Archive for Minnesota Vikings
Favre Leads the Vikings to Victory at Lambeau
Posted by: | CommentsLet me set the scene for you, as this is one of the crazier things to ever happen in sports.
Brett Favre, golden boy of the golden NFL franchise leaves town on horrible terms. He then plays an inconsequential year on a team that goes nowhere, and doesn’t even make the playoffs. Rather than ending on a good note, he hangs up the cleats to spend some relaxing years in Mississippi riding around on his lawnmower or whatever. Then the Vikings come calling, needing someone to be the final puzzle piece for a team that has higher hopes. This team needs him, and he ends up signing with the enemy in epic fashion. As if that isn’t enough, Favre then wins both games against his former team, putting up seven touchdowns and two great performances. Uncanny, to say the least.
It’s almost like Derek Jeter signing with Boston, coming back to Yankee Stadium and hitting seven bombs during a red sox sweep of the season series. That’s how crazy this comeback tour is turning out to be, especially after playing the game of his life on newly christened enemy ground. To think, after all the media circus, after all the hoopla, and spending his first game in the visitors locker room, Favre showed that 40 means nothing to a guy that lives, eats, and breathes football.
Of course, Favre did have a lot of help from electrifying rookie Percy Harvin, and workhorse Adrian Peterson . . . which makes the Vikings fan in me incredibly happy. Harvin blew the Packers’ special teams to shreds, including three kickoff returns for 40 yards or more (not to mention as well as a ridiculous 51 yard TD to silence the fans in Lambeau). Peterson had as good of a day as Harvin, rushing for close to 100 yards and a score, in addition to catching a pass that pretty much sealed the game for the Vikings.
When a player like Favre is surrounded by talent like Harvin and Peterson, the sky is the limit. The Vikings already have seven wins under their belt, and Favre has not had the injury bug of previous years. He is playing like he was at the top of his game, achieving the highest QB rating of any Minnesota quarterback since 2000. The scariest thing about all of this? The guy is old enough to be my father. In fact, Percy Harvin wasn’t even in grade school when Favre started his run in Green Bay 17 years ago.
As if you need any more convincing, the Vikings haven’t swept the season series with Green Bay since Rodgers was drafted in 2005, and during that year, there wasn’t much else to be proud of. After four long years of QB mediocrity since that point, they finally have a poised field general to lead them, and each player is made better because of that fact.
Let’s not forget that throughout his career in Green Bay, Favre was always the focal point of the Packers’ offense. None of the receivers around him were superstars, and most of the time, he was forced to carry them himself to any victory they were going to get. In Minnesota, Adrian Peterson is the man, and he can do just as much damage as any player taking the snaps. Luckily for Favre, that means that he can just play to his aged frame’s strengths, making safer passes, protecting the football, and relying on the players around him.
In all reality, the Vikings are going to have a tough run at it, even with the “Silver Fox” at the helm. Teams like the Saints, Eagles, and Cowboys all have the weapons to exploit the Vikings weak secondary during a meeting in the playoffs, despite the fact that the QBs will have to deal with the Williams Wall, and Rodeo Wrangler Jared Allen. When it gets to that point, Favre may have to transition back to his old self, with the team on his shoulders. It could be especially bad competing in an older body that just played through a grueling season, going up against the best teams in the league.
But if the win says anything, it’s that Brett can handle the pressure, which brings a new type of confidence to a team known for choking on the national stage. As a Vikings fan, I am having the ride of my life, and I will be the first to say that the confidence has made me a different fan. I can only imagine what it must mean for rookies Percy Harvin and company, knowing that you will always have a chance to win the game when Favre is on the field.
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!).
Popularity: unranked [?]
Eagles Soar, Favre Returns to Lambeau
Posted by: | CommentsThe Philadelphia Eagles improved to 4-2 as they defeated the Washington Redskins 27-17. But don’t pay much attention to the score, because the game was not that competitive. Very few players from both sides showed up on Monday night.
This division is viewed as one of the most competitive ones in the league. This was also supposed to be a game for the ages, with two rivals looking to get their season back on track. Well, outside of two key plays made by Eagles wide receiver Desean Jackson, this game was one of the more boring Monday night matchups of the year.
The game started with an electrifying end-around reverse to Jackson, which he took 67 yards for a touchdown. The only other explosive play in the game was when Jackson ran a perfect double-move that fooled two defensive backs, and quarterback Donovan McNabb found him deep for a 57-yard touchdown. Outside of these two plays, the rest of the game was dominated by the defenses.
