Luft’s Locker Room

Posts Tagged ‘Zygi Wilf’

After the game (and while I was updating Luft’s Locker Room and Vikings Valhalla), I was thinking who deserved the game ball for the win.

I would love to give one to Zygi Wilf and his family for investing in the Vikings and now coming away with their first of hopefully many, championship banners.

But though Zygi was definitely an integral part of the success, he never touches the ball during the game. So who in the game deserved it?

One man came to mind.

Usually it is a player that is in the mix for a weekly leader spot in rushing, or touchdowns, sacks, interceptions, turnover recoveries, etc.. T-Jack had a decent day with 239 yards, 1 TD and the 1 pick resulting in an 88.5 QB rating. AD had 103 yards, topping the 100 yard mark for the 10th time this season a Vikings record to go along with league rushing title and 1,760 on 363 carries. Bobby Wade had 98 yards and Bernard Berrian 81 with a clutch TD. Berrian had his best yardage total ever and almost reached 1,000 yards on 48 catches this season. And there was the defense, #1 against the rush, much improved against the pass and hard to score against, but that would not be it either.

The game ball should go to a man that has improved on his distance, and always been clutch. He definitely was yesterday and after three time outs and the confusion of poor clock management. Ryan Longwell trots out and bangs the NFC North winning 50 yard field goal.

This kicker has earned it.  (And you say I pick on kickers…)

Speaking of that defense, they deserve credit for their history setting effort this season.

The Vikings run defense made history Sunday, but they clearly are not the same without their top run-stopper clogging up the middle. The Vikings became the first team to lead the league in run defense for three consecutive seasons since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger. They allowed an average of 76.9 yards rushing.

First Mike Tomlin received credit as the defensive coordinator, and we know this year Leslie Frazier will reap the credits and get hired as a head coach SOMEWHERE ELSE! But there has been one common denominator between the both of them: Karl Dunbar, the defensive line coach. If Leslie goes off to coach his own team, then in my opinion, Karl should be asked if wants the DC job and who he’d like to see replace him as line coach.

The quote above was taken from a Chip Scoggins at the STrib story on how Pat Williams is going nuts not being in the game.

Pat Williams says he’ll put a stop to the run

Pat Williams is sorely missed in his two and a half game absence. Both Kevin Williams and Jared Allen have been guaranteed double teams and held to no sacks in each of the final two games. I think that would have been different if Phat Pat were healthy and playing. Hopefully, like he says, he’ll be back against Philadelphia pushing the offensive line backwards and causing all sorts of havoc.

Congratulations to the line, linebackers, defensive backs and the coaches for being the first team to lead the league in run defense 3 years in a row since the merger. In case you were wondering, the NFL record is 4 seasons and held by the Cowboys. That will be the goal for next season, but for now it is onto glory in the playoffs!  Enjoy it Vikings fans, just like for Zygi, it is well earned.

Brad Childress is obviously feeling the criticism and not liking it.  He is focusing his anger on writers and bloggers.  Usually most of those can be synonymous with fans like you and me, that care to peck out a word or two in discuss of the team we love.

There are pieces written in multiple spots this morning that highlight this.

Access Vikings / Vikings War Cry / Pro Football Talk

Arrogance in feeling that because we are not there with him, fighting the battles to be a head coach, we cannot judge.

Childress said, “I read a great quote the other day.  It was author unknown.  It read like this:  That editorialists and columnists are like men that come down from the mountains after the battle and shoot the wounded.  I thought there is a certain something to that.  I didn’t just make that up.  I didn’t just dream that up.  I’m not that deep.”

That was probably a time when gun technology was decades or centuries ahead of medical technology and it was thought of as a mercy killing, but I doubt Brad bothered to see what time period it originated from.

As Phil Mackey over at KFAN wrote,

OK, fair enough. But many of the “wounded” in this case are being paid seven figures to patch the bleeding, roll to their sides, and answer softball questions about the battle — the head coach included.

If Minnesota media members shoot the wounded, imagine what New York and Chicago reporters do to them.

Brad, If only I could talk with you, but you probably wouldn’t listen because I’m one of those men on your mountain…

People are asking why the best runningback in the league, who took the team to victory the week before was on the sidelines for most of the 4th quarter.  Chester Taylor is a good back, but Adrian Peterson is your star.  He wants the ball so that he can do what is necessary to win and the only carry he gets is on a kick return.  Fans are absolutely incredulous over the fact.  Do you want to win ball games or not?

