Ain't No Party Like a Vikings' Party

While my computer issues may put a small damper in my posting plans, that doesn’t mean I’m going to neglect my loyal readers. My laptop’s decision to cut a third of the alphabet, including most of the vowels, means I’ll have to keep most of my posts short, as I’ll be writing them at work, or on my roommate’s laptop until I can get my own fixed. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, it’s time to award the season’s first Wisconsin Women to the player most responsible for the Vikings’ victory. After every victory this year, one player will get to celebrate with Hudson girls, which as we learned after the Raven’s game, is clearly the best way to celebrate (by the way, mad props to Childress for suspending Dwight Smith—Now THAT is some discipline my friends).

So, without further ado, let’s introduce our first winner to his prizes (drum roll please) and the winner is…Brad Johnson! BJ’s play against the Redskins was superb last night, as he completed 16 of 30 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown (there’s a reason Wisconsin women are partying with Vikings’ QBs now—it’s the lack of interceptions), and he should have had more yards, except for Troy Williamson dropping passes he should have caught. He also did a great job of avoiding the Redskins’ vaunted pass rush by stepping up and sidestepping the Redskins defenders, buying valuable seconds for his receivers to get open. And finally, sealing the deal with the Hudson girls, he taunted the Redskins on the way out, flashing his old ‘Skins jersey. So congratulations Brad Johnson, for leading the Vikings to victory, taunting your former franchise and closing the deal with the Wisconsin Women!

Where the Wisconsin Women At?

Farve Watch and a Prediction

I'm having computer issues, so no big preview post before today's game. I'll be at the game though, rocking my new Antoine Winfield jersey and singing "Skol Vikings" after the Purple score ("Hail to the Redskins" has nothing on "Skol Vikings"). I've managed to get a working computer, so I'm going to start my Farve countdown and make my predicition for the game.

First off, after being intercepted twice against the Bears, Brett Farve only needs to throw 21 more interceptions to pass George Blanda (277 INT thrown) for most picks thrown in a career. He can set the record this year--he's thrown 23 or more interceptions four times in his career. I wonder when ESPN is going to start putting up a fancy graphic over his INT highlights, like they do when Barry Bonds hits a home run?

And my prediction: Vikings win 17-10. The Vikings' defense is dominate, the line opens up some holes for Chester Taylor, and Travis Williamson steps up and has a good day, in support of Brad Johnson, who plays a smart game, out dueling Mark Brunell.

Redskin Interrogation!

First off, I'd like to thank Ben from the Curly R for asking me to do a 5 question exchange with him about the Redskins and Vikings. His questions about the Purple (and my answers) are over at the Curly R. And now, for your reading pleasure, the transcript of the interrogation (In case you're wondering, I used the same tactics the CIA uses--it's how it's done in Washington).

Question 1. Living in the Washington, D.C. metro area, I can't help but notice the buzz surrounding the Redskins this year. Do you believe the Super Bowl hype? And if so, does your opinion change if Clinton Portis' injury is more serious then they are letting on, and you have to rely on T.J. Duckett and Ladell Betts for a significant part of the season?

Curly R: I'm optimistic about the Redskins chances this season, but I'm reserved in my predictions. I think the Redskins need to play to 80% of their potential to in order to stay in the playoff hunt, and each of the other teams in the NFC East needs to have some kind of meltdown. For the Giants, Eli needs to play down to his true potential, or Tiki (Wahoowa!) needs to fall apart. For the Eagles, Dono needs to be just average, since the running game will disappoint and the receivers are mostly new. For the Cowboys, TO needs just to be TO.

About Clinton, I tend to believe a fellow Redskins blogger Master4Caster's theory that the Duckett trade was defensive in order to cockblock the Eagles from getting their hands on him. As evidence of this, they brought broken-down bruiser Stephen Davis in for a tryout the next week. Did I mention the Eagles running game will be weak? The Redskins had the horses without TJ, but adding him to Ladell gives them a solid running game. I'm not worried about Clinton.

Question 2. Who was your favorite Clinton Portis character and why?

Curly R: my personal fave is Coach Janky-Spanky, a defensive guru who's plan to stop Clinton Portis is to put two more Sean Taylor's on the field. The all-time best, though, is Southeast Jerome, who showed up with his homey Johnny Whiteguy (Chris Cooley taking a break from screwing Redskins cheerleaders).

Southeast Jerome

Question 3. The 'Skins brought in Al Saunders and his offense by giving him head coach money this offseason. What do you think so far? Is the offense suited for the 'Skins personnel? And do the rumors of Saunders' back stabbing previous coaches worry you?

