5 Good Questions With The Daily Norseman
by David_Wyatt on Oct 9, 2010 6:41 PM EDT
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PrintEarlier this week Eric Thompson was kind enough to get in touch with some questions, of course we had some questions for the Vikings as well. It's been quite a busy week in Vikings land, so here are his answers to some questions I had for him. Like Eric has promised over at DN, there will be no reference to Brett Favre's private parts....probably, and Jenn Sterger will not be making a cameo (I know, real shame) You can head on over to the Daily Norseman to read my answers to the questions he had for me concerning the Jets
GGN: It's been a crazy week for the Vikings reacquiring an old favourite. Did you ever think you would see Randy Moss back in Minnesota? and how long to you envision it will take for Randy and Brett to get a good understanding on the football field. How big of a contribution will he make this Monday on prime time?
DN: I still can't believe it. It all happened so fast and seemingly came out of nowhere, but one thing's for sure--we're VERY glad to have him back in Minnesota. As for how he'll do on Monday, that's anybody's guess. On one hand, I don't think we can expect Favre and Moss to just click instantly. They've both been in the league for a long time and they're both familiar with each other, but they've never played together. On the other hand, Moss should benefit from the fact that has already played the Jets this season. At the very least, Moss' presence should open more passing lanes underneath and get fewer bodies in the box against Adrian Peterson.
GGN: We're all familiar with Brett Favre, how did you react to his regular off-season will he/won't he return, and would you have preferred to see the Vikings bring in a new era with a new QB instead of having to wait on Favre who's likely not going to be around next season? Is Favre struggling as much this season as his stats would seem to suggest?
DN: I don't think it was realistic to expect that Favre would perform anywhere near what he did last year--the numbers he put up were ridiculous. But there's no doubt that the extent of his struggles through the first three games has been surprising. He has really missed Sidney Rice as a deep threat--the only target that has been able to get open on a consistent basis has been Tight End Visanthe Shiancoe. I was definitely fine with bringing Favre back for one last hurrah. If the Moss trade hasn't made it blatantly obvious, the Vikings are putting all their eggs in the 2010 basket. Favre was a much better option than anything else that was available for this year--I just hope our rough October schedule doesn't turn the playoffs into a pipe dream.
GGN: We're breaking in a new LG this season in Matt Slauson, I'd imagine getting pressure on Mark Sanchez is a top priority. Do you think the Vikings will target Slauson in the game and what kind of things will be the Vikings do to get to Sanchez. Will we see exotic all out blitzes like Rex brings? I noticed that the Vikings don't have a great deal of sacks so far this season
DN: The pass rush has been slightly disappointing this year. Jared Allen and the rest of the front seven haven't got to the quarterback very much yet, but the performance of the defense as a whole has been impressive. The Vikings allowed only 14 points in each of their two losses this year, so it's hard to fault the D for sputtering out of the gate. Minnesota isn't known for many wild blitzes or packages--they still run a 4-3 defense loosely based on the Tampa 2. They depend on stuffing the run and pressure from the front four to help out their secondary. I don't feel that they'll differ from the plan much in New York.
GGN: How will the Vikings attack the Jets defence and who do you envision having the biggest impact for you on the offensive side of the football. Will Percy play? 30th in points scored and 24th in pass yards per game are not usually the stats associated with a Brett Favre team. Will it be on AP to win you this game?
DN: You're never gonna believe this, but Adrian Peterson is going to be the biggest part of the offensive game plan. It's pretty simple--the Vikings need to get the ball to their best player as much as possible. Like I alluded to earlier, hopefully the presence of Moss will give Peterson more space against New York's stout defense and get the passing game up and running. As of today, Percy Harvin is scheduled to play, but forecasting the weather during hurricane season is easier than predicting Harvin's health.
GGN: Do you think the bye week came at a good time for the Vikings? I think I read that Brett Favre has some impressive numbers after a bye week and surely after joining late getting him an extra week of work without a game was important. How do you see Monday night's game going?
DN: I absolutely despise having bye weeks this early in the season--I think the NFL should have bye weeks from weeks 8-12 instead of 4-10. That said, it's true that Favre is historically good after the bye and the Vikings themselves have won seven of their last eight games after a bye week. I think the extra week of preparation will help, but I don't think that Favre and Moss will have some sort of magical connection after being teammates for less than a week. The Jets are playing some outstanding football, they have three very important players returning, and they're at home on a Monday Night. I think the Vikings will be able to keep it close with their defense, but I don't see the offense clicking yet against the stingy Jets D. It pains me to say this, but I'm picking the Jets 20-17. I really hope I'm wrong!
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Hey David,
How come my guy Brad Smith gets no love? Haha
I also have another question:
How’s this alleged “tendonitis” going to affect Favre’s play?
He mentioned a couple of times that the presence of Moss will open it up for Peterson Monday night. No, it won’t. Moss will be on Revis Island this Monday.
