Are the Vikes done?

Going into this weeks game against New England, the Vikes where put in a position where they had to produce a win or their once optimistic season was in jeopardy of ending early. To the dismay of Vikings fans everywhere they did not come up with a win against the Patriots who have been lights out at home. I was expecting to see the Vikings come out hungry and ready to see our D-Line show what they have shown in the past. Once again i did not see anything of this nature. Is it that our line is getting too old? Is it the Brett Favre distraction that is holding back this team? I would love to know the answer to that question. This same Vikings team who during the offseason and into training camp where many peoples favorite to represent the NFC in the Superbowl, have put themselves in a very difficult position to earn a playoff spot.

The story going into the game was will Brett Favre keep the streak alive, and the return of Randy to New England. Favre played well up until he had to be carted off the field with a what appeared to be a serious jaw injury. He took care of the ball for the most part, and hit Percy many times over the middle. His lone interception on the day was not a terrible throw, rather a great defensive play. As for the return of Moss, well that did not live up to the hype. He tallied 1 catch for 8 yards, although he did have a big pass interference play which would have been a touchdown.

Peterson and Harvin continue to be the vikings most explosive players. Harvin gave everyone a scare when he had to be helped of the field early in the 1st quarter. He came back and had a great game with 6 receptions for 104 yards, and what appeared to be a crucial 2 pt conversion catch at the time. If the Vikings do somehow turn this around, these to players will play a huge role. Tavaris Jackson who came in late for Favre, threw a touchdown  and had a nice 33 yd run. He will have to step his game up and show everyone what he can do if Favre's injury is serious.

The defense continues to lack in making the big stop at the end of the game, we have seen it many times this year. When the Vikes needed a stop most the where unable to make it. The defense as a whole got slashed by Benjarvus Green Ellis for 112 yards, most of which came in the second half. This year was viewed as an all or nothing for both the defense and offense with many players not under contract beyond this year. Well it seems to me it is looking more like a nothing year.

His Final Goodbye

Randy Moss has been cut one month after the vikes traded a 3rd round pick for the talented WR. This comes just one day after he was critical of the vikings coaches and was over complimentary of the entire Patriots team. Moss did not put up big numbers in his short stay with the vikes, many times he looked to be lacking in effort. Especially the Pass interference call against the Pats, did the ball not land right in front of him? All in all this is a huge surprise to Vikings fans. This ads more to the question are the Vikings done? Why cut Moss?

Vikings Loss is Costly

Favre has two broken bones in his left ankle, the ankle he had surgically repaired this off season. The good news is they are just stress fractures and will not require surgery. He is in a walking boot, but has not been ruled out for this Sundays game at New England.

Game Recap
The vikings once again were close within the final minutes of the game, but unlike last year they can't seem to close the deal. I thought for sure during that last drive we were going to get the espy moment like last year in San Fran, and that the Vikings would get back on track. Unfortunately that was not the case. Adrian Peterson was the offensive star of the game with Percy Harvin closely behind. Percy Harvin has emerged as one of the most explosive players in the league. He can do it all. There were two plays in the game that really upset me, first the Packers touchdown in the second quarter where the TE did not maintain possession of the ball all the way throughout the play. The refs missed the plain as day call, and then the Vikings coaches somehow screwed up and there end and didn't throw the challenge flag. Second of all the Shiancoe touchdown, which was a great catch was ruled a touchdown on the field. The ball may have moved when it hit the ground, but he never lost possession, even the announcers could not see how they overruled the play. These two plays would have changed the whole game. I wold like to see the Vikes throw the ball up to Moss a little more to stretch the field. I was disappointed with the play calling during the game it was either 10 runs in a row or 10 passes, even i was calling what we were running before the play.

The return of Chris Cook was less then exceptional, he was beat on several plays and then benched in the first half. He will need to make an impact on this defense to sure up the pass coverage. I can't figure it out why Fave continues to throw interceptions. He made some boneheaded plays including 2 of the 3 interceptions, and then the play when he was outside the pocket and underhanded it down the field instead of throwing it away out of bounds. He seems like he doesn't have it anymore.

Watch this to get you excited about next weeks possibilities

Put me in coach.

Wolves-Vikings Blog: Panic Bowl Champions, Vikes Victorious

Wolves-Vikings Blog: Panic Bowl Champions, Vikes Victorious: "Wow, what a close game. The offense did not look like it did in the second half of the Jets game Monday night, but they looked good enough ..."

