These are weird times in Minnesota.
Vikings fans are stuck between cheering for 3-3 team with a great defense, or expressing their utter disdain with a vanilla coach with a boring offense that fumbles, punts and bumbles their way to flukey referee induced last second field goal victories.
True, a win is a win is a win, and many teams have seen success with lousy offenses and great defenses, but this type of football does not do much to endear the passions of people who spend their hard earned money looking for entertainment.
I think the Dome crowd, like myself, were very upset at the fact that they wasted a Sunday afternoon watching garbage, paying for garbage, and spending time with garbage instead of doing soemthing more productive with their families.
It's one thing to win ugly, but good god, you can't charge people for preseason games all year long can you? Last I checked, the Vikes were supposed to be professional. I can go watch crap like that for free. I am expecting some offensive effort when I go to a game. I think thats what Vikes fans are trying to express when they boo.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and maybe winning ugly is what Childress does best? If takes boredom to beat Green Bay, I guess I will be okay with that, and Childress has another shot at that coming up in November.
Go Defense!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Dude Looks Like a Lady, and I was Booed at the Humpty Dome
Brad Childress and the Vikings offense weren't the only ones who got booed yesterday at the Metrodome.
Fresh off my potty break in the Section 205 mens room in the Upper Deck, I was walking back to me seat, when two Miller Light Street team ladies, and large dude introduced to me as the Big Kuz summoned me.
"Hey you wanna go down to the field?"
"For real?"
"Ya, can you rock out to air guitar?"
"Yup"
Next thing I knew, Big Kuz (aka Aaron from Hopkins) and I were walking down to field level as competitors for the Best Buy, Air Guitar contest. We were laughing the whole time.
"This must be the battle of the big boys," we joked, knowing that between the two of us, we averaged 6'6" and many, many pounds of cold beer.
"Hey, what song are we supposed to be rocking out to this week?"
"Aerosmith's Dude Looks Like a Lady"
After a short time, we were walked to our place of battle; the corner of the Vikings entrance endzone. On the way, we were escorted by the Vikes bench, and I took the time to yell "encouragement" to the offensive line
"C'mon guys start blocking somebody!"
We got to meet all the mascots and some of the Vikings cheerleaders. We filled the standard Vikings contest paper work, and I congratulated the Skol drum Line crew for their great "chops" in the tailgate lot.
The next thing you know, we were being led to the field with Viktor the mascot and a line of Vikings Cheerleaders. We were introduced to the crowd.
Big Luz went first, and I was TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY. He laid it all out on the line, totalled went going horizontal Rock Star on the bit. I felt like the Devil who went down to Georgia to get worked by Johnny. I knew It was over, but tried to come up with a plan to equal his air guitar skills.
Before I could think of anything, the my round of music started playing and instinct took over. I went as vanilla as the Vikings offense, and jumped around, flailing at the air stick with my hand. Within seconds, the grumpy Vikings fans started booing.
When the music ended, Big Luz and I did a traditional Big Guy belly bounce, and crashed backward on the turf. We shook hands. He got his $100 gift card, and I got a Best Buy Jersey. I apologized to everyone who I saw on our way, and congratulated the champ as we rode up the elevator.
The best part of that experience, was walking back up to section 205, and getting that mini-standing O from my peeps in the section. They totally had my back (just like the peeps from the lot). It was fun, and I didn't mind the boos. Hell, fans don't boo nobodies right?
Or wait, maybe they do? After all Coach Childress got booed on Sunday as well.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
BLOG SURF 3: A league-wide conspiracy is why Vikings have no QB
This was originally posted on YAHOO, referencing a blog from Vikingage.com. I could not find any blog posting there, so I will re-publish as it appeared on Yahoo:
The blogger at Vikingage.com has uncovered the mystery of the Minnesota Vikings lack of production at the quarterback position. It isn't a lack of talent. It isn't poor coaching or ill-advised schemes. It's a conspiracy ... a league-wide one at that.
On the site this week it is writteh:
"Nobody wants the Vikings to have a good quarterback. They know we're just a competent signal-caller away from being a Super Bowl team and they'd rather have us suffer with Tarvaris Jackson than smoke all their asses and claim the Lombardi Trophy.
