Vikings Face Challenge of High Expectations As Camp Nears

[ThunderGod]

http://www.startribune.com/vikings-face-...486363661/

[Guest]

This is a really good read if you haven't looked at it yet. The team's young, 2nd year talent seems ready to blossom as Spielman is gushing over more than a few in this article. Again, Holton Hill gets mentioned in a positive way. Spielman is hitting it out of the park with UDFAs the last 3 years (oh yeah, don't forget about that Thielen guy). 

[Guest]

Is it really true to call expectations from Viking FANS high? Not what I have noticed through my life. Oh we have expectations alright. These guys Rick and Mike have put together a dream team. I hope this team can change those FAN expectations.
If you follow me... I don't want to jinx anything.

[Guest]

@suncoastvike said:
Is it really true to call expectations from Viking FANS high? Not what I have noticed through my life. Oh we have expectations alright. These guys Rick and Mike have put together a dream team. I hope this team can change those FAN expectations.
If you follow me... I don't want to jinx anything.

But honestly, here's the challenge: the NFC is loaded. The Rams also have put together a 'dream team'. The Saints are extremely talented and have Drew Brees at QB. The Eagles are the Superbowl champs and hard nosed. Want to see a 'next team rising' roster? Look at the 49ers. Then really good teams like Atlanta, Green Bay, Carolina, etc. No easy outs.

NFC football is must see TV all season long because of these matchups.

[Guest]

@suncoastvike said:
Is it really true to call expectations from Viking FANS high? Not what I have noticed through my life. Oh we have expectations alright. These guys Rick and Mike have put together a dream team. I hope this team can change those FAN expectations.
If you follow me... I don't want to jinx anything.

Probably not. Most Viking fans are guarded and cynical. And largely uninformed.

We are the exception, not the rule. We follow pretty closely. In other words, we know the 3rd string left guard. Most fans don't pay attention. They have no idea how our depth chart compares to other teams. They have no idea where we are in our window or what the salary cap looks like. They know we signed a guy that the Redskins didn't want, and a guy the Seahawks didn't want and that's about it. They aren't aware of this "dream team" you speak of. 

Case in point, some of the comments after the article:
The more Hartman et al hype up the Super Bowl calibre and expectation of this team the less inclined I am to think they will even go 8-8. They have an unproven and overhyped QB and an offensive line that once again raises the question of the said QB being prepared to run for their life. 
...
I think most are hopeful for 9-7 and the last wild card...nothing better. The NFL is dying 10% per year, in a decade, it will be almost gone. Still wondering how old Sid ever made a dime? He can't write, he is a homer, and is almost always wrong...go figure, he lives in MN!
...













Everybody looks great in camp. Isn’t that the case this time of year in every camp?

[Guest]

@StickyBun said:

@suncoastvike said:
Is it really true to call expectations from Viking FANS high? Not what I have noticed through my life. Oh we have expectations alright. These guys Rick and Mike have put together a dream team. I hope this team can change those FAN expectations.
If you follow me... I don't want to jinx anything.

But honestly, here's the challenge: the NFC is loaded. The Rams also have put together a 'dream team'. The Saints are extremely talented and have Drew Brees at QB. The Eagles are the Superbowl champs and hard nosed. Want to see a 'next team rising' roster? Look at the 49ers. Then really good teams like Atlanta, Green Bay, Carolina, etc. No easy outs.

NFC football is must see TV all season long because of these matchups.

Yep we got a great team but...
That's exactly the expectations I was talking about.
You're correct the NFC teams are loaded with talent. 

[Guest]

p.s. if you play Fantasy Football, draft Jerick McKinnon. He's going to be a stud in their offense.

[Guest]

I expect the expectations will be expectant at this time of year.

[Guest]

@ThunderGod said:
I expect the expectations will be expectant at this time of year.

You need to take an expectorant.

[Guest]

The Rams just 'won' FA with a bunch of lower charecter dudes. Other teams that 'won' the offseason include the Redskins and McFlabs Eagles...how'd that work out for them?

They have a stud RB, but he flat disappears at times. Their best WR is Robert Woods? Half the Defense is new and will need time to gel. Pass on the hype, I see them as a prime candidate for regression.

With the Saints I wonder if Brees can keep it up. He was already throwing wounded ducks late in the season. They have the talent to dink/dunk if Drew can't  burn teams deep any more but Minnesota has the perfect Defense to stop that style of play. If their running game regresses...And I wouldn't be surprised if some of their young guys have a sophomore slump.

The Eagles concern me because of that Offense. Balanced, deep at all the skill positions, reliable depth on their O-Line, and Minnesota didn't play their best QB last year.

But they lost some pieces on Defense. And their OC and wunderkind QB Coach. And repeating is damn near impossible. Still the biggest threat, though.

Cam is Cam and his O-Line stinks. The Dirty Birds need to show me consistency on both sides of the ball. GB is still a factor as long as they have Erin.

The Elephant in the Room is the Vikings Offense. They cobbled together a running game last year. This year they get their stud RB back. The O-Line returns 3 Starters at their same positions, which will improve continuity. They upgraded at the Wright position.

Oh yeah, they also added a dude who's thrown for 4k yards the last three years in a row...who also happens to have zero knee problems.

Add in Richardson and more Zimmer mad genius D schemes and this team is going to surprise some of you old timers. They'll lose a few early while Cousins and D-Flip and the Offense find their groove, and injuries are always the unknown for every team.

But don't be surprised if they stumble a bit early and then get on a roll. I'm thinking 12-4. Go on the road for the NFCCG again and this time get it done. Beat the Steelers in the SB and we can formally acknowledge my profound prognosticating puissance.