Good Luck With The Boys Zim!

 

I am on record here on the interwebs saying Mike McCarthy should have been fired after the Cowboy's playoff loss this year. Jerry didn't agree and it's his vote that counts. Now they have brought on my guy, Coach Zim, which officially places me back on the Cowboys bandwagon for next year. I always rooted for McCarthy to stick it to Cheeseheads and I want Zim to stick it to Vikes fans, who didn't stand by a very good coach that has no control over who gets injured.

Vikings Season Coming Soon!

 

I love me some Vikings Football, but I think our chances of going to the Super Bowl this year are slim. Losing Cook was huge, but it had to happen with that contract. Our O-Line and D will have to improve significantly if we are going to have any shot at making the playoffs or a Division title. Also, when it comes to playoff victories, I'll believe it when I see it. KOC's 0-1 playoff record is miles different in my mind from Zim's fluke 0-1 loss to the SeaChickens on a missed chip shot field goal. KOC clearly got outcoached, while Zim was just unlucky. 

I hope Flores is a significant upgrade at D.C.. If he can bring that side of the ball to the middle of the pack on yards allowed and keep the turnovers-forced numbers around last year's at a minimum, we should be a wild-card contender if Kirko stays healthy. 

 I'll also be rooting for J-E-T-S! this season. I'm hoping A-a-a Ron leads them to the Super Bowl for the schadenfreude, plus they have Cookie who I wish nothing but success. He gave his all as a Vike and earned my respect.

Vikes Fail At Home, Season Over

 

A soft defense that didn't start getting physical until the Vikes were behind. A lack of commitment to the run with a healthy Dalvin Cook. The team wasn't tough enough. I  don't know where the team goes from here, and I don't envy Kwesi. The Vikes are now in a tough spot with many hard decisions ahead. They got rid of Zim one season too early, and this loss in the playoffs confirms that. Cousins played a pretty darn good game; The pass play to him on third and short was flat-out a mistake, and TE Butterfingers let us down once again. I have more to say about our head coach, but I'll leave that for another blog.

I am now rooting for McCarthy's Cowboys, Burrow's Bengals, and Diggs's Bills.

Can KOC Coach? Can KOC Win?

 Count me in the doubter's camp. After every loss, I am posting one of these:

And after every win, one of these:

I think we are gonna see a lot of Zim in black this season. I hope I am completely wrong and we are a playoff team.

Goodbye Coach

 

How apropos, Coach Zim in black

It is no secret that I am and forever will be a big fan of Mike Zimmer. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond his control got the better of him, I believe.  

Here are the top 4 reasons I believe we missed the playoffs this year.

1. Too much lost time by our top playmakers. The only one healthy for every game was Jefferson.

2. Zim hired the wrong Offensive Coordinator. I think Kubiak had potential, but he just didn't have a knack for outwitting his Defensive opponent often enough. If Kubiak was slightly more competent at the chess match of play-calling, the Vikes are in the playoffs.

3. The Defense just didn't come through in the clutch a the end of halves and games. I think this was in large part due to Reason 1. Barr, Hunter, Kendricks, Peterson, and Griffen's absences were lethal to this team. There is no way around it. If your playmakers aren't in, they can't make plays.

4. The scheduling gods were against us this year. When you play a team has a significant impact on their chances of victory. 

I don't believe the headwinds that Coach Zim faced the past couple of seasons would have been overcome by any coach. Despite the tough losses of personal and on the field we were in every game, but one. Zimmer did his job, the players failed him. 

Hopefully, the Wilf's will be as wise in hiring a new coach as when they selected Zimmer.

Pete Carroll As Vikings Head Coach Rumor

 I didn't click on the article and apparently, Fansided thinks this is a ploy by Zigi and Company with little chance of happening. If Slick Rick and Zigi were to pull it off I would applaud the move. Pete Carroll is a proven winner and dynamic football mind. If Coach Carroll is looking for a change of scenery and a new challenge I would welcome him with open arms. I love Zim, but Carroll's teams have been to the promised land twice.

