Training camp is halfway over and positions battles rage on. One of the positions I've been the most interested in this training camp is the wide receiver position.
As of now, the top four spots are pretty much set in the order of Berrian, Rice, Wade and Harvin. Spot five is yet to be determined and has been a pretty solid battle between Jaymar Johnson and Darius Reynaud.
Coming into training camp, it would have seemed that Reynaud may have had the advantage since he made a few appearances at the end of the season last year as a kick returner. Things may be swinging the other way though...
There's a lot of buzz about Johnson as of late. He's been getting some solid coverage in the local media and it seems he's made some pretty big steps.
At this point, I'm buying into Jaymar Johnson. He's definitely going to be my guy to watch and you better believe I'm going to be his biggest cheerleader.
Some quick hits
-First preseason game is less than a week away. I can't wait. It's going to be nice to see some real action on the field.
-I keep catching reports that John David Booty is making progress. This is great news. The Vikings need a quarterback of the future (because Brooks Bollinger is gone), and I think JDB could be the guy.
-Kevin Seifert had some good questions for E.J. Henderson. Predator is back!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The QB Spot
What's going on! It's been a while since I've posted, but since Vikes training camp is officially beginning, I figure I better start updating regularly now.
Also, I have entered the Star Tribune Blogger Contest. I thought for this post I would simply let you know what I submitted. Enjoy!
It’s official. Brett Favre is retired leaving the question mark number one on the QB depth chart.
This is the norm for a Vikings team that looks like it’s ready to be a champion if it had an elite player at the top spot.
One would think this is crystal clear to the decision makers over at Winter Park, but it’s been a considerable amount of time since the Vikes have had a reliable quarterback (I’m not counting Culpepper as reliable thanks to 2002).
It’s also been considerable time since the Vikings have had success in getting to the playoffs and actually winning. Coincidence?
Look at the Super Bowl winners during the past decade. All have nearly two things in common. First, a well-performing defense. Vikings? Check. Second, a great quarterback. Vikings? Um…maybe?
Granted, the Ravens and Buccaneers didn’t have great quarterbacks (they had two of the best defenses the NFL has seen), but the rest did. Warner, Brady, Manning, Roethlisberger, Manning. Even the Super Bowl losers have had impressive QBs.
Beyond just looking at past champs, think what the Vikings would do if defenses had to actually account for a passing game? Opponents couldn’t just focus on the run. It would be suicide with the Vikings’ receiving weapons, but a quarterback is needed to actually use those weapons.
A strong quarterback is the missing link in the evolution of a Vikings team changing from good to great. Can Rosenfels or Jackson be that piece? We’ll just wait and see.
Also, I have entered the Star Tribune Blogger Contest. I thought for this post I would simply let you know what I submitted. Enjoy!
It’s official. Brett Favre is retired leaving the question mark number one on the QB depth chart.
This is the norm for a Vikings team that looks like it’s ready to be a champion if it had an elite player at the top spot.
One would think this is crystal clear to the decision makers over at Winter Park, but it’s been a considerable amount of time since the Vikes have had a reliable quarterback (I’m not counting Culpepper as reliable thanks to 2002).
It’s also been considerable time since the Vikings have had success in getting to the playoffs and actually winning. Coincidence?
Look at the Super Bowl winners during the past decade. All have nearly two things in common. First, a well-performing defense. Vikings? Check. Second, a great quarterback. Vikings? Um…maybe?
Granted, the Ravens and Buccaneers didn’t have great quarterbacks (they had two of the best defenses the NFL has seen), but the rest did. Warner, Brady, Manning, Roethlisberger, Manning. Even the Super Bowl losers have had impressive QBs.
Beyond just looking at past champs, think what the Vikings would do if defenses had to actually account for a passing game? Opponents couldn’t just focus on the run. It would be suicide with the Vikings’ receiving weapons, but a quarterback is needed to actually use those weapons.
A strong quarterback is the missing link in the evolution of a Vikings team changing from good to great. Can Rosenfels or Jackson be that piece? We’ll just wait and see.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Jared Allen = Awesome
This past weekend, I was up bumming around Gull Lake. While eating at Ernie's, I saw a couple of kids running around in Vikings jerseys. Of course I always loved that one. Much to my surprise though, the kids were running up to a guy wearing a Jared Allen t-shirt to get him to sign a football.