Panic Bowl Champions, Vikes Victorious

Wow, what a close game. The offense did not look like it did in the second half of the Jets game Monday night, but they looked good enough to get the win. It seems to me, it has been a trend of the Vikings this year, that in the first half the O line has trouble blocking and Favre looks scared. This was extremely evident early on when Favre continued to take big hit after big hit. I was extremely disappointed, during the first half when it was 3 and about 7. Favre could do anything except take a sack, because that would take us out of field goal range. Now Favre being a wiley old vet i expected him to know enough that when you are outside the tackle box all you have to do is throw the ball out of bounds. Needless to say he was under a lot of pressure.

 EJ Henderson played an outstanding game. He had over 9 tackles and 2 interceptions. He really lead the Vikings defense. I don't know where Jared Allen has been. I know he is getting double teamed, but that has been the case the last 3 years. Maybe next week against the Packers he will go crazy like he did last year. The Vikes could really use some sacks, or quarterback pressure to make it easier on the deflated pass defense. Chris Cook should help this pass defense play stronger against the Pack next week. Asher Allen continues to play solid, but Lito sheppard was beaten time after time. The Vikings did an extremely good job of tackling today, and really put a stop to what seemed to be 100 screens by the Cowboys offense.

Percy Harvin finally broke loose this week in the return game.Harvins Return highlight. He has been so fun to watch ever since he was drafted by the Vikings. He seemed to be all over the field today often lining up in the backfield on third down. He continues to grow and help this team any way that he can. Kudos Percy. The passing game today consisted  of many underneath passes. Favre rarely stretched the field with his new toy Moss or Harvin. Moss did play a crucial role in helping move the team down the field at the start of the second half. The cowboys were playing very soft coverage and Favre was able to throw it in their for a few first downs. As predicted Peterson had a heavy workload, but the Cowboys for the most part were able to do a fairly good job of holding him down.

Vikings miss Chester Taylor, i dont think that that is even a question. They do not have a solid third down back that can pick up the blitz, and be threat out of the backfield. Gerhart was drafted to fulfill that role but as of right now he does not fit the bill. I think this could be very crucial as the season progresses, because third down is such a crucial down. I would like for someone to emerge, and it looked like Harvin was getting the reps back there at the end of the game.


What were your thoughts on the game?


 

Young Wolves Fall/ Vikings Need a Win

Starting off the Timberwolves who are the youngest team in the NBA by average, could not overcome the back to back test. The lost to the pacers on Wednesday night just after the impressive victory at home against the Denver Nuggets. Against the Nuggets Everything was clicking they were running the floor Ridnour was doing a masterful job of playing uptempo basketball without forcing turnovers. The exciting new acquisitions of Beasley, Webster, and Johnson were also a very bright spot for the wolves on Tuesday night accounting for over 50 points of offense. The Timberwolves managed to put up 122 points while many of there starters were only playing for half of the game. This just shows how mush young talent the Wolves have on this team. But most impressive not only did they do it with offense they played a very aggressive style of defense and had over 10 blocks on the night.To see the Highlight of this game click here, there were many. On Wednesday it was a different story the wolves looked tired and out of it. Rambis said that fatigue played a huge factor in the loss. The Wolves are now 3 and 1 and looking hopeful. I hope that Beasley or Johnson or somebody can develop into that superstar role that the Wolves have been lacking since the loss of Kevin Garnett. Who do you think has the potential to be the new star of the Wolves squad?

 On another note wouldn't it be great to see KG come back like moss did with the Vikings?


As for the Vikings they find themselves right in the middle of the Panic Bowl. They received word the Cedric Griffin, who had been rehabilitating his left knee ACL injury, now has torn his ACL in his right knee after playing in his second game since his return. Chris Cook the Vikings second round pick this year could make an appearance this week after coming back from his second knee surgery of this young season. He would definitely help the Vikings Secondary. The big question everyone has about this game though is will Favre be healthy enough to make it through the whole game, or even the season? Favre has told reporters he would potentially sit out a game or two to get his tendenitis in his throwing arm to calm down, to see Favre's press conference click here. If he should not go TJack who has been getting all the reps with the first team at practice this week is ready to show what he is made of. I am one of the few who think TJack still could be good, call me crazy but he has looked good lately. I think Peterson will have a big game against the cowboys, because they will not want to over stress Favre's elbow. So for all you fantasy studs start getting excited. The Vikings need to win this game to keep that glimmer of hope alive.

What are some of your predictions for the game on Sunday? And  if Favre continues to struggle when do u sit a 20 million dollar man?

1 and 3 after late game surge

Looking back at the first half I cant think of one play that caught my attention. I feel like Favre had no time and when he did have time he wasnt able to make a play. He had two unforced fumbles and seemed to be missing passes as a result of no time in the pocket. I do have to give credit to the defense who time after time held the Jets who always seemed to start with great field position to field goals. Then comes the second half. Favre looked to regain some of his magic after a 40 yd bomb to Moss. It was his 500th of his career and he seemed to be looking like the Favre of old. It was great to see the Moss of old come threw and make a big touchdown grab to change the game. One of the things that was disappointing was the lack of discipline with many penalties, and the missed opportunities when Winfield missed the interception. That would have provided fantastic field position for the Vikings, something that did not come easy for them tonight. I have to give Cromartie props for sticking with Moss the way he did.

