quote:

ORIGINAL: ronhextall

Next year we will see if there was truly growth this year or if it was a fluke.

Considering the defense is the absolute worst I am leaning towards a fluke season.

I think they win one playoff game at home and then get absolutely embarrassed by the 49ers. Shanahan can light up the Vikings even if he is hunger over all week.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ronhextall

Next year we will see if there was truly growth this year or if it was a fluke.

Considering the defense is the absolute worst I am leaning towards a fluke season.

I think they win one playoff game at home and then get absolutely embarrassed by the 49ers. Shanahan can light up the Vikings even if he is hunger over all week.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

Kind of think Kendricks and Hunter got raw deals with the transition to a 3-4. Two of the best defenders in Vikings history, certainly top-tier, and they play in a D where their abilities are negated and flaws exposed. All so f***head fossil Donatell can continue his dinosaur-like foray throughout the league.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

On the 3-4... 2 of the 3 are undersized for the position. Only 1 of the 4 (Zeke) is suited to the role. Tomlinson and Smith are the only two of the front seven that belong in the roles they play.

quote:

ORIGINAL: joejitsu

It sounds like O’Neill’s calf injury is worse than evpected. That’s not what I wanted to hear.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Richard Neussendorfer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

The Vikings are giving up nearly 397 yards-per-game on defense. You can't win anything important with that.

Definitely agree with you. I'm just disappointed with the complete disappearance of offense in the bigger spots. We know the defense stinks.

The Vikings often forget they have a decent running game to rely on. They have the second least amount of attempts in the league for the year.

IMO, Cook and the running game had a chance to be great yesterday but the play-calling never allowed it to happen. Once the Packers got out front they were daring the Vikings to run and they wouldn't do it.

The Vikings had 17 attempts from running backs in the game, four of which came in the first five minutes of the game. If you are going to try and control the tempo of the game, you have to be smarter than that.

Or smart enough to call the game(s) situationally. You’re not there yet.

Zimmer ran the ball regardless of the score / situation. What a hoot that was.

Like I said earlier, the offense isn't the problem.

The Vikings are giving up nearly 397 yards-per-game on defense. You can't win anything important with that.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dana Turner

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

Vikes at home v. NYG in round 1, then ...

Not sure what happens after that, but I'll be hoping another home game is in the cards!

I get people being upset with what happened yesterday, it was game that saw momentum swing very quickly and our coaching staffs inability to scheme us to even footing was brought to light once again. It's tough, we lost a pro bowl caliber RT early on, as well as our second string center. Our RG has played OK this year, but he's a rookie that is far from playing his best ball, now he's surrounded by another guard trying to play center and a backup tackle, the results were predictable. No run game, no pass protection, no mas! The rest of it, well, special teams are having some issues in the return game and this isn't new, the defense played it's usual game, and that's not lights out. This team will go as far as the offense can take them. Hell, I can vaguely remember maybe one or two people in this forum saying that the Vikings would win more than ten games this year, with many saying they would be lucky to be above .500.

Lets be honest, we as fans have been very fortunate to watch the growth and development of this team this year. The whole front office and coaching staff changed, less a couple people. We have aging players that were just supposed to help get us through the year until the next infusion of new blood. I am excited for this team, it's staff and ownership, they are performing way above what I expected and they have given me a few very exciting moments that, truthfully, I wasn't expecting when the year started.

This week, I am hoping we only see one of our starting offensive line guys play, the rook, and all second team guys play this game against the Bears. I'm actually thinking the Vikings second team guys will give the Bears a run for their money. Rest these guys as nothing can change next week and they need rest, especially Kirk!

Sure, I was frustrated during the first half of that game, but really, the circumstances changed very quickly and we just didn't have the strength to overcome it. Sh!t happens, but I'm still marveling at how well the season has gone with all the changes that have taken place in the past 18 months! SKOL Vikings, get your sh!t together and mount a playoff push, this could be fun!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

On the 3-4... 2 of the 3 are undersized for the position. Only 1 of the 4 (Zeke) is suited to the role. Tomlinson and Smith are the only two of the front seven that belong in the roles they play.

Yep. Why did they sign Phillips? He is too light inside and has no mobility for the edge. Of late though, he does show up around the pile 10 yards past the LOS so the good news is he is keeping his feet while the OL blasts by him.

I kind of like, in theory anyway, a Tonga--Tomlinson--Phillips interior DL on short yardage situations. Key word being theory.

quote:

ORIGINAL: marty

Minnesota should have kept, or even gotten mid-season, Latavius Murray for short yardage situations.

They should make it where they USUALLY run on 3rd and 2, so it's a surprise and more effective when they pass on it. They pass so often on 3rd and short, that's it's not a surprise, and they're going deep too often on those plays, each yard further is a lower percentage of completion.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dana Turner

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

Vikes at home v. NYG in round 1, then ...

Not sure what happens after that, but I'll be hoping another home game is in the cards!

