Worst Vikings Teams

[tmscr]

Obviously, this year has stirred the debate about the worst vikings teams of all time. We can all look at records and point out the obvious, but I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts, especially from the longtime fans. I've been watching since the early 90's and the worst teams I've seen (in no order) were this year, 2011, 2010 and 2001. It goes deeper than wins and losses. It's also about being somewhat competitive.

Thoughts?

[Raptorman]

Two words. Les Steckel. I think he lost the team before preseason was over. Maybe before training camp was over. It was so bad, they convinced Bud Grant to come out or retirement for one year after they Les left.

[tmscr]

Two words. Les Steckel. I think he lost the team before preseason was over. Maybe before training camp was over. It was so bad, they convinced Bud Grant to come out or retirement for one year after they Les left.

I wasn't around to see that year, so I may be off in my assessment, but that team started 2-2 and then lost their next 5 games by no more than 8 points. however, their last 6 losses were total blowouts. They did finish 7-9 the next season, though.

[tmscr]

ya know, it's kind of funny. a 3 win season has been the absolute bottom of the barrel for the vikings. but that's only happened a few times. the vikings have been a pretty consistently competitive franchise in their history.

[Laserman]

I can't see 3 wins this year. Every game it gets worse. The players have given up on the coaching staff

[Raptorman]

Vikings have never had the number 1 draft pick due to the previous seasons record.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Fraizers first year as HC. Hes going to try and beat that this year. With a good team, but lack of coaching, errr execution is the excuse of the year.

[Orion]

didn't we go 0-16 or 1-15 one year

[Raptorman]

didn't we go 0-16 or 1-15 one year

Never. Worst is 3-13

[PurpleMustReign]

didn't we go 0-16 or 1-15 one year

Really?

[majorm]

Well, they only won 2 games in the their second season, 1962. 2-11-1. 13 is losses the most in a season. SO FAR!!

I have little doubt that record for futility will be surpassed by this year's squad. I don't see a win in their remaining schedule. I just hope if we have to suffer through that, Jacksonville and Tampa manage to win a couple so the Vikings can get the #1 pick. Tampa may, but I don't hold out much hope for the Jags.

The fact that they have been "competitive" for most seasons has been part of the problem. When you have a record in that 7-9 to 9-7 range - which they've done a lot since the 16 game schedule - you're obviously not real good, yet you don't draft high enough to get the real game changing players. They've picked up some real good players over the years (Adrian), but it would be nice to see if they could get that guy that really turns the tide.

Of course, by that I mean a franchise QB. If they could get that guy in place, that's when they could set themselves up to be good for several years.

Tough to watch Green Bay go from one HOF QB to another while the Vikes just haven't been able to find that guy.

I've said it before. When you have a GREAT QB, other holes on your team seem much smaller. I'll bet even this defense would look less horrific with Rodgers, Brees or Brady under center.

[Odlid]

Been a fan since I was 5 years old, 1976. 1984 was a bad year at 3-13 and so was 2011, but this year has been more brutal than both!

[mansquatch]

I didn't see the Steckel era, but since I started watching in the 90s the 2011 squad and this year are by far the two worst. I hate to say this, but even Childress, the worst coach I've seen in my time, never fielded a team as bad as the one we are currently watching.

It feels like Frasier says the right things but for whatever reason he just cannot get this team to play at a competitive level. It is a mystery. I do not see Frasier as being a worse coach than Chilly, but the onfield performance cannot be denied.

[Hunter Morrow]

I'm only 26 so I mercifully missed Steckel by 3 years. Though I do faintly remember Spurgeon Wynn as a sort of bogeyman character
that would steal children away in the middle of the night and force them to watch Vikings Super Bowl games.

I guess that makes me a Denny Green era kid, and as much as he made terrible decisions (Kneeldown, anybody?)
I only saw 1 season of losing football under him.

I don't understand what was so bad about Tice? I'm pretty sure I'd immediately take him over Childress and Frazier.
Ah, we'll always have the Moon Bowl, Michael. Leave the memories alone.

Childress was a godawful cancer on the franchise and had a good record with the team with Peterson and Favre who chugged
a bottle of Geritol and threw for 300 yards every game. Other than that, abominable.

Frazier went 10-6-1 with a 2300 yard all purpose running back. I think he's like a collective 17-27 now?

2001 and 2010-2011 are probably the worst I've ever seen 'em, but this year takes the cake. Maybe its because I'm an adult
or maybe it is because this team is so deeply dysfunctional, especially at QB, and Rodgers just crushed us again, but this year
has been a real bitter pill. I expected some 6-10 to 9-7 regression with an admittedly difficult schedule, but this?

[SterlingANJ]

Wait, so if the Vikes don't win at least 2 more games this season, 2013 will be the lowest point? Jeez.