Vikings

[play23]

How about them Vikings. They played amazing in week one. They had everything clicking. I think that they made a great pick up in the draft by drafting Dontarrius Thomas out of Auburn. I think that he played very well in week one and I also think that he will soon develop into a great NFL linebacker. While I am on the subject of the Vikings defense I also have to mention their defensive backs. They were great. They kept making huge hits on the recievers and making them think twice before they caught the ball the next time. There offense was clicking too. Culpepper I think played awsome. It also helps that for the first time in a while they had more than just Randy Moss at reciever. Now they also have Marcus Robinson and Kelly Campbell who are two ery solid recievers that I think will help tremendously because now a little bit of the pressure will be taken off of Randy Moss. If they can keep this play up this might be their year. Reply and tell me what you think about them.

[doublee]

I would hardly say their d-backs were great considering they surrendered the most yards in the league last week and failed to pick off any passes.

[FSUViking]

Well, our DB's forced two fumbles, so that's just as good as an INT.

Besides, I highly doubt we were the only DB's in the league that didn't pick of a pass.

[Tarkus]

I gotta admit, the Vikes looked real explosive & that's very hard for a Bears fan to compliment the Vikes. They look like they're gonna be a handful all year....

[Anthony]

Last year the Vikings' linebackers had a lot of trouble stopping running backs from getting outside for big yardage; they'll face a stern test Monday night against Brian Westbrook.

And with all due respect play23, were you watching the same game last Sunday as everyone else? Minnesota's defensive backs were "great?" A has-been quarterback lit them up for 355 yards! Imagine what D-Mac and T.O. are going to do to them.

[MountaineerDave]

Anthony, when yards equal points, then folks like the Vikes and the Pats can get concerned. When those 355 yards equal nothing on the board, then it really doesn't matter for a hill of beans.

Dave

[doublee]

But the point is he said the d-backs played great. I would hardly classify it as a great perfromance when the team gives up 350 yards in the air by, as Anthony put it, a has-been QB. I would quantify it as good enough to win, but not great.

[Habs Fan]

Good point doublee ...... they did not play great, but rather good enough to win. And that's all that counts in the WIN-LOSE column Tuesday morning. I think they will get a real test come Monday night but if they can help Culpepper/Moss outscore McNabb/Owens ..... even if it's 70-69 LOL, then they did their job.

[doublee]

Yeah, Monday's game could turn into a track meet. Pinkston, Owens, Mitchell, and Westbrook all have the ability to get downfield for Philly as do Moss, Onterrio Smith, and Kelly Campbell for the Vikes. Should be an entertaining high-scoring game.

[FSUViking]

Anthony, when yards equal points, then folks like the Vikes and the Pats can get concerned

My words exactly, Dave.

Also, Dallas was playing from behind all game, and at some points, down by two scores. Of course they are gonna be passing.

Hell, Dallas threw FIFTY TIMES, people. A Bill Parcells team threw 50 times?!

Pinkston, Owens, Mitchell,

The same group of WR's who caught a whopping 3 touchdowns COMBINED last year? Call me a homer if you desire, but Robinson, Burleson, Campbell....now THOSE guys will have no difficulty getting downfield.

I do agree with almost everyone's assement of a high scoring game. As I said in the pick 'em....35-31, Vikes.

[doublee]

Well, first of all Owens scored 9 TDs alone last season where you got a combined three out of Pinkston, Owens, and Mitchell I don't know. Secondly, just because one does not score a bunch of TDs does not mean he does not get down the field well. Pinkston averaged 16.0 yards per catch last season which is more than Burleson and Moss averaged.

[Habs Fan]

Also add into the fact that Owens is currently ahead of Moss in career TD's. Whether you like him or not, he's a game-breaker who can't be taken too lightly.

[FSUViking]

Well, first of all Owens scored 9 TDs alone last season where you got a combined three out of Pinkston, Owens, and Mitchell I don't know.

T.O. played in San Fran last year, ya know.....and I was referring to the other Eagles WR's. They had 3 all year COMBINED. That doesn't inspire any kind of fear in anybody.

Pinkston averaged 16.0 yards per catch last season which is more than Burleson and Moss averaged.

