Retire or Comeback For Season 20

Now the Vikings will be waiting it out to see if Favre is going to comeback or retire. For now he is going to make everyone wait, but forhow long is the next question. The Vikings head coach Brad Childress also stated this past week that he is not going to have a time line for Favre as the Packer were doing in his final 2 season in he green and gold. I just do not feel that Favre will be back for another season as a Viking.

Why would he come back in the 2010 season?

Brett Favre is coming off his best statical year ever as a QB. That is correct, with all the records that he hold it was a magical season in 2009 for Brett Favre. Since becoming a starting QB Favre has never thrown less that 13 INTS in a season in 2009 Favre threw a total of 7. He had a 1.4 interception percentage. Making fewer mistakes also led to some triumphs as well. He had 33 TDs  also well passing for over 4,000 yards(the 6th time in his career).

It is not just about stats, he can still led a team. The Vikes lived and died behind the 40 year old arm of Brett Favre. The Vikes were a run first offense to start the season. It was not until Week 3 when Favre led the Vikes with a last second victory against the 49ers at home. The Vikes were content with Favre being a game manager. After the Week 3 win, everyone then knew that Favre would play a bigger role than what was originally expected of him. It was obvious that Favre is a good play caller down the stretch of the season.

With the way that Favre was battered around in the NFC Championship last. I know that there are so many people thinking,"He is 40 years old. Is Brett sure he wants to keep up the torture." I do not not know.Minnesota is where Favre want to be rather than where Green Bay traded him to the Jets.Favre has a mission and that is that he wants more than anything to go out the way that Elway or Bettis went out by going and winning the Super Bowl. So that is what would make it complete for Favre.

Why does Favre not return for the 2010 season?

With the way that Favre was treated against the Saints as a human punching bag was not good answer. He is already the oldest starting QB to win a playoff game at age 40 and whatever days. He is going to be 41 next season. What is a year in the NFL? Nothing is a guarantee, especially when it comes to making the playoffs or Super Bowl for that matter. The schedule is not as favorable as the 2009 season was. The Vikes will be facing 7 playoff teams from this past season and 5 will be on the road. Who knows if this will play into Favre's decision to return of not.

Brad Childress and the Minnesota Viking have already stated that Favre does not have a time limit for a choice to return for another season as the Vikes starting QB. With Favre who really knows what is going through his head besides to try to avoid training camp again since the end of the Holmgren era of Green Bay.

New Direction

For my blogging was concerned it seems that there are just to many Viking blogs that do the breaking news and my blog tend to get over looked quite a bit. So during the offseason. I am going to ponder some ideas in what direction that I should go. I would be glad to hear any input from my loyal readers as well.

I am hoping in a  week or so, I will have the final grades for all  position units for the Vikes.

Vikes Fumble Away The NFC Championship

The game the transpired last night was not the same 2009 Vikes that everyone saw throughout the season. The Vikes have 5 turnover (3 fumbles)  in the 31-28 OT loss.Two of the turnovers were in their red zone. The Saints gave the Vikes enough opportunities  to win this NFC Championship and be going to Miami. Now the Vikes are 0-5 since their last Super Bowl appearance.

The defense did a good job throughout this game to keep the Vikes in this game after the offense committed mistake after mistake. The Viking defense help the Saint under 300 total yards this season. This is something not that man team have been able to do for most of the season. To start the game, the Saints were diving down the field with not much of a problem. In the second quarter  and on the Vikes were holding the NFL's  best offense throughout this game. Chad Greenway had another big game for the Vikes with 7 tackles. The Saint offensive line did a great job protecting Drew Brees throughout this game. The Saint line allowed 1 sack and was rarely scraping himself off the Superdome turf. The time that the defense really did falter was in the OT session. The Saints were driving down the field and capitalizing on Viking miscues and mistakes. This lead the Saint to attempt and nail a 40 yard fail goal behind the leg of Garrett Hartley, to set the Saints to Miami.

