39 replies to this topic

[Tom Moore]

We had a horrific injury to our starting QB. Most of us had the wind sucked out of us and contemplated a 3-13 season.

But, Shaun Hill was good enough yesterday, thanks to the defensive adjustments to beat a Tennessee team that is much better than their 3-13 of a year ago.

Defense was aggressive and opportunistic, even with our top cover corner out.

We won fairly easily in a game where our kicker had sporadic meltdowns.

And we won on the road - remember how hard that task was for Tice, Childress and Frazier?

And...we haven't even see our best QB play yet.

We should analyze it and diagnose it, but it was a win. We are 1-0 going into a game with the Pack. As for me? I'm happy as a pig in shit after yesterday, and because Mike Zimmer is our coach

[Uncle]

How do you know we aren't?

[psblake]

We had a horrific injury to our starting QB. Most of us had the wind sucked out of us and contemplated a 3-13 season.

But, Shaun Hill was good enough yesterday, thanks to the defensive adjustments to beat a Tennessee team that is much better than their 3-13 of a year ago.

Defense was aggressive and opportunistic, even with our top cover corner out.

We won fairly easily in a game where outer kicker had sporadic meltdowns.

And we women the road - remember how hard that task was for Tice, Childress and Frazier?

And...we haven't even see our best QB play yet.

We should analyze it and diagnose it, but it was a win. We are 1-0 going into a game with the Pack. As for me? I'm happy as a pig in shit after yesterday, and because Mike Zimmer is our coach

 

 

I actually think this was the perfect first game for these reasons:

 

1. It was on the road and we got a win.  That is a confidence builder.

 

2. Shawn Hill played OK enough to win the game, but not well enough to cause a QB controversy.

 

3.  The defense came alive in the second half and gave them confidence and aggression.

 

4. If Walsh needed a game to get his head straight this was the game to do it.

 

5.  If AD needed to play a game to get his game straight this was the game to do it.

 

6.  The Titans suck so this gave Bradford another week to get into the playbook and use this game like a preseason game where he can watch and learn the plays.

 

7. Diggs, Kendricks, hunter, Smith.  All Studs nothing else to say.

[Greylock]

3.  The defense came alive in the second half and gave them confidence and aggression.

 

But why does it take a half for the defense to come alive and be aggressive?

 

4. If Walsh needed a game to get his head straight this was the game to do it.

 

And it didn't happen.

 

5.  If AD needed to play a game to get his game straight this was the game to do it.

 

And it didn't happen.

[VikerGirl]

I am happy but I wouldn't describe it quite the way you did. But there are always going to be people that focus on the negative. Granted, I know it wasn't pretty but we still won. There are kinks to work out.

[psblake]

But why does it take a half for the defense to come alive and be aggressive?

 

 

 

 

And it didn't happen.

 

 

 

 

And it didn't happen.

 

 

I guess I did not communicate what I meant.  Walsh and Peterson had BAD games and if they are going to have a bad game and hopefully get their collective heads straight for the next game this was a good game to do that so they can be ready for GB.

 

The was defense is a mystery to me too.

[Zanary]

Oh, I'm happy...and troubled...and excited...and concerned...and perplexed...and twitchy...

...so, yeah, it's another season of Vikings football!

[TempeVike]

So in the 3rd quarter with 2:00 minutes left and the Titans on our 24 yard line looking to take a 13-6 or 17-6 lead you thought we were winning fairly easily? Big liar liar pants on fire.

 

 

 

We won fairly easily in a game where our kicker had sporadic meltdowns.

[Mike Olson]

But why does it take a half for the defense to come alive and be aggressive?

​Because it is the beginning of the season and we needed to adjust.

 

 

 

 

And it didn't happen.

Yes it did. 

 

 

 

And it didn't happen.

I believe it was more the other team selling out to stop the run than anything. 

[JR44]

All great points Tom. I think a very understated point is losing Rhodes right before kickoff.  That was a huge loss for us and it really hurt us during the game, however our front 7 really helped compensate for the loss.  

 

I thought Hill did an outstanding job and played as well as he can and the WRs really stepped up, Thielen and Diggs caught everything they could get their hands on and CP also made a very difficult catch look easy.  

 

Personally, I really enjoyed the game and am thrilled with the win, I have to admit I do not have that same excitement as I usually do after a win, because I am still bumming that Teddy is not playing and feel that while we can still have a successful season our ceiling is not as high, plus I miss seeing Teddy out there.