Congrats on the Win Against the Chargers, Coach!

 Please assign someone else play-calling responsibilities for the offense.

I Still Believe In Mike Zimmer

 It has been a brutal year for the MN Vikings and the fan base. I haven't been incredibly impressed with what have you done for me lately attitude of the fans. If the team turns this season around and makes the playoffs, we will absolutely deserve to be there, and Zimmer will deserve to be the Vikings head coach for as long as he wants to coach. If Kubiak gets his head out of his butt, this team should be fine. The defense is holding up their end of the bargain. 

I thought the Vikes should have gone for the 2pt conversion and the win vs. the Raven's. However, with the way Kubiak's play-calling has been working out this season, I can't say I blame Zim for not wanting to take that bet. Zim put his faith in the kicker for the D to hold on in regulation and, if needed, over time. He was rewarded twice by his D that had been on the field all day. That is a coach that knows his team, and it's a shame he wasn't rewarded for it.

I think the team has to be as frustrated. If I were the Chargers, I wouldn't take the Vikings lightly. I expect the Vikes to put on a smackdown this week.

I believe in you, Zim!   

This Vikes Fan Was Impressed Even Though We Lost

                               

As my last post proves I was pretty down on the Vikes chances vs. Da Bears minus Kendricks. Then I discover both Mack and Hicks were in the line-up for Da Bears. All Trubisky had to be was competent and there is no way the Bears were losing that game. He was more than competent until he threw that pick at the end. The Bears were lucky the time ran out because we had the Bears D on their heels. Had the Vikes had time to run a couple more plays it might have been a different result.  

I don't care about what the Kirk haters say, I've been one of them too. Kirk is a pretty darn good QB. He gets punched in the mouth and comes right back. Without all the injuries on D this team would be a top contender to win the Super Bowl. Zimmer has done a fantastic job keeping this team together. Those that think he should be fired are clueless. The D just simply doesn't have the horses for Zim to ride. Losing Kendricks was such a gut punch. I thought the D played with a ton of heart vs. the Bears. They also got beat up pretty good but came up big when it mattered.  Vikes fans that are disappointed after that performance have no clue what they witnessed.  That was a team giving its all to win when they were outmatched on one side of the ball. The Vikes almost scratched and clawed their way to victory. It would not surprise me one bit if the Bears make the playoffs this year. Trubisky is a steaky QB, that Montgomery kid can run, and that Bears D is formidable especially with Hicks healthy. 

As for the Vikes, I am proud of the team. I really hope Kendricks is back for the Christmas Day game. I think that the Saints team may be vulnerable on a short week after a game they went all out to win and came up short vs. the Super Bowl champs.  Meanwhile, I think the Vikes have something to prove to themselves. Beating the living daylights out of the Saints, the way they did the Packers the second time they played them this season is a real possibility if Kendricks returns. Without Kendricks, I think Zim beating the Saints will be tough, but not impossible. Like I said, I think the Vikes have something to prove. That makes a Zim team very dangerous.   

Vikings 2020 Season Sign's of Hope, Maybe???

 

As my post at In-Depth Outdoors after the Vikes started 0-3 demonstrates, I have faith in Mike Zimmer as a football coach and leader of men. If the Vikes can beat Da Bears then there will be hope on the horizon for a winning season.  I'm not gonna count those chickens until they are hatched. Winning at Soldier Field has been a bugaboo. The young defense is still suspect and the Bears D is no joke. Should be a good test on Monday Night. SKOL!

Vikings Week 14 Outlook: Thumbs Up

First my thoughts on the Loss at Seattle.  What a disastrous 3rd Quarter and start of the fourth.  I wonder how the game would have turned out had Rhodes not gotten that unnecessary roughness penalty.  The team lost the plot there for a while after that mistake. I am impressed that the Vikes/Cousins fought back as effectively as they did.  It's quite astonishing that we actually had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter.  It's a shame they couldn't finish the job, what a missed opportunity.