In fact, there appears to be a flat-out league-wide conspiracy to keep the Vikes from getting their hands on a decent QB. We all know the Packers were dead-set against letting Brett Favre come here — hence the trade to the Jets, and the proviso that New York would have to give up 200 draft picks if Favre were then dealt to Minnesota.
And now there's a new culprit in this game of Viking offensive suppression, and his name is Jon Gruden. According to Profootballtalk.com, Gruden has offered disgruntled QB Jeff Garcia to a couple of teams in a trade, but not the Vikings — presumably because, if Garcia got on the Vikings, he would instantaneously pick up Brad Childress's intricate and ingenious offense and lead us on a 14-game winning streak and thence onto glory. And that would make Gruden look bad especially if his anointed QB Brian Griese played like Brian Griese. Is this devious or what?
Friday, October 10, 2008
BLOG SURF: New Feature for VikingsTailgate.com
Blog Surf is my way of finding interesting Vikings content to share from all over the web. I don't care if the story is speculation, fact or fiction, the entire point of putting anything on this site is for use in tailgating conversations. Bottom Line: Without a staff of writers, content creation is a pain in the ass, so we "borrow" and give street cred to those who provided the words.
-Mookie
-Mookie
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
BLOG SURF 1: Coaching debacles highlight Monday Night Game
Posted on Yard Barker, Tuesday, October 7, 2008:
Rarely will I ever comment on an individual game that I'm not a fan of.
But tonight's Monday Night football game was a coaching debacle on so many levels that not commenting would be a crime.
First you have Minnesota coach Brad Childress who decided to kick to Reggie Bush after Bush returned one punt for a td and then a second one for 29 yards.
And had Bush not slipped in the open field, he would have scored.
But that wasn't enough evidence for Childress who kicked to him a third time right in the middle of the god damn field. Not surprisingly, Bush pulled the same move most good punt returners use. Get the flow going one way and then make that quick cut back before they can react and scored his second punt return td.
And then you have Sean Payton, who misused the clock so atrociously at the end of the game that I would honestly consider firing him in the morning.
With 2:59 left in the game, New Orleans had the ball at the Vikings 29 with a first down. If they played it right, they should have been able to run the clock down to 2 minutes and then kick after the stoppage in play.
But after a Deuce McCallister 1 yard gain, there was some confusion on the sidelines and Brees was forced to take a timeout. A timeout the Saints would regret later.
At 2:13, Brees threw a very short incomplete pass to Stecker that took 4 seconds off the clock.
Instead of running Deuce or Reggie Bush for another short gain of 1-3 yards, they took the risk of the clock stopping and an incomplete pass.
Bad decision
On 3rd and long, Brees again threw a short incomplete pass which took the clock down to 2:04.
At this point, even if the field goal try was good for the Saints, Minnesota had plenty of time to get up the field and try to get into field goal range themselves.
Anyways, in strolled Martin Grammatica. A man who takes so long to kick a field goal that you wonder if the snap count needs to be in spanish for him to understand.
Earlier in the game, Grammatica's attempt got blocked and returned for a touchdown. Ron Jaworski commented that it took Martin a full quarter second longer to kick the ball than most field goal kickers.
A 46 yarder was no gimme and Grammatica proved it by hooking his kick.
And now Minnesota only needed about 35-40 yards to win the game.
Even though Minnesota's offense is inept beyond Peterson, the task didn't seem impossible. So Minnesota used the ol "I'll throw up a hail mary and hope my guy gets interfered with trick".
And by God, it worked. The New Orleans defensive back was so out of position that he ended up tackling the receiver.
So now, with 1:18 left, Minnesota was at the 13 yard line waiting for the clock to run down.
And New Orleans, who stupidly wasted a time out on their own drive could do nothing to stop them except use their last two timeouts.
Minnesota wisely ran the ball up the middle 3 times and Longwell trotted in and kicked a 30 yard field goal to win the game.
And this folks, is where NFL coaches fail to be innovative.
I don't know the exact statistics of field goals in the NFL but I can bet you that field goals of 30 yards and less are made more than 95% of the time; regardless of the time on the clock.
The odds of a professional kicker missing a field goal of that length is virtually nil.
So why not take your chances with your offense at that point? Why not just allow the Vikings to score a TD and put your offense on the field to see what would happen.
