Vikings Message Board.Com

Where is ThatGuy when you need him?

Let's try and keep this thread positive.

I guess I'll start.


The Vikings have 2 impressive wins.

The 3 losses were against 3 future HOF QBs.

Out of the 3 losses, 2 of them could have had a different outcome if they took care of the ball.

The Vikings are 2-3 and still have a good chance to end up 4-4 at the halfway point.

No matter how bad the Vikings lost on Thursday, it still only counts as one loss.

Even though the score was lopsided vs GB, most of the box score wasn't.
Ponder threw for more yards than Rodgers.
The defense held GB 4/11 on 3rd downs.
Total yards were about equal (299 vs 320)

IMO, a competent QB would have made a huge difference in this game, even with the 2 big plays by Rodgers in the first half.
It makes the defense respect the pass which should open up the run.
It gives the offense more opportunities if a QB can exploit the blitz.
It helps the OL and WRs when the QB stays where he should

The Vikings have, what looks to be a very competent QB in Bridgewater.

Bridgewater: Will be ready for Lions

I have not been positive lately, but I am realizing that I am being way too hard on this team this year. I have been so caught up in our coaching change and player additions that I have failed to realize this is still a rebuilding team.

Anyway, the biggest positive for me is Teddy. This guy will be our franchise QB for the next decade. Some days, it is still hard to believe he fell all the way down and we were able to trade up for him. Teddy is going to play well this season. He will have his bumps along the way, but overall, I fully expect him to establish himself as a reliable QB in the NFL this year.

808vikingsfan wrote: The defense held GB 4/11 on 3rd downs.

This is the biggest one in my book ... that needed desperately to improve, and it did. Unfortunately, on his second and third drives, Rodgers lit us up on 1st and 2nd downs, so 3rd downs weren't an issue. But on drives 1 and 3-7, the Viking defense looked very good on all downs, including 3rd.

As I mentioned in another thread, keeping perspective is as simple as recognizing the injuries to so many key players, the new systems on both sides of the ball, the new head coach, and the new coaching staff will contribute to some wild week-to-week volatility in the team's performance this year, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them come out flying at home against the Lions with Bridgewater at the helm.

I'm still very optimistic about this team's future, including the balance of this season.

LEAFMAN THE PURPLE FAN

808vikingsfan wrote: Out of the 3 losses, 2 of them could have had a different outcome if they took care of the ball.

I like the positivity and agree with the other points. But I don't think I can swallow this one.

I think we have to start on the D side of the ball, and it seems we have. Detroit will show if our D is bad, or hopefully above average. They cant play Blanton again.

Teddy Bridgewater!

PurpleKoolaid wrote:I think we have to start on the D side of the ball, and it seems we have. Detroit will show if our D is bad, or hopefully above average. They cant play Blanton again.

Time and Time again Blanton took really bad angles

mondry wrote:Teddy Bridgewater!

I'm drowning in the kool-aid on this dude. Why not? If not, I'd probably want to go drown in a lake.

Leafman wrote:As I mentioned in another thread, keeping perspective is as simple as recognizing the injuries to so many key players, the new systems on both sides of the ball, the new head coach, and the new coaching staff will contribute to some wild week-to-week volatility in the team's performance this year, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them come out flying at home against the Lions with Bridgewater at the helm.

And isn't it interesting how difficult it is to keep these valid points in perspective as a fan? I know I have trouble doing it from time to time.

But you're right. This time the team really is in rebuilding mode, from the players all the way to the coaching. It's one of the reasons why I believe this could be a hot and cold season, with the team having both great and bad games this year. After that, I believe we'll see some real stability settle in and there will be players (such as Bridgewater and Patterson) that will mature and learn together.

cstelter wrote: I like the positivity and agree with the other points. But I don't think I can swallow this one.

5 turnovers vs the Pats. 3 in 1st half vs GB. I'm not saying they would have won but it could have made a big difference in each game had they not turned the ball over.

I'm bullish on Zimmer and Turner, which makes me bullish on the Vikings.

Sure, we have some holes. The O-line is inconsistent. Some starters on defense, Blanton being a good example, probably won't start next year. But there's much to like about the direction the team is headed. Where we have weaknesses, you see slow-but-steady improvement. We're already a better defense than the past 3 years, even with the disaster at Green Bay. Our corners are playing their butts off. Guys like Jarius Wright are starting to grow up. There's a ton of potential in Jerick McKinnon.

And we have four guys named Bridgewater, Patterson, Smith and Barr. That's a pretty good core to work from.

By the time we get into our new stadium, I really believe this team will be in serious contention, and not just for the division. Maybe my purple Kool-Aid is mixed a bit too strong, or maybe I'm just senile. But that's what I think. We can't look at the Green Bay game and go, "Well, there you have it." I think you have to look at the Atlanta game and say, "A glimpse of the future."

J. Kapp 11 wrote:I'm bullish on Zimmer and Turner, which makes me bullish on the Vikings.

Sure, we have some holes. The O-line is inconsistent. Some starters on defense, Blanton being a good example, probably won't start next year. But there's much to like about the direction the team is headed. Where we have weaknesses, you see slow-but-steady improvement. We're already a better defense than the past 3 years, even with the disaster at Green Bay. Our corners are playing their butts off. Guys like Jarius Wright are starting to grow up. There's a ton of potential in Jerick McKinnon.

And we have four guys named Bridgewater, Patterson, Smith and Barr. That's a pretty good core to work from.

By the time we get into our new stadium, I really believe this team will be in serious contention, and not just for the division. Maybe my purple Kool-Aid is mixed a bit too strong, or maybe I'm just senile. But that's what I think. We can't look at the Green Bay game and go, "Well, there you have it." I think you have to look at the Atlanta game and say, "A glimpse of the future."

My sentiments exactly. I would add Floyd and Joseph as part of the core, I think they're a solid, young tackle duo.

LEAFMAN THE PURPLE FAN

So far, I like Zimmer's attitude. He tells it like it is. It is very refreshing.

We have seen adjustments made in game that have worked. Our defense played very well against New Orleans and actually didn't play that badly against GB after two drives in each game that led to TDs. That's something that, for whatever reason, just didn't happen before.

We have seen glimpses of good to great play by some of the young players on the team, like McKinnon, Barr, and of course, Bridgewater.

The future is very bright for this team... they have some holes in places, but overall, I like the direction this team is going.

Leafman wrote: My sentiments exactly. I would add Floyd and Joseph as part of the core, I think they're a solid, young tackle duo.

LEAFMAN THE PURPLE FAN

I'm not certain about Floyd. He hasn't been too good since the St. L game.

I'm hoping this is the result of injury but if not, we need to see Stephen get more reps, especially on early downs and short yardage.

Here's a silver lining: Tom Johnson's bail was ONLY $78! That's a deal!

Sorry. I couldn't resist.