I am pretty sure the team is going to be in a surly mood come Sunday at home.  The Lions will have the advantage of a long week for them and a short week for us. That shouldn't matter that much.  The Lions undrafted rookie QB is starting his second game.  I am sure the Lions are going to want to run the ball as much as possible.  The Vikes D has to be embarrassed about how many yards they gave up on the ground in Seattle, so good luck with that Detroit.  Zimm vs. a rookie QB.  This one could get ugly in a good way.  I highly doubt the Lions will be able to come in and pull what Denver did.  Last week the Lions allowed Trubisky to throw for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns.  But I think the Vikes need to get the running game re-established.  Pound the rock boys, SKOL!

(I also think if Dalvin isn't 100% healthy than they should sit him for this one.)

 

Vikings Week 13 Outlook: Apprehensive

This week's game is a huge opportunity.  Beating one of the best teams in football at their place on Monday Night Football would be really nice to see.  I am not getting my hopes up to high.  Russell Wilson is a magician and Kirk's record in big spot games is spotty at best.  It is possible that Zimmer and Stefanski/Kubiak will come up with a stellar game plan.  I certainly expect the Vikes to show more life coming out of the bye than the Cheese did last week.  If the Vikes are good enough to beat Seattle this week I think that will pretty much guarantee us a playoff spot.  It would be a great first step toward winning the Division.  A loss isn't the end of the world provided the team stays healthy, but it would obviously put the team in a more difficult spot. Every game the Vikings play from now on is big.  It has been an exciting season so far and I hope it continues with a strong Vikings efforts every game.  Skol! 

My Opinion, Zim Is The Man For The Foreseeable Future

I swear some Vikings fans are out of their minds.  Sure the teams' play has been all over the place this year and the teams' performance at Foxboro was a disappointment, but calling for Zimmer's head, really. C'mon Man!  Zim is a very good head coach and a defensive wizard.  It's not Zim's fault Rhodes and Waynes were injured in the game.  The lack of offensive production versus the Pats is all on Flip, Cousins, and Belichick who is also a defensive wizard.  Winning in Foxboro in December is a tough draw.  I expected the Vikes to play a bit better, but I didn't think they played as badly as the final score and stats indicated.  We weren't very far off from giving the Pat's a scare.  

I think Seattle is a much more beatable team.  I'm sure Zim wants some revenge against the Seachickens.  Cousin's gets another primetime opportunity to prove the critics wrong and the whole offensive unit has something to prove. 

A final word on Zim.  His record versus the Packers the last 7 times we have played says it all:  

Bring It Home, Boys!!!

The Vikings kicked a field goal to go ahead in the game 23-21, but I was not a happy camper.  Too much time left on the clock for Drew Brees to drive into field goal range.  I thought maybe we had dem Saints on 4th and 10, but Brees made the play; Saints first down in field goal range.  Dammit!

Sure enough, the Saints kicker didn't miss. Ugh!

25 seconds left for Case with 1 timeout. I thought what a bummer it is that our season will end this way.  But 25 seconds.  That's not impossible to get into field goal range.  False start, that's fricken brilliant.  More thoughts on what a bummer the season ends this way.  Then the first completed pass to Diggs and the quick timeout.  My mind then shifted to the McCaffery touchdown last week vs. dees Saints.  Then I thought about Thielen's long touchdown catch vs. the Rams.  Then incomplete pass.  Incomplete pass. "Case man, we need some magic."  And then it happened "The Minneapolis Miracle".  There was Stefon Diggs catching the ball and running into the end zone and throwing off his helmet like a boss.  Joy, elation, disbelief in what I had just witnessed.  Awesome!!!

The best Vikings come back since that very cold day in December 1980 when I was at Met Stadium and witnessed the hook and ladder get us to midfield;  And then Tommy Krammer completed the hail mary Miracle at the Met to Ahmad Rashad and pandemonium broke out in Vikings nation.

Thank You, Case Keenum!  Thank You, Stefon Diggs! Thank You, O-Line! Thank You, Pat Shurmur! Thank You, Coach Zim!  Thank You, God!