[Mike Olson]

I think a very understated point is losing Rhodes right before kickoff.

 

This was a big blow to our defense.  

[Tom Moore]

How do you know we aren't?

Some are, but many just puss and moan. Remember how bad Favre was in his first Viking game? Three for about 125 yards

[Uncle]

Some are, but many just puss and moan. Remember how bad Favre was in his first Viking game? Three for about 125 yards

 

Yeah, I hear ya on the pissing and moaning. I mean, someone had the nerve to post a thread about how short of a leash Walsh on Locke are on a day after a big Week 1 road win...can't we just focus on the fact that we're 1-0 instead of our "idiot kickers" to quote Peyton Manning? 

 

Favre's first game (in a Vikes uniform during the regular season) was at Cleveland where he was 14-21 for 110 yds and 1 TD. Peterson carried the Vikes to the road win w/ 180 yds on 23 carries and 3 TD's, including the long scamper up the sideline in which he stiff-armed a Brown defender (we all remember the highlight video)....Favre didn't play "bad" at all - he simply managed the game and didn't have to do much....

[VikerGirl]

Great point JR44. There is still a bit of letdown and adjustment to being without Teddy. That takes time. Now it's when will Bradford start. So that plays a role in this as well. It feels like the qb position isn't settled again. I hate that. Being without Rhodes was also a factor on defense. I am really proud of the defense though. I love a great defense and love seeing them score.

[A1Janitor]

Nothing from that game detracts me from my prediction of 13 wins.

[Tom Moore]

Yeah, I hear ya on the pissing and moaning. I mean, someone had the nerve to post a thread about how short of a leash Walsh on Locke are on a day after a big Week 1 road win...can't we just focus on the fact that we're 1-0 instead of our "idiot kickers" to quote Peyton Manning? 
 
Favre's first game (in a Vikes uniform during the regular season) was at Cleveland where he was 14-21 for 110 yds and 1 TD. Peterson carried the Vikes to the road win w/ 180 yds on 23 carries and 3 TD's, including the long scamper up the sideline in which he stiff-armed a Brown defender (we all remember the highlight video)....Favre didn't play "bad" at all - he simply managed the game and didn't have to do much....

Yep, that was me on the post as you point out. But we don't expect much from Hill, whereas our kicking game is subpar and could derail us. So, I have no issues with anyone bringing up that issue or Norv's desire to run into 9 and 10 in the box.

My point on Favre was that he was asked to do little and he did little. Peterson had a monster game due to the threat of Favre. Hill provided no such threat. That is why I'm pleased with a win that easily could have gone the other way

[Kentis]

Because we're waiting for the other, other shoe to drop!?

[greediron]

But why does it take a half for the defense to come alive and be aggressive?

Halftime adjustments?  Coaches needed a few plays to see what the offense was doing.  They didn't reveal much in the preseason according to Zimmer.  I am happy we have coaches that can adjust.

 

And AD did get some rust loosened up.  He will get to see the film of the holes being where they were supposed to be.

 

I am happy, Vikings won.  But a pig in the mud usually just lays there staying cool.

[greediron]

All great points Tom. I think a very understated point is losing Rhodes right before kickoff.  That was a huge loss for us and it really hurt us during the game, however our front 7 really helped compensate for the loss. 

Didn't get the game on right away, did he get hurt in warmups?  I assumed he was still nursing the hammy.

[Montana Tom]

Well I'm happy as a pig in poop. We got a W.

After losing Teddy 10 days ago, after a surprise loss of XR before the game (and we had a former #1 pick ready to go, who happened to be the leading tackler in the game). With our low-expectation backup QB starting. And our "hold your breath, here comes the kicker formerly known as "Boomstick", FG kicker/misser. And our all-world, certain first-pick Hall of Fame RB who hadn't taken a live snap (again) in pre-season. But we got a W.

Hey, life ain't perfect. But We got a W.

But did you see who did NOT get a W? Chicago in our division, Carolina, Atlanta, and Arizona in the NFC. Oh and the Cowboys. NFC. Each L can come back to haunt later in the season. We got a W.

Yes, We have things to work on. We got the Packers this weekend, on a nationally televised game on Sunday night...one that I know I will be able to watch. I can already feel the electricity starting to build.