I realized something yesterday, and most Vikings fans will accuse me of being a fair-weather fan for saying it...
... I really am not a Minnesota Vikings fan.
I USED to be, but somewhere in the last ten years or so, I've stopped living and breathing Viking's purple and gold. Oh, I still ENJOYED the Brett Favre years, especially that first one, but that's way different than being a super fan of the team. Tice, Childress, and Frazier have managed to knock the stuffing out of me.
What I am is a fan of great (or at least very good) football. What I saw on the field at noon yesterday was not great or even good football. What I saw was two very pathetic, poorly coached, poorly prepared teams attempting to play a game that I love, and making a mockery of it.
The Lions are not a good team. They made so many horrible mistakes in the first half that they shouldn't have even BEEN in the game at halftime. Yet they went into the locker room only trailing by a point.
Christian Ponder is NOT an NFL quarterback. He single-handedly kept Detroit in the game until half-time and then handed it to them in the second half. I kept turning the game off, but for a change, it was not in disgust. What I realized is that I just don't want to watch bad football any more than I want to watch bad movies or bad TV shows. IF I don't find movies or TV shows WORTH watching I always find something else to watch or to do.
Yesterday, I realized that the Vikings are just a very bad TV show. I ended up missing the third quarter because my wife and I decided to take a very long walk at halftime. Upon returning after the walk, I saw that the game was totally out of hand and skipped most of the rest as well.
You see there was a GOOD TV show coming on later (The Niners and Packers) and that was a game that I really wanted to see because it was going to feature two very good to great teams.
In the past, when the Vikings lost, I wouldn't even want to WATCH another game I was so depressed, but now I care so little about watching BAD football, that I turned IT off waiting for the better game.
And that SECOND game did not disappoint. It was GREAT. The officials made a screwy call that gave the NINERS a huge break after a double penalty call. That call could very well have affected the outcome of the game. But the Niners were a fantastic team yesterday, and Colin Kaepernick is proving that with the right receiver (Anquan Boldin) he may become one of the best QBs in football history. The Packers were ALMOST as good, but both teams had a difficult time stopping such finely tuned offenses.
I also realized that over the last decade or so that I like watching great college football for the same reason that I like watching great pro games. Great football is just super enjoyable to watch. Great players, playing great games for great coaches is what MAKES the game enjoyable.
The Vikings are no longer worth my time. The Niners are. The Packers are. The Broncos are.
But the Vikings are not. I am already planning on skipping next Sunday's Vikings game completely. If they have a sudden turn-around and look GREAT in that game, I'll catch some highlights and give them another chance in a couple of weeks.
But I am no longer going to waste my time on a bad TV show. IF they keep losing badly, I'll find other great games to watch because I still love great football.
The Vikings no longer fall into that category.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
High Definition
I noticed that our local Fox affiliate (channel 9) is doing some kind of maintenance these last few days as all of their programming is back to standard definition. That means that today's Vikings game (and the later Packer/Niners game) will NOT be in high definition.
Our back-up Fox channel from Mankato (the one with no call letters) is ALWAYS in standard definition so that means I'll have to watch these games like someone stuck in the early 2000's.
Our church will be having a brief business meeting today so I'll probably miss the first part of the game. IF it's any good, I'll be making comments here. You are all free to join me in the conversation.
Our back-up Fox channel from Mankato (the one with no call letters) is ALWAYS in standard definition so that means I'll have to watch these games like someone stuck in the early 2000's.
Our church will be having a brief business meeting today so I'll probably miss the first part of the game. IF it's any good, I'll be making comments here. You are all free to join me in the conversation.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Vikings and Odd NFL Notes
Kevin Williams hyper-extended knee will not be ready for Sunday's game. Though much better, the Vikes have decided to give the 32-year-old Williams an extra week to recover more fully.
The Vikings have a strong line this year, but missing Williams against the Lions will be a big deal. The Lions have had a fantastic offense the last two years and no one is going to replace Williams and the pressure he brings.