I get people being upset with what happened yesterday, it was game that saw momentum swing very quickly and our coaching staffs inability to scheme us to even footing was brought to light once again. It's tough, we lost a pro bowl caliber RT early on, as well as our second string center. Our RG has played OK this year, but he's a rookie that is far from playing his best ball, now he's surrounded by another guard trying to play center and a backup tackle, the results were predictable. No run game, no pass protection, no mas! The rest of it, well, special teams are having some issues in the return game and this isn't new, the defense played it's usual game, and that's not lights out. This team will go as far as the offense can take them. Hell, I can vaguely remember maybe one or two people in this forum saying that the Vikings would win more than ten games this year, with many saying they would be lucky to be above .500.

Lets be honest, we as fans have been very fortunate to watch the growth and development of this team this year. The whole front office and coaching staff changed, less a couple people. We have aging players that were just supposed to help get us through the year until the next infusion of new blood. I am excited for this team, it's staff and ownership, they are performing way above what I expected and they have given me a few very exciting moments that, truthfully, I wasn't expecting when the year started.

This week, I am hoping we only see one of our starting offensive line guys play, the rook, and all second team guys play this game against the Bears. I'm actually thinking the Vikings second team guys will give the Bears a run for their money. Rest these guys as nothing can change next week and they need rest, especially Kirk!

Sure, I was frustrated during the first half of that game, but really, the circumstances changed very quickly and we just didn't have the strength to overcome it. Sh!t happens, but I'm still marveling at how well the season has gone with all the changes that have taken place in the past 18 months! SKOL Vikings, get your sh!t together and mount a playoff push, this could be fun!

I just don't buy that Dana. We may have played our only complete game of the season in our first game (the Buff game had stronger magic than the rest).

Since then, we have been completely mediocre for 2 quarters in every game ... against other mediocre teams ... and against the four decent teams we have played, we got flayed and hung out to dry like viking jerky.

In essence, we have overcome our own ineptitude in 12 games. Which has been unexpected and awesome.

But improvement / development / growth? I don't think so, or at least minimal for a playoff team.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dana Turner

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

Vikes at home v. NYG in round 1, then ...

Not sure what happens after that, but I'll be hoping another home game is in the cards!

I get people being upset with what happened yesterday, it was game that saw momentum swing very quickly and our coaching staffs inability to scheme us to even footing was brought to light once again. It's tough, we lost a pro bowl caliber RT early on, as well as our second string center. Our RG has played OK this year, but he's a rookie that is far from playing his best ball, now he's surrounded by another guard trying to play center and a backup tackle, the results were predictable. No run game, no pass protection, no mas! The rest of it, well, special teams are having some issues in the return game and this isn't new, the defense played it's usual game, and that's not lights out. This team will go as far as the offense can take them. Hell, I can vaguely remember maybe one or two people in this forum saying that the Vikings would win more than ten games this year, with many saying they would be lucky to be above .500.

Lets be honest, we as fans have been very fortunate to watch the growth and development of this team this year. The whole front office and coaching staff changed, less a couple people. We have aging players that were just supposed to help get us through the year until the next infusion of new blood. I am excited for this team, it's staff and ownership, they are performing way above what I expected and they have given me a few very exciting moments that, truthfully, I wasn't expecting when the year started.

This week, I am hoping we only see one of our starting offensive line guys play, the rook, and all second team guys play this game against the Bears. I'm actually thinking the Vikings second team guys will give the Bears a run for their money. Rest these guys as nothing can change next week and they need rest, especially Kirk!

Sure, I was frustrated during the first half of that game, but really, the circumstances changed very quickly and we just didn't have the strength to overcome it. Sh!t happens, but I'm still marveling at how well the season has gone with all the changes that have taken place in the past 18 months! SKOL Vikings, get your sh!t together and mount a playoff push, this could be fun!

I just don't buy that Dana. We may have played our only complete game of the season in our first game (the Buff game had stronger magic than the rest).

Since then, we have been completely mediocre for 2 quarters in every game ... against other mediocre teams ... and against the four decent teams we have played, we got flayed and hung out to dry like viking jerky.

In essence, we have overcome our own ineptitude in 12 games. Which has been unexpected and awesome.

But improvement / development / growth? I don't think so, or at least minimal for a playoff team.

The most impressive thing has been our ability to overcome our mistakes.

The least impressive thing is we keep making the same mistakes to overcome...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dana Turner

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

Vikes at home v. NYG in round 1, then ...

Not sure what happens after that, but I'll be hoping another home game is in the cards!