I can guarantee you that your chances of scoring a TD are much better than a Vikings blocked or missed field goal.
But Payton did nothing.
Let me say that again for coaches who are just not intelligent or creative enough to pull the trigger on some innovation.
If your opponent has a chip shot field goal and there is minimal time left in the game, let them score.
Put your offense on the field and take your chances scoring a touchdown.
I realize the old schoolers will say, "What about the Tony Romo botched snap in the playoffs".
Yes, that was the exception rather than the rule.
I can literally point to dozens of situations where a team scored a touchdown with less than two minutes on the clock but I can only point to a handful of missed field goals from that range.
So Payton sat there as the clock wound down to 16 seconds and the Saints walked away losers.
And while some of the blame falls on Saints players, a majority falls on the head coach.
A losing coach for a losing team.
Monday, October 06, 2008
BLOG SURF 2:Monday Night Football Week Five Live-Blog: Vikings-Saints 1st Half
Another Monday.....another live-blog. Tonight we get a seemingly explosive matchup between two NFC teams that are looking for their first signature win of the season. The Vikings need a win badly and beating the Saints in N.O. would be huge. The Saints need to hold serve to keep up with the other teams in the NFC South. It should be a good one.....see you around 8:15pm or so.
"I look for Adrian Peterson to either bust open this defense, wide open, for a big 200 yard day, or the Saints are really going to slow him down."- Emmitt Smith
Way to go out on a limb there Emmitt. Here's my prediction for the night....either the Vikings will win....or they won't.
"You look at the Washington Redskins. They haven't turned the ball over....on offense....yet this year."- Keyshawn Johnson
As opposed to the elusive, defensive turnover? Ooooh we get that new Kanye song as our bumper music tonight. Interesting.
Bryant McKinnie being back + the Saints rotten defense = Vikings start their winning streak (Via GMoney)
I may be one of the few that sees this game going lobsided for New Orleans. Brees and the Saints will get off to a big lead early and the Vikes won't be able to keep up in a shoot out. (J Fein)
Uh oh, we've got some dissension in our ranks. I'm pretty sure I've seen this Adrian Peterson "Unmasked" thing about eight times now. It's not bad, but you can only hear about someone's "Diesel" tattoo so many times.
"Diesel fuel is expensive, but that's worth it."- Chris Berman
"Heath Shuler is a congressman and Gus Frerotte is still playing Football! It's phenomenal!!!"- Tony Kornheiser
"Very few want to come back inside and take that blow."- Emmitt Smith
And that came from a former Cowboy.....I kid. Looks like the Rays have their Series wrapped up, so that's exciting. Griffey up, Griffey down, and complete with sweatshirts on....the Rays celebrate their first postseason series win in franchise history! Onto the ALCS for Tampa Bay.
"When we come back we will pick the game. Who will be jazzed tonight in Nawlins?"- Chris Berman
Picks:
Ditka- Vikings
Key- Saints
Cris- Saints
TJ- Saints
Boomer- Saints
Steve- Saints
Emmitt- Saints
Stuart- Saints
"Maybe he should have dated supermodels?"- Tony Kornheiser after comparing Drew Brees to Brady and Manning
Pretty sure that means the Vikings will win. Kickoff coming shortly and whoa Drew Brees is a pretty good motivator before the game. His whole "THIS IS NEW ORLEANS" thing gave me goosebumps.
Was I the only one disturbed by the dancing of those production guys? Um...party time is generally after the game... (Via JFein)
Haha....that was special.
____________________________
"That was great video of Drew Brees hyping up his team. It looked like he went to Ray Lewis Summercamp."- Tony Kornheiser
8:41- Kind of funny. Saints ball first and a huuuuuge hole for Pierre Thomas and he's into Minnesota territory on the kickoff. Great start. A reverse to Devery Henderson picks up seven on first down and Brees hits Bush for a first down.
"He could find you and me if he had to."- Tony Kornheiser to Jaws
He's probably right. Brees to Miller for six, Deuce up the middle for five and it's 3rd and one....Brees runs it and slides for the first. Incomplete though on first and second down and it's 3rd and 10 for the Saints....
"There's a rule that pertains to foot tangling?"- Tony Kornheiser
"No footsies."- Mike Tirico
Brees to Henderson. And it's six just like that for the Saints and boy was that easy.
