Archive for December, 2010

Our last five questions segment of 2010 features Zac Snyder of SideLion Report.  We begin the Q&A with one about the Lions’ success in 2010 and where they need to go from here: TVA: The Lions definitely took a step in the right direction this year.  What do they have to do now to take the next step and actually become playoff contenders? SLR:  The Lions can be playoff contenders next year if they can stay healthy, particularly at quarterback, and put together another solid draft class. The Lions have suffered from a talent gap in the wake of the [...]

Per the good people at the Wall Street Journal, Joe Webb was the 8th rookie signal caller to start an NFL game in the 2010 season making this the most to start in over 30 years. What’s funny is going into the season this was not seen as a particularly strong rookie QB class. Only 3 QBs were drafted in the first two rounds and looking ahead to the 2011 NFL Draft as many as 7 QBs are anticipated to be taken in the first two rounds for whatever draft speculation is worth in December. Of this year’s rookies only [...]

Antoine Winfield was the game-changer Tuesday night for the Vikings.  The cornerback, who has at times this season seemed like a diminished player, proved he can indeed still be the dominating force he was two years ago, especially in Fred Pagac‘s more aggressive blitzing defense.  Winfield had the key play of the night late in the second quarter when he came off the corner, sacked and stripped Michael Vick, scooped up the fumbled ball and ran it 44 yards for a tying touchdown.  Overall, Winfield notched 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 tackle-for-loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 touchdown.  These numbers [...]

As the Vikings bask in the glow of their stunning 24-14 upset win over the Eagles, their possible week 17 starting quarterback waits patiently to hear what punishment he will receive over the ill-advised act of friendliness he committed while a member of his previous team. Actually, it’s likely Brett Favre already has a pretty good idea what his punishment will be for sending those texts to Jets “team hostess” Jenn Sterger.  All along everyone, including probably Brett, assumed he would get a fine and not a suspension.  Now, per Jay Glazer, we have confirmation that Favre will indeed be [...]

They said it couldn’t be done – all right, I said it couldn’t be done – but they were wrong.  Tonight the Minnesota Vikings shut up all the doubters by hanging a stunning 24-14 victory on the playoff bound Philadelphia Eagles. Maybe it was the two-day blizzard-created lay-off or maybe it was just the Vikings defense, but Michael Vick was not his MVP-level self in the first half tonight.  The Vikings rushed Vick relentlessly, bringing Antoine Winfield on blitzes, and forced him to commit two first-half turnovers, one of which resulted in a Winfield TD return.  In the second half [...]

Joe Webb‘s running ability has given the Vikings a little x-factor action they haven’t had all year.  Note the key Jim Kleinsasser block on this rushing TD, which gave the Vikings a 17-7 lead.  Also note Webb’s crazy hips. Follow FanSided on Facebook. Follow The Viking Age on Twitter. Site5 and Fansided Holiday Season Charity Drive: Give to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

The Vikings were down 7-0 late in the second quarter, after playing pretty good defense against Michael Vick and the Eagles all half.  Then a blitzing Antoine Winfield pulled off the key play of the half and perhaps the game, hitting Vick, forcing the fumble, picking it up and running 44 yards for the tying score. Follow FanSided on Facebook. Follow The Viking Age on Twitter. Site5 and Fansided Holiday Season Charity Drive: Give to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Those who expected an Eagles blow-out tonight (I was one of these people) obviously underestimated the Vikings defense.  Through two quarters, the Vikes have rushed the pants off of Michael Vick, sacking him 3 times, picking him off once and forcing him to fumble.  The fumble was forced and recovered by Antoine Winfield who ran it 45 yards for a TD, the Vikings’ only score of the half.  The Eagles did start hot, scoring a TD on their first possession when Vick hit Clay Harbor from 3 yards out, but after that the Vikings’ rush started really disrupting the Eagles.  [...]

Last year the Vikings won 12 games and littered the Pro Bowl team with players (most of whom didn’t show).  This year they have been lousy, and appropriately, will have only one representative at the NFL’s annual All-Star celebration. Not surprisingly, that one Pro-Bowler is Adrian Peterson, who has been named an NFC back-up at running back (behind Michael Turner).  Among the notable Vikings snubs are multiple-time Pro Bowlers Kevin Williams, Jared Allen and Steve Hutchinson. Chad Greenway and Chris Kluwe were thought to be in the running at their respective positions, but neither scored a spot. Obviously, Pro Bowl [...]

We already knew this, but now it’s official: Brett Favre is not going to play tonight against the Eagles. Favre suffered a concussion in his heroic start last Monday night (which now feels like fifteen years ago).  Per NFL rules, Favre was subjected to several concussion tests during the week, and reportedly failed to pass even the preliminary ones, making his deactivation for tonight’s game a foregone conclusion. Despite the 100% impossibility of Favre playing, some still held out hope.  Why?  Because there’s not much else for Viking fans to root for. Joe Webb will makes his first NFL start, [...]