The Eagles’ defense was fortunate enough to capitalize on four Redskins’ turnovers, scoring a touchdown on one of them. Even after the Eagles recorded six sacks, one interception, and forced three fumbles, their win margin was only 10 points. McNabb has obviously struggled to get back to Pro Bowl form since returning from his rib injury, and it’s transparent on the field.
The problems with the Redskins’ offense were expected because we’ve seen how bad its gotten ever since Joe Gibbs retired. In any event, the Eagles boast one of the top offenses in the league every year. I believe that if it weren’t for those two amazing plays by Jackson, this game could have easily had a different outcome (just like the game in Oakland).
The Redskins offense proved once again to be the reason that the team can no longer compete in the division. Even after stripping head coach Jim Zorn of his play-calling duties, the Redskins offense remained stagnant. Hopefully, they realize now that play-calling isn’t the main issue with their team, and players are actually going to have to make some plays in order to be successful. Simply evaluating everyone out there, from the dumbfounded looks on quarterback Jason Campbell’s face to the temper-tantrums thrown by running back Clinton Portis on the sidelines, this team is in disarray, and needs a serious reorganization ASAP. Someone needs to inform owner Dan Snyder that he is not George Steinbrenner, and he does not own the New York Yankees. He also needs to know that this is not the MLB. You can’t just throw $100 million at a guy and expect your team to automatically elevate its level of play, especially if the guy only plays half of the defensive snaps!
Enough about that horrid Monday night game: let’s look ahead to what many are calling the drama of the year. If you haven’t heard, Brett Favre is returning to Lambeau Field! The only difference is that he will be there for the first time as a visitor. He is returning to face the youngster that ousted him from his beloved city of Green Bay. As if the timing couldn’t be any worse for Favre, the city of Green Bay just named a street after quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Favre will have to be able to control his emotions and focus on the game of football if he is going to be successful in his return home.
Besides all the hype surrounding Favre and Rodgers, there is still a football game that needs to be played. The Minnesota Vikings already defeated the Packers once in week four. That game featured Favre nearly playing a perfect game, finishing with 271 yards and three touchdown passes. Rodgers, on the other hand, had a decent game statistically but a horrible game overall. He was responsible for two turnovers and was sacked eight times. If the Packers want any chance at beating one of the best defenses in the NFL, then it must start with the offensive line learning how to pass protect. On paper, the Vikings have a better offense, defense, and special teams. This does not bode well for the Packers, who need to win this game in order to stay competitive within the division.
The Packers have a decent chance to win this game because it’s at home. They brought the Vikings out of the dome and into the snow. We all know Favre is used to cold weather games (especially big ones), but what about the rest of his teammates? This game will be decided by the team that makes the fewest mistakes, and unlike Favre’s situation, Rodgers has to carry the weight of the team on his back. We’ll see how he performs in the biggest game of his short career this Sunday.
Popularity: unranked [?]
Favre Beats the Packers, Brings Hope to Vikings Fans
Posted by: | CommentsOn October 10th, Brett Favre turns forty. To celebrate, he’ll make his 274th consecutive start the following day. It’s actually crazy to think that after 17 plus years in the league, he still has the presence of body and mind to get out of bed in the morning, let alone onto a football field filled with 350 lb players who want to hit him as hard as possible. Although I have never been a Brett Favre fan, I have always respected his toughness and tenacity. The guy never quits, as was showcased on Monday for the umpteenth time.
When the game started, the world’s eyes were watching as he took on the only team in the NFL that he hadn’t beaten. Having played 16 seasons in Green Bay, many people knew it was going to be a ruthless display of physicality as Favre took the field wearing the hated purple jersey instead of green and gold. When the cameras went through the players during the warm up, you could see the importance of the game in the methodical movements of the Vikings players who wanted to win it for Favre, as well as the cold stares of the Packers players who wanted to destroy his comeback for Rodgers. It was going to be a bloodbath from the beginning.
Once the game started, Rodgers quickly shows why the Packers chose him over Favre, marching down the field faster than the players expected. Yet, thanks to a ridiculous Vikings defense, they came away with zero points. Favre then had his first chance to work, scoring with a bang on a great looking pass to Visanthe Shiancoe. From there, it was a slow but steady decline for the Packers.
Each time the Packers had the ball, Rodgers faced a never ending onslaught from Jared Allen and the rest of the Vikings defensive line. He ended up being sacked eight times, including one for a safety, which led to problems scoring points. The Packers would get close, and the Vikings would hold. When it was 4th and goal from the 1, Rodgers thought he could finally outplay them for seven points. He was wrong.