7-0 New Orleans
When Tony says "you just can't overstate this" that means he will overstate it all night long. (Via Mal)
The Vikings: I'm so excited! I'm so...so scared. (Via SS Reporters)
Never gets old. Time to see if Frerotte is Fr'real and Tirico and Tony freak out about a lady sticking her hand into the mouth of a gator. Vikes ball at their own 33.
"She is about to perform animal dentistry and take the wisdom tooth out of the crocodile"- Tony Kornheier (Via Esse Quam Videri)
8:53- Peterson up the middle for two. Gus then hits Shiancoe over the middle for a first down. Good time there....McKinnie already helping out. Play action, and Berrian makes a nice grab and goes into Saints' territory. 1st down....
Incomplete on first down, Peterson for three on second down and it'll be third and six.....incomplete. Vikings to punt. Into the endzone and a touchback.
8:59- BREES TO HENDERSON! And that's a quick 50 yards to start a drive. All the way to the Vikings' 28. Brees tries Henderson again....incomplete. Reggie Bush off tackle for about nine and it'll be third and short....Bush outside and he'll get the first....flag....holding. Great run though by Bush. It'll be third and 11 after a Saints' timeout.
With all the gushing over Brees, can a Favre comparison be far away? (Via Mal)
Tony will do one out of spite.
"There are quarterbacks who can't do that against air"- Ron Jaworski talking about Drew's 30+ yards 72.7% completion average (Via Esse Quam Videri)
Interesting choice of words there. 3rd and 11....Brees with the pump and go to Meachem....he drops it. FG attempt for Gramatica....
BLOCKED! Wow....and Antoine Winfield is going to take it to the house. How about that for a change of momentum....
7-7.
"So far what we've seen from Reggie Bush is warning track power. At USC he was a home run hitter all the time. If he does that in the pros, he is a star of stars"- Tony Kornheiser
AA - Can we just save time typing and put Tony's comments from the game transcript on line, call it absurd and avoid carpal tunnel. (Via Mal)
I would love to be able to buy a transcript from ESPN each week. That would be fun to read through.
9:09- Thomas again to the 50 on the kickoff!
"Penetrate and get the arms up!"- Ron Jaworski
Sure thing Ronnie! Brees to Campbell for nine and then back to him again for the first. It's a tight end party as Billy Miller grabs a screen....how many TEs do the Saints have? 2nd and 3....Bush goes for 17. First down at the Vikes' 16.
Incomplete to Moore on first and Winfield nails Stecker on a second down screen for no gain. Third and long....Brees to Moore! Knocked away by Gordon!!! Great D there....Gramatica again....
Good! 10-7 Saints...three minutes to go.
ONSIDE KICK ATTEMPT! Vikings keep it. Wow that was tricky.
"This could be three or seven."- Tony Kornheiser on a FG attempt (Via 49er16)
Or two with a safety, Tony.
9:17- Vikings ball at the Saints' 40. A holding penalty on first down will put that at the 35, and Tony is giving us the Gus Frerotte "running into the wall" recap. I still laugh everytime I see it.
Peterson goes nowhere and the Saints D actually looks pretty good so far. That can't last. 3rd and 11....timeout Saints. Incomplete pass and Longwell will attempt a 53 yarder....
Nails it! We're back to even....10-10.
9:23- Vikings ball at their own 19 and Reggie Bush picks up three on first down.
Anyone else notice Tony is awfully easy with the "love" word. If MNF were Pee-Wee's Playhouse and the word of the day was "love" there would be crazy shit going on every five minutes. (Via Esse Quam Videri)
Hahahaha....Chairry's arm rests would be flailing all over the place.
That's the end of the first....10-10.
"That's 5,000 pounds of Williams' on the front line" - Tony Kornheiser (Via SS)
And what a way to start the second! Winfield just grabs the ball away from Drew Brees and it'll be Vikings' ball! Brees is shaking his hand a bit. Wow. Another momentum swing. 1st and goal from the five....
Eddie Gunz actually let the play go this time!!! (Via JFein)
Chester Taylor loses yards on a draw. Horrible play call there.
"Well under the average inside the redzone."- Ron Jaworski
"They're last!"- Tony Kornheiser
Hahahahaha. Got you!