In the Tennessee game you opted to punt hoping the defense would get the ball back when all the Titans had to do was kneel downs.  You throw your punter under the bus for failures on your coverage teams, along with a lot of other questionable calls on your part That could fill this blog for days, make us question your ability.  And you believe we shouldn’t criticize?  We are tied for first place in the NFC North for heaven’s sake, you say.  A mediocre 5-5.  With the talent on this team, you should be ashamed that the Vikings aren’t at least 8-2 at this point.  You promised Zygi Wilf a winning ball club and after time and his sweat and dollars to give you the opportunity, you want us to think 5-5 is good?  You have the same road winning percentage that Mike Tice was fired for (.333%) and you can do is attack your critics…

You are staring at the possibility that your three Pro Bowl defensive linemen will be suspended at the same time.  You are trying how to win the division (though that is starting to look questionable as your motive) and you blame us, the fan for caring.

Didn’t they teach you Brad, that being a coach opens you up to public criticism?  I don’t care if you are coaching Pop Warner or in the NFL, at every level there are folks that will dissect and analyze what you do.  You are on display for those that care about the game.  (If they didn’t care it wouldn’t matter.)  You learn to take valid criticism as lessons to be learned and grow from.  All other you let slide off your back, but when you think that none are valid, your ego has placed you on a pedestal that soon will have the legs blown out from under it.  Then, should the media poke at your wounds, get under your skin and fester like gang green?  You just might just want the man to come off the mountain to put you out of your misery.

At that time, you might be willing to learn but hopefully that will be long after Mr. Wilf notifies you that your services have been terminated.

Rough and stormy seas have beset the Vikings coming out of the bye week.  Jay Glazer announced on national TV that Pro Bowlers Pat and Kevin Williams have failed the banned substance test, both for use of water pills.

He later writes on the web,

“The Vikings’ suspension appeal was slated for this past week, the team’s bye week, but it was pushed back.

Many of the players who have taken the product have long used water pills in order to make weight as they show up to camp or in order to make certain weight on a weekly basis. Guys like the Williams duo, Grady Jackson, Charles Grant appear on the surface to clearly fall under this reasoning.

It’s a shame that players who use such pills, which are readily available at drug stores and health food stores, are swept in the same category as those who try test positive for juicing.”

Precedence was already set in August when the New York Jets running back Jesse Chatman was suspended for four games for violating the league’s drug policy. He said he tested for a diuretic – called Bumetanide.  Now, was he doing to mask steroid use or lose weight?  I don’t know.  Saints offensive guard Jamar Nesbit already served a four-game suspension from the use of the pills.

According to FOX’s Josina Anderson.

“There are about six to ten [players] overall positive tests. Three to four of them are from the Saints organization alone including McAllister and Smith,” the source told her.

“Most of them tested positive for Bumetanide. The last few tested positive for another substance that works similarly,” said Anderson’s source.

We have yet to know if Kevin and Pat tested bad for Bumetanide or the other similar substance, but with the precedent set with Chatman and Nesbit, and it looks like no leniency for the big boys just trying to make their weight.  I hope that I am wrong.

Confidentiality until the appeals process is complete is required.  It is appalling that it has been disregarded.  We now know the names of Will Smith, Charles Grant and Deuce McAllister of the Saints along with Falcon DT Grady Jackson and now Pat and Kevin Williams.  The NFL has a problem in its front office, because it is clear that the source had to come from there.  (There is a slight chance it came from the testing lab, but they probably don’t know whose sample is who’s by using a nondescript ID number or code to keep prejudice from affecting results.)  There needs to be strong disciplinary actions taken when the leak is found at the minimum.

Looking ahead at the last 4 games of November, Green Bay, @ Tampa Bay, @ Jacksonville, and Chicago, the earliest we could see the Wall suspended, can you see wins without them especially considering that EJ Henderson is gone too.  I hope Napoleon Harris, Fed Evans, Letroy Guion and maybe Ellis Wyms sliding over can pull the load.  Plus, Jared will be facing double teams the whole time making running up the middle a definite option to go along with taking shots at the secondary.  All this after facing a hot Houston Texans that put the Vikings on what could be a 6 game losing streak, and then to think that Brad Childress will try to spin that as an excuse not to be fired, just galls me to no end.

Looking at the schedule I wanted to take gander at predicting the outcome, especially in the light of the core of the Vikings defense gone.  Now if the Vikings offense continues to put up 41 points a game (thanks Chicago), we’ll do just fine.  However, there are two phases of the game, special teams and defense.  The strongest aspect of the Vikings game this year had been the D, the weakest and basically the teams Achilles heel has been the special teams.  They and the offense will have to play their best ball of the season because the defense that was ranked 2^nd against the run and 20^th against the pass just had its run stopping pass pressuring core put on notice of a 4 game suspension.

