***OFFICIAL*** 2013 MINNESOTA VIKINGS SEASON THREAD (1 Viewer)

[BigJim®]

I can't imagine the Vikings even giving them a game.

Romo 600/7

Bryant 500/5

77-10 Cowboys

Call me crazy, but this just feels like the sort of game the Cowboys lose. Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, but without Ware the OL might have more success than one would think after watching this season. If the Vikes can re-establish a running game feeding Peterson a heavy load, and if Romo makes some insane mistakes, the game could be closer than people are presuming.

 

[Raider Nation]

I don't see how the Vikings troubled secondary (being kind here) stops the talented Dallas receiving corps.

 

[BigJim®]

I don't see how the Vikings troubled secondary (being kind here) stops the talented Dallas receiving corps.

I'm definitely considering Dallas in my own survivor pool, not many good alternatives. I wouldn't immediately put $10K on it. Vikes do have a puncher's chance in a ball control game, if the DL gets any pressure to shake up Romo. Dallas is middle of the pack in rushing defense. I could see AP having a big game visiting Texas.

 

[snogger]

I don't see how the Vikings troubled secondary (being kind here) stops the talented Dallas receiving corps.

I'm definitely considering Dallas in my own survivor pool, not many good alternatives. I wouldn't immediately put $10K on it. Vikes do have a puncher's chance in a ball control game, if the DL gets any pressure to shake up Romo. Dallas is middle of the pack in rushing defense. I could see AP having a big game visiting Texas.

Ponder probably starting

Cassel (1-1) will be the No. 3 quarterback. Frazier wouldn’t announce his choice between Josh Freeman (0-1) and Christian Ponder (0-4), but put your money on Ponder making his second consecutive start even though Freeman has been cleared to return from the concussion that kept him out of last week’s 44-31 loss to the Packers.

IMO, Cowboys D is looking like a good play here

Oh, and once again Ponder is the Gift that just keeps on giving..

Asked if anything felt different from his first go-round as starter during the team’s 0-3 start, Ponder said: “I felt like the game was even slower than it was before. Just felt like I was seeing things pretty well. Seeing coverages, seeing safety rotations. I could see the field pretty well.”

 

[Herb]

I can't imagine the Vikings even giving them a game.

Romo 600/7

Bryant 500/5

77-10 Cowboys

Call me crazy, but this just feels like the sort of game the Cowboys lose. Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, but without Ware the OL might have more success than one would think after watching this season. If the Vikes can re-establish a running game feeding Peterson a heavy load, and if Romo makes some insane mistakes, the game could be closer than people are presuming.

Normally I would agree with you, as the Cowboys seem to like to stumble all over themselves, but this game being in Dallas and that team really needing a win makes me think the Vikes ineptitude will trump the Cowboys tendency to piddle down their legs. At this point, I'm going to be upset when the Vikes win their next game. Every win screws them right now.

I'm thinking I want Mariota. But like in the article posted earlier, I'm on board if they could nab Clowney and Manziel. Don't think it would ever happen though. And Manziel's maturity scares me. But good god is Clowney a freakin beast. Would potentially be an upgrade over Jared Allen even in Allen's prime.

 

[snogger]

Frazier.. here is some reading material for you ..

On the season, opponents are converting a league-best 51 percent on third down against the Viking defense. That number gets worse when you add that teams have converted 6-of-8 (75%) fourth down conversions.

That means that the defense has failed to get the opposing offense off the field 61 percent of the time which is easily the worst clip in the NFL. There are several things that can be blamed for this, but defensive coordinator Alan Williams needs to find a way to change this trend.

Musgrave's ineptitude is becoming as glaring as the sun while failing to find ways to put his talent in position to succeed. A talent such as Patterson, who leads the league in kickoff return yardage, should be able to find some impact on offense whether he's able to pick up the playbook or not.

The Vikings are currently 1-6 and cemented into last-place in the NFC North. While fans are watching college football games to find a possible savior, the current coaching staff needs to do something to make sure they're not following Musgrave out the door at the end of the year.

 

[BigJim®]

Normally I would agree with you, as the Cowboys seem to like to stumble all over themselves, but this game being in Dallas and that team really needing a win makes me think the Vikes ineptitude will trump the Cowboys tendency to piddle down their legs. At this point, I'm going to be upset when the Vikes win their next game. Every win screws them right now.