Each time the Vikings had the ball, Favre looked like he was back in his 1990s form. He completed pass after pass, including a few that seemed impossible. He showed poise and smarts in a time where most people would be overcome with revenge schemes, throwing for 271 yards and three scores. It was a masterpiece in motion, and the Packers were the wall he hung it on instead of focusing on personal glory.
For the first time in three years, Adrian Peterson was held to nothing and it didn’t matter. He finally has someone who can take the team on his shoulders when the defense mounted up to stop him, and you can see that coach Brad Childress loved every minute of it. It’s an element of the Vikings offense that never had to be accounted for before. Instead of the defense putting eight or nine players at the line to cut off running lanes, they are now going to have to play both the receivers and the backs. That is a two headed monster you never want to face as a defensive coordinator.
Regardless of his performance last night, Favre’s legacy was complete before he stepped onto the field. However, now that this part of the epilogue is written, the book may just be a little bit better. Favre is playing very much above expectations (much to the chagrin of Packers GM Ted Thompson), and it feels great to see him beat up on the team we Vikings fans love to hate. Even though he may not lead the Vikes to their first Super Bowl, he does bring hope to a team that has had very little in recent years. Then, when you see him perform on a national stage with no interceptions, no turnovers, and no mistakes, it takes that hope to a whole new level.
Coming up in the next few months, Favre will have his first hard signed autograph in a Vikings uniform, and I will guarantee you that it will be one of the most valuable cards ever for him. Not because he has accomplished something more on the field than he already had, but because he has a new legion of loyal fans behind him. Vikings fans are notoriously competitive collectors, and they will not pass up the opportunity to own the first card handled and signed by their new favorite player. This will lead to astonishing prices on Favre Vikings cards, and more ways for fans to get closer to the player.
Personally, I have already started saving my money to get in on the fun, and I know I will be one of the people who will be looking for my first Favre card in my large Vikings collection. It has a lot to do with the fact that I am a junkie for all things Minnesota, but also because the cards are a purple anomaly in an otherwise gold and green run. How often does a player go play for the rival, and do well with their venture? What if Derek Jeter went and played for the Red Sox, and did better than his usual fare with the Yankees? I’m sure many Sox fans would love to own those cards, just because of the history involved in the rivalry.
Like I said, Favre may not bring a title to Minnesota, but he at least gives us the chance. After Monday night, I am starting to believe.
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!).
Popularity: unranked [?]
What Favre’s Drive Means to Vikings Fans
Posted by: | CommentsThe person who came up with the phrase “Forty is the new thirty” wasn’t too far off this past Sunday. Even though he turns the big “4-0” next week, Brett Favre showed that he still has it, ending the game against the 49ers in epic fashion. With just over one minute left, he started the drive on his own twenty with a beaten up team, no time outs, and against a defense that had smothered him the whole second half. In true Favre-ian style, he marched down the field with relative ease to set up an amazing game winning touchdown pass, leaving a huffing Mike Singletary shocked on the sidelines.
After I was done celebrating with my spooked out wife, I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if there was someone else leading the team on that drive. A few years ago, a situation similar to the Niners’ ending befell the Vikings, only they weren’t so lucky to have number 4 in purple then. They had scored late against the Packers, but unfortunately left enough time on the clock for Favre to sling a few quick passes and set up his team for a game winning field goal. I’ll tell you, after witnessing him do it time and time again against the Vikings, it was great for Minnesota to be celebrating this time around.
It wasn’t just the last play of the game that impressed me either. It was also his management of a game that saw the running backs rendered ineffective by a hard charging Niners defense, his calm under pressure, and his unfathomed leadership. Even during the Culpepper years, the Vikings never had that; it makes all the difference in the world to a team known for choking. Even I will admit that I felt the electricity on that last drive, seeing Favre making his reads like a pro, throwing the strikes when needed, and not being afraid of going for it all.
If you haven’t been convinced by Favre’s effectiveness, look at the last drive of the game from 2008’s Vikings playoff loss to the Eagles. Down late with little time on the clock, Jackson crumbled and ended up on the ground while Philadelphia celebrated a huge win on the road. I’m pretty certain that Favre would have at least made it interesting, possibly even winning the game. As much as I hated Favre during his time in Green Bay, I respect what he brings to a team now. You can read it in the faces of the players lining up next to him: look at Percy Harvin if you need proof.
