Archive for Minnesota Vikings
What’s Next for The Vikings and Favre?
Posted by: | CommentsThe epic run of Brett Favre started in August and ended in disappointment during Championship Weekend. Although Favre was brought in by the Vikings to get to and win the Super Bowl, the team only reached as far as they did thanks to his leadership. Whether it was the amazing finish to the week three match-up with San Fransisco, or the divisional round stomping of the hottest team in the NFL, Favre accomplished everything BUT reaching the actual Super Bowl. He may not have ended his last game on top, but he is going out with a bang like no 40-year old player ever has.
Now, the retirement dance begins again, as it has for the last three years. However, unlike previous years, coach Brad Childress is not worried. Favre may have said that his return is “highly unlikely,” but from him, that statement basically means maybe. It’s tough to think that he wouldn’t try at least one more time, given the success he had in Minnesota this year, especially with the Vikings not being shy about telling the press they are happy to have him back.
It’s also hard to believe that a competitor like Favre would want to end his career after one of the craziest games he has ever played. Fumbles galore, interceptions, and a horrible decision late in the game brought the Vikings’ season to an end, something many detractors had been predicting since the preseason. The blame may lie squarely on Favre’s shoulders for the last drive, but it wasn’t like Peterson, Harvin, and Berrian didn’t also contribute to the loss with their comedy of errors.
That game may have been the second overtime championship loss for the Vikings in the last 3 tries, but it was far different from the 1998 loss to the Falcons that crushed my dreams as kid. This time, the Purple were away at a stadium booming with noise and not favored to win, unlike the previous team that lost at home while being favored by a touchdown. The 2009 team fumbled their way to a loss that should have been a win if played mistake free; the 1998 team blew it on a missed kick by a perfect kicker.
Don’t get me wrong – the Vikings have the tools and the resources to get back to the NFC Championship next year, with or without Favre. Backup QB Tarvaris Jackson has shown in minimal time on the field that he has improved enough to be considered for the starting job should Favre not come back, and the draft is ripe with promising QBs to build on for the future. The Vikings are still without a franchise player in that respect, but they may not need one if Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin continue to play at an elite level.
I also don’t want to discount a Saints team who looked to be in Super Bowl form during the game. The defense played like vultures, circling the Vikings players looking for places to punch the ball out. Tracy Porter and company also did their job in the secondary, playing a great game against a Pro-Bowl level receiving corps. Drew Brees has grown into a player on the same level as Brett Favre in his prime, tearing up a Vikings secondary that wasn’t able to stop his huge plays.
Lastly, as a Vikings fan, it’s just another disappointment to add to the list of horrible breaks that never seem to go our way in the playoffs. I was on cloud nine for almost the entire season and look to be back there come 2010. With the salary cap lifted due to issues with the collective bargaining agreement, hopefully the Vikings can find a way to stack the deck even more in their favor. They have a few players that may not be joining them for the ride in Favre, Pat Williams, and Cedric Griffin, but those holes can be filled from their deep bench and a loaded 2010 draft.
Brett Favre may have only played one year for the Vikings, but it was one for the books, and I am satisfied with the whole result despite the individual let-downs. I will wait patiently to see what he decides and will be raring to go regardless of his decision. The Vikings will bounce back, and I will be there with horns on.
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!)
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NFL Conference Championship Round Preview
Posted by: | CommentsWow, what a week of playoff football! We saw total blowouts from the Saints, Vikings, and Colts, and then another upset from the Cinderella New York Jets team. As the 2009 NFL season heads into conference championship weekend, let’s take a closer look at this week’s games, as well as the always-fun-to-watch Pro Bowl:
2010 AFC Championship Game
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010 3:00 PM EST
On paper this looks nothing like a conference championship game. When the Colts and Jets met in Week 16, the Colts were 14-0 and the Jets were a mediocre 7-7 looking for a chance at making it to the postseason. The Jets ended up having an easy pass into the playoffs thanks to the Colts benching their starters, and the Bengals’ disgraceful performance in Week 17. To prove the Jets’ 37-0 beating of the Bengals was no fluke, they came back in the first round of the playoffs to beat them again, 24-14, thanks to two rookies: Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene. Then last week, they held on against the Chargers, 17-14, and again Shonn Greene was key in grinding out the game.