3rd and goal now....incomplete but Will Smith was offsides. 3rd and Goal again from the 4 yard line....
Chester Taylor to Shiancoe?!?!?! Umm okay? It's still six though....
17-10 Vikings
9:33- And Pierre Thomas again to almost midfield! Just kick it out of bounds....jeez. Brees first down pass is batted down, but hits Moore for a first on second. Fumble....Brees gets it back. 2nd and 10 from the Vikings' 41....
"In some countries these guys are picking out furniture."- Tony Kornheiser on Brees and Sean Payton
That's something Tony might be apologizing for later in the game.
"Brees' relationship to Sean Payton has been described by everyone as perfect" - Tony Kornheiser
You know you're an awful announcer when you're analysis reads more like soft core porn than actual football analysis. (Via JFein)
Bush for another first and the Saints are moving it once again......
FUMBLE!!!! Bush drops the ball but he was taken down with a facemask! The Vikings picked it up and it will be their ball. Amazing that there was no call there and Sean Payton is flipping the hell out. As would I and Ed Hochuli is having yet another bad night.
9:44- Hoch and Co. miss another call and Sean Payton challenges it, but I'm sure Ed is hearing about the previous play more than this one. 2nd and 10 for the Vikings....and a screen is knocked down. 3rd and long....
Offsides on the Saints. We'll redo it at 3rd and 5....Berrian with the nice catch and that's a first down in Saints' territory.
"He [Hochuli] drops in my fantasy referee draft."- Tony Kornheiser
Ugh. Peterson gets his sixth carry and gets two yards and Wade drops an easy one. 3rd and long....incomplete. Vikings to punt and justice is somewhat served. Although I do lose 3pts in a fantasy league.
Ed Hochuli and crew badly blow yet another call... gee, what a shock. On Tuesday from his office he might as well already start writing an apology letter to all Saints fans; Ed, references to Bourbon Street and gumbo can only help. (Via Anon)
"You gotta take shots while the box is being loaded." - Ron Jaworski (Via SS)
9:52- Nice crotch shot of some guy dressed up like a luchador. And Jared Allen is hurt. Not Good....Brees hits Campbell over the middle for 22. Bush with another five and the Saints are at midfield in a hurry....8 minute to go. Brees throws incomplete on second down and it's 3rd and five....false start....3rd and 10....
Brees to Bush for a first....FUMBLE! Oh man....bounces right to the Saints. What a lucky mofo. 1st and 10 at the 41....
"They were dooing for Deuce McAllister."- Mike Tirico
"Dooing?"- Tony Kornheiser
"Deucing."- Mike Tirico
Hahahahaha. Deucing doesn't make that line better. 2nd and 10 for the Saints....Screen to Lance Moore but there's a hold on the play. 2nd and 20 now with 6 minutes to go. Brees to Bush and he's going backwards for a loss of four. 3rd and 22....Brees hits Meachem over the middle and he is juuuuuuust short of the mark. And Payton is obviously going for it....
Brees to Reggie Bush on play action and that was just too easy. 1st and goal at the nine. Vikings call timeout. Winfield takes out McAllister on first down.....
Interception! Moore hands the ball to Lieber and Minnesota takes over. Good lord....the Saints are killing themselves tonight.
10:05- Peterson for two on first down but Wade picks up a hard fought first on second. 251-48 yards for New Orleans and Minnesota is leading by seven. Insane. That's the 2-minute warning.
"They were in position to score a million times." - Tony Kornheiser
Hyperbole personified. Frerotte gets nailed but hits a wide open Bobby Wade for 17. Draw to A.P. and he gets a few, but Wade gets a first....or not. Terrible spot and it'll be third and one right at midfield.
Peterson up the middle and he just gets crushed by Vilma and fumbles! RULED DOWN!!! No way and the Saints are going to get screwed again here.....and now the fans see it. Wait...that's actually kind of close. He loses it...gets it back and then it goes out. Here comes the review....
Still the Vikings ball. Hochuli says that Peterson's hand was still under the ball and the Saints' fans are pissssssed.
"The strong hand wins the contest."- Ron Jaworski
Is that a bible quote I'm not aware of? Chester Taylor up the middle for five and Frerotte hits Wade for a first. The Vikings are playing for a FG and didn't they learn their lesson against the Colts??? Bad move....
