By: BruceM

BruceM — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:23:58 +0000

I've been a Vikings fan since the mid 80s and I don’t see that changing. Yes, Ray was wrong and will have to answer for it. Here's my issue of the moment: OFFENSIVE LINE!! Other than Hutch and Mckinnie, AP is the only guy defenses know will punish them. Yes, Gus isn’t the long term answer at QB. Yes, Brad and Darrel are struggling with play calling. But understand that the Vikes can’t run whenever they want and that starts with toughness and ability on the O-line. The right side is very unstable and it’s throwing off the entire line. People are worried about the run game because AP is great, not because Cooke, Birk, and Herrera are beasts. Ryan Cooke is one of the worst offensive line prospects I’ve seen in purple since Cory Withrow. Draftniks accross the coutry thought he would have been around in the 6th or 7th round (maybe even as a free agent). I have seen him beaten with quickness and stacked on running plays by pass rushing DEs. Anthony Herrera is a solid back up, and on occasion he has opened up some game breaking holes for AP, but more often then not he’s being beaten on pass rushes or run plays. He’s a tough guy, but when Hovan is beating you for his first sack of the year, it might be time to consider other options. I just dont believe that was Hovan's first one-on-one block this year. There's NO WAY. To compound the issue, the right side and Birk are where the majority of the off sides penalties have come from. I can hear the ref now: Offside....holding....64, 62, 78, 62, 62, 62....Matt Birk is solid, but he is far too easy to handle on running plays. These guys just aren’t establishing an attitude of dominance. Knowing your coaching staff uses a wicked play book can boost the offense, so can knowing that whatever the call, the O-line is going to punish people. Thats not the case with this group..... Well, atleast with 3/5s of this them.

Comments on: NFC North Breakdown: Week 11

By: BruceM