Coming off last Sunday's dominating victory over Jacksonville, the Vikings find themselves in a dogfight for first place atop the NFC North. Tonight's game against the Chicago Bears will be the tiebreaker for first in what has been a neck-and-neck division race. Here are a few keys to the game:
1) A Thorn In Their Side
In his three career meetings against the Chicago Bears, Adrian Peterson has rushed for an average of 141 yards and seven touchdowns. It's no doubt that No. 28 will continue to give the Bears defense fits throughout the night.
2) Pass Attack
Although he hasn't been a factor over the last couple games, Bernard Berrian put up 81 yards on six receptions with one touchdown against his former team during Week 7. Look for the Bears' 30th-ranked pass defense to struggle agaist Berrian and the improved Visanthe Shiancoe.
There's plenty more to this game, but not enough time. My apologies for the short post, but we will have more for you after the game.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Busy Day at Winter Park
Numerous reports have filtered in from Winter Park this Wednesday:
1) Left Tackle Switch
As reported in a previous post, Vikings left tackle Ryan Cook has been replaced by Artis Hicks. Hicks should have a good warmup for the Sunday night collision with Chicago in two weeks as the Vikings will take on Jacksonville on the road. The Jaguars currently rank 18th in the league in sacks.
2) Ready to Rumble?
Former Vikings wide receiver Troy Williamson told Minnesota reporters during a phone conference that "[Childress and I] could meet on the 50-yard line and we can go at it.."
In response, Childress said, "obviously he doesn't know that there is a buffer zone, which far be it from me to violate.
Williamsion will be inactive for this Sunday's matchup due to a groin injury that has plagued him since training camp.
3) Detention for Allen?
Jared Allen paid a visit to the principal's office this week. Allen met with league officials to discuss a possible suspension for two low hits to Houston QB Matt Schaub and a helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers.
The entire state of Minnesota has let out a sigh of relief today, as Allen will NOT receive a suspension, but merely a $25,000 fine for his hit to Rodgers.
4) Williams Wall to NYC
Defensive linemen will visit NFL offices in New York on Thursday to plead their cases after testing positive in October for bumetanide, a weight loss drug and a banned substance in the NFL commonly used as a steroid-masking agent. Each Vikings player's case will be heard seperately, unlike the joint hearing for the three New Orleans players who tested positive for the same diuretic.
If suspended, the Williamses will face a four-game suspension this season. We will have more information on this matter as it becomes available.
-Dan Beer
1) Left Tackle Switch
As reported in a previous post, Vikings left tackle Ryan Cook has been replaced by Artis Hicks. Hicks should have a good warmup for the Sunday night collision with Chicago in two weeks as the Vikings will take on Jacksonville on the road. The Jaguars currently rank 18th in the league in sacks.
2) Ready to Rumble?
Former Vikings wide receiver Troy Williamson told Minnesota reporters during a phone conference that "[Childress and I] could meet on the 50-yard line and we can go at it.."
In response, Childress said, "obviously he doesn't know that there is a buffer zone, which far be it from me to violate.
Williamsion will be inactive for this Sunday's matchup due to a groin injury that has plagued him since training camp.
3) Detention for Allen?
Jared Allen paid a visit to the principal's office this week. Allen met with league officials to discuss a possible suspension for two low hits to Houston QB Matt Schaub and a helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers.
The entire state of Minnesota has let out a sigh of relief today, as Allen will NOT receive a suspension, but merely a $25,000 fine for his hit to Rodgers.
4) Williams Wall to NYC
Defensive linemen will visit NFL offices in New York on Thursday to plead their cases after testing positive in October for bumetanide, a weight loss drug and a banned substance in the NFL commonly used as a steroid-masking agent. Each Vikings player's case will be heard seperately, unlike the joint hearing for the three New Orleans players who tested positive for the same diuretic.
If suspended, the Williamses will face a four-game suspension this season. We will have more information on this matter as it becomes available.
-Dan Beer
Cook Out, Hicks In
Chip Scoggins from the Minneapolis Star Tribune has just reported that Vikings coach Brad Childress announced today that Artis Hicks will be replacing Ryan Cook at right tackle.
Cook, now in his third season out of New Mexico, has been under heavy scrutiny from fans lately for numerous holding penalties and sub-par performance in the pass protection. He's been a weekly hot topic on KFAN's Vikings Fanline, with many fans begging for his replacement.
After eleven weeks of the regular season, Childress and Co. have finally answered these pleas.
“It’s a cumulative work,” Childress said. “You’re trying to put yourself in the best position to win games. That’s all I’m doing.”
Asked whether or not he was surprised by this decision, Cook said, "not really. My performance in the last two games wasn’t very good per se so I kind of saw it."