Probably making a mistake but I opted to go with Carolina over Atlanta in my survivor. There are just certain truisms at play... the Vikings playing a game they have absolutely no long or short term interest winning, and the Cowboys facing humiliation if unable to win a game like this at home. FWIW - As good as the cowboys are passing, they are not a 3-step drop precision offense of the sort that has given the Vikes fits. They should have been able to pummel Philly's pass defense 2 weeks ago and instead averaged 6.3 YPP and were 5/16 on 3rd down.

 

[ragnarok628]

Call me crazy, but this just feels like the sort of game the Cowboys lose. Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, but without Ware the OL might have more success than one would think after watching this season. If the Vikes can re-establish a running game feeding Peterson a heavy load, and if when Romo makes some insane mistakes, the game could be closer than people are presuming.

FTFY

 

[BigJim®]

From PFT:

Duron Carter scores another long TD for MontrealPosted by Mike Wilkening on November 1, 2013, 9:24 PM EDT

ReutersDuron Carter’s first CFL season continues to go quite well.

Carter, the former Ohio State wideout and the son of Cris Carter, has shown field-stretching ability as a member of the Montreal Alouettes, and he did it again Friday night, hauling in a 71-yard touchdown pass from Troy Smith in Toronto.

Smith, who recently became the Alouettes’ starter, hit Carter in stride, dropping the pass between the cornerback and the safety. When the safety clipped the corner, taking him out of the play, Carter was gone for his fifth touchdown of the season.

In Montreal’s previous game, Smith and Carter connected on a 63-yard touchdown, with Carter catching about a 20-yard pass and taking it the distance.

Carter entered Friday night with 46 catches and 816 yards. The 22-year-old receiver originally made Montreal’s practice roster in June, then made his way onto the active roster.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I know they said that Frazier is "not going anywhere" but if he does I would really like to see Mike Priefer (their current ST coordinator) get the job. I really like the guy and think he is a good mix of emotion and a leader that this team needs.

 

[Donnybrook]

I know they said that Frazier is "not going anywhere" but if he does I would really like to see Mike Priefer (their current ST coordinator) get the job. I really like the guy and think he is a good mix of emotion and a leader that this team needs.

Interm coach maybe. I don't know if he is qualified to coach anything other than special teams.

 

[snogger]

Just how bad is it? Kare11 just ran a story that $35 tickets for Thursday nights game were on groupon today for $15.

I guess if you want the glass is half full outlook they at least sold out those tickets.

 

[Jobber]

Just how bad is it? Kare11 just ran a story that $35 tickets for Thursday nights game were on groupon today for $15.

I guess if you want the glass is half full outlook they at least sold out those tickets.

Drive downtown, park, walk to the dome just to get angry and ruin my day? They'd have to pay me to go to a game these days.

 

[Raider Nation]

Frazier should not have a job in the morning.

I wouldn't even let him on the plane home.

 

[mr roboto]

Well I just need to stop watching. Not worth the investment in time IMO.

 

[jestertj]

Can't wait for Frazier's presser this week. "Well, I thought Christian played a good game. Made some good decisions." etc...

 

[snogger]

The minute Frazier decided to NOT go for it on 4th down I felt 99% sure the Cowboys were going to win.. Guess from here on out I can set tht at 99.9%.

Only a dip bleep like Musgrave would call a Shotgun Fake to try and draw the defense offside.. If Frazier wanted to save his job he would have fired Musgrave and the Defensive coordinator weeks ago.

At this point I'm beginning to believe Fraizer doesn't want to have to stand in the cold next year coaching this team and wants out.

Do us all favor WIlf.. Fire Frasier, Fire Musgrave, fire the Defensive Coordinator.. Let Singletary take over.. If he still sucks as a Head Coach.. oh well.. He can't be any worse.

 

[Raider Nation]

The minute Frazier decided to NOT go for it on 4th down I felt 99% sure the Cowboys were going to win.. Guess from here on out I can set tht at 99.9%.

Only a dip bleep like Musgrave would call a Shotgun Fake to try and draw the defense offside.. If Frazier wanted to save his job he would have fired Musgrave and the Defensive coordinator weeks ago.

and

Just comical all around from the coaching staff. How can the players be expected to keep playing hard for these clowns?

 

[Herb]

WHEW!!

Thought they might pull out a win there for a minute, but true to form, the defense collapsed and snatched a defeat from the jaws of victory. Actively rooting against this team actually feels pretty good. It feels nice to support some winners for once.

 

[Raider Nation]

Ponder's unparallelled pocket presence basically cost them the game.

1) Drop back into own end zone.

2) Lollygag a bit.

3) Order a sandwich and coffee.

4) Get ball stripped for a TD.

 

[Purple_King]

Ponder's unparallelled pocket presence basically cost them the game.