On offense the Vikes did not have a good game is an understatement. The defense of the Saints had a plan pressure and knock down Favre as much as possible. The Saint showed that early in the game and did do let up.Brett Favre had also suffered a lower ankle injury in the game by a non-call of the Brady Rule.The NFL's ironman did not miss a offensive play in this game.He was not sacked in the game he was peeling himself off the turf all game long.The first two Viking drives the Vikes were getting yards in chunks and exposing the Saints defense scoring two TDs. After that the Saints defense tightened up and let the Viking miscues start to fly. The Vikes turnover did indeed cost them the chance to go to Miami to face the Colts. With the game notched at 28 each and Vikes driving late in the game with less than a minute left. The Vikes were on the edge of field goal range of Longwell 51 yards. The Vikes were flagged for have 12 men in the huddle and a mental error and put them out of range(56 yards). The next play Favre did not have a receiver and tries to make something happen threw the ball in Rice's area and was intercepted  for last time Favre would get his hands on the ball. 
Despite the Peterson fumbling the ball twice, he had his best game in quite a while. Peterson ran for 122 yards on 25 carries and 3 TDs. In my opinion, Peterson is much like Favre. You can take the fumbles with his great runs and power to run over defenders. Favre had over 300 yards passing with 1 TD but 2 INTs. Both men played hell of a game with turnover both incurred in this game.

It sure was a great ride on the 2009 Vikings. No matter what happens we still have our loved ones and jobs to go to. This has been a great season and now the questions start up. Will Favre be back next season? Will Vikes look for a legitimate QB of the future? Will the Vikes get their stadium or will they be moving?

NFC Preview: Vikes @ Saints

This is the game is what Brett Favre was brought here to do, to make the Vikes offense something to be feared. It has been obvious that the Vikes have been a QB away from being a great football team. With the Vikings now one of the 4 teams left playing this weekend, now that is something to be said. The Vikes travel from undefeated streak 9-0 from their dome to the Saints dome in the Bayou. The Vikes have a tough task ahead of them on Sunday.

In this matchup both team have a pass first approach offense for most of the season. The Saints ranked in the top 5 in total yards,points passing yards a game. The Vikes defense does have pressure on them. The Vikes defense has been kn own and proven that it is able to stop a dual threat running attack. Just look at what they were able to last week against Dallas. The Vikes front seven were terrorizing the Cowboys running game from most of the game. There were some busts by Felix Jones, but nothing to gain momentum. The Vikes defense scheme will need to stop the Saints running attack that averaged 131 yards a game in the season. The key is to stop Reggie Bush, however the Saint try to get him the ball. He is a very versatile back. He rushed outside the tackles or catching flare. The Vikes tackle is going to be key again this week.

The Vikes pass rush is also going to be important, to key Brees out of timing with his receivers. The Vikes have to flush Brees out of the pocket in order for the Saint to make mistakes throwing the ball. This Saints team does remind of the '98 Vikings. A high flying pass offense and a defense that just has to do enough to win the game. The Saint might be doing a lot of quick passing attack against the Vikes. Look at what the Vikes did to Romo last weekend. As long as the Vikes can keep pressure on Brees,knocking him down and keeping him from getting on a roll.Everything should work out on the defense side of the ball.

For the Vikes offense, as I said earlier they are one of the top offenses in the league this season. I do not think that the Saints have enough to stop Favre and Peterson in this game. This is the type of a game that Peterson can just run wild. Lat season Peterson was held in check against the Saints. Now the Vikes have a passing attack that not many team have been able to stop this season. Favre and Rice have been specular this season. Peterson yardage output has been down the pass 8 games, he has not ran over 100 yards in a game. If the Vikes can get constant output by Peterson, he still has the threat of breaking one deep one. Against this Saints defense, it can happen this Sunday and hopefully often.