This week’s matchup pits a team of rookies versus a team of seasoned veterans. Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne have been working it together for nine years now, and they’ve brought the Colts a Super Bowl title and a plethora of playoff appearances. As I mentioned earlier, two of the Jets key offensive players are rookies; Sanchez hasn’t been asked to do much all season and the team has relied on their running attack, powered by Greene and Thomas Jones. The Jets do have the number one defense in the NFL, which could play a factor in this game as they try and stop the 4-time MVP quarterback Manning from taking the 15-1 Colts to another Super Bowl. However, I think the Colts will be too much for the rookie quarterback to handle, and Peyton Manning will step up his game, finding a way past the dominance of Darrelle Revis and the Jets defense. In the end, it looks like the Cinderellas of the 2009 NFL playoffs won’t be able to beat Indianapolis again, and the Colts will win 20-10.
2010 NFC Championship Game
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010 6:40 PM EST
This game should certainly be another offensive battle in the NFC. The Saints, who arguably have the best offense in the NFL, led the league in yards per game and points per game throughout the regular season. Drew Brees might be the best quarterback in the NFL right now, and they showed all their weapons against the Arizona Cardinals last week. The Saints aren’t known for having a great defense, but they were still able to blowout Arizona. I think New Orleans, if they can get a hot start, will keep streaking like they did last week and win the game.
On the other hand, the Minnesota Vikings have quite a few weapons of their own. They are led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre and hot-shot running back Adrian Peterson. Minnesota also has nine Pro Bowlers this year, including two starting offensive lineman, wide receiver Sidney Rice, Favre, and Peterson. They also have a solid defense, led by All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen. This team is loaded with talent, and should not disappoint this week in the Big Easy. As tough as this game should be, I see Brett Favre leading his team to a Super Bowl. Vikings win 31-24.
2010 NFL Pro Bowl Game
AFC vs. NFC
Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010 7:20 PM EST
Before the game even starts, it is already making history. For the first time ever, the Pro Bowl will be played before the Super Bowl! Personally I liked the game better when it was after the Super Bowl, but at least now you don’t have to go a week without football anymore. It is also being played in Florida this year instead of Hawaii, a move I don’t like. Hawaii doesn’t have a professional football team, so when the Pro Bowl comes along, all the fans on the little islands in the Pacific Ocean finally get to enjoy a game, and a special one. But it is what it is, and the game will stay on the mainland.
Anyway, this game should also be interesting to watch. But when I look at these rosters though I think one thing: AFC! The AFC looks very strong this year with studs like Peyton Manning, Chris Johnson, and Andre Johnson leading the offense. Their defense is also very strong with sack-king Elvis Dumervil and other stars such as James Harrison, Ray Lewis, Darrelle Revis, and Dwight Freeney. Expect a lot of pressure on the NFC quarterbacks and even a few sacks. I think the NFC has another very strong defense with Darren Sharper, Charles Woodson, and Asante Samuel manning the secondary. Patrick Willis, DeMarcus Ware, and Jared Allen should act as a wall to many of the AFC’s moves, too. Since there is so much talent in these all-star games, it is very tough to predict, but I’d have to give my edge to the AFC, 27-24.
Good luck to all the teams you guys are rooting for and feel free to leave your feedback on who you think will go dancing into the Big Game.
R.I.P. Gaines Adams (1983-2010)
-Rich
Richie Sliwinski, 14, is a young card collector who enjoys playing, watching, and talking about sports, hanging out with friends, going on the computer . . . and of course, collecting cards! He has been featured in Beckett Sports Card Monthly, Sports Illustrated for Kids, and was a kid blogger for Upper Deck Kids.
Popularity: 27% [?]
2009 Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin
Posted by: | CommentsPer NFL.com, Percy Harvin will be named offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2009 season. Much like yesterday’s announcement of Brian Cushing’s award, Harvin was also expected to walk away with top honors, so there were no surprises when the award was determined. He has truly been one of the more important additions to a team that desperately needed some receiver help, and thanks to Brett Favre’s tutelage, he has exceeded expectations to the fullest.