One of the biggest benefactors of the Moss trade, looks to be Percy Harvin. Harvin made play after play when he was given the opportunity. Before Harvin's first TD Moss was flagged for pass interference, which ended up being the play of the drive. Had he not pulled Cromartie to the ground he would have picked favre of no problem. The Jets did a terrible job of clock management, and gave the vikings an opportunity to win, but ended up with a pick 6. Favre showed some magic, but stilled missed many open receivers, the most obvious when he missed harvin for an easy completion which would have put us close to field goal range or even a touchdown. Peterson rushed for a quite 88 yards with 22 receiving. I would be willing to bet the Vikings left over 100 yds on the field with all of the missed opportunities on offense. The Vikings defense did an outstanding job holding the Jets to 5 field goals, but still gave up 155 rushing yards. That is the first time in 51 straight games they have allowed over 150 yds in a game.

I feel bad for Cedric Griffin, a player who has fought back from a gruesome ACL tear, and left the game with an unfortunate knee injury. I wish him the best. With Cook out with his knee injury the Vikings are once again short at the CB position.  More on the injury front, Favre looked to be holding his right elbow, which was diagnosed with tendinitis.

Wolves-Vikings Blog: Moss and Wolves still hot :)

Wolves-Vikings Blog: Moss and Wolves still hot :): "So if you have been paying any attention to the Minnesota sports scene, you like me have most likely been overjoyed with the return of Randy..."

Moss and Wolves still hot :)

So if you have been paying any attention to the Minnesota sports scene, you like me have most likely been overjoyed with the return of Randy Moss. What does Moss bring to the Vikings? Moss brings that big receiver who can spread the field. He is what Favre has been missing with the absence of Sidney Rice. Moss will fill his void for the time being. From now until Rice comes back Berrian better step up his play if he wants to be apart of this team in the future. He had one of the more productive training camps of anybody on the vikings squad, but that has not translated to game success. I think once Rice gets back this offense if Favre can start to get back in his comfort zone could be one for the record books. Peterson should be able to rip off more big runs with the defense playing back to defend the deep threat, RANDY MOSS. For the time being ill leave it at that on this post, i will have more Vikings talk after the Monday night game vs the Jets.

As for the Wolves, all i can do is smile and hope that this success continues into the regular season. If you haven't been paying attention they went 2 and 0 while they were in Europe against the Lakers and the Knicks. So far what i have noticed is Beasley is becoming the face of the franchise, he has declared the Wolves, "the team to beat." Kevin Love has also said similar things on the BEASY Show. This team is looking more and more like a NBA with the size and length they have. The Wolves look to be making strides in the positive directions. The new additions Webster and Beasley have been among the leading scorers in the first two games. I expect big things from these young men. I would like to see either Brewer, Wes, or Ellington to stand out and really play a significant role on this team to go along with the core players we have in Beasley, Love, and Webster. I cant wait to see Jonny rejoin this team and bring his high energy.
Has anyone else been paying attention to the play of Rubio overseas? He has not stuck out quite like i was hoping in fact he wasn't even a factor when his team played the Lakers. This scares me, because i am a huge Flynn fan and think he could turn out to be a player like Billups. A player the wolves gave up on too early. I hope they don't dump Flynn and bring in Rubio if he doesn't improve. I know he is still very young so he should be a good player in this league right ? : I

Wolves off to Europe

The Timberwolves have been creating some of there own buzz in Minnesota lately with training camp getting under way, even with the success of the Twins and the popularity of the beloved Vikings. The wolves have opened camp and seem to be focusing much more on the defensive side of the ball. For those of you who remember last year we could make a stop to save our lives. This year they have pretty much had a complete transformation again throughout the off season. They seem to have more depth this year at each and every position. The Wolves have added size to every position also, which will help them on the defensive end off the floor. I personally cant wait to see the wolves push the ball and play an uptempo style of basketball like they have been preaching about.

Thoughts on new player- Michael Beasley has a tremendous upside and his personal character already seems to be good for the organization. He himself has declared the Twolves the team to beat in the NBA. Martell Webster brings some veteran leadership to the team and he can also spread the floor with his outside shooting ability. I cant wait for Jonny Flynn to get back from his offseason hip surgery, he brings energy to the floor night in and night out. I look forward to Wes Johnson hitting the open shot and being able to create his own opportunities off the the dribble.

This Timberwolves team is full of high draft picks with a a lot of potential, this should be a fun to to watch, if they can continue to grow together.