Texans (Nov 2/noon/CBS) – The Wall should be still playing as the Vikes welcome a hot Houston team with a good special teams and 5^th ranked passing offense to go along with their 11^th ranked rush.  The Vikings will have to play at their best with Madieu Williams back for his first game and Napoleon Harris starting his.  I question in light of the allegations, is there enough coaching and leadership to make this happen?  No, and the boo birds start yelling loud enough for coach Childress to hear.  The team is coming out of the bye and should win, but doesn’t due to more bad play calling.

Packers (Nov 9/noon/FOX) – Brad Childress’ worst nightmare.  In his tenure as coach he has faced the Packers 5 times and lost every single one of them.  I figure that this will be the first game the Williams Wall will be at home watching.  Make this game Childress’ 6^th and final loss.  The Vikings will be 3-6 virtually eliminated from any playoff hopes, plus Zygi Wilf wanting revenge on Green Bay for their fictitious tampering charges, takes it out on Childress instead.  There is a press conference after the game and Leslie Frazier is named interim head coach.  No Rooney rule needed there.  (Sorry St Louis.)

@ Buccaneers (Nov 16/noon/FOX) – Now led by a Tony Dungy disciple, the team treks down out of the cold to visit a team battling to stay in the race for the NFC South.  But like first outing for new coaches this year, the Vikings take away at least a turning point victory like Mike Singletary had in San Francisco, or an upset and a real one like with the Rams and the Raiders.

@ Jaguars (Nov 23/noon/FOX) – A visit to Jack Del Rio’s team along with a private apology from Zygi to Mike Tice turns in a good hard fought effort, but the Jags trying to get another wildcard birth defeat the Vikes on the second road game in a row.  At least it is warm.

Bears (Nov 30/7:30pm/NBC) – After the 48-41 defeat in Chicago, the Vikes are looking to return the favor.  The only problem is that the Williams Wall is desperately needed and Forte runs all day, and Kyle Orton finishes the rest.  Looks like the Bears will be winning the division.  The count is now 4-8.

@ Lions (Dec 7/non/FOX) – Over to Ford Field to play St Mary’s School for the Blind.  The offense scores over 50 points and Adrian Peterson screams past the 1,000 yard mark.  The Wall is back and takes it out on the boys in Honolulu blue.  This is the Vikings feel good game and start of some well deserved momentum.

@ Cardinals (Dec 14/noon/FOX) – The defense has found it’s soul again and even though Kurt Warner throws for over 300 yards, the 3 interceptions (2 by Darren Sharper) and the fumble do the red birds in for the upset.

Falcons (Dec 21/noon/FOX) – Matt Ryan has hit his rookie wall, and though the Falcons are on the way to a better future, today is not the day.  Both the Offense and defense dominate and more importantly, the special teams play well too.

Giants (Dec 28/noon/FOX) – The Giants have already sewn up the NFC East and home field advantage.  The Vikings defense tears apart Eli’s backup just like if Eli was there playing catch with Darren Sharper and Antoine Winfield.  The loss is meaningless to the G-men but turns out to be the Vikings 4^th win in a row.  The team finishes 8-8 and the Leslie Frazier era continues into 2009.

I’m no swami, but that looks to be about as realistic as it gets. Tell me what you think, but first I  want to give a shout out to one the best writers in the Vikings’ blogosphere, Pacifist Viking.  PV has wrote on what is his final straw with Brad Childress and his unwillingness to learn and expand from his system with the goal of playing better football.  That to me is the point of a coach, not only does he teach, he thrives on learning and hopes to advance his craft to an art form.  He then goes on to introduce the possibility of one such coach and former Viking: Mike Mularkey.

PV’s pointing out Mike Mularkey might be a good option too if my prognostications fail to pan out exactly the way they were typed.  But if Childress manages to limp to the end of the season with an 8-8 record or so, the Wilf’s will probably look for a big name guy instead.  The shocker would be if old Gus Frerotte and the KAO score 40 points a game and the Wall isn’t missed.  The Vikings win the division and Brad the Man is saying, “See!”   Either way is good, and it is always a good (and somewhat masochistic) time to be a Vikings fan.

Brad Childress in hot water.

You sometimes wonder if Brad Childress, head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, is like the frog is the stew pot that doesn’t realize that the water is getting hotter.

You never put a live frog into hot water to cook. It will sense the scalding temperature of the liquid and hops out. Putting that same frog in water at room temperature then slowly bring up the heat, it will just swim around oblivious to its impending doom. Once the frog starts to figure out the water is too hot, it is too late and he is already cooked enough that he can no longer escape and his demise is imminent.

Brad Childress is swimming around on the sidelines just like the frog in the pot, not sensing the impending doom. The heat has been turned up and it is only a matter of time.

