Archive for November, 2011

It’s been 15 days since the Vikings last played a game. Maybe that explains why tonight’s Packers-Vikings match-up feels bigger than your usual Packers-Vikings Monday nighter. 15 days of building anticipation is liable to make any game seem slightly inflated in importance. But of course the two week build-up isn’t the only reason Viking fans are so stoked for this game. There’s also the man lining up behind center. Christian Ponder has engendered a level of optimism not seen around these parts since 2009 when Brett Favre flew in with his protein bucket to save us from the tyranny of [...]

The Vikings make their annual trip to Lambeau Field tonight, so that makes this a perfect time to present a 7 round Vikings mock draft. Wait, what? No I didn’t put together a mock draft…I actually hate mock drafts, almost as much as I hate the Packers. But NFL Mocks did throw together a mock – they’re called “NFL Mocks;” what the hell else are they going to do? – and I figured I should link to it since a few of you might be bored waiting for the game. Not shockingly, the Mocks guys have the Vikes loading up [...]

I’ve been to Lambeau. I drove through the city of Green Bay. I gazed upon the green, yellow, and hunter orange from afar. I drove through the neighborhood in which The Beau sits.  A fact that all of Wisconsin seems to hold some pride in. I surveyed the shrines in the backyards of the houses that have Lambeau surrounded. One house carved out of wood the big silly “G.” Wow. Neat. I stood at one of the entrances and beheld the statues of Curly and Mo er…Lombardi.

Ray Rivard of Lombardi Ave. discusses all things Packers for this week’s installment of Five Questions… TVA: The defense has to be a concern for everyone in Packerland right now, right? Or do you guys figure you can just outscore everyone the rest of the way? LA: Well, for anyone who follows that Packers, yes, the defense is a huge concern. How can this team continue to rely so heavily on its offense to score 30-plus points the entire season? It can’t. One of these weeks, the offense is going to throw a stinker and the team will lose because of [...]

It makes sense to deviate slightly from the usual We’ve Met Before format. For one thing, the Vikings and Packers played just three weeks ago. Further, I think most Vikings fans have more than enough memories from this series. Here’s the run-down: Series: Packers lead 52-48-1 Last Meeting: Minnesota stayed with the Packers right to the end in rookie quarterback Christian Ponder’s first-ever start. The Vikings out-gained Green Bay, but two Ponder interceptions were key to a 20-0 Packers run in the second half. Green Bay scored on seven possessions, but the Vikings were able to hold them to field [...]

It’s no secret that running backs have a short shelf life. Most of even the great ones are shot at age 30 with their prime years being between 23 and 28. Being hit 20 times a game by on-average 275 pound defenders in addition to all of the hitting and blocking will do harm to the body. So with the Vikings sitting at 2-6 essentially eliminated from playoff contention it’s fair to wonder if Adrian Peterson’s carries will be lessened preserving the 26-year-old for the long haul. Just today offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said the following on Toby Gerhart receiving [...]

NFL Mocks is doing a series of posts reviewing the performances of this year’s rookies. It was my pleasure to contribute to the effort by participating in a Q&A with editor Jesse Bartoli in which we discussed, among other things, Christian Ponder. Hit up NFL Mocks for a look at that fascinating conversation. Thanks again to Jesse for inviting me to contribute. Like The Viking Age on Facebook. Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter.

If the worst thing you can say about your best player is how annoying their Twitter account is, well that’s not that bad at all. But Adrian Peterson is up to Twitter antics again. First it was “Retweeting” a million things his followers sent and clogging up everyone’s timeline. Lately it’s been a plethora of tweets promoting whatever helps Adrian cause be it a product he endorses, his hometown or a charitable foundation. Case in point with Verizon’s launch of the Droid Razr by Motorola the NFL’s best running back was tweeting away encouraging his followers to go out and [...]

Monday night will mark Christian Ponder’s first appearance at that hallowed giant urinal known as Lambeau Field. If you think the quarterback is geeked for the experience…well, you’re right. But as pumped as Ponder is to journey for the first time into the very heart of Cheesehead Land, he also knows that if he wants to win he has to keep his cool and not let the setting or opponent overwhelm him. “Undefeated team, at their house, in Lambeau, historic Lambeau on Monday night,” Ponder said at his Thursday presser. “There’s a lot of things to get excited about. But [...]

Just a quick hitter about why I’m optimistic about Monday Night.   -       Ponder has some experience in dodging live bullets. He also has faced the Packers and he did well. So well the Vikings almost pulled it off. I think going into the game at the Dome, to a man, people thought the Vikes would get destroyed. Ah. Not so. Lost by 6 with said rookie QB tossing two INTs. -       I liked the scheme from the defensive stand point in the last tilt. Keep everything underneath and don’t get beat deep. Mission accomplished last game. I mean technically, [...]