Wow. Pinkston averaged more ypc. Kelly Campbell lead the NFL in that category. Besides, You wanna start compairing stats between Pinkston and Moss now?

Also add into the fact that Owens is currently ahead of Moss in career TD's

Well, let's add into that the fact that T.O. has been in the NFL 9 years to Moss's 7, and only has a 5 TD lead on him.

Whether you like him or not, he's a game-breaker who can't be taken too lightly.

Show me anyone, anywhere, who is taking T.O. lightly? :tsk:

[MountaineerDave]

Purple--Way back when the Tuna was coaching the Patriots and had Drew Bledsoe as his young QB (Drew's second year, I think) I believe that Bledsoe put the ball in the air some 55 times, or the like.

Parcells just wants to win, and will do it whatever way is necessary. And anyway, you wanna beat the Vikes, you continue to test the secondary. Especially Dallas, since they have no breakaway running back.

Dave

[Anthony]

Originally posted by Habs Fan
Good point doublee ...... they did not play great, but rather good enough to win. And that's all that counts in the WIN-LOSE column Tuesday morning. I think they will get a real test come Monday night but if they can help Culpepper/Moss outscore McNabb/Owens ..... even if it's 70-69 LOL, then they did their job.


Just because a team wins, does that mean EVERYBODY on the team played well? In a baseball game, if a particular hitter went 0-for-5, striking out three times and hitting into two double plays but his team won the game 1-0, it's obviously no thanks to him that the team won.

Same goes for Minnesota's pass defense last Sunday - if you allowed 355 yards passing, you STUNK! Doesn't matter that your offense happened to bail your sorry butt out.

[doublee]

Originally posted by PurpleReign009
T.O. played in San Fran last year, ya know.....and I was referring to the other Eagles WR's. They had 3 all year COMBINED. That doesn't inspire any kind of fear in anybody.






I suggest you check your numbers Eagles recievers had more than three TDs last season. No, Kelly Campbell did not lead the league in average per catch Joey Galloway did. Campbell did not have enough receptions to qualify. Neither did Nate Burleson. After Moss the Vikings wideouts were not more consistent or productive than the Eagles number two and three recievers last season.

[Habs Fan]

Anthony ..... I disagree completely. Minnesota is not a defensive team. They are an offensive machine. They win by outscoring the other team. That's their MO. Look at teams like KC and Indy, the same thing. All I meant is that if they can keep the other team from blowing them out, they are doing their jobs. It's their offense that wins the games. Just in the same way that Baltimore's offensive is good enough to win most games. Why? Because their a defensive team. More often than not, they may only need a touchdown and a couple of field goals. Not great, but good enough FOR THEM TO WIN.

Your compairison of Minnesota's defense to a hitter that goes 0-5 is a little off-base. In order for that compairison to be valid, the Vikes would have to let Philly score every time they hit the field. I'm sure the Vikings will stop Philly a couple of times thus allowing the Vikings to get the ball back.

People need to realize there's probably only one team that has an expceptional offense and defense and that's New England folks. Other than that, most teams win because of a stingy D or an explosive offense. Minnesota just happens to be a team that is designed to outscore it's opponent.

Purple Reign ..... I'm not accusing you of taking Owens lightly its just that you have given him no credit as a weapon in Philly's lineup. When someone did bring up Owens, you basically said, he was in San Fran last year. Correct, but now he's in PHILLY, PLAYING IN THE GAME WE ARE ALL TALKING ABOUT. I'm well aware that Owens has two more years in the league over Moss, my only point was to show that the Vikings have to face a superstar receiver (in the same class as Moss) themselves, something they did not in Week 1. I agree that Philly's other receivers are nothing to brag about but then again, neither are Minnesota's.

I think there will be little defense played by either team in this game. It will basically be who scores more ...... Culpepper, Moss, Smith or McNabb, Owens, Westbrook.

[play23]

I have to agree with doublee on this one. Last year the Vikes didn''t really have to much recieving wise after moss. And if you are going to start comparing things from last year, you have to look at what really matters and that is wins and getting to the playoffs. In case you forgot, the Eagles went all the way to the NFC Championship game last year and if I am not mistaken the Vikes didn't even make it into the playoffs.