The death of a head coach’s stint at the helm of an NFL franchise usually follows a similar pattern. A new head coach is hired, there is optimism and an understanding standing honeymoon period to follow. The coach is given time to make the team in his image and to play under his philosophy. This usually takes a couple of seasons to bear fruit and the fans understand that. That was where Childress was last year, and after a slow start followed with a strong finish and just barely missing the playoffs, hopes were high.

The owner, Zygi Wilf, committed to excellence and went out and bought even more of the best available talent at coach Childress’ request to make the team even better in the push towards football success and glory. Pundits everywhere were saying that the Vikings were an NFC and Super Bowl contender. The ticket and merchandise buying fans and a football loving owner couldn’t be happier to have their expectations set so high. Only thing left was to live up to those deserving expectations.

Here is where we have the frog in the pot of water wondering why spices and bits of food are starting to be added. It started in the preseason when a confident and extremely well executing Tarvaris Jackson went down with a knee sprain in game 2. He did not play again until the opener. Young guys especially need the reps, but everything was going to be just fine Childress would tell us. Then came the opener against our arch rival Packers and a sluggish offensive effort full of mistakes lets a “should be” win slip away. Oh, how the fans wanted that one, especially after the Favre soap opera and the allegations of tampering.

Next was the come from ahead loss to the mighty Indianapolis Colts. With a lead well in hand, stupid and undisciplined mistakes led to another Peyton Manning fourth quarter comeback. Doubts are starting to manifest themselves, particularly in the fans’ minds and coach Childress dominates the coach’s approval rating voting on ESPN and plummets to a 6% low. Childress throws his poor performing young quarterback under the bus. We all hear the ca-thunk of TJack under the wheels as old Gus Frerotte is named the starter for the rest of the season. The knob on the stove is turned on.

Game 3, the defense that Vikings fans love showed themselves and behind outstanding play from Antoine Winfield and EJ Henderson, they rocked the Panthers. Childress’ rating goes up to 29%. The cook is wondering whether to turn the heat off and fix something else.

Game 4, the Vikes head south to Tennessee to meet their mirror image of a team. Vikings fans, just think, today the Titans are still undefeated. Yes, the Vikes got beat but mostly by themselves with more stupid mistakes and self inflicted penalties. Childress’ coaching rating plummets down to 6%, the lowest of all coaches in the league. Stock is added to the pot but we learn other cooks have already had their recipes bowl over. The Oakland Raiders fired head coach Lane Kiffin soon to be followed by the St Louis Rams calling Scott Linehan’s tenure done.

Game 5, down in bayou country where they really know how to cook up some frog. Facing the most dominant passing game in the league this year, the Vikings hold there own and open a lead against the Saints. Fans are happy, but not for long as we witness the game being given away. Two punts are returned by Reggie Bush and the special teams give up 354 total yards. How classic this is starting to become. Fortunately, with the help of some questionable calls, the Vikes come out with a win. Childress’ response was throw his punter, Chris Kluwe, under the bus. Ca-thunk! A win, no matter how ugly, garnishes Brad a bump to 13% (his season average). A “W” is a “W” right? Vegetables are being added to the stew and the heat bumped up again.

Game 6, the hapless Lions come to town and this should be easy. Yeah, right. Bumblin’, fumblin’ and stumblin’ the lethargic play of the Vikings and more fortunate bad officiating and the Vikes barely, and I mean barely, eek out a win. Downward goes the coach’s approval rating to a generous 10%. (I didn’t know the Childress clan was so big.) The Vikes are back to .500 and the frog seems to be quite pleased with himself.

Off to the big city of Chicago, where coach Childress was gifted with Adrian Peterson’s breakout game last season. Two good defensive teams with weak offenses were to meet in what surely would be a tradition black and blue slug fest.

Nope, ain’t going to happen. More stupid coaching decisions, especially with the special teams leads to the Vikings giving away free points and great field position. The offense had its best game and play calling even had a surprise or two. The Vikes still throw too much on short downs and stupidly announce it by lining up in the shotgun. Why? We have the best running tandem in the league and it is consistently misused and neglected.

The slug fest became a shootout but with questionable aim on the Vikings part, self-inflicted wounds in the way of coaching decisions for squib kicks, flooky ball bounces, bad throws by old Gus and a rash of penalties like false starts and encroachments led to a loss after scoring 41 points. Fan frustration is already boiling, but because of the offensive output, Childress garners an extra point and now sits at 11%. (Below that of congress as pointed out by John McMullen over on Real Football 365 today.) A little salt and pepper added to our stew and soon it will be simmering. Elsewhere in the league another pot boils over and the 49’ers relieve Mike Nolan.

