are, once again, one of the league's most penalized teams, but jeepers, how many new systems are they expected to learn? It's not like they are in college and have the same "Program" year after after year, right?

So why am I so bitter and frustrated with the "G-Damn Vikings?"

Frankly it's the 1-3 start against pansy ass teams that should have been easier to beat than your sister in an arm wrestling match. Crap, just try and lose to that, and it's nearly impossible. The Chiefs, the Lions and the Packers all got free kicks to the nuts, and we the fans just watched.

So why is it so easy to beat the Vikings? It's gotta be the coaching. I hate writing it, and I hate talking about it, but Damn, what the heck does this team need? It needs some creative plays and it needs to adjust when that first kick to nads is delivered. I thought we finally had a coach who understood that. I thought we had a savy leader who was ready to lead a team. After watching Childress Coach the past two seasons, I don't see any signs of my original hunch coming true.

This past bye week, I watched great games all over the NFL. I saw teams that trailed halftime make adjustments to grab victory in the 2nd half. I saw less talented teams, run schemes that worked for the players they had. I get envious when I see Tony Dungy, Mike Tomlin, and Brian Billick coach their teams like Super Bowl winners. That's what bugs me most. This team needs to step up, and start playing some football. and they need a Coach that wants to show them how.

Most of all, I am tired of the same old story after every game. "We were close. A play here, a penalty in our favor there, and we win that game."

STOP IT! I'd rather hear, "We blew it, I am over my head, I need help." Coach Tice was many things, but he wasn't an excuse maker. When he was outmatched, they bought consultants and helped make the team winners (9-7). In this regime they spin, and spin and spin like the Republican Presidency, and sell us hope for a future. Well, guess what, every team has a future, but it's how you handle the now that makes champions. Simply put, I say once again, Vikings, "NUT UP or SHUT UP," but most importantly, "ENTERTAIN ME!" (apologies to Notre Dame Dan).

Rant Over! Play some G-damn football, and just once, beat the Bears at their new Spaceship Stadium, okay?