If Favre has as much protection as he did last week. The line will need to step up again this week and keep the pocket intact so that Favre can find Rice, Berrian and Shanks down the field. The Saints defense has not had a great season being in the lower third of most categories this season. The big plays are out there for the Vikes to make. How the Vikes will exploit the Saints and how often is going to be how the Vikes make it to Miami.

I have been on edge about this game for most of the week, but I was feeling the same last week against the Cowboys and look how that turned out.. It would be sweet to have my Vikings to go to the Super Bowl and in May, my wife and I are having an edition a lil Viking fan of course.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!

No Time For Drew

What about the pass rush? With the pass rushing of the Vikings coming alive versus the Giants and most recently the Cowboys. It does not really matter whom you have at QB. No time to make a decision equals JaMarcus  Russell. All the networks are saying that the pressure is going to be on the secondary. I agree with that to a certain extent. The front four will have to get pressure on Drew Bressy in this game to think that they are going to Miami after this contest in the Big EZ.

During pass plays, who will the Saints line be keying to stopping this week. With the play of Ray Edwards last week, he had 3 sacks and 5 tackles for a loss. The problem this week in Edwards, it is going to be interesting to see if his bum knee is going to slow him down.

The Vikes this season, lead the NFL with 48 sacks in the regular season and Jared Allen had 14.5 of those sacks. The Saints line gave up 20 in the season, now that was 4th in league. This is going to key to try to stop Brees getting in a good rhythm with his receivers. If this happens, it may be a long day for the DBs. So Leslie Frazier, needs to find way to get Drew Brees knocked around and make sure he is not able to look for his 3 or 4th target in a pass play.


The VIkes need to pay attention to what the Cowboys did against the Saints. The Cowboys flat out dominated them and did not get Brees enough time to breath in that game. It was also a home game for those Cowboys. Look at what the Vikes did to that same Dallas team last week. Keep the throttle down on the Saints and not looking back.




As long as the Vikes have some defender standing over a sacked Brees continually in this game that is going to happen on Sunday. It is going to be a great day for Viking fans.

Divisional Game Recap: Vikes Roll Over the 'Boys 34-3

Does ESPN know how to pick these game or what. Only 2 of the ESPN "analysts" picked the Vikes to move on to the NFC Championship(Thanks Jaws and Eric Allen).  The network pretty much punched their ticket to the NFC Championship. It was obvious that the Network forgot something, is that the Vikes have been undefeated all season at the Thunderdome. The was suppose to dominate the Viking defense all game long with their dynamic running attack, suck the LBs in with their play action passed to Miles Austin and Jason Witten. I guess none of that worked out the way it was planned. The Vikes dominated the Cowboys in a 34-3 V-I-C-T-O-R-Y. This was one of the most satisfying wins as a Vikes fan in quite some time. One of the guys(a Pacer fan of course) told me today, that you are glowing like a pregnant chick. I told him I did not care, at least my team has made it futher than your team this season, with the QB that your GM disposed of.

 
Balanced Attack
Was Chilly really calling this game? Maybe, just maybe there is hope for him as the Vikings head coach. The Vikes called 33 rushes and 24 pass plays, now that is not to bad. Considering lately, the Vikes have been more of a pass oriented team with the stats being more passing than running. Brett Favre had a monster game and had some 1st in this game. This is the 1st time that Favre has ever passed for 4 TDs in a playoff game and the 1st playoff win over the Cowboys(it looks like the monkey is still around). The Vikes linemen did a good just from keeping Ware and James from getting to Favre. Favre was sacked 3 times, but the hogs gave him the time that any QB needs to pick apart a defense.The line played well throughout this game and had VERY few breakdown.Favre had 234 yards in the air. Now that was a pretty good performance by a 40 year old QB.