The final steps in the firing of a coach are that the fans start calling for his head. Check. Then the media starts the criticism of everything he does. Check. Then they question, “Should he remain?” Anthony Hall does that well this morning at Vikings War Cry and it will be soon in the mainstream press if the Vikings return from the bye and lose to the Houston Texans. The team has demonstrated a propensity to play to the level of their opponents then through sloppy play and predictable play calling, try to give it away. They are unfortunately succeeding in the later proved out with the 3-4 record.

3-4 doesn’t cut it, and Brad Childress will have to rectify that and have his team start living up to those expectations because if not, the heat will be cranked up one last time and the frog stew will be brought to a boil. Not liking the taste of it, our chef who is know for his love of football and not his cooking, may just throw that frog out.

The moral of this story is for Childress to pull his head out [of the water] and start winning lots of games, otherwise there will be frog stew for supper.

Special teams play, and the play calling for them Sunday was atrocious in the 48-41 loss to the Chicago Bears. I think if Chili needs a scapegoat to divert attention from his poor coaching decisions, he should fire the special teams coach. You fellow Vikings fans are all correct, they [especially the coverage units] have been horrible. They directly cost the Vikes 14 points and indirectly a lot more with bad squib kicks starting the Bears near the 50 yard line. Pathetic!

Can we please have a solidly coached game where the offense, defense and special teams play competently in the same stadium, on the same date and time? Is that too much to ask for?

There is no joy in constantly close, gut wrenching games. There is joy in convincing wins where the Vikes close the door early on any comeback.

Special is right, as in need of some special education. Kids here in Illinois have IEPs [Individual Education Plans], where weaknesses are identified and extra help and attention is given in those subjects and areas. That is exactly what the special teams need: extra help and attention.

I don’t think that it is Chris Kluwe out kicking his coverage. He ranks well in the distance and the net rankings compared to the rest of the punters. I think it has to do with lane discipline and tackling skills. (And maybe selection of the proper players to be on the teams.)

I hope Kluwe has thick skin and short memory and doesn’t go into the tank after this.

Cobra312004 wrote:
But in all seriousness, if Childress actually WANTS to keep his job, he’s got to get a new special teams coach. Someone has to be held accountable. If that means firing him and taking over yourself, so be it. But no coach should put up with this kind of consistent incompetence (especially since our team has a history of punting A LOT) from any aspect.

How’s this for an answer Cobra from Access Vikings:

Childress accepts responsibility
October 20th, 2008 – 1:26 PM by Chip Scoggins

Vikings coach Brad Childress was asked about the special teams breakdowns this season and the miscues in a 48-41 loss to the Bears in particular and whether special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro is accountable for those.

“It all comes back to me,” Childress said Monday at his press conference. “I’m not going to pin it on a coach or player. It all comes back to me. That’s what it is. I’m the guy who has wins and losses by my record so it’s not the special teams guy. It will always all come back to me with wins and losses.”

Okay… Can we [Zygi] fire Childress now? Please!

And one last thought… ESPN has given all fans the right and means to vote on how they feel their favorite team’s head coach is doing. Not that we have say in the matter, but Zygi Wilf does know who buys the season tickets, and all the Purple merchandise that makes his owning a professional football team a more enjoyable experience for everyone. A head coach that engenders boos and other displays of disgust, doesn’t work towards those goals. Over in the far right column, just below the schedule at Vikings Valhalla’s own Luft’s Locker Room you can click the link to vote for yourself each week and see how your buddies feel on the subject too.

I’m all for discipline and how it relates to victory.  I have spent a lifetime living it and learning that followership and leadership are two sides of the coin of success.  After the wild win against the Saints Monday night, I’m starting (actually continuing) to question whether Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress understands.

New Orleans had 354 total return yards on 12 returns, 2 touchdowns and averaged 35.2 yards on punt returns and 33.6 on kickoff returns.  That has contributed to the Vikings ranking last in the NFL in punt coverage and are 30th in kickoff coverage.  This caused Brad Childress to blame his punter, Chris Kluwe, and like Roman governors of old, he hung him out in public to make an example for all to see.

Childress had instructed Kluwe to kick the ball out of bounds after Reggie Bush’s first touchdown return.  The angrily exclaimed later that, “If he can’t do that, I will find somebody who can kick the ball out of bounds.”

Kluwe was summonsed to Childress’ office Wednesday morning for a one on one discussion.  Kluwe later explained that, “I was trying to aim it about 40 yards downfield.  I used the (sideline) ref as my aiming point. Sometimes with the drop, the ball doesn’t go where you want it to go. That’s why we play the game.”

“A lot of people don’t realize that when you’re trying to kick out of bounds, you’re trying to kick to a specific point 55 yards away,” Kluwe said. “You have quarterbacks that have trouble throwing the ball 55 yards away. To kick it there, it takes a little bit of luck to get where you want it to go.”