Well the guy in the Jared Allen shirt was Jared Allen. Awesome.
I didn't have a camera right then, so as I was leaving I decided to shout, "Hey Jared! Super bowl home boy!"
Allen, who was in the middle of chomping down some food replied, "That's what I'm talking about."
I then went and got a camera, and took this:
As a whole, it was pretty sweet. Allen is on board for Super Bowl. I think we should be too.
Well the guy in the Jared Allen shirt was Jared Allen. Awesome.
I didn't have a camera right then, so as I was leaving I decided to shout, "Hey Jared! Super bowl home boy!"
Allen, who was in the middle of chomping down some food replied, "That's what I'm talking about."
I then went and got a camera, and took this:
As a whole, it was pretty sweet. Allen is on board for Super Bowl. I think we should be too.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Book some rooms!!!
Sorry about the tardiness in posting. It's been a couple of weeks, but Vikes news is a little dry in the off-season. During the season itself, I plan on updating much more regularly.
Anyway, just saw this story over on ESPN. Apparently, several of Brett Favre's family members and friends have booked hotel rooms in Green Bay for November 1.
That's right. November 1st is the day of the Vikings-Packers game at Lambeau Field.
Does this mean that Golden Boy #4 is playing with the purple this upcoming season? It would certainly seem to be moving that way.
My thought, that's all right with me! I haven't heard that the family has booked rooms in the Cities yet for the Vikes-Packers home game, so this makes me believe that Favre won't be playing until late October - early November (basically not until we play the Packers the second time).
Considering how he was only able to play well for about 12 games last year, if he comes in around game 8, that means he would only have to play that many for the Vikings. He would play the rest of the regular season games (9 games total), Vikes get a first round bye for wild card round, then divisional playoffs, NFC championship, and Super Bowl, giving us a total of 12 awesome games by Favre.
I'm on board with Favre if this is the case.
Superbowl homeboy, and don't you forget it.
Anyway, just saw this story over on ESPN. Apparently, several of Brett Favre's family members and friends have booked hotel rooms in Green Bay for November 1.
That's right. November 1st is the day of the Vikings-Packers game at Lambeau Field.
Does this mean that Golden Boy #4 is playing with the purple this upcoming season? It would certainly seem to be moving that way.
My thought, that's all right with me! I haven't heard that the family has booked rooms in the Cities yet for the Vikes-Packers home game, so this makes me believe that Favre won't be playing until late October - early November (basically not until we play the Packers the second time).
Considering how he was only able to play well for about 12 games last year, if he comes in around game 8, that means he would only have to play that many for the Vikings. He would play the rest of the regular season games (9 games total), Vikes get a first round bye for wild card round, then divisional playoffs, NFC championship, and Super Bowl, giving us a total of 12 awesome games by Favre.
I'm on board with Favre if this is the case.
Superbowl homeboy, and don't you forget it.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
And your Vikings quarterback is....
Obviously there is no way I would be able to avoid a discussion about the Minnesota Viking quarterback situation being this is a blog the Minnesota Vikings. Also, this story has been driven into the ground making this the first take on the 30th day.
Anyway, Michael Rand had a nice little article over on the Strib's web site about the awkwardness that T-Jack and Sage may be feeling over the Favre issues.
The article clearly and correctly points out the quarterback situation is awkward right now. It's awkward not only for the QBs in the competition, but for also the Vikings organization, Favre himself and for the fans of the purple.
I know I feel uncomfortable with the idea of the former enemy playing for my favorite team. Granted though, if #4 was playing for the Vikes, I would need to get his jersey just to spite all of those Packers fans.
Regardless though, Sage was brought in with the idea of being able to compete for the starting job, which, if Favre puts on the purple, Sage will not get that opportunity. It's true that I do not believe Sage is the answer, but Favre really scares me in the sense that I don't think he will be able to make it a full season (look at him with the Jets last year). If you bring in Favre during week 10 of the season, I may be a little more perceptive to the idea of him playing QB.
