Purple Pride Ponderings 9/11/2011

10 Years since the fall of the Twin Towers in New York. A day Americans will never forget and today is a day we spent remembering those that lost their lives on that fateful day. I don't care what your views are on how or why it happened. Today is not for those of you that wish to express your ideas of conspiracies just as much as it's not for those that wish to oppose such ideology, Today was reserved for remembrance - to remember the innocent lives lost that just when about their day as well as the heroic members of the FDNY and First Responders that we lost while doing anything possible to save as many lives as possible. I'm proud to be an American after watching the events at ground zero this morning and viewing the emotional start to every NFL game today.

Purple Pride Ponderings 9/11/2011
Minnesota Vikings @ San Diego Chargers
Vikings - 17
Chargers - 24

As you may notice, it has been since last October that I wrote one of these. There's no excuse for it and I admit that last season's Vikings futility led to my lack of production around here. As the Vikings look to right the ship in 2011 and beyond, I as well vow to suck it up and write about the Purple through the good and the bad. Now on to week one, which unfortunately already tests my resolve to write through the bad.

Predictably Conservative
187 yards of total offense. That's a disgusting number. Percy Harvin's opening kickoff alone went for more than 100 yards (103 to be exact). Take that explosive play out of the mix and the Vikings offense scored a meager 10 points of total offense, with none of that coming in the second half. There was a lot of talk about how the Chargers took Adrian Peterson out of the game, but I beg to differ. He averaged 6.2 yards on only 16 carries. I've said this before and I'll say it again, there is no excuse for Peterson to have less than 25 carries in a given game, period. I know McNabb is still learning his way into this offense, but 7 for 15 for 39 yards!!?? He completed passes to three total targets and not a single one of those was to a tight end. What happened to new Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave's plan to utilize a strong running game along with a solid double tight end set? I know Frazier brings that old-school mentality when it comes to his game plan - establish a good running game and solid defense; but that's not how today's NFL is molded (see Green Bay). Run on first down, run on second down, third and long = one long season.

Defense works Overtime
This game is one that's incredibly hard to judge exactly how the defense played thanks to the anemic offense. Going into the half it was 17-7 Vikings with the only Chargers score coming off a tipped ball interception by McNabb inside the 10. The Defense gave up large amounts of yards and 17 unanswered points in the second half mainly because they were on the field far too much. A few procedural calls also cost the Vikings. Frazier kept his cool on the sidelines during those calls, but I have a feeling the locker room carried a completely different vibe. I'm not trying to make excuses for the defense, but in the 4th quarter alone, the Vikings offense had the ball for a total of six plays.

We had some individual highs and lows from the defense in this game. Jarred Allen's interception was a thing of beauty and appeared to confuse the hell out of Rivers. Allen dropped back into coverage several times this game with great results. On the low side, EJ Henderson and Chad Greenway both bit on Rivers' fake attempt to run . One of them should have stayed put and covered Tolbert.

Tough Sailing in the Norris
After one week, the Vikings already find themselves in last place. The Packers, Bears, and Lions all won today proving just how tough this division is going to be all season long. I had the Bears losing and picked the Lions as an upset pick, but I honestly didn't expect either to look as sharp as they did. Along with the Packers looking like they are in mid-season form, I foresee rough currents for our beloved Purple.

Stud and Goat of the Week
Stud: Mike Tolbert - This rumbling, bumbling mass torched the Vikes for all three of San Diego's touchdowns. Unfortunately for him, he may be out for a while now.

Stud Honorable Mention: Mike Scifres - I don't normally do this, but how can you over look the job by Punter Mike Scifres? When Nate Kaeding left the game after the opening kickoff, I thought for sure the Vikings would be able to capitalize. Instead, Scifres comes in and nails a 40 yard field goal and goes 3-for-3 on extra point attempts. I'm not sure if Chris "Warcraft" Kluwe could muster that given the same situation.

Goat: Leslie Frazier - I'm a huge fan of making Frazier the Head Coach but his offensive game plan strategies need a complete over haul after week one.

What's on Tap
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to Mall of America Field after suffering a home opener loss to the Lions. This team was 10-6 last year and is still one of the youngest teams in the league. They have a lot of raw talent that might pose several different matchup issues for the Vikings on both sides of the ball. Hopefully the Vikings can survive one final game without Kevin Williams and squeak out a close victory at home.

Final Thoughts
Congrats to Chad Greenway and Adrian Peterson on their new contracts. They are two players on both sides of the ball that this team could not afford to lose. I had no worries about Peterson getting a deal done and was pleasantly surprised to see Greenway possibly stay a Viking for life. The Wilfs have constantly shown that they will do what it takes monetarily to keep the Vikings competitive and it should help in their quest for a new stadium - or so one would think.


Quick Hits from around the League
- The Rams lost more than a game to the Eagles, they lost half their offense.
- Never saw the Bills destruction of the Chiefs in Arrow Head coming. Most of the fans cleared out early to make sure they didn't see all of it.
- In the battle of number one seeds from last year, the Bears took out the Falcons with ease.
- The Lions carry on their Preseason momentum with a big opening day win on the road against the Bucs.
- The Jags dump their starting QB after preseason and win. Perhaps CJ would have been more effective with a preseason under his belt while his agent dealt with the number$$.
- Bengals win the Battle of Ohio, didn't see that one coming.
- In a game that normally totals less than 15 points, the Ravens made a clear statement by punching the Steelers in the mouth.
- The Texans humiliated the Manning-less Colts. Get used it to Colts fans.
- Skins beat the Giants and look better with Grossman than they did with McNabb? Take a deep breath Vikings fans, it's week one.
- The Cards survived Cam's phenomenal debut - 422 yards for the rook!
- 49ers nearly double up TJack and the Seahawks. Wonder how long Pete Carroll will continue to think the Vikings didn't give Jackson a fair chance?
- Rodgers and Brees put on a opening night show last Thursday. Too bad it was decided on the final play at the hands of a rookie.

Who I like on Monday Night
In the opening Monday Night double header I like the Pats easily over the Fins and Broncos barely over the Raiders.


Till Next Week,
SKOL Vikings!