Without question, Harvin had some demons coming out of college, and was not expected to be a top pick once the draft rolled around. He tested positive for a banned substance at the combine, which led teams to drop him on their boards out of fear for repeat abuses. Vikings coach Brad Childress visited him in Florida before the draft, and became determined to have him on his team. The Vikings drafted him at number 22, and the rest is history.
This year, Harvin caught 60 passes for 750 yards with six touchdowns, including over 125 yards on the ground as well. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, leading him to a season average of 27 yards per return that put him at number two all time for the Vikings. He was recently named to the Pro Bowl as the NFC’s kick returner, being the only offensive rookie to earn his way onto the team.
For Vikings collectors like me, it’s become tougher to collect Harvin’s stuff because his value has spiked so much due to his production. Considering that the Purple already have a large fan base, it also creates a lot of competition among people who want his cards. I have done pretty well, regardless of the other collectors, and here are a few of my favorites for the year.
When 2009 Upper Deck football came out early in the year, I was immediately excited for the chance to pull the Premier cards seeded at one per case. Harvin’s card is absolutely amazing, and still one of the most valuable cards of the year so far. It is also extremely rare at forty copies, which makes one of the rarest of the year as well. The card features an autograph, four swatches of player worn jersey, and a great design that fits well with the awesome picture.
I also love his National Chicle mini out of 2009 Philadelphia, as the painted look of the card is beyond awesome. If you are fortunate enough to get an autographed parallel, I envy you very much. The auto versions are hard signed by Percy on the card, and he has even included some creative inscriptions like “Wildcat” and “See you next year Tebow!” on a few selected ones.
Lastly, I would check out his rookie card out of 2009 Upper Deck, as it is one of the better pictures of the year. It is shot from an angle that you don’t usually see on a card, which is why this card looks so awesome. When the set was first released, I immediately jumped on this card, as I was enthralled by the way it looks. It may not feature an autograph or a jersey swatch, but it is still one of my favorite cards of the entire year.
If this year is any indication, Percy Harvin will be a star in the NFL for years to come. I was skeptical at first about him wearing a Vikings uniform, but he has earned my respect without a doubt. He plays each down with ferocious tenacity, punishing defenders who try to stop him at every turn. Teammate Adrian Peterson has already dubbed him “Little Phenom” for his ability on the field, though I don’t think Peterson is even prepared for the potential Harvin has. Peterson was named Rookie of the Year in 2007 himself, and I would think he has a pretty good grasp of what it takes to be successful. Fortunately for Vikings fans like me, we are going to get to see what he is talking about for many more seasons to come.
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!)
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Two Weeks of Emotional Swings for Vikings Fans
Posted by: | CommentsIt has been a great season for the Vikings and Brett Favre, but it easily could have been a lot worse coming into this weekend. After an UGLY loss to a Bears team they had already killed once in the season, their fate for a first round bye was out of their hands. First they needed to beat a Giants team that had lost badly to the Carolina Panthers the week before, and it was not going to be easy. If they won, they would need help from Dallas to beat Philadelphia to get the NFC’s number two seed and make Wild Card Weekend a much needed R&R weekend.
Coming out of the loss to the Bears, the team was in a state of despair, looking for a way to right the ship before they were forced to play a game that hadn’t been expected since Week 9. Devin Aromashodu of Chicago had exposed horrible weaknesses in their secondary last Monday night, and all of a sudden, the once rock steady defense looked vulnerable. Cutler and his new favorite target had torched the Vikings for 2 touchdowns, (including the game winner in overtime), and it became obvious that the Vikings could easily go out in the first round of the playoffs instead of avoiding it altogether.
I remember distinctly how I felt after that game. Disappointment was an understated adjective, especially after the way the second half of the game turned out. The Vikings were down 17 points at the beginning of the 3rd quarter and stormed all the way back to tie the game at 23 with less than five minutes to go. After a great return by Danieal Manning, the Bears scored quickly on another touchdown pass from Cutler to Bennett, leaving my hopes for a much needed win in peril. In true Favrian fashion (yes, he has done it so many times, there is now a word for it), the forever young gunslinger drove down the field, and then lobbed a sweet touch pass to Sidney Rice in the end zone as time expired. I was ecstatic to say the least. The rest, I’m sure you have seen a hundred times before the Week 17 games started. Aromashodu caught two passes, the Vikings were down and out, and the last game of the season became a MUST win.