Tim Tebow says he still wants to be an NFL QB and does not want to switch positions. There's a chance that his NFL days may be over. Unless a team or two loses a starter the first couple of weeks, Tebow might be on to other things. At this point, he has already turned down offers from the Canadian Football League as well. He wants to be a QB. He wants to be in the NFL. And he's going to sit at home a while and wait for "the call."
I was looking at the ESPN Power Rankings this week and was mildly surprised to see that Seattle is number one ranked ahead of such teams as the Falcons, 49ers, Broncos, Packers, and Patriots. I believe Seattle is going to have a very strong year, but that ranking seems kind of high at this point in the season. I wouldn't be surprised if they made the Super Bowl this year, but knowing they'd have to beat both the Packers and San Francisco in the playoffs to get there seems pretty remote.
My own pick? The Niners with Manning and the Broncos as the most serious threat. Russel Wilson has been very good for Seattle and their offense, but Colin Kaepernick and Peyton Manning are in a whole 'nother category.
I'm looking forward to Sunday, but have already resigned myself to the thought that the Vikings (even with a healthy Adrian Peterson) are probably not even good enough to be a .500 team this season. You don't need a great QB to get to the Super Bowl, but you do need a smart one. Ponder still looks more lost on the field than the greenest of rookies. Knowing when to take the sack is WAY more important than forcing stupid passes. I hope he grows this year, but seeing the coaching staff keep him in the pocket instead of moving on most plays leaves me frustrated. Ponder IS NOT a pocket passer. Until everyone realizes that, we really will have no hope at all.
I'm picking the Lions on Sunday and see the Vikings as a 4-12 or 5-11 team this year at best. Don't forget that were STILL having trouble with the holds on place kicks. Automatics that aren't automatic end up screwing with kickers heads and we are going to see Walsh over-thinking and missing critical kicks this season as a result. Missed critical kicks cost teams wins.
The game I'm really looking forward to on Sunday? The Packers versus the Niners. The team that wins THAT game could easily become the NFC Super Bowl favorite.
Getting back to the Power Rankings: The Vikings are solidly in the middle of the pack at number 17. The Lions are a few steps below them at 21. I don't think the Lions are going anywhere this season either, but I see them improving on their 4-12 record from last year.
An early season win against the Vikings at home will get them started on that goal.
It's weird, home field advantage means SO MUCH in the NFL. If the Vikes were starting the season AT HOME the first two weeks instead of being on the road, my hopes for the season would be much, much brighter. But starting on the road means that they could easily be 0-2 by the time week three rolls around. A team that starts 0-2 instantly becomes a different team than one that starts 2-0, especially when both of those losses are against division opponents.
IF the Vikes win those first two games, and look GOOD doing it, my whole outlook will change just as quickly. I don't see it, though. In the NFL the road is where you lose. The Vikings have been one of the best examples of that for the past ten seasons.
The Vikings have a strong line this year, but missing Williams against the Lions will be a big deal. The Lions have had a fantastic offense the last two years and no one is going to replace Williams and the pressure he brings.
Tim Tebow says he still wants to be an NFL QB and does not want to switch positions. There's a chance that his NFL days may be over. Unless a team or two loses a starter the first couple of weeks, Tebow might be on to other things. At this point, he has already turned down offers from the Canadian Football League as well. He wants to be a QB. He wants to be in the NFL. And he's going to sit at home a while and wait for "the call."
I was looking at the ESPN Power Rankings this week and was mildly surprised to see that Seattle is number one ranked ahead of such teams as the Falcons, 49ers, Broncos, Packers, and Patriots. I believe Seattle is going to have a very strong year, but that ranking seems kind of high at this point in the season. I wouldn't be surprised if they made the Super Bowl this year, but knowing they'd have to beat both the Packers and San Francisco in the playoffs to get there seems pretty remote.
My own pick? The Niners with Manning and the Broncos as the most serious threat. Russel Wilson has been very good for Seattle and their offense, but Colin Kaepernick and Peyton Manning are in a whole 'nother category.
