quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

Here's my unsolicited advice for those not finding talkvikes and/or the NFL to meet their standards:

If you think talkvikes is a cesspool, post less snarky one-liner passive aggressive insults. Try to limit it to one every couple of weeks.

If you don't find an adequate number of substantive posts with good analysis, write some. Or at the very least post some links to some.

If you miss the old posters that don't post much or at all anymore, stop being so hard on the very few new posters we do get.

If you think a subject gets hammered hard and beat to a pulp, scroll past it. At the very least don't reply to it.

If you think the NFL has evolved into a game that you no longer enjoy, move on. No amount of waxing nostalgic will ever bring it back.

If you are fine with the Vikings being a small pleasant distraction in your life, don't try to change others who for whatever reasons are emotionally invested at a higher (unhealthy) level. Don't try to change or control anything for that matter. This is an internet message board. You would be better served trying to change the direction the wind is blowing or the force of the tides. It's not going to happen.



It's not easy to be a fan of the Vikings. It's rewarding though. When Packer fans or any other teams' fans give me crap my new go-to reply is this. "You wouldn't last one season as a Vikings fan".

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

I like Hughes and Hill.

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

Here's my unsolicited advice for those not finding talkvikes and/or the NFL to meet their standards:

If you think talkvikes is a cesspool, post less snarky one-liner passive aggressive insults. Try to limit it to one every couple of weeks.

If you don't find an adequate number of substantive posts with good analysis, write some. Or at the very least post some links to some.

If you miss the old posters that don't post much or at all anymore, stop being so hard on the very few new posters we do get.

If you think a subject gets hammered hard and beat to a pulp, scroll past it. At the very least don't reply to it.

If you think the NFL has evolved into a game that you no longer enjoy, move on. No amount of waxing nostalgic will ever bring it back.

If you are fine with the Vikings being a small pleasant distraction in your life, don't try to change others who for whatever reasons are emotionally invested at a higher (unhealthy) level. Don't try to change or control anything for that matter. This is an internet message board. You would be better served trying to change the direction the wind is blowing or the force of the tides. It's not going to happen.



It's not easy to be a fan of the Vikings. It's rewarding though. When Packer fans or any other teams' fans give me crap my new go-to reply is this. "You wouldn't last one season as a Vikings fan".

odd statement after good rant about changing an internet message board

YMMV

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

Here's my unsolicited advice for those not finding talkvikes and/or the NFL to meet their standards:

If you think talkvikes is a cesspool, post less snarky one-liner passive aggressive insults. Try to limit it to one every couple of weeks.

If you don't find an adequate number of substantive posts with good analysis, write some. Or at the very least post some links to some.

If you miss the old posters that don't post much or at all anymore, stop being so hard on the very few new posters we do get.

If you think a subject gets hammered hard and beat to a pulp, scroll past it. At the very least don't reply to it.

If you think the NFL has evolved into a game that you no longer enjoy, move on. No amount of waxing nostalgic will ever bring it back.

If you are fine with the Vikings being a small pleasant distraction in your life, don't try to change others who for whatever reasons are emotionally invested at a higher (unhealthy) level. Don't try to change or control anything for that matter. This is an internet message board. You would be better served trying to change the direction the wind is blowing or the force of the tides. It's not going to happen.



It's not easy to be a fan of the Vikings. It's rewarding though. When Packer fans or any other teams' fans give me crap my new go-to reply is this. "You wouldn't last one season as a Vikings fan".

odd statement after good rant about changing an internet message board

YMMV

quote:

ORIGINAL: Daniel Lee Young

David and David, and Dana and Terry and Lars, and Sweens and Lynn, and Todd O and Todd M and Jandro and Johansson, and Dr V, , Pete C, SMF, Odel, Mr Ed, zubair, Ricky, Richard, my home boy Steve, a big portion of the idle talk, crew, the hockey geeks, the political Bravehearts, who wade into that minefield, even those who FN hate me and despise my points of view, make this site what it is.

Let’s just say I find Talkvikes a very diverse and appealing and fulfilling place to engage in [sm=Beating_A_Dead_Horse_by_livius.gif][sm=banghead.gif][sm=boxing.gif][sm=bowdown.gif][sm=buttrock.gif][sm=crap.gif][sm=headbang.gif][sm=icon_sarcasm.gif][sm=party0023.gif][sm=thblowup.gif][sm=thrasher.gif][sm=yeahthat.gif][sm=worthless.gif][sm=viking1.gif][sm=club.gif][sm=lmao.gif][sm=argue.gif][sm=occasion13.gif][sm=soapbox.gif][sm=dwarf.gif][sm=dwarf.gif][sm=dwarf.gif]

Some not.. trigger trigger, not the Lone Ranger, PTSD is my default setting.

I take meds, because my mind can not believe the CHIT that life comes up with.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

I like Hughes and Hill.

In a vacuum, I do too. But relying on either (and especially both) scares the shit out out of me.

Hill is a failed test or stupid mistake away from being Josh Gordon.