Hicks, who covered for LT Bryant McKinnie during his four-game suspension at the beginning of this season, says he is more comfortable on the left side, but is not worried about the shift to the right.
“I played right tackle a couple snaps," Hicks said. "I think like two or three snaps in a real game situation but I’m looking forward to it. It’s not that big of a deal to me. That’s not to say that I don’t feel comfortable on the right. Naturally, I feel a little bit better on the left. So, I don’t think it will be much of a problem at all. I’ve played the right before. The plays, it’s just a matter of flipping them in your head and just going with it.”
Hicks will get to prove himself as a starter once again this week on the road against Jacksonville's 18th-ranked defense.
-Dan Beer
Cook, now in his third season out of New Mexico, has been under heavy scrutiny from fans lately for numerous holding penalties and sub-par performance in the pass protection. He's been a weekly hot topic on KFAN's Vikings Fanline, with many fans begging for his replacement.
After eleven weeks of the regular season, Childress and Co. have finally answered these pleas.
“It’s a cumulative work,” Childress said. “You’re trying to put yourself in the best position to win games. That’s all I’m doing.”
Asked whether or not he was surprised by this decision, Cook said, "not really. My performance in the last two games wasn’t very good per se so I kind of saw it."
Hicks, who covered for LT Bryant McKinnie during his four-game suspension at the beginning of this season, says he is more comfortable on the left side, but is not worried about the shift to the right.
“I played right tackle a couple snaps," Hicks said. "I think like two or three snaps in a real game situation but I’m looking forward to it. It’s not that big of a deal to me. That’s not to say that I don’t feel comfortable on the right. Naturally, I feel a little bit better on the left. So, I don’t think it will be much of a problem at all. I’ve played the right before. The plays, it’s just a matter of flipping them in your head and just going with it.”
Hicks will get to prove himself as a starter once again this week on the road against Jacksonville's 18th-ranked defense.
-Dan Beer
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Williams Wall to Meet With NFL
It was reported earlier this week by The Associated Press that Vikings defensive linemen Pat and Kevin Williams will meet with league officials this week to appeal their suspensions after testing positive for a banned weight-loss diuretic commonly used to mask steroid use.
The Williams' will be appealing a potential four-game suspension from the league along with six other NFL players, including New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith.
The story was first reported in late October by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer. Six to eight NFL players all tested positive for known steroid-masking agent bumetanide, which later was reported to be an unlisted ingredient in a weight-loss pill called StarCaps. The makers of StarCaps have since seized shipment of the product since the allegation.
Players will appeal to the NFL officials this week that they were simply taking a weight loss pill to maintain weight standards. However, the NFL policy states "the use of so-called 'blocking' or 'masking' agents is prohibited by this policy. These include diuretics or water pills, which have been used in the past by some players to reach an assigned weight. Players are responsible for what is in their bodies."
No word yet on when a league decision will be announced.
-Daniel Beer
The Williams' will be appealing a potential four-game suspension from the league along with six other NFL players, including New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith.
The story was first reported in late October by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer. Six to eight NFL players all tested positive for known steroid-masking agent bumetanide, which later was reported to be an unlisted ingredient in a weight-loss pill called StarCaps. The makers of StarCaps have since seized shipment of the product since the allegation.
Players will appeal to the NFL officials this week that they were simply taking a weight loss pill to maintain weight standards. However, the NFL policy states "the use of so-called 'blocking' or 'masking' agents is prohibited by this policy. These include diuretics or water pills, which have been used in the past by some players to reach an assigned weight. Players are responsible for what is in their bodies."
No word yet on when a league decision will be announced.
-Daniel Beer
Bears/Vikings Battle Remains on Sunday Night
The NFL announced it's final schedule for Week 13 and decided to keep the NFC North battle between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears as the aired bout.
From Week 11 through Week 17, the NFL can use "flexible scheduling" to arrange the games on NBC, FOX, and CBS to guarantee quality matchups for the viewers. The league can change the games for a particular week no later than twelve days prior to a game, with the exception of Week 17, which can be changed no later than six days prior.
-Dan Beer
From Week 11 through Week 17, the NFL can use "flexible scheduling" to arrange the games on NBC, FOX, and CBS to guarantee quality matchups for the viewers. The league can change the games for a particular week no later than twelve days prior to a game, with the exception of Week 17, which can be changed no later than six days prior.
-Dan Beer
Monday, November 17, 2008
Bucs Keep Vikings All Tied Up
TAMPA, FL. - With the hunger for first place in the NFC North fresh in their minds, the Vikings strolled into Tampa Bay to face their past NFC Central rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After many costly mistakes and questionable calls on fourth downs, the Vikings find themselves still tied for first with two other teams, hunger pangs well in tow.
“Probably the only positive is that we’ve got a chance to still win the NFC North with everybody at 5-5,” Vikings coach Brad Childress said. “We don’t focus on the past; we look at the future, [and] learn from this one. [There’s] nothing wrong with the fight of this football team.”