Now, all of the Vikings’ success is not on Favre’s shoulders, mainly because there are a lot of players that deserve credit. Peterson is as he always is, Winfield, Williams, Henderson and Allen are anchoring a great defense, and Harvin has added a whole new level to the offense. Favre is more like the catalyst, as QB confidence is the great motivator. As a defense, if you know your leaders can back up a bad play or two, it leaves you loose and able to take chances. As an offense, you know you will always have a chance to win. Even Peterson has commented how much Favre brings to the table in that respect, as the holes are that much bigger for him with teams having to finally account for a QB. If you have been watching Peterson like I have, you know what that must mean for him (especially when he doesn’t have to face eight and nine in the box every play any more).
Favre’s arrival in Minnesota hasn’t come without problems though, as there are a few issues he has yet to conquer. First, his lack of time in training camp has contributed to some timing issues among other gelling problems, and his fragility has added to concerns about the team’s long term prospects. I’m sure after a game like this recent win, however, he must feel at least somewhat rejuvenated.
For collectors, it is safe to assume that Favre’s upcoming Vikings cards and autographs will be some of the most sought after cards of the year. His card from next week’s SPx release will be the first of many, and after his start this year, it should bring some serious value to the lucky people who pull it. I am super excited for the prospects of what is coming, especially as UD Black arrives in the coming months, with Ultimate, SPA and Exquisite coming later on in the season. As a Vikings fan, this could be the best card year in a long time, especially with Harvin, Peterson and Favre’s success.
In the end, I always hope that the season will end with the Lombardi trophy finally ending up in Minnesota, though as a Vikings fan I am always hoping and praying with little actual confidence. Favre definitely does impact that lack of trust, as the chances of going deep into the playoffs are looking better with each passing week. Despite the recent train plowing through the first three games, everything could change next Monday. Next week puts the Minnesota/Green Bay rivalry on a huge national stage, and it could easily show what the Vikings are truly made of. Hopefully they can live up to the billing and make the Packers wish they hadn’t let Favre go.
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!).
Popularity: unranked [?]
The Ultimate 2009 NFL Preview: NFC North
Posted by: | CommentsPrevious Division Previews
Chicago Bears
Expected Wins- 8.83
Scouting Wins- 9.09
DVOA Wins- 10.5
2008 Record- 9-7
If you are a Chicago fan you are aware of what the Bears did during the offseason. The Bears were the chief beneficiary of a dysfunctional regime change in Denver. Jay Cutler might be the most talented young quarterback to change teams in my lifetime. Cutler is not the most beloved of teammates and there will be extreme pressure on him to produce. His early success will be heavily dependent on the development of his youthful receiving corps. Wide receiver Devon Hester has steadily improved his receiving skills and has become quite adept at drawing pass interference penalties. The second option after Hester looks to be tight end Greg Olson. Despite not having great run blocking ahead of him, running back Matt Forte has been quite effective for the Bears. The offensive line has a pair of former greats, one of whom still is. Center Olin Kreutz is still exceptional but left tackle Orlando Pace has worn down and is now a bit brittle. The Bears offensive line depth will likely be tested.
The Bears defense slipped in 2008 but was still one of the better defenses in the NFL. One of the main reasons for the slippage was the play of defensive tackle Tommie Harris. When Harris is healthy only Albert Haynesworth is comparable. Last year both his health and effort lagged. Apart from Harris the Bears defensive line is filled with good but not game-changing players. The Bears want to give their defensive line a bit more rest and used their first pick (3rd round) on defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert. Last year the defensive line had trouble producing a pass rush and that is going to be their first priority in 2009.
Weak-side linebacker Lance Briggs is one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is no longer dominant but he still is a plus for the defense.
Let me go off on a bit of a tangent here. Because of a weak pass rush last season the Bears had to threaten pressure from the linebackers. This put them out of position and played against their strengths. Furthermore it put the secondary into a lot of man coverage. The secondary had been constructed to play Tampa-2 style zone and was not particularly effective in man coverage. Having no pass rush at all will get your secondary killed but if you need to bring more than 4 men to generate your pass rush you still might be in trouble, something the Bears experienced last year.
The Bears secondary battled injury problems last season. Cornerback Nathan Vasher was once an elite player but has regressed. If Vasher does not return to form the Bears secondary lacks impact players.
The Bears special teams regressed from excellent to merely very good which is the same level of performance I expect from them this season. Hester gets a lot of attention but Danieal Manning was the more effective return man last season.