1) Drop back into own end zone.

2) Lollygag a bit.

3) Order a sandwich and coffee.

4) Get ball stripped for a TD.

Don't forget the last drive of the game. Need 50 yard touchdown, throw a 2 yard pass. Need a 50 yard touchdown, throw a 30 yard pass into the dirt. LOL, this ponder guy makes me chuckle....

 

[Raider Nation]

That was the sorriest Hail Mary I've ever seen. Which other alleged NFL QB can't throw the ball 50 yards in the air???

Even Tebow could have gotten it there.

 

[sports_fan]

That was the sorriest Hail Mary I've ever seen. Which other alleged NFL QB can't throw the ball 50 yards in the air???

Even Tebow could have gotten it there.

I'm not sure Cassel could do it.

 

[Donnybrook]

I am really starting to wonder if the Vikings dropped their best potential QB when they waived Mcleod Bethel-Thompson.

 

[Donnybrook]

Ponder's unparallelled pocket presence basically cost them the game.

1) Drop back into own end zone.

2) Lollygag a bit.

3) Order a sandwich and coffee.

4) Get ball stripped for a TD.

Why would Musgrave call a play action toss in the end zone? Anybody who has watched the Vikings knows that play has resulted in a sack more often than not.

Probably because most defenses don't respect Ponder's ability to throw deep and Vikings Oline has had trouble holding their blocks for longer than a couple of seconds.

 

[snogger]

If you are Wilf how can you not realize the coaching staff has "lost" the players.. If they didn't realize it before they should now after these:

Multiple players publicly and privately criticized coaches’ play calls after the Dallas Cowboys orchestrated a 90-yard scoring drive in the final three minutes to continue the Vikings’ misery in a 27-23 victory before an announced 85,360 at AT&T Stadium.

The frustration borne from carrying that label bubbled to the surface in the postgame locker room. In particular, players were unhappy that offense coordinator Bill Musgrave called a pass play on first down after cornerback A.J. Jefferson intercepted a Romo pass in Dallas territory with 4 minutes, 29 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the Vikings leading 23-20.

Ponder’s pass to Greg Jennings was incomplete and took only eight seconds off the clock.

“You’d think we would run to run the time out,” veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams said. “But I don’t coach offense. I just have to play what they call on defense.”

The defensive players also weren’t happy about their own calls on the final drive, which started after coach Leslie Frazier elected to punt rather attempt a 54-yard field goal by Blair Walsh.

Members of the defensive line — Robison and Williams specifically — voiced their displeasure that the coaching staff stopped sending four rushers on the final drive.

“We don’t like when we have to lose a defensive lineman to rush,” Williams said. “At least the big guys, let them push the pocket. We did it all day and then we start dropping a guy the last drive on the line. From that standpoint, it’s kind of terrible when you’re trying to stop them.”

“We’re putting heat on them the whole day,” Robison said. “That’s a pretty dang good day and then all of a sudden we get in a drive where we’re going to rush three guys and then we don’t get to him. You’ve got five guys to block three so …”

It is time to wave to Frazier, Musgrave and Alan Williams.. Let Singletary take over.. he can't be any worse..

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Didn't watch a single snap yesterday. Man did that feel good.

In other news, Marcus Mariota has not thrown an interception all year.

 

[BigJim®]

It's an interesting feeling wanting the team to play well but having the silver lining that comes with a loss. After seeing the debacles against Carolina/NYG/GB I'm satisfied getting back to playing close games that hinge on a bad play here or there. I'm totally with the players being frustrated with the prevent defense on final drives. It's dumb to turn a soft zone into a soft zone with no QB pressure. There are always going to be soft areas in a zone, and it gives zero chance to defend the pass when a QB has time to find them. It's particularly curious against a QB who is prone to mistakes on critical drives, and a dinged OL.

Best case scenario at this point is the Vikes plug in Freeman around week 11-12, and he shows he has what it takes to be a difference maker in the NFL (edven if we worsen our draft slotting a bit). I'm not as high on drafting a QB unless Brigdgewater somehow falls into their lap. Not sure how anyone can have confidence in the front office picking a QB after the TJack/Ponder reaches. They don't seem to be very good at it.

 

[snogger]

It's an interesting feeling wanting the team to play well but having the silver lining that comes with a loss. After seeing the debacles against Carolina/NYG/GB I'm satisfied getting back to playing close games that hinge on a bad play here or there. I'm totally with the players being frustrated with the prevent defense on final drives. It's dumb to turn a soft zone into a soft zone with no QB pressure. There are always going to be soft areas in a zone, and it gives zero chance to defend the pass when a QB has time to find them. It's particularly curious against a QB who is prone to mistakes on critical drives, and a dinged OL.