I'm looking forward to Sunday, but have already resigned myself to the thought that the Vikings (even with a healthy Adrian Peterson) are probably not even good enough to be a .500 team this season. You don't need a great QB to get to the Super Bowl, but you do need a smart one. Ponder still looks more lost on the field than the greenest of rookies. Knowing when to take the sack is WAY more important than forcing stupid passes. I hope he grows this year, but seeing the coaching staff keep him in the pocket instead of moving on most plays leaves me frustrated. Ponder IS NOT a pocket passer. Until everyone realizes that, we really will have no hope at all.
I'm picking the Lions on Sunday and see the Vikings as a 4-12 or 5-11 team this year at best. Don't forget that were STILL having trouble with the holds on place kicks. Automatics that aren't automatic end up screwing with kickers heads and we are going to see Walsh over-thinking and missing critical kicks this season as a result. Missed critical kicks cost teams wins.
The game I'm really looking forward to on Sunday? The Packers versus the Niners. The team that wins THAT game could easily become the NFC Super Bowl favorite.
Getting back to the Power Rankings: The Vikings are solidly in the middle of the pack at number 17. The Lions are a few steps below them at 21. I don't think the Lions are going anywhere this season either, but I see them improving on their 4-12 record from last year.
An early season win against the Vikings at home will get them started on that goal.
It's weird, home field advantage means SO MUCH in the NFL. If the Vikes were starting the season AT HOME the first two weeks instead of being on the road, my hopes for the season would be much, much brighter. But starting on the road means that they could easily be 0-2 by the time week three rolls around. A team that starts 0-2 instantly becomes a different team than one that starts 2-0, especially when both of those losses are against division opponents.
IF the Vikes win those first two games, and look GOOD doing it, my whole outlook will change just as quickly. I don't see it, though. In the NFL the road is where you lose. The Vikings have been one of the best examples of that for the past ten seasons.
Twins Lose
Pedro Florimon booted a grounder to start the game. That run eventually scored.
Pelfrey had a horrible third inning.
The Twins rally fell short and they lost 6-5.
Josmil Pinto, Mauer's current replacement, is looking real good. He's now batting .643 since being brought up including a homerun in the ninth last night.
"Alvis" Presley is batting .348 since the Morneau trade brought him to Minnesota.
Chris Colabello's batting average has went up 20 points since he started playing first base regularly. He had a homer and three RBI last night.
The Florimon error, and that horrible third were the difference in the game.
Sadly, Floriman had a second error later in the game, but no one scored because of it.
Pelfrey had a horrible third inning.
The Twins rally fell short and they lost 6-5.
Josmil Pinto, Mauer's current replacement, is looking real good. He's now batting .643 since being brought up including a homerun in the ninth last night.
"Alvis" Presley is batting .348 since the Morneau trade brought him to Minnesota.
Chris Colabello's batting average has went up 20 points since he started playing first base regularly. He had a homer and three RBI last night.
The Florimon error, and that horrible third were the difference in the game.
Sadly, Floriman had a second error later in the game, but no one scored because of it.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Manning With SEVEN TD Passes
The game got started late last night because of a lightening storm in Denver.
I ended up going to bed early after the first half with Denver trailing 17-14. I guess I missed quite a second half. Peyton Manning, the best QB in the history of the game, ended up having the best game of his life, tying an NFL record that Joe Capp of the Vikings set back in 1969, with seven TD passes.
Football is back. So is Manning. Even if the Vikings are worse than average this season, I can still look forward to teams like Denver, Green Bay, and San Francisco playing great football.
It seemed like a real game last night. And it was fun to sit back and just watch. Now I'm REALLY excited about the coming season.
Football really is the perfect sport. I love baseball when the Twins are playing well. I love football even when the Vikings aren't. That's why I get excited about football.
I ended up going to bed early after the first half with Denver trailing 17-14. I guess I missed quite a second half. Peyton Manning, the best QB in the history of the game, ended up having the best game of his life, tying an NFL record that Joe Capp of the Vikings set back in 1969, with seven TD passes.
Football is back. So is Manning. Even if the Vikings are worse than average this season, I can still look forward to teams like Denver, Green Bay, and San Francisco playing great football.