Now Bring It Home, Boys and Win at Philly!!! 

Thinking Vikings Football

I am not ready to drink purple Kool Aid yet for this year.  The performance in the 3rd pre-season game by our 1st unit was pretty dreadful on both sides of the ball. Hopefully it was just an off night indicative of nothing.  I am hoping Zimmer plays our O-Line starters for the whole first half of the final pre-season game.

I think the offense will be better this year, but how much better is a big ? in my mind.  I think that our D got worn down last year with all the time they had play and our O's inability to score touchdowns.  I don't know how much improvement we need to see to make us a playoff team.  We could be in the mix for a Division title, but then again maybe not.  We will see.

Excitement Level:  Muted for now.

Congratulations To Coach Zimm & NFC North Champion Vikings

Beat Green Bay And...

It has been a while since my last Vikings post.  I am pleased that we are playing for the Division Crown in the final regular season game of the 2015/16 season.  I think the Vikes are in a position where that very well might happen, now that our best 3 players on defense look to be healthy again.  All we have to do is beat them Packers and Aaron Rodgers at Lambert field in Prime Time on NBC.

SKOL Vikes!!!

3 Vikings Paths to the Superbowl This Year

It's now December and the Vikes at 8-3 are very much in the race to the Super Bowl at this point.  These are three paths on how I could see it happening.  Yes, this year.  All that has to happen is for one of them to happen in each of the games needed to get us there.

1. Vikings shut down D.

This Zimmer Defense is for real.  If they keep it dialed up, we could go.

Or

2. AP goes MVP.

He's proven he's still capable of going off.  If he does, we could go.

Or

3.  Teddy and our receiving core step forward.

Teddy and our receivers have played ok to mediocre all season.  We've got the weapons.  If he and our receiving core get hot, we could go.

Last Day of a Lost Season

There are things that I can be positive about this season, namely coach Zim, Defensive improvement, and Teddy.  But all those pail in comparison to the tragedy that was the fall of A.P..

In case you didn't know Adrian Peterson was my favorite player to watch in all of the NFL.  What he did to his kid sucks.  His punishment has sucked just about as much to me as a fan.  I don't think what he did to his kid was right or fair.  I don't think how the NFL handled it was right or fair either.  Two wrongs don't make a right.  Adrian should have been fined for the games he didn't play then been reinstated after the court ruled.  Instead Goodell decided to make an example out of Adrian, just as he did of Ray Rice.  I don't think Ray Rice was treated justly either.  I get it, both men made a mistake.  I think both men owned up to it, and were making amends.  Ray Rice's career as football player maybe over and Adrian's as a Viking maybe over.  Like I said, it's a tragedy.  

SKOL Vikings 2014!!!

Last year in my Skol Vikings post I listed 3 questions that needed to be answered for us to have a good season.  Needless to say they were all answered in a negative fashion.

1. AP didn't stay healthy.
2. Ponder wasn't the answer.
3. Our secondary was really really bad

At the end of last season I thought Frazier should have been given another year just like AP did. The way things have worked out with us getting Zimmer and Turner I am glad now that we didn't. I am really hopeful that Zimmer is going to turn things around.

Here are my 3 questions for this year for the Vikings to have a good year.

1.  Can Zimmer bring the defense back to respectability?  With the way our season starts with games against New England, Saints, Packers, and Atlanta we our going to need it and need it fast.  If we can force turnovers like we did this preseason then our D should be good to go.

2.  Can our O Line keep Cassel upright and give AP room to roam?  Last year O Line play was highly inconsistent.  We need Kalil to return to Pro Bowl form.

3. Can AP stay healthy and win another rushing title?  I know Norv wants to spread the ball around and get AP involved in the passing game, so maybe a rushing title is asking for a bit much;  But you can't put anything past what AP can do if he's healthy.   Whatever happens as long as AP is getting the rock a lot, I'm OK with it.

Prediction for the year:  I think we win at least 7 games minimum and possibly 11 if everything falls our way. If we can start 2-0 then everybody in our division better be on notice.