Best case scenario at this point is the Vikes plug in Freeman around week 11-12, and he shows he has what it takes to be a difference maker in the NFL (edven if we worsen our draft slotting a bit). I'm not as high on drafting a QB unless Brigdgewater somehow falls into their lap. Not sure how anyone can have confidence in the front office picking a QB after the TJack/Ponder reaches. They don't seem to be very good at it.

Funny you typed that.. Do you work here

Just got done telling a Co-worker that knowing the way the vikings staff thinks when it comes to QB's, they'll trade down to get the QB they want as well as some later round picks.. and then, 2 years from now, we will be looking back thinking what could have been had we stayed where we were and picked the QB that is lighting up the NFL, while our "great" pick is sitting on the bench.

 

[sports_fan]

I keep hearing people say they've either stopped watching or are considering it. I think that's a mistake. As bad as we are, we still have AP in his prime. It's worth sitting through all the junk to watch him carry the ball. I want to see as much of him as I can. These days won't last forever, he's nearing the end of his run of dominance.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I keep hearing people say they've either stopped watching or are considering it. I think that's a mistake. As bad as we are, we still have AP in his prime. It's worth sitting through all the junk to watch him carry the ball. I want to see as much of him as I can. These days won't last forever, he's nearing the end of his run of dominance.

I'll always have Youtube.

 

[sports_fan]

I keep hearing people say they've either stopped watching or are considering it. I think that's a mistake. As bad as we are, we still have AP in his prime. It's worth sitting through all the junk to watch him carry the ball. I want to see as much of him as I can. These days won't last forever, he's nearing the end of his run of dominance.

I'll always have Youtube.

Doesn't that kill some of the excitement? Half of the fun is waiting for it to happen.

 

[BigJim®]

Upside of a lost season is I can again wear my Joey Browner throwback on gameday without reservation, even though the jersey has proven itself to be nothing but bad luck.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

The hits just keep on coming.

Kyle Rudolph broke his foot and will be out at least a month.

 

[Jobber]

The announcers pointed out that the 1-7 start of the Vikings was the team's worst since their inception in 1961.

 

[Herb]

The announcers pointed out that the 1-7 start of the Vikings was the team's worst since their inception in 1961.

I heard that. Even more unbelievable is that in all likelihood, Leslie Frazier will have presided over 2 of the 3 worst seasons in franchise history (excluding the first 2 seasons of the franchise's existence).

I'm really excited about the future of this team. Obviously the present coaching staff is going to be gone at year's end. They'll have a top-3 pick (probably) in a seemingly good QB class. There is some impressive offensive talent on this roster, and while the defense has been horribly disappointing and most of the D-Line will be gone, there is also some good talent on that side of the ball, too. Hopefully Floyd can turn into an anchor, Robison is very solid if not spectacular, Greenway is still very good and Rhodes/Smith/Cook(?) all have some skills in the backfield. With a competent coaching staff and a really good QB, this team is a playoff contender. They probably won't be in line for a Chiefs-style turnaround but improving from 1-15 or 2-14 this year to 9-7 next year with a last place schedule may be optimistic but it's not necessarily unrealistic.

 

[Raider Nation]

The defensive players also weren’t happy about their own calls on the final drive, which started after coach Leslie Frazier elected to punt rather attempt a 54-yard field goal by Blair Walsh.

I was pulling hard for the Vikes, and this part didn't upset me. Even if Walsh makes the kick, so what? They'll still play the prevent defense, and Romo still leads the TD drive. So you lose by 1 instead of 4.

You have to either go for it, or hell, maybe even run your Super Duper Best Fake Punt.

ANYTHING other than a foot touching the ball.

 

[snogger]

The defensive players also weren’t happy about their own calls on the final drive, which started after coach Leslie Frazier elected to punt rather attempt a 54-yard field goal by Blair Walsh.

I was pulling hard for the Vikes, and this part didn't upset me. Even if Walsh makes the kick, so what? They'll still play the prevent defense, and Romo still leads the TD drive. So you lose by 1 instead of 4.

You have to either go for it, or hell, maybe even run your Super Duper Best Fake Punt.

ANYTHING other than a foot touching the ball.

I agree on NOT kicking the FG.. Walsh is dealing with some type of injury on his planting leg and, as seen last week, is coming up short on long FG..

But on that 4th down play.. You either put ponder under Center and have him try to draw the defense offside with snap calls.. Or you go for it..