It seemed like a real game last night. And it was fun to sit back and just watch. Now I'm REALLY excited about the coming season.
Football really is the perfect sport. I love baseball when the Twins are playing well. I love football even when the Vikings aren't. That's why I get excited about football.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
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.
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.
It's Clubberin' Time!
The Twins lost to Houston yesterday. It was a combination of ineffective starting pitching (though an error cost the Twins a couple of runs) and the bullpen being a bit tired and blowing the game late. "Alvis" Presley ( the Morneau swap) continues to impress. He had two more hits and THREE RBI. He's batting nearly .400 since the trade.
More interesting than a Twins loss? Boston clubbed the Detroit Tigers 20-4 last night. In a battle of division leaders, Detroit looked completely defenseless. Boston had EIGHT homeruns including two from Big Papi himself. Now, any team can do something like this once in a while, but it looks like Boston is already in full play-off mode. I'm actually looking forward to the play-offs this year even without the Twins in contention.
What's getting baseball comissioner Bud Selig all riled up? New York Yankee fans originally wanted nothing to do with A Rod coming back to the Yankees. The idea of Bud trying to suspend him surprisingly pleased many of them. But something weird has happened since the initial suspension idea. A Rod has rejuvenated the Yankees. Just before Alex came back, the Yankees were having a horrible season. They were more than 10 games back in the wild card race playing .500 ball. Most thought the Yankees had no chance of making the playoffs this season...
...but with A Rod swinging a hot bat, especially late in the games in clutch situations, the Yankees now find themselves just 2 1/2 games back of Tampa Bay in the wild card race with 25 games to play. Yankee fans are on fire and everyone is now cheering the much maligned Rodriguez. Bud's plan to suspend the current active home run leader has backfired. If he manages to still suspend Alex before the season is over, Yankee fans will start screaming for Bud's head on a stick. The Yankees, with A Rod back in the lineup, have managed to become THE Yankees again.
Speaking of the Yankees, Mariano Rivera is having yet another amazing year. He got his 40th save of the season earlier this week. That's now NINE seasons with at least 40 saves. He's looking so good that Yankees management is practically begging him to come back for at least one more season, even though he announced his retirement earlier this season. Rivera still says this is his last year. But after a couple of months off and another big contract offer from the Yankees, I'm not yet convinced we will not see him again next year. He may be old, but he's still got it.
More interesting than a Twins loss? Boston clubbed the Detroit Tigers 20-4 last night. In a battle of division leaders, Detroit looked completely defenseless. Boston had EIGHT homeruns including two from Big Papi himself. Now, any team can do something like this once in a while, but it looks like Boston is already in full play-off mode. I'm actually looking forward to the play-offs this year even without the Twins in contention.
What's getting baseball comissioner Bud Selig all riled up? New York Yankee fans originally wanted nothing to do with A Rod coming back to the Yankees. The idea of Bud trying to suspend him surprisingly pleased many of them. But something weird has happened since the initial suspension idea. A Rod has rejuvenated the Yankees. Just before Alex came back, the Yankees were having a horrible season. They were more than 10 games back in the wild card race playing .500 ball. Most thought the Yankees had no chance of making the playoffs this season...
...but with A Rod swinging a hot bat, especially late in the games in clutch situations, the Yankees now find themselves just 2 1/2 games back of Tampa Bay in the wild card race with 25 games to play. Yankee fans are on fire and everyone is now cheering the much maligned Rodriguez. Bud's plan to suspend the current active home run leader has backfired. If he manages to still suspend Alex before the season is over, Yankee fans will start screaming for Bud's head on a stick. The Yankees, with A Rod back in the lineup, have managed to become THE Yankees again.
Speaking of the Yankees, Mariano Rivera is having yet another amazing year. He got his 40th save of the season earlier this week. That's now NINE seasons with at least 40 saves. He's looking so good that Yankees management is practically begging him to come back for at least one more season, even though he announced his retirement earlier this season. Rivera still says this is his last year. But after a couple of months off and another big contract offer from the Yankees, I'm not yet convinced we will not see him again next year. He may be old, but he's still got it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)