Curly R: So far I'm confident, even though I thought it was a little odd. Gibbs has always run the offense, so I look at this as setting up a succession plan as much as trying to win a Super Bowl. After this season or next, Joe will step down, perhaps to President of Football Ops, and be succeeded by either Gregg Williams or Al Saunders. That Gibbs has ceded the offense to Saunders tells me it will be Saunders, and Gregg Williams will get another shot as head coach for another team.

I do think this offense will work with these players. The Saunders and Gibbs run-first-QB-manages-the-game philosophies are very similar. Saunders has produced high-octane offenses everywhere he's been. It's all about Brunell. If he can't get it done, it doesn't matter who's calling the plays.

Now I have heard nothing about Saunders stabbing Vermiel in the back, but rather about how Chiefs ownership passed over Saunders in favor of Herm Edwards who was the defensive backs coach in Kansas City under Marty Schottenheimer, and who the ownership had their eye on for some time. If Saunders wanted to be a head coach, he would be, and I think we'll start to hear rumblings a la Marvin Lewis tward the end of this season.

Question 4. Shawn Springs is doubtful for Monday's game. How important is he to your defense, both at corner and as a leader? And how do you feel about having to start Kenny Wright instead, considering Wright was a major factor in the awful Viking secondaries of this decade?

Curly R: Shawn is a starter, so I don't want to downplay his importance. He's had the injury bug going back to the Seahawks, always one thing or another. I don't think the Redskins ever expected Springs to go 16 games in any season, and how much does your abdominals tearing off the pubic bone suck? Corner is one area where the Redskins lack depth, but I don't think this will hurt the Redskins because Sean Taylor hits so hard Marcus Robinson is taking out some extra insurance.

Question 5. What are your feelings on Dan Snyder? Is he a good owner that just needed some time to control his inner Steinbrenner? Or is Joe Gibbs the only reason Snyder isn't treating the Redskins like a fantasy football team?

Curly R: Dan Snyder is an ass and I despise him for soaking Redskins fans for every last cent (Remember two seasons ago when he tried to limit Redskins season ticket holders to re-upping only with the Redskins Visa card?) . He's cash-rich, and as long as cash-solves-cap, he can keep doling out big money, but until someone puts him in his booster seat and tells him to butt the fuck out, it's pissing in the desert. So far, it looks like Joe Gibbs is that guy.

Finally, a bonus question: What are your feelings on Heath Shuler possible return to Washington? Have you joined the Stop Shuler Campaign yet?

Curly R: Heath. What a disappointment. Who were the two marquee QBs in the 1994 draft? Heath and Trent Dilfer. Granted Trent has a Super Bowl ring, but he got it playing for a Ravens team that did not score an offensive TD in the month of October. Baltimore could brought in Barry Switzer to run the wishbone that season and they still would have won it all. The Ravens defense was historic and Ray Lewis was a killer that season.

I've seen Stop Shuler, and it's hilarious. I think Heath will be a great Congressman, a conservative Democrat that can carry a southern district. He's running against Charles Taylor, the guy that brought us Freedom Fries. North Carolinians should vote for Shuler on that issue alone.

Two Backups for the Price of One

I’m taking a break from my team preview (I’ve already looked at the Vikings’ special teams and offense) to recommend that Brad Childress take a page from the playbook of different Hall of Fame coach than Bill Walsh. If he’s smart, he’ll notice while scouting the ‘Skins that their quarterback situation is very similar to the Vikings. They have a veteran quarterback that’s reached the “game manager” stage of their career as their established starter, a quarterback that’s bounced from back up position to back up position and a young quarterback that’s has the talent and ability to be a star but is still a year or more away.

While Childress is leaning toward installing the recently acquired Brooks Bollinger as the backup ahead of Tarvaris Jackson, Joe Gibbs has already decided what to do with future star Jason Campbell and journeyman Todd Collins—he’s making both of them the ‘Skins number two quarterback. If Brunell gets hurt during a game, Collins will go in to finish, but if Brunell’s is out for the week, Campbell will get the start, and gain valuable experience.

This is the kind of intelligent coaching that the Vikings’ have been missing. Tarvaris has established himself as the quarterback of the future, but even the biggest rube knows he isn’t yet ready to be the starting quarterback, and having a rookie as the backup quarterback on a playoff team is asking for trouble. That being said, with a week of preparation, he gives the Vikings’ a better chance to win than Bollinger does, and it gives him a chance to gain experience while practicing as the starter and in the game. If Childress is as good a coach as I think he is, he’ll see that Gibbs’ two backup system is one that fits the Vikings’ situation as well as it does the ‘Skins.

