Archive for September, 2011

This is a little piece of writing brilliance we like to call 5 Questions. I asked Patrick Allen of Arrowhead Addict 5 questions about the Chiefs and this is what our guy Patrick Allen had to say: Clint: Are you guys participating in the “Suck for Luck” movement? Patrick: AA has a very large staff. Some of the guys are on the Suck for Luck bandwagon. Others, like me, just can’t bring themselves to do it. Going 1-1 or 2-14 can cause a lot of other problems for an organization that I am not sure the Chiefs want. Still, I [...]

Here’s your Friday injury report…and some Janis. E.J. Henderson – Questionable (Knee) Jamarca Sanford – Questionable (Thigh) Asher Allen – Probable (Toe) Chris Cook – Probable (Groin) Tyrell Johnson – Probable (Hip) Jim Kleinsasser – Probable (Elbow) Adrian Peterson – Probable (Calf) Kevin Williams – Probable (Foot) Like The Viking Age on Facebook. Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter.

Once upon a time the Vikings and Chiefs clashed in the Super Bowl. Kansas City emerged victorious from that epic battle, having earned with their blood and sweat the championship title and the honor of being crowned the best team in pro football. Fast forward to 2011. Once again the Vikings and Chiefs find themselves taking the gridiron with a title at stake. This time though, the title will not be bestowed upon the team that prevails, but rather on the one that fails. The winner on Sunday will come away with no championship or trophy or distinction of any [...]

Forgive us as we sound like a bunch of broken records. Actually don’t forgive us because we’re not going to change anyway on our mission to have Bernard Berrian cut from the Vikings. According to Mike Clay of Pro Football Focus, Berrian has caught only 11% of this targets this year. That’s 1 for 9 for those keeping score at home. Per Clay this is the lowest percentage he’s ever seen over a “semi-decent” sample size. Berrian simply doesn’t have what it takes to be an NFL wide receiver anymore. He can’t separate from defensive backs, never has been one [...]

Under Pressure. Donovan McNabb. Let’s go back in time. The Shanahans dis McNabb for being out of shape, unable to run the 2:00 offense, he doesn’t know the playbook. Some insiders think the Shanahans wanted a robot at the QB position and Donovan did not do exactly what they wanted him to do. Rock, meet hard place. Regardless on where you fall on the Donovan got shafted scale; he was on the outs in Washington. We continue our look back. Remember when it was clear Donovan was not going to be in Washington anymore and ole’ #5 said that he [...]

Think 0-3 is depressing? Try this on for size: In 16 second half possessions over three games, two of the Vikings’ four longest drives have ended with desperation laterals that turned into fumbles (well, one lateral and one inexplicable forward pass 25 yards beyond the line of scrimmage). For the record, the Vikings four longest second half drives in 2011 so far: -12 plays, 69 yards, 5 first downs; ended with a field goal -3 plays, 35 yards, 1 first down; ended with fumble (final play of game) -9 plays, 52 yards, 3 first downs; ended with a field goal [...]

Olof: What a joke! Leslie Frazier has been coaching for 15 minutes and already we’ve made up our minds that he’s not the guy? Give the dude a chance over-reacting Viking fans! In case you haven’t noticed they’re running a whole new offense with a new quarterback and a re-tooled offensive line. It’s going to take time for all that to gel. It’s not Frazier’s fault Bryant McKinnie showed up overweight. It’s not his fault Zygi Wilf spent money like a drunken sailor for years and put the team in cap purgatory, meaning they couldn’t fix their receiver corps or [...]

A sore calf kept the highest-paid and allegedly best running back in the NFL out of practice on Wednesday. But don’t despair Viking fans: Adrian Peterson is expected to suit up Sunday and be ready to take the ball (on everything but key 4th-and-1 plays). Leslie Frazier said Peterson’s calf was kicked during Sunday’s loss. Now Adrian’s calf knows how Viking fans’ guts feel. And about my snarky “allegedly best running back” remark in the first sentence: That was not a shot at Peterson, it was a shot at Bill Musgrave. I know he’s the best running back in the [...]

A schism appears to be forming between Leslie Frazier and Donovan McNabb. Too over-dramatic? Okay then, let’s just say there appears to be a bit of disagreement between coach and QB when it come to the nature of McNabb’s struggles. Frazier reiterated on Wednesday his Monday statement that the Vikings have found something mechanically wrong with McNabb’s throws and mean to work on those issues in practice. But McNabb on Wednesday flatly denied there is anything mechanically amiss, putting the blame instead on rushed throws caused by lack of pass protection. So in one fell swoop McNabb contradicted his coach [...]

Three weeks, three second half disasters and already fans and the the local papers’ designated negator sports writers are calling for Christian Ponder and whispering for Coach Frazier’s job.  What a mess!  Wait a minute though, did we expect this team to be much better when the season began?  It’s time for a reality check and a reminder of what was thought of this Vikings team entering the season. In my most optimistic dreams, this team had the potential to win 9 games, maybe 10 with a rejuvenated McNabb that resembled his old Philadelphia self (yeah, crazy thought).  It’s now [...]