Minnesota Vikings: Purple Pride Ponderings week 1 vs Titans

Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill (13) passes the ball with defensive pressure from Tennessee Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill (13) passes the ball with defensive pressure from Tennessee Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) kicks the ball as Tennessee Titans defensive back Valentino Blake (47) defends at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) kicks the ball as Tennessee Titans defensive back Valentino Blake (47) defends at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports /

Bipolar Walsh

Blair Walsh continues to drive Vikings fans insane. When he misses, he misses badly. It amazes me how he can miss extra points and short field goals only to drill 50 yarders right down the middle. After the game when asked about Walsh Coach Zimmer said his performance was “disappointing” and followed that up by saying “He’s our kicker”. Zimmer is a no-nonsense type of coach but there appears to be too much coddling when it comes to Walsh.

There’s no doubting that Walsh cost the Vikings a chance to advance in the Playoffs last year when he missed the game winner against the Seahawks. Special teams are an integral part of a winning football team. I’m not sure how much longer the Vikings can continue to stomach our current Dr, Jekyll and Mr, Hyde style of kicker – I know that fans can’t, just search Blair Walsh on twitter.

Final Thoughts

During my appearance on Sportscast Radio Online last night, I was asked to give the Minnesota Vikings a letter grade for this game. I gave them a B- to C, leaning heavily towards that C grade. This team came out flat in the first half, the kicking game is still a mess, and the offensive line needs to get considerably better at run blocking regardless of who is at quarterback. Kudos to the coaching staff though for whatever defensive adjustments they made at halftime. Without the defensive scores the Vikings would have left Tennessee in similar fashion to last year’s week one.

What’s on Tap

Only week two and it’s already Packer week. This one is a bit bigger than life though with the first ever regular season game at US Bank Stadium on Sunday Night Football. The big talker early in the week will be who starts at Quarterback for the Vikings, Hill or Bradford? I really don’t think much thought should be put into this. There is no chance Hill starts in our shiny new Star Destroyer with Collinsworth, Michaels, and Tayfoya in town. Well actually Tayfoya does live here, but you get my point.

Next: Vikings game-by-game 2016 season preview

This game is far too big for a career backup and the amount spent to get Bradford suggests that he’s under center, under the National spotlight. Let’s just hope that the first start for Bradford in purple on National television goes far better than it did when Freeman started on Monday night a few years back.

That’s all I have for this week, till next time, SKOL Vikings!

*Note: Updated for content error on 9/12/16