The Bears certainly have as much potential as any team in the NFC this season. They still have much of the talent that led them to 13 wins in 2006. However, offensive line issues, a weak wide receiving corps, and an aging defense lead me to believe the Bears won’t be a great team this season. They went 9-7 last season and that is what I expect for them this year.
Detroit Lions
Expected Wins- 4.64
Scouting Wins- 3.53
DVOA Wins- 5.8
2008 Record- 0-16
Where do I start? The Lions have an epic rebuilding job ahead of them. Let me list what they have going for them:
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Calvin Johnson, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, and running back Kevin Smith are all talented and can form the core of a potent offense. Coach Jim Schwartz is notable for being a football coach who embraces statistical analysis and might start correcting a variety of inefficiencies that fans and analysts have cried about for years. General Manager Martin Mayhew understands the situation the Lions are in and is going to be able to sacrifice short-term success for long-term growth. Please note that I am not optimistic about Stafford, and that we might never know how good he can be as his offensive line might get him killed (Carr, David).
Defensively expect the Lions to be aggressive. Apart from a pretty good linebacker corps the defense looks like it will usually be overmatched. Defensive end Cliff Avril looked like the best defensive lineman on the Lions in 2008 and it will be interesting to see if can improve upon his level of play. The secondary has been rebuilt and will almost certainly be better than last year’s version. Rookie free safety Louis Delmas should be fun to watch.
The Lions special teams were consistently good on kickoffs and punt coverage, and consistently poor at returning kickoffs and punts. Kicker Jason Hanson had a flukishly good season. The Lions’ special teams are not a weakness, which is nice given how many holes there are on the roster.
The Lions are obviously not a good football team but they’re a lot better than 0-16. I have them going 4-12 but the real issue with the Lions isn’t wins and losses, it is player development and talent acquisition. The biggest priority for the Lions right now is to help turn Matthew Stafford into Troy Aikman as opposed to letting him languish like David Carr, Alex Smith or JaMarcus Russell.
Green Bay Packers
Expected Wins- 8.67
Scouting Wins- 8.74
DVOA Wins- 7.4
2008 Record- 6-10
The Packers went 6-10 in 2008 but they were not a bad or even below average football team. They outscored their opponents 419 to 380, but went 0-7 in games decided by 4 points or less. That is simply bad luck and won’t happen again.
Offensively the Packers are making some changes, specifically concerning their offensive line schemes. The Packers are switching from a zone-blocking scheme to a man-blocking scheme but their personnel seems ill-suited to the change. I must admit the offense looks underwhelming no matter what scheme they run. Another concern I have for the Packers offense is the health and performance of running back Ryan Grant. He was hampered by a hamstring injury last season and if he doesn’t regain his 2007 form he must be considered a liability on offense. Having fullback Korey Hall stay healthy will help the offense as Grant’s performance suffered without him. Now, for the good news: quarterback Aaron Rodgers was excellent last season and the Packers have an elite wide receiving corps. Rodgers and wide receiver Greg Jennings form one of the top combinations in the NFL. Wide receiver Donald Driver has been remarkably healthy and remains quite productive despite being 34. Jordy Nelson stepped up into the third WR slot and performed quite well. Tight end Donald Lee has been very effective inside the red zone. Overall the Packers passing game should be quite good as long as the offensive line can give Rodgers time to operate.
Defensively, the Packers are switching to a 3-4 system. The Packers drafted B.J. Raji to share nose tackle duties with Ryan Pickett. The addition of Raji should protect Pickett from wearing down, and Raji looks like he could be a potential star due his quickness off the line. I’m less happy with the Packers’ defensive ends as I cannot find anyone that I love, although Mike Montgomery has done a pretty good job despite not being particularly gifted athletically.
Outside linebacker (and former defensive end) Aaron Kampman is not happy about the switch to a 3-4 defense as he is much better attacking the line than playing in space. He has the talent to make the transition, and the rest of the linebacker corps is quite good. A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett should form an effective inside-outside unit, although flipped from last season when Hawk was outside and Barnett was inside. Even without linebacker Clay Matthews (the Packers other first- round selection) the Packers had a very good linebacker corps. The addition of Raji and Matthews should fortify what looked to be a solid front seven.
Scouts love the Packers secondary but cornerback Charles Woodson is 33 years old and cornerback Al Harris is two years his senior. Cornerback Tramon Williams hasn’t developed a great feel for the game. Free safety Nick Collins had a monster year in 2008 with seven interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. And strong safety Atari Bigbi has been injury prone and could lose his job.