What I would really like though is if Favre would just make up his mind one way or the other and just roll with it. I'm pretty tired of this constant news story.
Some quick hits:
-The NFL is trying to get two last claims by the Williams Wall dismissed. This will be figured out in state court. My prediction, Williams Wall will be playing come start of season. Even if they aren't, Vikes will still go 3-1 without them.
-Rumors are floating that Vick may play for the Vikes. I don't picture it happening, but if it does, why even have wide receivers? Just put Vick, Peterson, Harvin and Berrian in the backfield and see what happens.
-Tarkenton hating on Favre. Yikes!
Anyway, Michael Rand had a nice little article over on the Strib's web site about the awkwardness that T-Jack and Sage may be feeling over the Favre issues.
The article clearly and correctly points out the quarterback situation is awkward right now. It's awkward not only for the QBs in the competition, but for also the Vikings organization, Favre himself and for the fans of the purple.
I know I feel uncomfortable with the idea of the former enemy playing for my favorite team. Granted though, if #4 was playing for the Vikes, I would need to get his jersey just to spite all of those Packers fans.
Regardless though, Sage was brought in with the idea of being able to compete for the starting job, which, if Favre puts on the purple, Sage will not get that opportunity. It's true that I do not believe Sage is the answer, but Favre really scares me in the sense that I don't think he will be able to make it a full season (look at him with the Jets last year). If you bring in Favre during week 10 of the season, I may be a little more perceptive to the idea of him playing QB.
What I would really like though is if Favre would just make up his mind one way or the other and just roll with it. I'm pretty tired of this constant news story.
Some quick hits:
-The NFL is trying to get two last claims by the Williams Wall dismissed. This will be figured out in state court. My prediction, Williams Wall will be playing come start of season. Even if they aren't, Vikes will still go 3-1 without them.
-Rumors are floating that Vick may play for the Vikes. I don't picture it happening, but if it does, why even have wide receivers? Just put Vick, Peterson, Harvin and Berrian in the backfield and see what happens.
-Tarkenton hating on Favre. Yikes!
Friday, May 22, 2009
What it's about!
Hello all! This is the newest blog of mine. I decided to do a new one since creatively the Ape Threat Watch is mostly dead. I can't think of things to write as quickly, so I figured I'd get on a new topic that I think about a lot and always want to talk about, the Minnesota Vikings.
Basically I'm going to use this as a sounding board for all my thoughts on the Vikes. Granted, only my friends are most likely to read this, so I'm sure I will get plenty of input and comments from them.
It is called the Minnesota Vikings Optimist, and yes, I have been known to be quite ridiculous when it comes to football discussions, including but not limited to:
-Declaring Brooks Bollinger as the quarterback of the future
-Announcing Tarvaris Jackson would be the 2008 NFL MVP
-Exclaiming the 2007 Vikings were the reincarnation of the 1998 Vikings
-Making bets that Bollinger would lead the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl
-Entertaining the idea that George Henry could beat Matt Birk in a foot race
-Drafting my fantasy football team based on my experience with players in video games
-And many others...
The goal of this blog is to do some outlandish postulating, but I will also be giving some realistic thoughts as well. Granted, it will be a lot of the first take on the third day as Common Man would say, but hey, what do you expect?
Basically I'm going to use this as a sounding board for all my thoughts on the Vikes. Granted, only my friends are most likely to read this, so I'm sure I will get plenty of input and comments from them.
It is called the Minnesota Vikings Optimist, and yes, I have been known to be quite ridiculous when it comes to football discussions, including but not limited to:
-Declaring Brooks Bollinger as the quarterback of the future
-Announcing Tarvaris Jackson would be the 2008 NFL MVP
-Exclaiming the 2007 Vikings were the reincarnation of the 1998 Vikings
-Making bets that Bollinger would lead the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl
-Entertaining the idea that George Henry could beat Matt Birk in a foot race
-Drafting my fantasy football team based on my experience with players in video games
-And many others...
The goal of this blog is to do some outlandish postulating, but I will also be giving some realistic thoughts as well. Granted, it will be a lot of the first take on the third day as Common Man would say, but hey, what do you expect?
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