It didn’t seem like Favre got the message, as he showed little concern for the next game on the schedule. To him it was just another game, as he was not letting the massive pressure crush the team under the weight of a pending wild card weekend matchup. Rumors of his continued problems with coach Brad Childress continued to swirl, along with rampant discussion of how the mighty Vikings had gone from sure thing to underdog.
All of that gloomy sentiment was gone in a matter of minutes, as the Vikings’ opening drive against a banged up Giants defense went for six points. By halftime it was 31-0, and the game was pretty much over before any seconds of the third quarter had ticked off the clock. Favre played until it was 41-0, and Vikings fans put on their brand new Cowboys hats to cheer on their new favorite team.
After the Cowboys throttled the Eagles (securing a first round bye for Minnesota in the process), the season’s prospects suddenly had a much sunnier outlook. Favre’s 40 year old body will have an extra week to rest, and fans who were on the verge of a coronary during these last two weeks will have 14 more days to get that cardio into their exercise regimens. Not only will the Vikings have a shot at going deep into the playoffs for the first time in a long time, but seven of Favre’s teammates will be joining him in the Pro Bowl as well.
First time All-Pro Sidney Rice had the best year of his young career, catching close to 80 passes and over 1300 yards. Adrian Peterson’s season may not have been as explosive this year, but his 18 touchdowns speak for themselves. He also caught almost 50 passes out of the backfield, something that he has never done, even while at Oklahoma. Jared Allen ended the year leading the NFC in sacks with 14.5, making him one of the most feared pass rushers in the league. Although Percy Harvin did not get selected as a kick returner for the NFC squad, he is the front runner for the Rookie of the Year hardware, and may still be selected if players decide not to make the trip Miami.
Personally, I am still not sold on the Vikings hope for another Super Bowl appearance, but I am a lot more confident after they took the Giants out behind the shed. They seemed back on top, with Favre doing everything right against a team that looked to be the one to beat in the NFC five weeks ago. Of course, they will either have to beat Green Bay or Arizona to get to whoever wins in New Orleans. Yet, my level of concern is still small leading up to that game. Hopefully Antoine Winfield and Pat Williams will have time to heal up, which is probably the best part of having a week off next week. The defense will need to fix all the problems from the Chicago and Carolina games, with a win being the ultimate result.
As a lifelong Vikings fan, I will say that I do not celebrate until its all over, so this wonderful turnout for Week 17 is just another link in the chain for me. I will be there with horns on for the divisional round, and I am hoping that things turn out well. The Vikings do have a legitimate shot to go deep this year, and my favorite players Peterson, Rice and Harvin should be right there in the trenches with the Silver Fox slugging it out. At this point, I can only hope that booking my plane tickets to Miami will be the ultimate result.
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!)
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2009 Rookie of the Year Candidates
Posted by: | CommentsThe NFL season is winding down, and the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. I have followed the rookies for the whole year on both my site and this one, keeping a close eye on those who stand out as top of the class. With the offensive and defensive Rookie of the Year award, there are a few contenders that are at the forefront of the discussion. Many of these rookies have won at least one of the Upper Deck Rookie of the Week awards, and there are still three weeks left for the others to jump on board.
First, I want to discuss my thoughts on the offensive side of the ball, as these are the players that usually receive the most attention. Each of these candidates has meant a great deal to their team (some of which have even won games single handedly). They’ve also had some of the better rookie seasons in recent memory, and the exclamation point will be on the way for two of them come February.
Percy Harvin
If there is one player that has redefined the word “electrifying” this year, Percy Harvin is him. In addition to catching six TD passes from Brett Favre, he also has run back two kicks for touchdowns as well. He leads all rookies in plays over twenty yards from scrimmage, and has been Favre’s favorite third down target for the whole year. He has also functioned as a running back in some cases, carrying the ball out of the Wildcat and motion formations (some of which went for good yardage). He is pretty much the complete package, but the problem of migraines late in the season may hamper his run for this award. He has already missed one game, and is on track to miss at least one more. Regardless, his odds are still pretty good to come home with the trophy.