What you don't do is put Ponder in the Shotgun and try to draw them offside.

Just shows how stupid Musgrave is as an offensive coordinator.

 

[BigJim®]

I'm totally with the players being frustrated with the prevent defense on final drives. It's dumb to turn a soft zone into a soft zone with no QB pressure. There are always going to be soft areas in a zone, and it gives zero chance to defend the pass when a QB has time to find them. It's particularly curious against a QB who is prone to mistakes on critical drives, and a dinged OL.

I'm doing a 180 on my opinion after rewatching that final Dallas drive. The 3 man rushes only happened on a few of the plays, and I don't think it was an issue because Dallas used 3 step drop and immediate throws. Romo was not sitting in the pocket taking all day to throw at all. I don't think 4 guys rushing would have made a difference, and having the extra pass defenders fvs. those offensive play calls should have helped. The Vikes just didn't have tight enough coverage on that drive, and Romo made the throws.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I wish they would put Baca in at one of the guard slots...he has to be better than either one of the guys in there now, doesn't he??

 

[encaitar]

I really hate watching poor coaching, which makes it tough to be a Vikings fan right now. Xavier Rhodes would be an absolute stud in the hands of a competent defensive coordinator. I saw two separate time that he was manned up on Dez Bryant(a real man coverage, not a man up for 5 yards and let him go to the safety idiot coverage). Both times he absolutely manhandled one of the strongest and most athletic WRs in the league. One of the plays he actually jammed him out of bounds. Yet our idiot coaches insist on play soft zone when they have a CB capable of doing things like this. Infuriating.

I'm also getting tired of hearing Frasier "explain" how good Ponder was each week. Fans and commentators aren't stupid. We see him missing wide open WRs every week. I don't care that he played hard or that he made a couple of really difficult plays this week. He missed some easy throws and even worse, lacked the field awareness to find wide open WRs for what would've been big plays. If he was as good as Frasier keeps telling us he is, then this team would be playoff bound.

I know I'm not the only Vikings fan that said "game over" the moment they decided to be chicken#### and punt from the 37 on that drive. We're 1-7 and have nothing to lose, yet our head coach still lacks the stones to play for the win. Oh well, I guess I really didn't want them to win because of draft situations, but it stills upsets me when they throw away a game they could've/should've won.

 

[Donnybrook]

...

It is time to wave to Frazier, Musgrave and Alan Williams.. Let Singletary take over.. he can't be any worse..

I am counting on Frazier to get us a top draft pick. Worse case senario is the team turning around with the interim coach. That is how we got Frazier in the first place.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

Since the season is pretty much done...

Any chance they make a run at BJ Raji? He would be perfect to put next to Floyd.

 

[mr roboto]

Yet another prime time national game to be embarrassed.

 

[VikingFrog]

I have a feeling rg3 is going to throttle us like he did last year.

We will have a hard time containing him if he gets the run game going.

This could get ugly.

 

[BigJim®]

Wow, great signs of life tonight. I liked what I saw of Sandejo. He was a little better in coverage tonight, and he brings the boom. Seemed like playing more press coverage helped the entire secondary, and breathed life into the DL. It was good to see Cordarrelle involved in the redzone... he looked smooth and made a strong hands catch. He should be targetted more, everywhere. I'm going to give coaches a pass on the time outs. If they really felt regrouping was more important than clock management with the game on the line, so be it. Secondary is a mish mash of reserves. Frazier is fortunate it worked, though.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I thought they were taking the timeouts in order to save time for when Washington scored their touchdown, so they would have some time to get to field goal range...I didn't mind the timeouts at all. Washington had 40 seconds to get 3 plays in anyway, it wasn't like they were going to run out of time.

 

[Jobber]

So the Vikings will do just well enough this season to f*** themselves out of a QB in the draft.

 

[snogger]

So the Vikings will do just well enough this season to f*** themselves out of a QB in the draft.

doubt it.. with their defense and the upcoming schedule... 1... MAYBE 2 more wins... and that's being a "glass is half full " type of person

Nov 17 AT Seahawks

Nov 24 AT Packers

Dec 1 Bears

Dec 8 AT Ravens

Dec 15 Eagles

Dec 22 AT Bengals

Dec 29 Lions

The only games I see them having a shot at are @ Packers because Rodgers won't be back yet

and against the Lions the last week if the Lions know their Playoff position and rest their starters.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

So the Vikings will do just well enough this season to f*** themselves out of a QB in the draft.

They'll be in position to draft either Manziel or Fresno State's Derek Carr (who will be a fast riser).