[Marc]

The Vikes are a good, playoff-caliber team. I cannot wait for the Packers/Vikings matchups this year. It's a great rivalry, and as far as I'm concerned, the Packers own the division until someone can beat them.

[Slinky]

People need to realize there's probably only one team that has an expceptional offense and defense and that's New England folks. Other than that, most teams win because of a stingy D or an explosive offense. Minnesota just happens to be a team that is designed to outscore it's opponent.

How about the Ravens? Last year, there defense won the games for them.

Minnesota is an offensive team. However, as long as if the defense can force turnovers and not get dominated, they will do alright.

[doublee]

Originally posted by Slinky
How about the Ravens? Last year, there defense won the games for them.

Minnesota is an offensive team. However, as long as if the defense can force turnovers and not get dominated, they will do alright.

The Ravens offense sucks balls. His point was that the Pats are the only team that play well consistently on both sides of the ball.

[Habs Fan]

Thanks doublee ....... Slinky the Ravens have ONE, and I repeat ONE option on offense, Jamal Lewis. No other player has proven that they can carry the team offensively unless you want to count Matt Stover, the kicker. The Pats on the other hand, have an assortment of ways to run through opponents. The Ravens have an excellent defense as you have pointed out. Unfortunately, when Jamal Lewis goes to trial ..... it will be the only thing they have.

[doublee]

Well, Todd Heap is a as good as there is at TE problem being with no talent at wideout and a mediocre QB it is not too difficult to neutralize him.

[FSUViking]

I suggest you check your numbers Eagles recievers had more than three TDs last season

Your right. It wasn't 3.....it was FIVE. Wow. www.nfl.com

In case you forgot, the Eagles went all the way to the NFC Championship game last year and if I am not mistaken the Vikes didn't even make it into the playoffs.

No, no....I didn't forget. I'm sure that everyone is quite aware of the fact that Philly made it to the NFCTG last year.....and lost......for the third year in a row.........at home......again.

I agree that Philly's other receivers are nothing to brag about but then again, neither are Minnesota's.

I disagree. Many NFL scouts and experts rated the Vikings WR as one of the top 5 units in the NFL this year, and a lot of people are nuts about Nate Burleson.

And, Kelly Campbell DID lead the NFl in ypc last year. Check out NFL.com. He had 20.9 and Galloway had 19.8

regardless...we are splitting hairs over a matter of opinions. We'll find out in 22 hours.

[doublee]

If I am not mistaken one needs to have 32 receptions (2 per every game played by your team) to qualify for the lead league in yards per catch. Campbell had more yards per catch, but I am pretty sure that Galloway technically led the league as he had more than 32 receptions last season while Campbell only had 25.

[FSUViking]

I saw on ESPN that 25 was the qualifiying number.....who knows?

[Habs Fan]

Well after last night's game the only thing I could determine was that McNabb seriously outplayed Culpepper. McNabb looked like the field general that he is, creating plays out of nothing. Culpepper looked hesitent and unsure on a number of occasions, particularly on his goal line fumble as well as when the Eagles' D stopped him dead cold on the 1-yard line. Last night they reported that Culpepper has 69 fumbles in 60 games ..... terrible. If Minnesota wants to take the next step forward, he needs to address this. Culpepper's ability to run is one of his greatest assests and last night it was his downfall.

Owens and Moss were largely ineffective with both teams providing double coverage all night. They got their touchdown but that's it. Not what I hoped for.

[doublee]

One thing I could not understand with the Vikings last night is they completely abandoned the running game and just started throwing the ball every play. Given how the Eagles were just pinning their ears back and going after Culpepper every play some draw plays may have been in order. The Eagles are supposed to be soft against the run yet Smith only got ten carries last night. Some rushing plays may have kept the Eagles line at bay somewhat.

Another thing about Culpepper is that Kearse dropping into a 'rover' position off the line seemed to really throw him and the Vikings for a loop.

[Habs Fan]

Great observation doublee ..... that was mentioned by the announcers last night and they showed numerous replays of the "Freak" stalking Culpepper last night. It was almost as if he was daring Culpepper to run.

After the game, the Eagles admitted they were aware of Culpepper's fumbling problems and basically said that they would try to let Culpepper beat himself. I guess it worked.

