Archive for September, 2009

Brett Favre made a lot of big throws against the Vikings during his Packers career, but none looms larger in our memories than the one he made to Antonio Freeman to win a Monday night game in 2000. Chris Dishman should’ve had the interception, but instead deflected the ball to Freeman who was sliding across the turf at the time.  In fluke fashion, Freeman was able to keep the ball alive, possess it, get up and run. Absolutely the most ridiculous play probably in the history of the Vikings/Packers rivalry.  For pure “WTF?” value I mean.

Having had a little less than 24 hours to digest yesterday’s game, I present my 10 Monday points: 1. Yes, that is why you bring in Brett Favre.  Because when he’s on your team you feel like you are never out of the game.  Even with only a few seconds left on the clock and a bunch of field in front of you, you believe Favre can make something happen.  That belief will continue to exist as long as he makes plays like yesterday’s. I know it kills certain people, but, there’s a reason people make a big deal about [...]

Brett Favre’s game-winning TD pass to Greg Lewis obviously became the talker after Sunday’s game, but there was another huge highlight reel play that deserves more looks:  Percy Harvin‘s 101-yard kick-off return.  Not a lot of shifty moves from Percy but some blazing speed.  He is dangerous with the ball in his hands.

I honestly thought it had a chance to be overturned, not because of his feet, but because he bobbled it a little at first. But Greg Lewis made the catch, and the Vikings won a game they had no business winning.

Brett Favre‘s magic works in purple too. We may have begun doubting, after a near-interception by Dre Bly ended what seemed the Vikings‘ last gasp effort against the surprisingly frisky 49ers. But the Vikings would get one more chance.  After stuffing the Niners’ offense, using up their time outs stopping the clock in the process, they handed the ball to Brett Favre with 1:29 left to play, and told him to go 80 yards for the touchdown. And he went 80 yards for the touchdown. The last 32 yards were covered on a desperate heave – with 2 seconds left [...]

For years, Vikings fans groaned every time Brett Favre threw a touchdown in the Metrodome.  Today the same fans cheered when Favre threw his first Dome TD as a Viking, a 30-yard strike to Sidney Rice off a blitz read. They got to cheer some more when Favre led the team down the field in the two minute offense, slicing and dicing the 49ers D, until the drive bogged down thanks to penalty, forcing the Vikes to settle for a field goal attempt. That was when things took a gut-wrenching turn for the Vikes.  Instead of going up 13-7, Minnesota [...]

Okay Vikings.  You beat the Browns on the road, with Brady Quinn looking pretty much terrible.  Then you beat the Lions on the road, with Matthew Stafford looking for all the world like a rookie quarterback.  Now you’re making your home debut, against a team that, like you, is 2-0.  The sports media are poised to elevate you to elite status in the NFC…if you can bring the thunder. And if, instead of bringing the thunder, you bring the fizzle?  It will validate those who believe you are overrated.  It will give ammunition to those who say you are all [...]

The Vikings haven’t had too many health issues to contend with so far this season, but they may have a few on Sunday against the 49ers. The most troublesome situation concerns E.J. Henderson, whose injured shoulder may very well keep him from playing.  Rookie Jasper Brinkley would start if Henderson is unable to answer the bell. Second on the list is Percy Harvin who hasn’t practiced in two days due to an undisclosed health issue.  Harvin is now listed as questionable for Sunday.  Swine flu has been ruled out as the cause of Harvin’s problems, leaving rickets, beri-beri and bubonic [...]

Percy Harvin has been a major part of the Vikings‘ 2-0 start, scoring on a pair of touchdown passes from Brett Favre, and showing early signs of developing into a major third down and red zone threat. Unfortunately, Percy has also shown, during his short Vikings tenure, that he is prone to illness.  He was late to rookie mini-camp after blowing chunks at the Atlanta airport, then was dismissed from the mandatory NFL rookie symposium after once again coming down with…something. It appears it is always going to be something with Percy and his health. The something that hit him [...]

A shiver of panic went through Viking Nation Wednesday when it learned that Adrian Peterson had been listed on the injury report with a back issue and seen only limited action in practice. On Thursday, AD put our fears to rest by saying the back issue was “not a big deal” and declaring that, “God willing” he would “be out there playing” on Sunday against the 49ers. Well, it’s easy for Adrian to say a back injury isn’t a big deal.  All he has to do is endure the pain.  We all have to endure the thought of the Vikings [...]