We are Who We Thought We Weren't

I spent 3 hours today screaming at the TV, and using swear words I that saltiest sailor had forgotten years ago. My face was red with anger over dumb penalties, poor turnovers, dropped passes (was that Williamson?) and boinked field goals.

I was envious of the Titans defense, a team that somehow figures out how to pressure quarterbacks, and biach slap offensive lines. The Titans, not the Vikings, looked like the team that was promised to us at the NFL draft party this last April. At 1-3, the Vikings aren't eliminated, but this season of promise seems to be as likely as a Timberwolves playoff birth.

I can honestly say that this looks like the same old Vikings that Childress has presented to us for the last 2 years. His record? 0-5 vs Green Bay, and 15-21 overall. Brutal. I am just wondering out loud, when exactly will we see a game plan that looks like a kick ass offense?

At this point, I am hoping that 8-8 will be good enough to win the division, but advancing in the playoffs seems impossible. Here's to hoping that this regime figures out a way to turn it around, or get lucky and win a game sometime next month.

Embrace Purple Fashion (Flash)

Ah, the color purple... there is no substitute.

Republican Soccer Mom: Vikings are Boring, Jared is HOT!"

Last week, "Quacker," one of our many "beatwriters" for Vikingstailgate.com, attended the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. She survived the anarchy and rioting on the streets, and met up with a couple of All-Pro Vikings along the way. 

"So Jared Allen walked into a party the Minnesota Vikings were holding on Day 2 of the Republican National Convention with Steve Hutchinson and I knew I needed to get his photo!

He had on a beautiful grey suit, lavender ice!), grey cowboy boots and a sweet cowboy hat. Surprisingly he was the only one in the room with a cowboy hat. Had the Texas delegation only been there...

Anyway, my two boys would not have understood why I passed up the opportunity to get his photo. I mean a photo of me with him. Jared was cordial, accommodating and curious. He asked us what we did for a living and was super nice. I told my boys that not only was he a superior athlete, but he was polite. What mom wouldn't find that attractive? Oh, and he doesn’t have an ounce of body fat on him. Trust me, I checked.

Steve Hutchinson was also nice. He was busy working the room when I interrupted him for a photo. He was way more beefy and football-player like. I asked him what size neck he needed in a dress shirt. Want to guess the size & find out the answer?

So after meeting both players, we asked her the million dollar question, Which player would you rather go with to the homecoming dance? Instead of answering the question, she gave a standard POLITICAL responded by wishing them both well for the upcoming season. 

Unfortunately, the season did start out so hot for the Vikings, losing 24-19 to the Packers. Despite the loss  our lot buddy still believes in the Vikings,

"Through rain or sleet or dark of night, I will be a Vikings fan! But here's the saddest part about Chili's (Coach Brad Childress's) Vikings .... other than AP, they are boring!!! Boring is fine if you win. People will overlook a lot of things if you are winning. But they are just plain boring."

Ah, but at least we have tailgating.

Watching the Big Uglies Tonight and This Month

I am a big fan of the running game, and if you sit anywhere in the Metrodome, you have more than likely heard me yelling "POUND IT! TELL THEM WHAT'S COMING, GIVE THEM THE PLAY, AND THEN SHOVE IT RIGHT AT THEM! POUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!:

Well, last season was the closest I have seen the Vikes be able to do that, but it wasn't perfect. With Bryant McKinnie suspended for 4 games, the left tackle position will see good old Artis Hicks taking over at left tackle, and he'll have to fend off Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Dwight Freeney in the first two games of 2008.

The good news is that this shouldn't effect the Vikings run game that much. According to post I found online from a random Vikings fan who was citing a website called football outsiders (http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol.php) the Vikings run most of the time (52 % as a matter of fact) between the Guards, or right up the gut. Guards Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera along with Matt Birk are the guys who deserve the credit for the running game. Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor don't have to worry too much, but replacing McKinnie with Hicks for 2-4 games will have implications in pass-protection and running wide around the left-end.

The Vikings did a fair amount of running to the left side of Mount McKinnie, and that will not be as eminent with Hicks. Instead, my guess is that you can look for some swing passes to the left side for ALL-Day off play action to the right side. OR... look for Jimmy Kleinsasser to line-up at TE on the left side, and block his butt off.

So, in conclusion, I say again, POUND IT!