[FSUViking]

Kearse really impressed me last night. He was a holy terror. He ate Adam Haayer for lunch.

I think the Vikings secondary did well, in spite of our serious lack of a pass rush and LB's who didn't even seem to be on the field half the time.

I hope to have a rematch in January. I still think the Vikings and Eagles are the top of the NFC.

[Habs Fan]

Well both the Vikings and Eagles secondaries did what they were supposed to, they kept the other teams top game-breakers (Moss and Owens) from affecting the outcome.

I still think that they lost because of Culpepper. He should have had two, possibly three touchdowns himself. Instead he messed up and I'm sure he'd be the first guy to take the blame. Hopefully the re-match in January will be a bit more of what we expected. Two explosive offenses tearing at each other.

[Anthony]

Oh yeah - a rematch in January, with the temperature at kickoff time of 25 degrees with a wind chill of about 5. The Vikings should really do well in those conditions!:D

[MountaineerDave]

Habs... penalties, penalties, penalties. You want a reason the Vikings lost? Don't blame Culpepper, blame the O line and their incessant penalties once they got within sniffing distance of the goal line. Even with Daunte's fumble, a much different game if the Vikings O doesn't freeze up inside the Philly 30.

Also, if that doesn't soothe you, watch that game again, especially in the second half. Culpepper is running in the pocket, out of the pocket, for his life, for his wife, on EVERY GD play. The Philly D conducted a blitz clinic, and totally destroyed the Vikings offensive line, generally considered to be quite good. They were anything but in the second half of the game. I honestly couldn't believe it.

Dave

[doublee]

Let us not forget Special Teams as well. J. R. Reed had two KO returns for 40+ yards that put the Eagles out at the 50 to start two scoring drives. It is pretty easy to score when you get a short field like that. Especially with Akers when 15 yards puts you within his range.

[FSUViking]

Let us not forget Special Teams as well

Absolutely, dude. Well said.

Despite all the B.S. surrounding my squad, they still had a shot at the end, but that kickoff return and then add another 5 off a penalty. And kickoffs not going past the freaking 15 yard line.....ugh.

And, can we PLEASE get a field goal kicker?!?!?! Pretty soon it'll be like playing Madden. just go for it on every 4th down on their side of the 50 for crying out loud.

[Habs Fan]

Dave good points, penalties did kill the Vikes. That said, Culpepper and Culpepper alone had the opportunity to get two touchdowns and he didn't. His ability to run in scores like the ones he should have run in are the reason why he's one of their marquee players and on Monday Night, he didn't play like one.

Granted, The Eagles played amazing D, but c'mon, fumbling on the goal line in football is like stopping for a breather when pushing a broken down car ..... it's a momentum killer.

[Habs Fan]

It may be a little early and it is Chicago but I think Culpepper has played awesome so far. The reason why? He's gotten some of Minnesota's other stars in the game. In retrospect I think the reason I was so harsh on Culpepper was because he tried to do too much and the Eagles were counting on that.

Look at today's game so far .....

Moss has over 100 yards with a TD

Smith has over 200 multi-purpose yards

Cambell has 50 yards recieving

and Culpepper? At this point the guy's got almost 300 yards passing with a TD .... also no fumbles or interceptions. Not his week 1 numbers but very respectable.

And then the D ...... playing very good so far. I know it's Chicago but I think that this game is a good template of how Minnesota needs to play in order to win.

[Tarkus]

I found this game to be a little troubling for Minnesota, HF. While the stats are looking a bit better, (& they should with all the starters out for Chicago) they had quite a few lost opportunities & a ton of penalties which cost them.

The played a lot like last week but luckily were playing Chicago. But even then, they allowed the Bears the ball in the last 2 minutes with a chance to win. Better & not riddled with injury type teams won't offer the same circumstances. They still have to get it together.....

[Habs Fan]

I realized after that I had spoke to soon ..... the Bears quickly made a game of it. Still I was more impressed with Culpepper and how he led the offense this week. That's a great sign for Vike's fans.

[doublee]

Another thing is it was at home and indoors. The Vikes also have to learn to win on the road and outdoors. I think they ran a stat on Monday Night that said the Vikes have lost 15 of their last 16 games outside of domes.