With line protecting Favre, we able to find Sid The Kid early and often. Rice had benefited the most from the Favre addiction this season. Favre connected with Rice on a 47 yard TD play. From there Viking offense did not look back, they kept the pedal to the metal. Rice finished the day with 6 catches for 147 yards and 3TDs.From the start of the season Favre and Sidney have been in sync(not a terrible excuse for a boys band). Shanks had the other TD for 11 yards grab, this was his lone catch of the game. There were 7 different receivers that were found by Favre in this game.

The Dallas Cowboys are good rush defense team. The Vikes rushed for ovr 100 yards against a team that on average gave up about 90 yards per game.  The Vikes average 3.3 yards per carry. The running game was not stop, but was not by any means a BIG part of the game. Adrain Peterson had a good game, but not Adrainesque type of a game. He had 63 yards on 26 carries, he did enough to keep Dallas on edge. The mix and success on the ground was enough to keep the defense guess what the Vikes would do next.

Where is Tony?

The Cowboys in the first two drives going down the field with ease against this Vikings defense. After a Ray Edwards forced a fumble from Tony Romo and Kevin recovered in the 1st drive and Dallas missed a field goal. This defense was all over Tony Romo and Company.With Allen and the Williams Wall getting most of the attention. This freed up, Ray Edwards pick a good game to have one of the best games of his career. He was making play after play, it was like something out of the Purple People Eaters days. Edwards finished the day with five tackles (all for loss), 6 QB hits,three sacks and a forced fumble.

The Vikes as a team sacked Romo six times. With Romo being hit time and time again and out of his element of trying to come from behind, he was getting hit on most pass plays.Romo fumbled three times (losing two) and threw an interception. Now that was a sweet sight to see the Cowboys getting totally dominated for most of this "contest". Sure it may have been 17-3 at the start of the 4th quarter, the defense was flying to the ball and tacking well in this game. It was sweet to see a Vikes team tackling well in this game, It was obvious they are motivated to keep up this type of a rampage. The defense did not let up in this game whatsoever.

The issue coming in this game was the coverage issues. The Vikes seonday came to play against a team that has been having good luck. The DBs did not allow much YAC yards in this game. When the receivers caught the ball they had a hoard of Vikes stomping them to the ground. I was pleased to see how the Vikes defense performed against this Cowboys team.

The Vikes had all the Thunderdome behind them and the Cowboys could not hear much of anything. The sweet taste of Victory. The Vikes stayed aggressive from start to finish, some people think that last TD was running up the score. You get paid to win and not to care if hurt the other teams' feelings. Keith Brookings was crying about the last TD pass by Favre saying the it was classless. Do not know what is classless rubbing Bernard Berrian's nose into the turf after making a catch. Where is Mr. Intensity Now?? Sitting at home crying about how their defense was schooled by a 40 year old QB.

Now the Vikes will be getting ready to visit the Saints and be listening to Darren Sharper talking smack all week long on how he has Favre number and such. There will be more to come this week.

SKOL VIKINGS.

Friday Preview:Cowboys @ Vikings

With the day fast approaching for the Cowboys and Vikes date on Sunday. The Vikes had last week off with one of the team that earned a 1st round bye, at least one week the Viking fans were not stressed out. I feel that it is kind of funny that in Week 17, every Viking fan was a Cowboy fan, but now look at us now. The Cowboy helped us out in Week 17 and we received a first round bye. Now face dos Cowboys in the divisional round of the postseason. Here are some unkindly numbers for you to look at the Cowboys have the advantage over the Vikes in the playoffs 4-2.

I am just glad that the Vikes are at home for this game at least, this season they are a perfect 8-0, the Vikes aver 32 points per game and their opponent is averaging a 15 points per game. Now that would be a great game, and the Cowboys have been averaging about that number on the road with about 20 point per road game. Both team are evenly matched right across the board. The Cowboys have been on a hot streak since the win against the Saints. With ESPN reporting all week that the Vikes do not have enough magic to stop this Cowboys team. The experts have spoken2-8 have chosen the Vikes to continue the match in the playoffs. This this does not shock me whatsoever the Cowboys have always been a team that ESPN thrives to find a to talk about.