Or not. Gus hits Allison for another first and he's out of bounds at the 19. And here's a run with Taylor up the middle and if I was a Vikings fan, I'd be losing my mind right now. :18 seconds left and no timeouts for Minnesota....
Gus to Berrian in the endzone....out of bounds. 3rd and 6....incomplete and almost picked off. Well at least they tried right? Here comes Longwell for another FG attempt....
Good and that'll make it 20-10 Vikings with :04 left in the half, which will for all intents and purposes. I'm going to catch up on some Baseball and see you in a new thread shortly.
"I look for Adrian Peterson to either bust open this defense, wide open, for a big 200 yard day, or the Saints are really going to slow him down."- Emmitt Smith
Way to go out on a limb there Emmitt. Here's my prediction for the night....either the Vikings will win....or they won't.
"You look at the Washington Redskins. They haven't turned the ball over....on offense....yet this year."- Keyshawn Johnson
As opposed to the elusive, defensive turnover? Ooooh we get that new Kanye song as our bumper music tonight. Interesting.
Bryant McKinnie being back + the Saints rotten defense = Vikings start their winning streak (Via GMoney)
I may be one of the few that sees this game going lobsided for New Orleans. Brees and the Saints will get off to a big lead early and the Vikes won't be able to keep up in a shoot out. (J Fein)
Uh oh, we've got some dissension in our ranks. I'm pretty sure I've seen this Adrian Peterson "Unmasked" thing about eight times now. It's not bad, but you can only hear about someone's "Diesel" tattoo so many times.
"Diesel fuel is expensive, but that's worth it."- Chris Berman
"Heath Shuler is a congressman and Gus Frerotte is still playing Football! It's phenomenal!!!"- Tony Kornheiser
"Very few want to come back inside and take that blow."- Emmitt Smith
And that came from a former Cowboy.....I kid. Looks like the Rays have their Series wrapped up, so that's exciting. Griffey up, Griffey down, and complete with sweatshirts on....the Rays celebrate their first postseason series win in franchise history! Onto the ALCS for Tampa Bay.
"When we come back we will pick the game. Who will be jazzed tonight in Nawlins?"- Chris Berman
Picks:
Ditka- Vikings
Key- Saints
Cris- Saints
TJ- Saints
Boomer- Saints
Steve- Saints
Emmitt- Saints
Stuart- Saints
"Maybe he should have dated supermodels?"- Tony Kornheiser after comparing Drew Brees to Brady and Manning
Pretty sure that means the Vikings will win. Kickoff coming shortly and whoa Drew Brees is a pretty good motivator before the game. His whole "THIS IS NEW ORLEANS" thing gave me goosebumps.
Was I the only one disturbed by the dancing of those production guys? Um...party time is generally after the game... (Via JFein)
Haha....that was special.
____________________________
"That was great video of Drew Brees hyping up his team. It looked like he went to Ray Lewis Summercamp."- Tony Kornheiser
8:41- Kind of funny. Saints ball first and a huuuuuge hole for Pierre Thomas and he's into Minnesota territory on the kickoff. Great start. A reverse to Devery Henderson picks up seven on first down and Brees hits Bush for a first down.
"He could find you and me if he had to."- Tony Kornheiser to Jaws
He's probably right. Brees to Miller for six, Deuce up the middle for five and it's 3rd and one....Brees runs it and slides for the first. Incomplete though on first and second down and it's 3rd and 10 for the Saints....
"There's a rule that pertains to foot tangling?"- Tony Kornheiser
"No footsies."- Mike Tirico
Brees to Henderson. And it's six just like that for the Saints and boy was that easy.
7-0 New Orleans
When Tony says "you just can't overstate this" that means he will overstate it all night long. (Via Mal)
The Vikings: I'm so excited! I'm so...so scared. (Via SS Reporters)
Never gets old. Time to see if Frerotte is Fr'real and Tirico and Tony freak out about a lady sticking her hand into the mouth of a gator. Vikes ball at their own 33.
"She is about to perform animal dentistry and take the wisdom tooth out of the crocodile"- Tony Kornheier (Via Esse Quam Videri)
8:53- Peterson up the middle for two. Gus then hits Shiancoe over the middle for a first down. Good time there....McKinnie already helping out. Play action, and Berrian makes a nice grab and goes into Saints' territory. 1st down....