Slightly Less Offensive

Today I’m continuing my season preview with a look at the Vikings’ offense, after previewing the special teams yesterday. As much fun as it was watching every other unit but the offense score last season, they shouldn’t have to rely on the defense and special teams as much for points and field position this year.

Offensive Line: Bryant McKinnie-LT, Steve Hutchinson-LG, Matt Birk-C, Artis Hicks-RG, Marcus Johnson-RT

The offensive line should be a vast improvement over last year’s. The return of All Pro center Matt Birk, when combined with the signing of Steve Hutchinson and the rebuilt right side means that only Bryant “The Giver” McKinnie returns from a line that endangered Brad Johnson’s life and averaged only 91.7 rushing yards a game despite facing opponents that allowed an average of 116.1 yards per game on the ground. While they haven’t gelled yet, as the Vikings’ poor preseason rushing totals show, they’re still a huge improvement over last year’s line. The sooner they gel, the more likely the Vikings are going to have a competent offense, as the new West Coast offense is dependant on the running the ball.

Upgrade

Quarterback: Brad Johnson

Let’s get this straight—Brad Johnson does not win the Vikings games. BJ is a game manager, nothing more, nothing less. Now, I’m not saying he’s a bad quarterback. My point is that he wasn’t responsible for the Vikings’ turn around last season as much as the defense forcing turnovers, Koren Robinson’s rejuvenation of the return squad and the drop in the quality of opponents was. That doesn’t mean the Vikings can’t win with him, or that they win despite him, but rather that his job is to not to win the game for the team, but is instead to turn the ball over and make the open play. He’ll be better in Childress’ West Coast scheme, since it will help hide his weak arm, but in the end, he is to the Vikings’ what Mark Brunell is to the Redskins, or Trent Dilfer was to the Ravens in 2000. The Vikings can go far with him behind the center, but only if the running game, defense and special teams take them there.

Same

Running Back: Chester Taylor

To put it mildly, Chester Taylor has not impressed so far this preseason. To put it bluntly, he’s been awful, carrying the ball 37 times for only 2.6 yards. That is not good, not good at all. The question is whether his poor performance is due to some combination of his adjusting to a new team, a new role as the feature back, and a line that is still a work in progress or because he just isn’t that good. My feeling is that he’s a better back than he’s shown, since he’s averaged over 4 yards a carry in his 373 career attempts and his backup, Ciatrick Fason hasn’t had much more success carrying the ball. Whether or not Taylor steps up and becomes a 1000 yard back will be the difference between an awful offense and an average one, and likely the difference between the playoffs and another high draft pick.

Upgrade

Full Back: Tony Richardson

Tony Richardson should help the Vikings’ running game. He’s a veteran fullback and I think he’s going to enjoy the challenge that linebackers like Brian Urlacher, A.J. Hawk and Boss Bailey provide him. That being said, he doesn’t really add much as a receiver, so the running backs and tight ends will have to pick up his slack. Since the Vikings didn’t really have a full back last year, he has to be an improvement and regardless, his experience should be a boon to the team this year.

Upgrade

Wide Receivers: Troy Williamson, Travis Taylor, Marcus Robinson, Todd Pinkston/Kevin Kaspar

This is probably the weakest position the Vikings have offensively. They lost their two best receivers from last year, one to karma and one to a drunken Steve McQueen impersonation. The position isn’t barren, however, as there is some potential here. Troy Williamson should be more comfortable in the new offense than he was last year, especially with a year playing at NFL speed under his belt. Travis Taylor and Marcus Robinson have both played well this preseason also. Whether the Vikings use Todd Pinkston and Kevin Kaspar as their fourth receiver isn’t going to make or break the receiving core and the addition of Pinkston adds both depth and experience. If the Vikings were still running Mike Tice’s “offense”, these receivers would worry me a lot more than they do. Childress’ offense isn’t as reliant on stud receivers, which is easy to see when you look at the Eagles teams he coached. A great receiver might be necessary for the offense to reach its full potential, but it’s something the Vikings can worry about later, after they’ve finished rebuilding the team.

Downgrade

Tight End: Jimmy Kleinsasser, Jerome Wiggins

Kleinsasser and Wiggins provide different looks at tight end, but both are quality players who can run block and catch passes. Kleinsasser is better at the former, Wiggins at the latter. Their ability to maintain their production will be a key to the Vikings’ passing game, especially considering the weakness of the receiving core.