Hughes has had both his seasons end with injury, I hope the kid can hold up to a full-time gig.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

Here's my unsolicited advice for those not finding talkvikes and/or the NFL to meet their standards:

If you think talkvikes is a cesspool, post less snarky one-liner passive aggressive insults. Try to limit it to one every couple of weeks.

If you don't find an adequate number of substantive posts with good analysis, write some. Or at the very least post some links to some.

If you miss the old posters that don't post much or at all anymore, stop being so hard on the very few new posters we do get.

If you think a subject gets hammered hard and beat to a pulp, scroll past it. At the very least don't reply to it.

If you think the NFL has evolved into a game that you no longer enjoy, move on. No amount of waxing nostalgic will ever bring it back.

If you are fine with the Vikings being a small pleasant distraction in your life, don't try to change others who for whatever reasons are emotionally invested at a higher (unhealthy) level. Don't try to change or control anything for that matter. This is an internet message board. You would be better served trying to change the direction the wind is blowing or the force of the tides. It's not going to happen.



It's not easy to be a fan of the Vikings. It's rewarding though. When Packer fans or any other teams' fans give me crap my new go-to reply is this. "You wouldn't last one season as a Vikings fan".

This is outstanding.

I love this place. It's like family. A dysfunctional family, sure, but family.

Many of us have been posting together for 20+ years. We're invested in the team, but we're also invested in each other. Its not the typical nameless/faceless message board that is 99.9999% of the internet.

And now I just got super bummed. I was going to link to Lynn's awesome page of Strib posters and its finally, actually gone...

http://home.earthlink.net/~lyndee39/page1.htm

That site somehow lasted decades (and I think years and years after Lynn "lost the keys" to it. Guess we gotta pour one out for the picture page....

[sm=wine.gif]

quote:

ORIGINAL: Richard Neussendorfer

I remember the early days myself. I wish I knew exactly when I started posting with you guys. I know I was posting somewhere during the 97-99 seasons but honestly can't remember if it was the strib. It has to be close to 20 years conversing with many of you and that says something! It's definitely an interesting look back.....

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

my biggest surprise was 3rd down defense.

i was amazed at how many 3rd and long were picked up 'easily'


the defense sure did not feel like a top defense, but in many 'measurables' they were pretty good

not sure what that means

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

Biggest surprises (good and bad) from the last season:

The decline of Rhoades. #1 shocker.

Bradbury played quite solid for a rook, IMO.

Colquitt and Bailey were both very solid.

DT were only good, not great.

Harris was a stud at safety.

No one stepped up at 3WR.

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

future......

I probably dont extend Cousins, Zim or Spielman at this time

i am OK with another year of this crew, but at some point we need more results than we currently have.


i am not saying Spielman is terrible, I am not saying Zim is terrible, I am not saying Cousins is terrible.

I think they are good, but as has been said many times, good is the enemy of great.



maybe our next crew is horrible, who knows, but how long do we keep the same leadership without a Super Bowl? I dont know the answer

I cant say I am excited about our rumored OC/DC

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

my biggest surprise was 3rd down defense.

i was amazed at how many 3rd and long were picked up 'easily'


the defense sure did not feel like a top defense, but in many 'measurables' they were pretty good

not sure what that means

quote:

ORIGINAL: Richard Neussendorfer

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

future......

I probably dont extend Cousins, Zim or Spielman at this time

i am OK with another year of this crew, but at some point we need more results than we currently have.


i am not saying Spielman is terrible, I am not saying Zim is terrible, I am not saying Cousins is terrible.

I think they are good, but as has been said many times, good is the enemy of great.



maybe our next crew is horrible, who knows, but how long do we keep the same leadership without a Super Bowl? I dont know the answer

I cant say I am excited about our rumored OC/DC

Good stuff! I would love to keep Harris but I'm not sure we'll be able to. He was easily one of the best safeties in the game this year. If we can cut out some underperforming fatcats, pick up a very good guard in FA somehow, resign Harris, and draft some OL with at least a young QB prospect I would be surprised and happy going into next year. Is it possible without extending Cousins? Probably not. I like Cousins but like you, I'm not sure about an extension. I'd really like a young gun that could make plays using his feet as well as his arm if possible. Mahomes does it well as he's usually using his feet to make plays down the field with a throw. I haven't seen enough college football to identify anyone that we could realistically get. I'm sure there's a decent one to be had in the first couple rounds.

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

quote:

ORIGINAL: CPAMAN

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

Bottom 20% would be an F.

"Average" is my opinion. My point is that they are not awful - IMHO - but have significant room for improvement.

There is no perfect unit or perfect team.

Right about 20% being an F. They are certainly better than that probably more like a C-

C- seems plenty reasonable to me.

they were pretty good on sacks allowed, and we were a top rushing team....so, it would seem that they should at least get a C-


I am not trying to defend the Oline, i think it was our weakest link, followed by the drop off in CB play


I suspect the 'improvement' was largely a scheme change. Now if we can add some talent to the scheme, we may be on too something

Elf was pretty bad most of the year, i dont think there is anything 'there'...obvious priority

Bradbury had a couple bright spots, but is very concerning, it will be a big set-back, if he cant improve markedly

Reiff was average (maybe slightly below), but is paid as a top 8, i think. He is more like 18ish, IMO. i could justify him as a player, but not at that price

Kline was a nice fine, not pro bowler, but a legit NFL player at the right price

Oneil is a stud, i dont know if he can play left tackle, but that guy is really good

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Richard Neussendorfer

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

future......