Incomplete on first down, Peterson for three on second down and it'll be third and six.....incomplete. Vikings to punt. Into the endzone and a touchback.
8:59- BREES TO HENDERSON! And that's a quick 50 yards to start a drive. All the way to the Vikings' 28. Brees tries Henderson again....incomplete. Reggie Bush off tackle for about nine and it'll be third and short....Bush outside and he'll get the first....flag....holding. Great run though by Bush. It'll be third and 11 after a Saints' timeout.
With all the gushing over Brees, can a Favre comparison be far away? (Via Mal)
Tony will do one out of spite.
"There are quarterbacks who can't do that against air"- Ron Jaworski talking about Drew's 30+ yards 72.7% completion average (Via Esse Quam Videri)
Interesting choice of words there. 3rd and 11....Brees with the pump and go to Meachem....he drops it. FG attempt for Gramatica....
BLOCKED! Wow....and Antoine Winfield is going to take it to the house. How about that for a change of momentum....
7-7.
"So far what we've seen from Reggie Bush is warning track power. At USC he was a home run hitter all the time. If he does that in the pros, he is a star of stars"- Tony Kornheiser
AA - Can we just save time typing and put Tony's comments from the game transcript on line, call it absurd and avoid carpal tunnel. (Via Mal)
I would love to be able to buy a transcript from ESPN each week. That would be fun to read through.
9:09- Thomas again to the 50 on the kickoff!
"Penetrate and get the arms up!"- Ron Jaworski
Sure thing Ronnie! Brees to Campbell for nine and then back to him again for the first. It's a tight end party as Billy Miller grabs a screen....how many TEs do the Saints have? 2nd and 3....Bush goes for 17. First down at the Vikes' 16.
Incomplete to Moore on first and Winfield nails Stecker on a second down screen for no gain. Third and long....Brees to Moore! Knocked away by Gordon!!! Great D there....Gramatica again....
Good! 10-7 Saints...three minutes to go.
ONSIDE KICK ATTEMPT! Vikings keep it. Wow that was tricky.
"This could be three or seven."- Tony Kornheiser on a FG attempt (Via 49er16)
Or two with a safety, Tony.
9:17- Vikings ball at the Saints' 40. A holding penalty on first down will put that at the 35, and Tony is giving us the Gus Frerotte "running into the wall" recap. I still laugh everytime I see it.
Peterson goes nowhere and the Saints D actually looks pretty good so far. That can't last. 3rd and 11....timeout Saints. Incomplete pass and Longwell will attempt a 53 yarder....
Nails it! We're back to even....10-10.
9:23- Vikings ball at their own 19 and Reggie Bush picks up three on first down.
Anyone else notice Tony is awfully easy with the "love" word. If MNF were Pee-Wee's Playhouse and the word of the day was "love" there would be crazy shit going on every five minutes. (Via Esse Quam Videri)
Hahahaha....Chairry's arm rests would be flailing all over the place.
That's the end of the first....10-10.
"That's 5,000 pounds of Williams' on the front line" - Tony Kornheiser (Via SS)
And what a way to start the second! Winfield just grabs the ball away from Drew Brees and it'll be Vikings' ball! Brees is shaking his hand a bit. Wow. Another momentum swing. 1st and goal from the five....
Eddie Gunz actually let the play go this time!!! (Via JFein)
Chester Taylor loses yards on a draw. Horrible play call there.
"Well under the average inside the redzone."- Ron Jaworski
"They're last!"- Tony Kornheiser
Hahahahaha. Got you!
3rd and goal now....incomplete but Will Smith was offsides. 3rd and Goal again from the 4 yard line....
Chester Taylor to Shiancoe?!?!?! Umm okay? It's still six though....
17-10 Vikings
9:33- And Pierre Thomas again to almost midfield! Just kick it out of bounds....jeez. Brees first down pass is batted down, but hits Moore for a first on second. Fumble....Brees gets it back. 2nd and 10 from the Vikings' 41....
"In some countries these guys are picking out furniture."- Tony Kornheiser on Brees and Sean Payton
That's something Tony might be apologizing for later in the game.