The Packers could use a better punter as well as a better kick returner but overall their special teams are only slightly below average.
I like the Packers a lot more than their DVOA projection. I expect them to have a strong passing game as well as a pretty good defense. I have concerns about the offensive backfield and the secondary, but the only major concern is the offensive line. The Packers also luck out a bit in that they get the Bears at home in Week 1 before Jay Cutler has had a chance to settle in and they get the Vikings on the road in Week 4 before the Starcaps suspensions end (update, it appears that the players have successfully managed to delay any league disciplinary action). I’d like to give the Packers 10 wins but their DVOA projection and their offensive line both give me pause, so I’ll go with 9-7.
Minnesota Vikings
Expected Wins- 9.46
Scouting Wins- 9.42
DVOA Wins- 8.8
2008 Record- 10-6
This will end badly. I’m not saying that as a bitter Jets fan. I’m saying that as a bitter Jets fan who used to live in Madison, WI. The best-case scenario is that defenses overestimate Favre and give Adrian Peterson some rushing room. I can’t blame the Vikings for trying to improve their quarterback situation but Favre’s arm simply isn’t what it used to be. Kurt Warner is 38 years old and there are major concerns about him regressing. Favre is 39. I’m not sold on Tavaris Jackson (who is?), but perhaps Sage Rosenfels would have been able to punish teams for putting eight men in the box to stop Peterson. Speaking of Peterson, his numbers are excellent, particularly given that defenses are keyed to stop him, but he will start to wear down if he doesn’t get more help. I’m also concerned about his fumbling problems. Running back Chester Taylor is an excellent backup and quite helpful as both a pass blocker and receiver.
I’m not sure what to say about the WR corps. Bernard Berrian is quite good, although he has been bothered by foot injuries. Tight ends Visanthe Shiancoe and Jim Kleinsasser handle receiving and blocking quite well respectively. Shiancoe looks to become a star. Rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin has first-round talent but I suspect the Vikings made a mistake taking him. He is still quite immature and the list of wide receivers from the SEC that have not lived up to their first round status is long. The Vikings offensive line has a split personality. The left side is dominant as both tackle Bryant McKinnie and guard Steve Hutchinson are among the best in the NFL. Center Matt Birk had clearly fallen off but I’m not confident in his replacement, John Sullivan. The Vikings drafted Phil Loadholt to take over at right tackle. He has great size and strength, but lacks agility. I think he should eventually become a pretty good player for the Vikings but it might not be immediate. Right guard Anthony Herrera was pretty bad last season. Overall the offensive line should be pretty good, particularly at run blocking. The offense really will go as far as Favre (or Jackson, or Rosenfels) can take them.
Defensive end Jared Allen lived up to his star billing. It looks like The Williams’s (Pat and Kevin) will both have to miss four games to start the season (update: maybe not, they have so far been successful in court). When they return the Vikings will have one of the strongest defensive lines in the NFL. Defensive end Ray Edwards had decent results given he was usually facing single blocking but he was quite good against the run and looks to be improving. There are depth concerns on the defensive line, but Fred Evans was pretty good filling in at defensive tackle. The Vikings defense played quite well after linebacker E.J. Henderson’s injury, but he was playing at an elite level and his return should help the defense. Linebackers Chad Greenway and Ben Leber round out a well regarded unit. He’s 32 year old but Antoine Winfield has finally become an elite cornerback. Cornerback Cedric Griffin has been inconsistent but was pretty good overall last season. I like the promotion of Tyrell Johnson to strong safety. Free safety Madieu Williams is not really a good fit in the cover-2 scheme but he is a net plus for the Vikings.
The Vikings special teams won’t be as bad this season as they were last year. Percy Harvin might add a spark in the return game. The punt coverage units should be an area of focus for the coaching staff,
Last year the Vikings had a Super Bowl quality defense and a terrible offense. This season I don’t expect much to change. I don’t buy Favre as savior. Between the defense and the running game I can see nine wins. If they get competent quarterback play, 10 or 11 wins would be about right. When it looked like the Williams’s were going to be suspended for four games I was leaning towards 9-7, but with them available all season 10-6 is the projection.
Seth Burn has degrees in economics, accounting, and philosophy. His background is in statistical analysis and game theory. He can often be found covering his eyes at Jets games. If you have any questions or comments they can be directed to his cat Molly via sethburnatgmaildotcom.
Popularity: unranked [?]