I probably dont extend Cousins, Zim or Spielman at this time

i am OK with another year of this crew, but at some point we need more results than we currently have.


i am not saying Spielman is terrible, I am not saying Zim is terrible, I am not saying Cousins is terrible.

I think they are good, but as has been said many times, good is the enemy of great.



maybe our next crew is horrible, who knows, but how long do we keep the same leadership without a Super Bowl? I dont know the answer

I cant say I am excited about our rumored OC/DC

Good stuff! I would love to keep Harris but I'm not sure we'll be able to. He was easily one of the best safeties in the game this year. If we can cut out some underperforming fatcats, pick up a very good guard in FA somehow, resign Harris, and draft some OL with at least a young QB prospect I would be surprised and happy going into next year. Is it possible without extending Cousins? Probably not. I like Cousins but like you, I'm not sure about an extension. I'd really like a young gun that could make plays using his feet as well as his arm if possible. Mahomes does it well as he's usually using his feet to make plays down the field with a throw. I haven't seen enough college football to identify anyone that we could realistically get. I'm sure there's a decent one to be had in the first couple rounds.

We have to sign Harris.

He's easily the most important guy in our secondary.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

Hill can't be trusted to put the pipe down.

I know Hughes was awful but most players bounce back in year 2 post acl

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

quote:

ORIGINAL: CPAMAN

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

Bottom 20% would be an F.

"Average" is my opinion. My point is that they are not awful - IMHO - but have significant room for improvement.

There is no perfect unit or perfect team.

Right about 20% being an F. They are certainly better than that probably more like a C-

C- seems plenty reasonable to me.

they were pretty good on sacks allowed, and we were a top rushing team....so, it would seem that they should at least get a C-


I am not trying to defend the Oline, i think it was our weakest link, followed by the drop off in CB play


I suspect the 'improvement' was largely a scheme change. Now if we can add some talent to the scheme, we may be on too something

Elf was pretty bad most of the year, i dont think there is anything 'there'...obvious priority

Bradbury had a couple bright spots, but is very concerning, it will be a big set-back, if he cant improve markedly

Reiff was average (maybe slightly below), but is paid as a top 8, i think. He is more like 18ish, IMO. i could justify him as a player, but not at that price

Kline was a nice fine, not pro bowler, but a legit NFL player at the right price

Oneil is a stud, i dont know if he can play left tackle, but that guy is really good

quote:

ORIGINAL: bstinger

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

quote:

ORIGINAL: CPAMAN

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

Bottom 20% would be an F.

"Average" is my opinion. My point is that they are not awful - IMHO - but have significant room for improvement.

There is no perfect unit or perfect team.

Right about 20% being an F. They are certainly better than that probably more like a C-

C- seems plenty reasonable to me.

they were pretty good on sacks allowed, and we were a top rushing team....so, it would seem that they should at least get a C-


I am not trying to defend the Oline, i think it was our weakest link, followed by the drop off in CB play


I suspect the 'improvement' was largely a scheme change. Now if we can add some talent to the scheme, we may be on too something

Elf was pretty bad most of the year, i dont think there is anything 'there'...obvious priority

Bradbury had a couple bright spots, but is very concerning, it will be a big set-back, if he cant improve markedly

Reiff was average (maybe slightly below), but is paid as a top 8, i think. He is more like 18ish, IMO. i could justify him as a player, but not at that price

Kline was a nice fine, not pro bowler, but a legit NFL player at the right price

Oneil is a stud, i dont know if he can play left tackle, but that guy is really good

They were more than functional against lesser defensive fronts but were abused like red-headed step children against the elite teams.

quote:

ORIGINAL: drviking

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

quote:

ORIGINAL: CPAMAN

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lars

Bottom 20% would be an F.

"Average" is my opinion. My point is that they are not awful - IMHO - but have significant room for improvement.

There is no perfect unit or perfect team.

Right about 20% being an F. They are certainly better than that probably more like a C-

C- seems plenty reasonable to me.

they were pretty good on sacks allowed, and we were a top rushing team....so, it would seem that they should at least get a C-


I am not trying to defend the Oline, i think it was our weakest link, followed by the drop off in CB play


I suspect the 'improvement' was largely a scheme change. Now if we can add some talent to the scheme, we may be on too something

Elf was pretty bad most of the year, i dont think there is anything 'there'...obvious priority

Bradbury had a couple bright spots, but is very concerning, it will be a big set-back, if he cant improve markedly

Reiff was average (maybe slightly below), but is paid as a top 8, i think. He is more like 18ish, IMO. i could justify him as a player, but not at that price

Kline was a nice fine, not pro bowler, but a legit NFL player at the right price

Oneil is a stud, i dont know if he can play left tackle, but that guy is really good