Same

Overall

The Vikings should be better on offense this year, but don’t expect them to look like the offenses from 1998-2000. Brad Johnson is a good fit for the new offense, and it’s a good fit for him as well, emphasizing good decision making and accuracy, rather than arm strength. The line has a lot of talent on it, but if it doesn’t do a better job of opening holes for the running backs, there are going to be as many games where the Vikings need an interception, punt and kickoff returned for a touchdown as last year. Zygi’s signing of Darrell Bevel, a real life offensive coordinator may end up being the biggest addition to the offense, however, and I expect that the offense will have a lot easier time putting points on the board with a full time coach.

Upgrade

Well, They're Special, Aren't They?

Only a few more days until the Vikings kick off out here in Washington, D.C. and thankfully, the preseason is finally over. Since the season will be upon us soon, I'm going to take a look at how the three units and the coaching staff compare with last year, culminating with my prediction for the season. I'm going to start this week just like a football game, with a look at the Vikings' Special Teams on the eve of the season (well that's kind of a fun little idea, isn't it?)

Kicker: Ryan Longwell
One of the Vikings' best offseason moves was replacing Paul Edinger with Ryan Longwell. As every Vikings' fan knows, Longwell has been consistent and clutch for the Pack the last 10 years, though he did have some problems with his accuracy last year, as he only completed 74% of his kicks, down from his 85% average the year before. His problems came when he lined up for kicks between 30-39 yards, only making 6-10, his worst percentage from that distance in his career. This preseason, however, he's been great, converting 5/5 under 40 yards and making 2 of his 3 40+ yard kicks. If he stays consistent on mid range kicks, he should be a massive upgrade over Edinger, both in terms of accuracy and range.
Upgrade

Punter: Chris Kluwe
There was some cause for concern here, since Kluwe had offseason knee surgery, but if anything, he's been better this preseason than he was last year. Kluwe is a good punter, and barring any injuries, he's going to be the replacement for Mitch Berger that the Vikings have been looking for.
Same

Punt Returner: Mewelde Moore (?)
Like last year, Mewelde Moore is going to be returning punts, provided that he manages to stay healthy. Moore's injury problems are a big reason why exposing Jason Carter to waivers is a mistake. Mewelde seems to get dinged up a lot, and if he misses a game, as seems very likely, the Vikings would have to use Travis Taylor, who hasn't fielded a punt yet this year.
Downgrade

Kick Returner: Kevin Kaspar
Kaspar has looked good so far this year and he had better continue to perform, as the Vikings are going to rely on their return games a lot this year for both field position and points, just like last year. If Kaspar can't replicate the explosiveness of Koren Robinson, it's going to be a major blow to their ability to put points up on the board. This is where those drinks Koren knocked back are going to hurt the Vikings the most.
Downgrade

Overall:
The Vikings improved at kicker and brought back a quality punter, but their reliance on the question mark that is Mewelde Moore, when combined with the loss of Koren Robinson mean their return game is worse than last year's, and Longwell just isn't enough of an improvement over Edinger to make this year's unit better than last year's.
Downgrade

I Hate the Preseason

The preseason is awful. It's boring, it's too long and it doesn't mean anything. And worst of all, there's really only one way to be successful, and it has nothing to do with wins and losses (or, you know, ties). The only way to be successful in the preseason is to avoid injuries to important players, like, say, your first round draft pick, your starting safety, or your starting nickelback.

Since, however, the Vikings seem to be allergic to success, they failed to get out of their final preseason game without another significant injury, this time to Dovonte "Farve Fears Me" Edwards. Nothing like a broken arm to your nickelback to get you ready for the season opener.

In other news, the Vikings are the least valuable franchise in the NFL. Now, I know the Metrodome sucks, but I'm not sure how the Saints are more valuable, considering everyone left their city. Then again, maybe playing in the Metrodome is worse for a franchise's value than having a hurricane destroy the city it plays in.

Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who participated in my search for a new jersey. Sadly, I was unable to go with either of the top two choices due to forces outside of my control--I couldn't find a white Smoot Jersey, and a custom Tarvaris jersey wouldn't have gotten to me in time. So I went with an Antoine Winfield away jersey. Hopefully #26 will work out as well for me as #84 did.

[Editor's Note: I just saw this article on Dovonte Edwards great play this preseason in the Star Tribune. Excuse me while I go break something]