"Brees' relationship to Sean Payton has been described by everyone as perfect" - Tony Kornheiser
You know you're an awful announcer when you're analysis reads more like soft core porn than actual football analysis. (Via JFein)
Bush for another first and the Saints are moving it once again......
FUMBLE!!!! Bush drops the ball but he was taken down with a facemask! The Vikings picked it up and it will be their ball. Amazing that there was no call there and Sean Payton is flipping the hell out. As would I and Ed Hochuli is having yet another bad night.
9:44- Hoch and Co. miss another call and Sean Payton challenges it, but I'm sure Ed is hearing about the previous play more than this one. 2nd and 10 for the Vikings....and a screen is knocked down. 3rd and long....
Offsides on the Saints. We'll redo it at 3rd and 5....Berrian with the nice catch and that's a first down in Saints' territory.
"He [Hochuli] drops in my fantasy referee draft."- Tony Kornheiser
Ugh. Peterson gets his sixth carry and gets two yards and Wade drops an easy one. 3rd and long....incomplete. Vikings to punt and justice is somewhat served. Although I do lose 3pts in a fantasy league.
Ed Hochuli and crew badly blow yet another call... gee, what a shock. On Tuesday from his office he might as well already start writing an apology letter to all Saints fans; Ed, references to Bourbon Street and gumbo can only help. (Via Anon)
"You gotta take shots while the box is being loaded." - Ron Jaworski (Via SS)
9:52- Nice crotch shot of some guy dressed up like a luchador. And Jared Allen is hurt. Not Good....Brees hits Campbell over the middle for 22. Bush with another five and the Saints are at midfield in a hurry....8 minute to go. Brees throws incomplete on second down and it's 3rd and five....false start....3rd and 10....
Brees to Bush for a first....FUMBLE! Oh man....bounces right to the Saints. What a lucky mofo. 1st and 10 at the 41....
"They were dooing for Deuce McAllister."- Mike Tirico
"Dooing?"- Tony Kornheiser
"Deucing."- Mike Tirico
Hahahahaha. Deucing doesn't make that line better. 2nd and 10 for the Saints....Screen to Lance Moore but there's a hold on the play. 2nd and 20 now with 6 minutes to go. Brees to Bush and he's going backwards for a loss of four. 3rd and 22....Brees hits Meachem over the middle and he is juuuuuuust short of the mark. And Payton is obviously going for it....
Brees to Reggie Bush on play action and that was just too easy. 1st and goal at the nine. Vikings call timeout. Winfield takes out McAllister on first down.....
Interception! Moore hands the ball to Lieber and Minnesota takes over. Good lord....the Saints are killing themselves tonight.
10:05- Peterson for two on first down but Wade picks up a hard fought first on second. 251-48 yards for New Orleans and Minnesota is leading by seven. Insane. That's the 2-minute warning.
"They were in position to score a million times." - Tony Kornheiser
Hyperbole personified. Frerotte gets nailed but hits a wide open Bobby Wade for 17. Draw to A.P. and he gets a few, but Wade gets a first....or not. Terrible spot and it'll be third and one right at midfield.
Peterson up the middle and he just gets crushed by Vilma and fumbles! RULED DOWN!!! No way and the Saints are going to get screwed again here.....and now the fans see it. Wait...that's actually kind of close. He loses it...gets it back and then it goes out. Here comes the review....
Still the Vikings ball. Hochuli says that Peterson's hand was still under the ball and the Saints' fans are pissssssed.
"The strong hand wins the contest."- Ron Jaworski
Is that a bible quote I'm not aware of? Chester Taylor up the middle for five and Frerotte hits Wade for a first. The Vikings are playing for a FG and didn't they learn their lesson against the Colts??? Bad move....
Or not. Gus hits Allison for another first and he's out of bounds at the 19. And here's a run with Taylor up the middle and if I was a Vikings fan, I'd be losing my mind right now. :18 seconds left and no timeouts for Minnesota....
Gus to Berrian in the endzone....out of bounds. 3rd and 6....incomplete and almost picked off. Well at least they tried right? Here comes Longwell for another FG attempt....
Good and that'll make it 20-10 Vikings with :04 left in the half, which will for all intents and purposes. I'm going to catch up on some Baseball and see you in a new thread shortly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
