Going into this week, I honestly thought the Vikings were going to win this game. It was the home opener, we had lost two close division games that were mistake-filled but winnable, and we were playing Noo-Shoo's Browns.
And now look what they've done to Adrian Peterson, who is now the saddest Viking of the week.
Honestly, he's the type of competitor who is probably blaming himself when everyone else knows the problems are everywhere else. Or maybe he's really lonely without Jerome Felton? I don't know, but everyone seems to be ready to torch this team and start over, which I think is slightly dramatic. The Vikes are flawed, but what team isn't? If we had a guy at QB, I believe that would have been enough to tip the scales to a 3-0 or a 2-1 start. Where would we have been by the end of the year? Probably still a fringe playoff team at best. Even with Ponder, we are surprisingly a top ten scoring team (27.0 points/game), but this doesn't tell the whole story. Our defense is likely not going to win us any games as they have so nicely demonstrated in several dimensions each week...Speaking of elephants in the room, can someone tell me if it was a good idea to draft a T-Rex to replace a stalwart veteran in Kevin Williams (Sharrif Floyd has comically small arms for a big dude).
And so here we are. My prediction for the Vikes coming into the year was 7-9 but now this seems like a big stretch. I still feel good after a Vikings win, and I would much rather see a turnaround rather then struggle through another 3-13 season. But I do feel like we are realistically looking at a five-win season, which means more sad Vikings to come.
I've been a Ponder basher for a while, but this was definitely a total team loss. All facets looked bad. Ponder was ok. I still hate him because as Bill says, an above average QB still wins that game (and probably the Bears game too).
ReplyDeleteBecause of that total team collapse, I really do believe this is Frazier's last year as coach if he doesn't finish 8-8 or better. Start over next year with a new staff and new QB.
I found myself rooting for the Browns yesterday. I don't know why. I just didn't think the Vikings played well enough to win and didn't want them to sneak away with one. I didn't want to PA's and Wobby's of the world talking this week about how the Vikings answered the call and how this was some sort of tipping point. This is a terrible team, and now EVERYONE (coaches, players, management, media) has to address that fact.
Go Lions.
I'm not sure this team is as bad as we think they are right now. They could easily have been 3-0 at this point.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot going wrong that shouldn't be going wrong. O line was supposed to be a strength - they suck. AP is supposed to be all world - he's been average and has started fumbling. The D is getting turnovers and scoring - but give up some huge plays.
If they can start to come around, I think they'll be an above average team. Unlike most people, I don't blame Ponder for everything. He's playing to the best of his abilities, it's up to the coaching staff to decide if his abilities aren't good enough. It's not his fault he's not pulling himself.
I have zero confidence in this coaching staff. The worst thing that could have happened was making the playoffs last year to give the impression that they know what they are doing. I don't understand why people were so upset about Tice and Chilly, but never say anything about Frazier. I don't recall another situation where the team has sucked and the blame gets put on the OC, DC or Special teams coach instead of the HC.
Now, I'm normally a coach defender, so that's saying something coming from me. I wanted to give both Mason and Brewster another year to figure it out. I didn't think Childress was that bad and thought people didn't like him because he was bald (but not shaved bald. That weird horseshoe or hair bald). However, I did think Tice was an idiot. Funny guy, great quotes, but an idiot. I just think Frazier isn't cracked up to be a HC.
I've been agnostic on Frazier. Don't love, don't hate. What I don't/didn't like was after Childress got canned (which I was completely in favor of), Frazier got the interim role and then the big job. So the staff never turned over. The scheme never really changed. Frazier was an extension of Childress and sort of still is... I do think a new voice/leader is needed for the team.
ReplyDeleteBTW, my preferred term for the hairline Childress sported is "Cul de sac". Try to use it more often... it's catchy.