Knowshon Moreno
Denver has always been famous for churning out great running backs, and Moreno is no exception. He leads rookie running backs in yards, attempts, yards per carry, touchdowns, and has put together a very nice rookie campaign. Denver started off as one of the three undefeated teams into the middle of the season, and Moreno was a factor in those wins. His five touchdowns are tops on the team, and he is primed for a 1,000 yard season with 837 yards and three weeks to go. Moreno also looks like he will be a force in the years to come, as the Broncos running game has drastically improved with his arrival. His drawbacks are few, but the ones that stick out in my mind are a few key fumbles in key situations. However, this shouldn’t hurt him too much: if Harvin falters and misses the last few games, Moreno is probably the favorite.
Matt Stafford
Before last year, rookie quarterbacks were never expected to put up good seasons due to the time needed to develop into an efficient playmaker. Stafford was drafted by the Lions to take over the reins as soon as possible and has done that effectively. He brought the first two wins in the last two years to the team, one coming on the last play of the game with a hurt shoulder. He also set the rookie record for touchdowns and passing yardage in a single game, making a good case for his winning the award. But the problem with Stafford all season has been injuries, as he missed a number of games with knee and shoulder problems. Stafford has done his best to make us forget those weeks, but at this point he will need some big numbers to convince us that he deserves consideration.
Mark Sanchez
This season has been about as big of a roller coaster as it could be for Sanchez, starting very high and going through some twists and turns. Right now, the roller coaster is probably at its lowest, with Sanchez having missed the last game, but the team record could do a lot more for him when compared to Stafford. Sanchez has also thrown a lot of interceptions, but those came on the back of some great performances early in the season. I’m not sure how much of a chance he has right now, but he still has some time to make his case.
Beanie Wells
Although he started off slow, Wells has slowly become the running man in Arizona, putting up touchdowns in the last few games. He has also performed above expectations with yards per carry average, and has done a very good job in getting the struggling Cardinals running game on track. It used to be that the Cardinals would come in and hit you with the gruesome wide receiver twosome, but now there is an added element with Wells carrying the ball. I like Wells’ potential in years to come . . . but as for Rookie of the Year, he is a longshot.
Hakeem Nicks
I think Hakeem Nicks has quietly put together an awesome rookie season. He leads the rookies in receiving yards and is tied for the lead in touchdown receptions, but hasn’t received the same kind of attention as someone like Harvin. He definitely has a shot if the Giants can put together a nice run to get into the playoffs, but it will take some major convincing to dethrone the people ahead of him.
When it comes to defensive Rookie of the Year, there are really only two names in the discussion, mainly because of how well they have performed in their team’s overall defensive arrangement.
Brian Cushing
Cushing is the only rookie to have put up 100 tackles, and has also had 2.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and a few interceptions. He has truly been a one man wrecking crew, and his credentials are top notch for Defensive ROY. I would say that Cushing is basically the end all and be all of this award, but the overall Texans defense has been less than stellar.
Clay Matthews
Matthews has been a freaking beast for the Packers in their 3-4 defense. He has 8.0 sacks and has put together an awesome season. He may only have 40 tackles, but he did rip away a touchdown from Adrian Peterson when the Packers played the Vikings early in the season. Its going to be him or Cushing, and that is a no doubter.
With that, my picks so far are going to be Percy Harvin and Brian Cushing, but there is still a chunk of season left to play. Many of the rookies are going to be playing on teams that are fighting for their lives, and that may lead to some changes in the rankings. Who knows: once the season comes to an end, we may have someone new altogether.
Also, be sure to continue to enter the codes from all of your favorite Upper Deck cards, as you still have the chance to win great prizes if your code matches the Rookie of the Week. Of course, it couldn’t hurt to bank on these guys, as they are mostly all past winners. You can also win an autographed football of all the rookies who attended the 2009 Rookie Premiere, giving you another reason to diligently follow the Own The Rookies site.
Adam Gellman runs the collecting blog Sports Cards Uncensored, and has been a collector of all things sports for over 15 years. To see more of his work, visit www.sportscardsuncensored.com (warning: strong language!).
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