A crowd of 65,278 at Raymond James Stadium witnessed the Purple and Gold fall to a record of 5-5 with a 19-13 loss to the Bucs.
“It’s tough because we gave the game away,” Vikings defensive end Jared Allen told reporters. “Obviously, credit goes to them, but I don’t think they did enough to beat us. Turnovers killed us. We had chances to win the game and we just didn’t capitalize on it. We’ve got to start finishing opponents off. We get stuck in these fistfights that come down to the last minute, and it doesn’t need to be that way. We are capable of going out and dominating a team, and it’s about time we start doing that.”
The Vikings entered halftime with a ten point lead over the Bucs -- thanks to a four-yard touchdown from Bobby Wade and two Ryan Longwell field goals -- only to be shut out completely during the second half. The Buccaneers claimed the lead and victory with a 1-yard TD from Tampa fullback B.J. Askew and two Matt Bryant field goals.
On the Bucs' final offensive drive, Bryant had a chance to give the Bucs a nine-point lead and increase the chances of victory, but came up wide right on the 46-yard attempt.
With 1:55 left in the game, Gus Frerotte and the Vikings offense took the field. What little hope the Vikings had left was shattered when Chester Taylor fumbled the ball on short pass up the middle from Frerotte. The ball was recovered by cornerback Ronde Barber and the Buccaneers secured the win.
The Vikings now find themselves in a three-way tie atop the NFC North with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers after the Packers toppled the Bears 37 to 3 at Lambeau Field.
The Tampa Bay defense (ranked 7th overall in the league coming into the game) held Adrian Peterson to only 85 yards on 19 carries, ending his four-game streak of 100+ yards rushing.
-Daniel Beer
“Probably the only positive is that we’ve got a chance to still win the NFC North with everybody at 5-5,” Vikings coach Brad Childress said. “We don’t focus on the past; we look at the future, [and] learn from this one. [There’s] nothing wrong with the fight of this football team.”
A crowd of 65,278 at Raymond James Stadium witnessed the Purple and Gold fall to a record of 5-5 with a 19-13 loss to the Bucs.
“It’s tough because we gave the game away,” Vikings defensive end Jared Allen told reporters. “Obviously, credit goes to them, but I don’t think they did enough to beat us. Turnovers killed us. We had chances to win the game and we just didn’t capitalize on it. We’ve got to start finishing opponents off. We get stuck in these fistfights that come down to the last minute, and it doesn’t need to be that way. We are capable of going out and dominating a team, and it’s about time we start doing that.”
The Vikings entered halftime with a ten point lead over the Bucs -- thanks to a four-yard touchdown from Bobby Wade and two Ryan Longwell field goals -- only to be shut out completely during the second half. The Buccaneers claimed the lead and victory with a 1-yard TD from Tampa fullback B.J. Askew and two Matt Bryant field goals.
On the Bucs' final offensive drive, Bryant had a chance to give the Bucs a nine-point lead and increase the chances of victory, but came up wide right on the 46-yard attempt.
With 1:55 left in the game, Gus Frerotte and the Vikings offense took the field. What little hope the Vikings had left was shattered when Chester Taylor fumbled the ball on short pass up the middle from Frerotte. The ball was recovered by cornerback Ronde Barber and the Buccaneers secured the win.
The Vikings now find themselves in a three-way tie atop the NFC North with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers after the Packers toppled the Bears 37 to 3 at Lambeau Field.
The Tampa Bay defense (ranked 7th overall in the league coming into the game) held Adrian Peterson to only 85 yards on 19 carries, ending his four-game streak of 100+ yards rushing.
-Daniel Beer
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Nitpicking Frerotte
It would be excessive to call him a savior, though calling him "just some backup" would be off-base. However, over the last seven games as a starter, Gus Frerotte is 5-2, ranked ninth among quarterbacks with 1,619 yards passing, tied for 8th with 10 touchdown passes, and is tied for first with seven scoring throws of 20-plus yards. It's hard not to love the guy, especially while glancing at the bench and realizing who could be taking the helm instead.
Despite all these exhilarating numbers, there is one statistic that has kept me from tattooing "In Gus We Trust" on my left butt cheek. In his seven games as the leader of the Viking offense, Frerotte has thrown 11 interceptions, tied for second with Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger and Denver's Jay Cutler who have started all nine games this season, and San Francisco's J.T. O'Sullivan who has started eight. Frerotte stands only one interception shy of tying Brett Favre at 12. What's worse is that eight of those 11 interceptions have come in the last three games.