I get people being upset with what happened yesterday, it was game that saw momentum swing very quickly and our coaching staffs inability to scheme us to even footing was brought to light once again. It's tough, we lost a pro bowl caliber RT early on, as well as our second string center. Our RG has played OK this year, but he's a rookie that is far from playing his best ball, now he's surrounded by another guard trying to play center and a backup tackle, the results were predictable. No run game, no pass protection, no mas! The rest of it, well, special teams are having some issues in the return game and this isn't new, the defense played it's usual game, and that's not lights out. This team will go as far as the offense can take them. Hell, I can vaguely remember maybe one or two people in this forum saying that the Vikings would win more than ten games this year, with many saying they would be lucky to be above .500.

Lets be honest, we as fans have been very fortunate to watch the growth and development of this team this year. The whole front office and coaching staff changed, less a couple people. We have aging players that were just supposed to help get us through the year until the next infusion of new blood. I am excited for this team, it's staff and ownership, they are performing way above what I expected and they have given me a few very exciting moments that, truthfully, I wasn't expecting when the year started.

This week, I am hoping we only see one of our starting offensive line guys play, the rook, and all second team guys play this game against the Bears. I'm actually thinking the Vikings second team guys will give the Bears a run for their money. Rest these guys as nothing can change next week and they need rest, especially Kirk!

Sure, I was frustrated during the first half of that game, but really, the circumstances changed very quickly and we just didn't have the strength to overcome it. Sh!t happens, but I'm still marveling at how well the season has gone with all the changes that have taken place in the past 18 months! SKOL Vikings, get your sh!t together and mount a playoff push, this could be fun!

I just don't buy that Dana. We may have played our only complete game of the season in our first game (the Buff game had stronger magic than the rest).

Since then, we have been completely mediocre for 2 quarters in every game ... against other mediocre teams ... and against the four decent teams we have played, we got flayed and hung out to dry like viking jerky.

In essence, we have overcome our own ineptitude in 12 games. Which has been unexpected and awesome.

But improvement / development / growth? I don't think so, or at least minimal for a playoff team.

The most impressive thing has been our ability to overcome our mistakes.

The least impressive thing is we keep making the same mistakes to overcome...

Well done.

I was just trying to find a way to use 'viking jerky', you boiled down our regular season to one pithy turn of a phrase.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: joejitsu

It sounds like O’Neill’s calf injury is worse than evpected. That’s not what I wanted to hear.

Calf injuries are not something to mess with. They should shut him down.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

Prioritized list of to-dos for 2023:

1. Manage expectations, cause it's not going to be pretty folks.
2. Fire Donatell and maybe some of his position coaches.
3. Get Kwesi to buy in to starting the road to continuity and shaping the next iteration of the Vikings.
4. Scrap the 3-4 for the 4-3.
5. Try to trade or else cut expensive deadwood, yes it is a business.
6. Trade Za Smith, assuming equal value in return.
7. Sign only young free agents.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arlowe84

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

Prioritized list of to-dos for 2023:

1. Manage expectations, cause it's not going to be pretty folks.
2. Fire Donatell and maybe some of his position coaches.
3. Get Kwesi to buy in to starting the road to continuity and shaping the next iteration of the Vikings.
4. Scrap the 3-4 for the 4-3.
5. Try to trade or else cut expensive deadwood, yes it is a business.
6. Trade Za Smith, assuming equal value in return.
7. Sign only young free agents.

KOC seems like the type that will give Donatell next year, to prove it with "his" players.

If Zimmer were still HC, I could see a firing. Zimmer had the quick hook, ended up haunting him cutting Carlson.

I could be wrong, and if they get throttled in a playoff game, like give up 40+ its he could say screw it, we'll go in a different direction Ed.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arlowe84

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: joejitsu

It sounds like O’Neill’s calf injury is worse than evpected. That’s not what I wanted to hear.

Calf injuries are not something to mess with. They should shut him down.

The way he was carted off, I was assuming a tear, so not sure what "worse than expected" means

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arlowe84

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: joejitsu

It sounds like O’Neill’s calf injury is worse than evpected. That’s not what I wanted to hear.

Calf injuries are not something to mess with. They should shut him down.

The way he was carted off, I was assuming a tear, so not sure what "worse than expected" means

Calf muscle leads to the achilles. You don't mess with that.

I've torn a calf muscle before. Hurts like hell. No chance of playing for a couple of weeks, perhaps even a month, if that is what happened.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arlowe84

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

Prioritized list of to-dos for 2023:

1. Manage expectations, cause it's not going to be pretty folks.
2. Fire Donatell and maybe some of his position coaches.
3. Get Kwesi to buy in to starting the road to continuity and shaping the next iteration of the Vikings.
4. Scrap the 3-4 for the 4-3.
5. Try to trade or else cut expensive deadwood, yes it is a business.
6. Trade Za Smith, assuming equal value in return.
7. Sign only young free agents.

KOC seems like the type that will give Donatell next year, to prove it with "his" players.

If Zimmer were still HC, I could see a firing. Zimmer had the quick hook, ended up haunting him cutting Carlson.

I could be wrong, and if they get throttled in a playoff game, like give up 40+ its he could say screw it, we'll go in a different direction Ed.