Buster Posey: Let's enjoy him before he goes to the Yankees.
by rxmeister on Oct 9, 2010 10:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I have a slightly different vie than Eric ?
#1—-Moss . Yes I agree . Abig suprize . MIN and NE know how to keep these deals under wraps . Berrian was never a #1 WR . But as a #2 he is amazing . As Harvin goes to the slot . Camarillo’s familiararity with the AFC East will be a mismatch to watch . Our Joe Webb is a better version of your Brad Smith but Childress won’t let him test the field as of yet .
#2—-I believe that Brett’s questioning was a hoax ? The way our pre-season and combo packages worked out indicated that he would return . In this uncapped year the Vikes are working their way around Goodell’s weird rules that both our teams faced in reguards to aquiring free agents or the lack there of . Brett has good mechanics . But he seems to have truely set the playbook aside during the off season . As we faced tougher competition in the first three weeks compared to last year . I can see some concern with rushing the pass . The Jets don’t have a premiere russer . And Jenkins being gone will help Peterson assert himself in the fourth . He needs 124 too get to 5000/in 50 games . If C.Cook was healthy ? It would be possible . Moss will have to be a big factor in drawing coverage for that to occur . And I don’t see Revis holding up . If he tries to match Randy’s speed he will tweak the hammie for sure . Very early or just after the half .
#3—-Your LG . Kevin Williams will be key in pushing your interior . Eric is off in his vanilla description of what I see as last years Defensive strategy . This year we are dropping LBs and DEs . Even DTs into coverage . As you see we have picked up in the areas of INTs and overall Defense . As we went from an overall fifth to third during the bye week . EJ Henderson is not playing inside . And Jared ane Edwards sacks are down as a result of our less agressive but obvious better overal performing group . Not as flashy as we like but effective .
#4—-As Moss goes to #1 . And BB to #@ . Either Harvin or Camarillo could fill the slot this week . That could allow Percy to have a few sets out of the backfield and assist in our weakest area this year . The KR an PR . As field position will be big while dealing with two great defenses .
#5—-I agree with Eric in the area of the timing . But I will say that we are starting a tradition that carries on from last year . We seem to have our best week every year during bye week . Rested players . Trades and signings . And an on slaught of injuries and perminantly lost opposing players for the rest of 2010 .Brett disappointed last year in the area of road wins . He only needs one TD to be at 500TDs for his career . Dan Marino once bragged his record would not be broke ? It was 420 at the time . Records do mean something to Brett . And Randy Moss for the 500th will be monumental . If we win on Monday . The Jets will be seen as the third best team in their division . As it sits now some have you as the third best in the country . You have alot riding on this match up . If we had a healthy Shiancoe I might be boasting . But when Sidney Rice returns as Chris Carter says . Between weeks 8 and 9 . I would hate to face these Vikings in Febuary at that point . And remember ? With seven WRS on the roster . We may not be done wheeling and dealing . Logan Mankins is still available . Right ?
by gothicpurple on Oct 10, 2010 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
The terrible Minnesota weather has skewed Norse-Nation's rationality.
This bye nonsense is really quite silly. The past season rarely serves as much of a predictor. Besides, they played the freakin lions after last year’s bye…yeah. It seems like vikes fans have forgotten in their Moss Kool-aid rush that the jets return Santonio holmes, and that prior to holmes we have the best point differential in the league. So long as Sanchez plays a clean game (0-1 turnovers) then this offense is best(ish) in the NFL. What other team has such a balanced attack? I can think of the Steelers, and um… not anyone else. The Ravens could become an explosive, balanced offense, but Flacco has played pretty mediocre (more picks than TDs). Mind you, this rides on the caveat that Dirty plays…well, not so dirty. But if he’s clean, there’s no way to stop this offense. We have play makers at every position.
I like Sanchez, don’t get me wrong, but … saying your team has the most balanced offense in the league is a little premature, at best.
It is the most balanced so long as Sanchez plays well.
Outside of the Steelers an the Texans I can’t think of any. The saints are a candidate, but not so much with bush out for the season and pierre thomas injured atm. The colts have no running game, nor do the packers and the Chiefs haven’t gotten much play out of Cassel. What team, other than the texans or the steelers can you think of that has as good an o-line, RB corps and WR corps?
Again, and for the millionith time, this is all dependent on Sanchez. If he regresses then this team becomes one dimensional. But if he’s good, then we stretch the field in every direction.
What team, other than the texans or the steelers can you think of that has as good an o-line, RB corps and WR corps?