“It’s a pretty delicate balancing act,” Chris continued. “You want try to get yardage out of it, but, at the same time, if you try to get too much it doesn’t go out. If try to get too little, you’ve kicked a 20-yard punt three rows deep (in the stands) and you get yelled at for that. It’s something I’m going to try to work on and hopefully be ready, because we’ve got Chicago coming up after Detroit and obviously I’ll be asked to do it there (against Hester).”

“A couple of inches on your drop can translate into tens of yards down the field,” Kluwe explained. “It’s not an exact science.”

Just a thought… If Childress didn’t want Bush touching the ball after his first punt return, why didn’t he just go for it on 4th down or at least try a fake?  That would have been one way of taking him out of the game and might have even resulted in a first down.

Or, if that option isn’t as palatable, why doesn’t Chili have Kluwe kick sky balls?  They are the 35-40 yard rafter tickling variety that allows the coverage team to be waiting with the returner for the ball to return to earth?  This is what other teams do against good returners like Bush or Hester and ends up with a fair catch and no return.

The Vikings have consistently struggled with coverage units for the last three years. There were improvements last year and Heath Farwell being a big part of that. Childress went on later to lament, “Everything that I see is correctable. I’d be worried if you said, ‘You don’t have this guy or you don’t have that guy.’ People want to point to Heath Farwell. Heath is a good football player. There’s somebody that steps up and does that. Everything that I see I believe we can get corrected, and it’s my job to correct it. That’s what we’re going about doing right now in terms of fundamentals, techniques, understanding what’s happened to them in space and down the field, what they’re looking for, training their eyes and right there at the end pulling the trigger.”

My question is why aren’t the fundamentals and techniques being trained and retained? Use starters if you have to. Again, do you realize that the Saints had 354 total return yards on 12 returns (both kicks and punts)? Any team would give their eye teeth for that type of production.

This needs fixed and it doesn’t just include kicking the ball out of bounds.

I can appreciate expecting a pro to put the ball right where you or he wants it, and a coffin corner type kick that goes max distance and lands on or just outside the yard wide sideline stripe.  But even the best pros don’t always execute to perfection, just ask Tiger Woods when he blasts a drive into the ruff of an adjacent fairway, Kevin Garnett fires an air-ball, or when Peyton Manning or Tom Brady send a ball off target to their favorite receivers.  Do you throw those guys under the bus and threaten to replace them?

Chris Kluwe is the 7th rated punter in the NFL plus your place kick holder, and if you replace him with a street free agent that hasn’t played in over a month and a half at the least, are you making your team better or at least giving them a better chance to win football games?  Take note Zygi; that is what we Vikings fans are being asked to accept.

I was going to sit down and write a “keys to victory” type pregame, but it’s my birthday [my teenage daughter says, "Just think Dad, your half way to 90."] and the only thing I want is a long winning streak.  …Either that, or a firing and a long winning streak.  Is that too much to ask?

The #1 key to victory is to score more points than the Saints.  Duh!

For the rest of my breakdown, I’m going to take the easy route and direct you to The Ragnarok.  He has written that this is A Very Winnable Game and indeed it is.  He mirrors my line of thinking and analysis very closely on top of having it backed up with some stats as evidence.

The Vikings’ should be able to pass on the Saints (even if Bernard Berrian is banged up again). They should be able to run the ball on the Saints. The question is, can the Vikings’ defense keep the Saints’ passing game from going off for 30 plus points. If the Vikings can limit the Saints to 24 points (their lowest total so far this year), then the offense should be able to match that (or Zygi should just fire Brad Childress after the game). If the Saints score 30+ points, they’re going to win the game, barring Adrian Peterson going into Purple Jesus mode (the Vikings have not scored 30+ points without Adrian rushing for 200+ yards or by creating a ton of turnovers).

After last week’s loss, it has taken a little while to get over the agitation that I have felt over the lost opportunities to dominate and the wasted talent not being utilized efficiently, but as game day nears, my hopes and aspirations for a successful Vikings team and winning game start to surface.  Here’s to hoping that tonight, on the national stage when the rest of the league is watching, Adrian Peterson runs for 200 yards and Gus passes for 300.  Then, even if a physically and psychologically harassed Drew Brees does manage near 300, is shouldn’t matter.  The Vikes play well on a fast surface of turf and under a roof so this is indeed a winnable game.  Is game time yet?

Skol!

Are you really looking forward to the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers opener?  Me too.  Even Zygi Wilf and his family have a new found appreciation for what is the premier rivalry in the division and one of the arguably all time best in football.  This season version was heightened by the Brett Favre saga and the immediate [and acquitted] charges of tampering leveled against the Vikes by the Pack.  Feel the love Baby!