Frerotte is averaging roughly 1.57 interceptions a game (Favre averages 1.33, Cutler and Roethlisberger average 1.22 per game). At this rate -- at least statistically -- he could finish this season with a league-leading 21 or even 22 interceptions on the season. Fortunately for Gus, he's not likely to break the record for most passes intercepted in a season (currently held by George Blandas of the Houston Oilers in 1962), but it's certainly a statistic that one can't ignore.
"The number one thing is that you have to take care of the football, and you can't give up those interceptions at half-field or obviously one that goes back in the other direction," said Vikings coach Brad Childress during his Monday press conference.
During their 28-27 victory over the fan-hated (understatement) Green Bay Packers, Frerotte was picked off three times by the Packer secondary, one of which was returned for a 59-yard touchdown by safety Nick Collins.
"He was just staring down his receivers, and once you see a quarterback doing that, you have a great chance to pick him off. So we took advantage of that," boasted Collins after recording the league-leading sixth interception for a touchdown by the Packers' defense this season.
In defending his QB, Childress said "he usually does a very, very good job with his eyes, and I thought he did a good job with his eyes [on Sunday]. It's just that when he swung his eyes back to where he was throwing, he didn't do a very good job. But he's not a guy that stares down his target. He tries to move people with his eyes and perhaps in a couple of situations maybe was doing a little bit too much."
Nevertheless, Frerotte remains poise. The 15-year veteran makes his fair share of mistakes, yet you can't deny the fact that he possesses the immense ability to rally his team to overcome adversity on the field. Down by six points on a critical 3rd down play in the final offensive drive on Sunday, Frerotte hit Bobby Wade for five yards and the first down. Later in the same drive, he completed a 16-yard toss up the center to Adrian Peterson to set up his game-winning rushing TD.
"He's excellent at it," expressed Childress. "He's up there as good as any I've been around. It's not that he doesn't care, but he's not going to let a play beat him twice. I think that's very important. It's not going to make him less aggressive because if you don't keep shooting, you got no chance to play this game."
Frerotte's next big challenge comes this week in the form of the fifth-ranked pass defense of Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are tied for fourth in the league with 12 interceptions (two of which have been returned for touchdowns) and are ranked seventh in overall defense.
-DAN BEER
Despite all these exhilarating numbers, there is one statistic that has kept me from tattooing "In Gus We Trust" on my left butt cheek. In his seven games as the leader of the Viking offense, Frerotte has thrown 11 interceptions, tied for second with Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger and Denver's Jay Cutler who have started all nine games this season, and San Francisco's J.T. O'Sullivan who has started eight. Frerotte stands only one interception shy of tying Brett Favre at 12. What's worse is that eight of those 11 interceptions have come in the last three games.
Frerotte is averaging roughly 1.57 interceptions a game (Favre averages 1.33, Cutler and Roethlisberger average 1.22 per game). At this rate -- at least statistically -- he could finish this season with a league-leading 21 or even 22 interceptions on the season. Fortunately for Gus, he's not likely to break the record for most passes intercepted in a season (currently held by George Blandas of the Houston Oilers in 1962), but it's certainly a statistic that one can't ignore.
"The number one thing is that you have to take care of the football, and you can't give up those interceptions at half-field or obviously one that goes back in the other direction," said Vikings coach Brad Childress during his Monday press conference.
During their 28-27 victory over the fan-hated (understatement) Green Bay Packers, Frerotte was picked off three times by the Packer secondary, one of which was returned for a 59-yard touchdown by safety Nick Collins.
"He was just staring down his receivers, and once you see a quarterback doing that, you have a great chance to pick him off. So we took advantage of that," boasted Collins after recording the league-leading sixth interception for a touchdown by the Packers' defense this season.
In defending his QB, Childress said "he usually does a very, very good job with his eyes, and I thought he did a good job with his eyes [on Sunday]. It's just that when he swung his eyes back to where he was throwing, he didn't do a very good job. But he's not a guy that stares down his target. He tries to move people with his eyes and perhaps in a couple of situations maybe was doing a little bit too much."
Nevertheless, Frerotte remains poise. The 15-year veteran makes his fair share of mistakes, yet you can't deny the fact that he possesses the immense ability to rally his team to overcome adversity on the field. Down by six points on a critical 3rd down play in the final offensive drive on Sunday, Frerotte hit Bobby Wade for five yards and the first down. Later in the same drive, he completed a 16-yard toss up the center to Adrian Peterson to set up his game-winning rushing TD.
"He's excellent at it," expressed Childress. "He's up there as good as any I've been around. It's not that he doesn't care, but he's not going to let a play beat him twice. I think that's very important. It's not going to make him less aggressive because if you don't keep shooting, you got no chance to play this game."
Frerotte's next big challenge comes this week in the form of the fifth-ranked pass defense of Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are tied for fourth in the league with 12 interceptions (two of which have been returned for touchdowns) and are ranked seventh in overall defense.
-DAN BEER
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