When the red hot Cowboys come to town to face our Minnesota Vikings, it should be a good one this weekend. What do the Vikes need to do earn a spot for the NFC Championship game?
 On offense, the Vikes will need to try to keep this game balance(as long as Chilly keeps it that way).
Establish the run 1st. Adrian Peterson is the best and primer running back that Cowboys have faced all season long. We will see as well if the Vikes can blow the Cowboys off the line.The 'boys will aim to stop Peterson to make the Vikes one dimensional. As long as the coaching  staff does not call less then 20 running plays in the game, the should have a good day on the ground.
Protect the old man. The Vikes line is going to be under pressure to keep Favre upright for this game. If the line can give Favre enough time to find a open receiver whomever it may be, the passing game will be rolling. The Vikes will go as far as Favre's arm will take them into the post season. I don't think that Dallas DBs can cover all our receivers, so someone will be open for Favre to find. Who will the Cowboys try to stop the running game(everyone try thins) or Favre and the aerial attack?

On defense the Vikes will have to stop Tony Romo and Co. from marching down the field on them. The Cowboys are 2nd in the league with total yards.The Cowboys are a team that relies on fakes, draws and screen. The defense will have to stay in position and not get sucked out with a fake play. Being alert of the what the Cowboys are doing is a key in stopping this offense hailing from Dallas.The Vikes will need to tackle well in this game. In December, the Vikes could not tackle whatsoever. This team will make you pay if the Vikes cannot stop the Cowboys at the point of attack. The pass rush of the Vikes with Allen and Co. will have to be constantly knocking down Romo and would love to see many Sac 'em and Rope 'em celebrations.If the defnese from 4 can get Romo and make him make bad decision it should be a great game for Viking fans.Do not give up the big plays and keep the Cowboys offense off the field as much as possible. Talking about the big plays, the Viking DBs cannot let the receivers get behind them. The Vikings secondary has been their Achilles heel for the past couple of season, since the Vikes have become of the best rush defenses. At the safety position, it look like that Sanford and Johnson will be splitting time for this game. Both are unsure who will be on the field more often.
The defense also needs to get the Thunderdome involved early. It is a fact that visiting team HATE coming here, with the crowd noise and everything. Come of fans make it a difficult say for the Cowboys in the Twin Cities and make it a LOG jet ride home back to Dallas.

SKOL VIKINGS

The Turncoats

It is so funny living in the burbs of Green Bay, because of the hatred the fans have for the Vikings. Listening to these people just make me laugh. The Cowboys are usually their nemesis, but not this week.Everyone that I talk to have the same answer,"GO COWBOYS!!!!"

It is interesting to see that the fans around here hate their division rival even more since than America's team. The team that has been giving them headaches since the early '90s. Maybe it is from all the beer they consume on a regular basis.

This has also been the same answer I have been hearing from da ESPN. It is the life of a Viking fan. Until the team can WIN the big games, the critics WILL keep talking about the Vikes decline in the past month. The game Sunday will be a good one from both squads.

Vikes and Cowboys Make Date Official

With the Cowboys on a war path since beating the Saints. The 'Boys continued it against the Eagles for the second straight week. Now it the Vikes will be facing the team that handed them the week off and at least 1 home game for the playoffs.
As the saying goes, the Cowboys are peeking at the right time, what better of a time than Week 15 and on. The Vikes and the Cowboys game will be a media circus. Why is that? Maybe this is the 1st Cowboys playoff VICTORY in 13 years.  There will be more this week about the Cowboy vs Vikings Divisional Playoff game.

It is just scary that defense that Dallas has and some of the line issues the Vikes had in this season, YES issues McKinnie!!

