VIKINGS!

I'm starting to get more excited about this coming season, but Christian Ponder and the coaching staff's plans for him, have still got me baffled. The Vikings say that they have not run their REAL offense in any of the preseason games because they don't want to tip their hands until the season starts. I think it's obvious to anyone who watched those preseason games that at least PART of that statement was true. The featured running back, who had most of the carries this preseason, was one of the first guys cut when the final roster moves were made.

If Adrian Peterson is not in any of the games, you can be pretty sure that the Vikings aren't running their "real" offense...

But I'm not so sure the Vikings are headed for a good season either way. Until Ponder consistently demonstrates the ability to hit receivers from the pocket, (the plan his coaches seem to want the most) I'm going to think Ponder is not qualified to be an NFL QB. Peterson cannot be a one man show. And with Jerome Felton, Peterson's best blocking back ever, suspended the first three games of the season, I think Vikings fans are going to be disappointed in Peterson's efforts those first three games.

Worse? The Vikes play their first two games of the season on the road against division opponents Detroit and Chicago. IF we falter early against those two teams, the entire rest of the season could be rendered meaningless pretty fast.

There are still too many questions about the Vikings offense, and the Vikings defense is going to REALLY miss Kevin Williams if his hyper-extended knee injury doesn't get better real fast.

My biggest fear? We won so many games last season just because Blair Walsh was SO good as the place kicker. Jeff Locke, the team's new punter, is STILL mishandling easy snaps for Walsh. Last Thursday night's game was a good example of that. All it takes is a couple of mishandled snaps during the season to totally wreck our nearly perfect kicking game. AND totally wreck our season.

My only prediction so far? Those bad snaps and holds ARE going to cost us some early wins and they WILL cost us any chance of a good season, even if both Ponder and Peterson have good years. Little things matter. And most fans don't look at the little things when thinking about the season. Sadly, most coaches don't either.