The preseason has ended and the games are starting to count.  A few things came out of the games in the preseason that Vikings fans will look forward to.  First and foremost was the improved play by Tarvaris Jackson in the first two games prior to his knee sprain.  The sprain is easily at a point now, that not 100% will be fully functional and not impair his play.

Tarvaris this year also has an improved group of receivers led by Bernard Berrian and second year player Sidney Rice.  The big case of dropsies was traded off to Jacksonville earlier in the year and I don’t anticipate its return.  Even the under-achieving Visanthe Shiancoe has shown improvement at catching the ball.  This ability to throw should give the Vikings the ability to strike from anywhere on the field and compliment the run.  It will also be necessary to pull the safety from the box that will surely be there to stop the run.

Running the ball is what the Vikings of ’07 did best.  With the Rookie of the Year, Adrian Peterson, and the Chester Taylor providing a league leading tandem at running the ball, the only way that teams could stop them was to shut down the passing game and throw 8, 9, and sometimes 10 guys in the box.  The Vikes still drove the ball, but it eventually lowered the offensive output.  This year, Adrian Peterson has been learning patience and following his linemen, then when a hole opens up to break free instead of trying to force it.  Plus, he should be in on more passing situations either blocking or getting open in space where he is absolutely deadly.

If opposing teams, and by that I mean Green Bay this week try to fill the box, Jackson with weapons and confidence will beat them over the top.  The Vikings will be a run first team with the stable of backs they have but this year with the acquisition of Berrian and the improved play of receivers and more importantly Tarvaris Jackson, there should be more of a balanced attack with each facet of the offense feeding off of what the defense is trying to stop.

Monday night’s game, the Vikings will see an injury recovering Packers defense lead by linebacker A.J. Hawk and his sprained chest (questionable) and a slower Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila with a gimped knee not practicing Friday, but listed as probable.  This should help Artis Hicks who will be making his start at left tackle for the suspended Bryant McKinnie.

Artis Hicks should have help from Steve Hutchinson on his right and Jimmy Kleinsasser on his left.  The only thing I’m concerned about is that Childress will show which direction the play [run] is designed to go by which tackle is getting help from Kleinsasser.  Last year the left side of the line had a 5+ yard per carry average and the right side of the O-line had a league leading 7+ yards per carry average, and though Ryan Cook contributed, it was probably more due to the help of Kleinsasser’s and somewhat Tony Richardson’s blocking abilities.  This year Thomas Tapeh will be at full back, and along with Jimmy be helping more now no matter which direction the play is designed.

On the defensive side of the ball the Vikings will be testing the first season starter Aaron “I’m want my Mommy” Rodgers like he has not been tested before.  Just think, he’s named the starter and future of the franchise after Brett Favre’s retirement, Brett has a change of heart and a fight with the club, and the poor backup who is to be the new leader is stuck in the middle.  Even the young Packers fans where giving him grief.  All I can say is expect more.

Jared Allen was one of the best free agent acquisitions in the league this year and has bonded with the Williams Wall and the forgotten Ray Edwards to form the best defensive line in football today.  They will be busting through a highly suspect line due to injuries; Josh Sitton (G) is out with a knee, Chad Clifton (T) is listed as not participating with some sort of knees and chest problems, but is listed as probable, and Scott Wells (C) with back issues and only listed as questionable.  That lineup of wounded and substitutes will have all of the front four licking there chops in anticipation of many meetings in the backfield.

Take a first time starting QB, a busted line and throw in for good measure a starting running back in Ryan Grant that sat out most of the preseason, then once finally showing up tweaks a hamstring.  He did not participate Friday, but is still listed as probable.  Pat Williams is sure hoping he will be there, because he is the only back last year to gain over 100 yards against him [the Vikings run D] and he takes it personally.

Such a strong defensive line will command double team blocking from the opposition whether it be the Pack or the rest of the league.  This leaves the Vikings linebackers lead by E.J. Henderson in the middle to reek havoc and fill holes in the running game and hunt for receivers in the passing game.

In the passing game, a sore spot from ’07, pressure on the QB from that defensive line [thank you Zygi for getting Allen] should shorten the time Rodgers has to throw the ball along with mess with his mind causing bad decisions and wounded ducks that Darren Sharper will eagerly gobble up.  The Vikes only rookie starter, Tyrell Johnson will be playing next to him and should be holding his own.  He will be targeted for sure, but with help from Sharper, has shown throughout preseason that he is up to the task.

There were a few things that came to focus during the week.  This defense looks to be very, very good and the offense has greatly improved.  Leadership in the front office and coaching staff has made it possible, but what gets me psyched is the chemistry of the players.

Jimmy Kleinsasser, my favorite player also thinks so, and thinks it is unique because the closeness is for the team as a whole. He credits players such as defensive standouts Jared Allen and Kevin and Pat Williams and offensive stalwarts Peterson and Steve Hutchinson with setting a good tone in the locker room.