Percy Harvin returns a kickoff 88 yards

This is not a shocking news whatsoever about Percy Harvin. Harvin has been announced as the 2009 NFL Rookie of the year. Harvin is the 2nd Viking to bestow the award on 3 years and the other is of course Adrian Peterson. It has been a good couple of days for Harvin.


The 22nd overall draft pick out of Florida, Harvin had 60 receptions for 790 yards and six touchdowns; rushed 15 times for 135 yards; and returned 42 kickoffs for 1,156 yards (27.5 per) and two touchdowns, one covering 101 yards. Whenever he gets his hands on the ball, he knows what to do with it. Make a BIG play, this is something that Viking fans love to see.



The reason that Harvin dropped down to the Vikes is that many teams thought that he had off the field issues. So far the only issues with Harvin are his migraines that he has been dealing with since he was young and missed one game this season, because of it. So No Mercy Percy.

Better Late

Yesterday, it was announced that Percy Harvin would make it the 9th Viking "heading" to the Pro Bowl this season. It is the most by any team this season. He will be a return man for the NFC squad. Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson initially was chosen as the NFC's returner, but he also earned a spot as a wide receiver. Jackson will play that position in the game, which opened a spot for Harvin, who became the Vikings' ninth Pro Bowl representative.

Harvin has been a headache for any team that has tried to stop him all season whether it has been a returner-receiver-running back. He has been reeling in BIG plays for the Vikes all season long.He broke the team record for total yards in a season with 2,08l. Take a Bow Percy.

Vikes Dominate Giants 44-7

With the Vikes denying the Giants of spoiling the Vikes chances at being the #2 seed in the NFC. The Vikes took it the Giants all game long in a 44-7 thumping of the Giants. The Giants did however have some key starters on IR or the bench. The Giants team was flat in all phases of the game. The Giants just lost their mojo in the last quarter of the season. It was all down hill for the Giants in this game. The Vikes took advantage from the first drive and did not look back.

In this game the pass set-up the run for much of the game. It looks like that the Vikes continued the type of play calling they starting in the second half of last weeks MNF game vs. da Bears. It was extremely effective throughout the game. At halftime, the Vikes had a 31-0 led and Favre  had 3 TDs(1-Shanks, 2-Rice) and 271 yards passing. Favre was pulled with about 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. To end the game Favre had 316 yards passing, 4 TD, 0 INTS, 0 SACKS- and a passing ratting of 148.7(perfect passing rating-158.3). With the way that Favre has played in the past couple of weeks, I do not see much fading in his game late in the season. As long as the line can protect him, theVikes offense will be just fine.

The Vikes receivers could not be stopped in this contest. Sid the Kid is very comparable to Moss, he has great hand, speed and the leaping ability the displays each week. Rice has come into his own and has shown the NFL he is a BIG play receiver week after week. In the game,Rice caught six passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
Percy Harvin is the little engine that could. He does not go down very easy, he has displayed that all year long. This season, Harvin has amassed over 2,000 all purpose yards this season in his rookie season.Harvin had 7 catches for 59 yards and a rush for 22 yards. I still think that that Vikes offense, just is not that same without him in the lineup.

The Viking as a unit were relentless all game long. The Giants OL had no answers for the Vikes defensive scheme in this one. Eli Manning was being pressured by the Vikes all game and was sacked 3 times(Allen,Robison,and Edwards). The Vikes had 2 forced fumbles, 1 of which was recovered. The DL tipped a Manning pass and Chad Greenway intercepted Manning. Overall, this group was clicking and allowing nothing from a depleted Giants team. This is the way the Vikes need to tackle and play against every team for the playoffs.

With this victory the Vikes have won 12 game this season, the most since the '98 season of 15. It was not an easy regular season. It is good that this team had ups and downs this year. With the Cowboys giving the Vikes a gift later in the day beating the Eagles 24-0, so that means that the Vikes earn a 1st round bye. I for one just hope that Vikes can continue this type of play throughout the playoffs from the Vikings team.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!