Um … the Vikings? ;)
I really don’t think I’m being that much a homer here. Before this week I’d have a hard time saying it about the WR corps, but now with Moss + Harvin + Berrian + Camarillo + Shank at TE … I feel good about that. Moss may not be integrated yet for Monday, but he will be soon, and in a few games we hopefully get Sindey Rice back (who after all was the #4 ranked reciever in the NFL last year, with > 1300 yards). Hey, if you get to count Santonio (who hasn’t had a catch as a Jet yet, right?), then we get to count Rice, right? :)
The big Q for the passing game right now (as it alwasy seems to be in Minnesota … sigh), is do we have a QB to throw to them.
Regarding the offensive line … I confess, I don’t know as much about them as I used to, as you guys have had some turnover there this year. Mangold I will grant is the a stud center, no arguement. But Brick, sometimes i think he is maybe a little overrated, I saw part of the Pats-Jets game and it seemd liked he struggled. And the other two guys … well, they are so new I don’t know their names, and have never seen them play. Perhaps they are the cats meow, and the world just does not know it yet, but … even if you do have a good line overall, I think I still like our D in that matchup :)
The Vikings could be complete
But like you said, the QB is a big question. Favre is 41, and the NFL has a pretty solid testing regimen for most “enhancers” (outside of HGH which remains hard to catch), so it’s not like age doesn’t matter here. That’s not saying that Favre ever used roids. I’m just sayin that players have a limited range of options to stay healthy past 35 and I think Brett’s run out of them. Last year was great, but this year he’s already got nagging injuries, and that doesn’t bode well.
With the addition of Moss your WRs get a lot better, but Harvin isn’t exactly a Santonio Holmes ya know? And Harvin has to stay healthy, which isn’t a given. Moss’s numbers so far aren’t very good either. Braylon Edwards’s stats are actually a lot better iirc. When you get Rice back, then that corps is pretty damn elite.
As for the O-line, it’s not about names, its about performance. They’ve been ace with pass protection, Sanchez rarely get’s hit, pressured or sacked. Sanchez hasn’t been strip sacked once. In run blocking…well it’s sort of obvious ain’t it? We just rejuvenated a “washed up” RB. LDT is averaging 6 yards a freaken carry. That’s mind boggling.
Your O-line is also not so great. You’ve given up sacks, strip sacks, and plenty of pressures. Your run blocking has been good, but it’s sometimes hard to tell. AD doesn’t exactly need much of hole to make his presence known.
So to sum up. The vikings lack a solid QB atm, though that could change. And they also lack solid pass protection. Not very compete if you ask me.
The jets have an O-line which pass protects and run blocks, a QB with the third best passer rating in the AFC, a receiving corps of Edwards, Holmes, Cotchery, and Keller, a RB with 6.1 YPC and his second with a 4.3 YPC.
Also we shouldn’t forget Brad Smith. One of the few pure option players in the League. Normally the Wildcat is just running with an extra blocker. We’ve got a real gunslinger back there.
So to sum up. The vikings lack a solid QB atm
You’re entire point is based upon his three performances last month, after a short camp & adjusting to a changed receiver set, and ignores what he did last year, after an almost equally slow start with new receivers, what he’s accomplished over most of the last three years (yes, when he was well over 35 the entire time), and for that matter over the last twenty.
I won’t argue it’s a concern, in fact I was the one to bring it up in our exchange. But I will argue I think you are coming to your conclusions a little prematurely. You might be right, but I am still willing to bet that you won’t be. Betting against Favre, that he is “washed up,” will probably pay off someday, and maybe that day will be this year, but until that day … there is a long line of people who have egg on their faces for trying it before.
I think he’s talking about Pouha and Slauson?
Anyways… i’m not going to knock the Vikings or Brett Farve even though I totally blame him for ’08’s season and am SO glad I didn’t get a Farve Jersey.. even though a friend of mine is sporting his Minnesota one today and I’m all decked out in number 6…
The Vikings are a tough team and adding Moss only makes the team more scary. You never know if Harvin is going to have a good game and Brett… I don’t care if he’s 41 or 80.. if that man gets in a rythem he will light you up.
I’m glad that Brett’s “homecoming part deux” isn’t as important to him as it was when he visited the Packers but whilst I agree this game isn’t a “must win” I do think it’s game 1 of a very difficult stretch coming up before and after the BYE. Minnesota this year has been less than adequate but it’s still a gauge for me. Typical Jet’s seasons usually include us losing games we really ought to win. I’m glad we spanked Buffalo but I’ve been let down so much before. Last years Jacksonville game was the only game I got to go to last year (living in Idaho now).
I think it’ll be a fun, tough game but if we don’t hold Vishancoe and Peterson i’m going to be pissed. Really really pissed. (Vishancoes on my bench in my FF league for Keller and Peterson is on my opponents team. Yes I am also playing the Jets D and Holmes and I’m down by 14 points… i’ll be pissed!)
if we don’t hold …. Peterson i’m going to be pissed. Really really pissed
Expect to not be sociable tomorrow morning then :) I’ll give it to you guys that you have a good D, and a good run D, but I still don’t think it will be enough to “hold” All Day & our line in the run game :)
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