“This group is probably the closest team I’ve been on in the NFL, that’s for sure,” he said. “And that’s across the board, every position, offense and defense. We’re not just having guys sitting as a position group or hanging out with the offense. We’re all for each other.”

And we as fans are for them too.  I expect the Vikings to go into Lambeau Field and start something special.  This is the ticket I’m voting for in ’08 and it will start by defeating the NFC North champs.  Skol Vikings!

These aren’t your ordinary beer goggles, but high tech devices brought in to help the Vikings. Sight acuity is a significant thing and can mean the difference between success and failure, or between not so good and great.

Shooting sports are one that come to mind and for me it was learning to shoot skeet in Turkey years ago. I used to always hunt dove in North Dakota early in the fall, and used it not only for the Sunday afternoon snacks it would make for later, but as a tune up for my shooting eye come deer season. I figured if I could nail a dove flying down wind in a North Dakota breeze, hit a deer was a piece of cake.

I would generally waste a good half box of shells in the process just peppering the sky. That was the case until the skeet instructor taught me to focus on the dove’s eye instead of just the bird. It worked great!

It was eye training. This year it looks like the folks at Winter Park have brought back the good folks from the Nike Vision. Sunday at practice, the strobe goggles were brought out. They are designed for the wearer to improve their focusing through distraction and focusing on what they need to. Just like what the instructor taught me.

Here is what coach Childress had to say as reported by Vikings Now:

“Strobe Specs is what they’re called,” coach Brad Childress said. “They will flash fast, so you can see everything. Then they will flash slow. The quarterbacks are continually getting hands across their faces, people waving things and bumped and moved. So it is really more of a distraction that you have to focus through.”

Nike Vision’s program of hand-eye exercises couldn’t cure former Vikings wide receiver Troy Williamson of the dropsies, but Childress is open to anything that might improve his players’ game.

“By any means necessary,” he said. “I think we’re some of the first people to have those. We have 10 pairs of them. DBs will be using them, quarterbacks, wide receivers. Anything for better visual acuity.”

Curing Troy Williamson definitely didn’t come when he was in a Purple uniform, but word now coming from the Jags camp is that he is catching everything in sight. He missed the first preseason game so we will all have to wait to make that judgment.

If these goggles help the rest of the Vikings, it will be all worth it. Plus it goes to saying that Childress and Wilf are trying to do everything possible to get the best players available and improve their skills, all in an effort to bring championship football back to Minnesota. No purple tinted glasses required to see that.

The picture is not of the goggles as far as I know. I just thought the goggles would be nice to look at through.

What are you guys watching or reading about camp that is striking your interest?

Is it about Tarvaris hitting passes to Berrian?

How about Adrian Peterson wanting to get better?

That must be a scary thought to our opponents. He is trying to learn patience and to let the blocks develop in front of him. I remember when they were saying that about Robert Smith, then later to see him sort of hover behind the line, see a hole open, then turn on the burners for 65 yards. Throw that type of skill on top of AD’s talents and we are in for one heck of a special treat.

For me, I like reading about Jarred Allen and how he and Bryant McKinnie are purposefully working to improve each other. Then also hearing that it isn’t just speed or moves, but that Chase Johnson got to feel what his bull rush is like.

That fact that we hearing about the players trying to get better and trying to make each other better is what is special.

Take the story about the fight for the #3 QB spot between Brooks Bollinger and John David Booty. Knowing that one of them will most likely be gone after the final cut, and that Brooks being the guy that has been around but that coach Childress has an affinity for developing young quarterbacks, this looks to be a battle where each knows the other will get their job. Heartburn and antipathy between the two? No, just respect and friendship. Booty saying that it is Brooks that is helping him the most and trying to bring him up to speed. That says a whole lot about what type of atmosphere there is at this camp. That is different than most ever other camp in the league and should result in a great season. My hat is off to coach Childress and his staff for fostering this type of environment.

How about reading of Zygi Wilf’s speech and Ben Leber’s reaction? Or that Zygi was out there catching Kluwe’s punts? Isn’t nice to have an owner that cares this much, and is obviously trying to do what it takes to bring a perennial winner to Minnesota?

How about the stories of the fans getting to talk to players and get autographs? How about the ability to look a boat load of pictures taken by Vikings Valhalla’s own Admiral BigGun? So many that they are broken down into part 1 and part 2.  Thanks there Buddy!

Are you glad that they are now hitting at full speed? Happy that injuries are minor to date? Can’t wait for the scrimmage against the Chief’s or better yet the first preseason game?

What do you find interesting and how are your feelings on camp this year so far? Tell me about them and let’s talk about it.