Vikings: Hey Norv, Stop Being Brad Childress

Norv Turner has not impressed me as the Vikings offensive coordinator.  At all.  Sure, he's has had glimmers of greatness, yes; but he is stuck in the Childress mentality. The Childress Syndrome, I like to call it.  Bill Musgrave had it, too. And yet, all basic watchers of the game think it’s the only way for the Vikings to work on offense: GIVE THE BALL TO PETERSON. 

 (Getty Images: Matthew Stockman)

I’m here to break it to you: it makes our offense worse. Much worse. I can’t tell you how many times as a fan watching on Sundays saying, “here we go on first down, the same 3 tight end set with 5^th string wide receiver, Adam Thielen, out there to block.  It’s a going to be a run," and it would be a run, "…and no gain.”  WEEEEEEIRD! I’m an above average viewer of the NFL (I’ve deemed myself as such and repeated it often) and if I can tell what they are going to do a majority of the time on a majority of the plays, so does the other team. The Vikings have been so vanilla on offense over the time we’ve had Peterson it’s hard to watch. Keep that play book wide open, and not so VANILLA!

Yes, I get it, Peterson could be one of the best running backs in NFL history, but I will say, “at what cost?” When Peterson came to the Vikings in 2007, he busted into the scene as one of the best rushers in the league.  He was dazzling on almost every touch and had the ability to break away on any given play for a home run (baseball meaning for a big score, football slang for big play, and awkwardly said backwards in the movie Hook to confuse Peter Pan’s kid).  And, I mean it was like every 1-4 plays he would go for over 15 yards. Want to know why? He wasn’t yet the focus of our offense and teams didn't know how amazing he was. The Vikings still had Chester Taylor, and a line that was built for running.  It doesn’t matter that Tarvaris Jackson was the quarterback, Peterson wasn’t getting touched till the second level of defenders and no one knew about his fumbling problem yet.  We had Matt Birk, Steve Hutchinson, and a whole slew of blockers to lead the way for Peterson and Taylor.  It was easy to be a run first team because we were set up for it.  We are not that team anymore nor do we have that line. We used to run Peterson with 2-4 wide receiver sets and he could pound through the middle or take it to the outside against corners who aren’t equip enough to take down a player like Peterson. 

Then, something changed. 

We showed what we were doing before the snap almost 95% of the time.  The thought that “more blockers equal more holes” was put into place. This was the demise of the Vikings offense.  More blockers equaled more tells to the defense what the Vikings were doing and we got stuffed all the time.  And when a big run would happen we would say, “see, it’s famine, famine feast!”  That’s so wrong. Peterson didn’t do that his first couple years because we didn’t stock pile the line.  You can’t put 9 in the box when you have 3-4 wide outs in the game.  News Flash: Peterson can still run without a tight end or full back in the game.  However, we continued to get stuffed with that mentality. 

Then, something changed (again).

(Reuters: Eric Miller)

#4

Favre came in and took over the play calling in 2009 (I say that because he would care less what Brad Childress wanted us to do and could audible like a component quarterback). The offense was glorious! It could take apart defenses any way they wanted to, not only because Favre played great, but because we put forth calls that players could succeed in. That was the key.

Players like Sidney Rice were able to bloom after being an afterthought on the team that only wanted to hand off.  Because of one reason: Favre removed the label of run-first offense.  He called audibles to put us in a better chance to score points and win games.  And surprising to everyone and not to me, Peterson didn’t need to run every play to do so.  

And Favre wasn't in his best years, after having 22 touchdowns to 22 interceptions the year before with the Jets.  God, I almost forgot he played for them.  I bet Jenn Sterger remembers though. 

Side tracked, sorry! Peterson had 400 less rushing yards but 8 more touchdowns and 300 more receiving yards that year. I repeat, he had 400 less rushing yards but 8 more touchdowns along with 300 more receiving yards that year. 49 less carries. I’d say that’s a win.  If you think we need to run Peterson all the time, this year is the proof you are incredibly wrong. (Also, if you think that the ending of LOST was bad, you are also incredibly wrong.)

So back to this year, because we have to go back.  Peterson doesn’t have Favre anymore.  However, the Vikings have the great “offensive mind” that is Norv Turner.  So why are they sitting in the middle of the pack of the 32 teams in points per game and 30^th in total yards per game? I’ll tell you right now: it’s because of Adrian Peterson and NOT Teddy Bridgewater.  Suck on that statement.  Suck on it long and hard. It's because of the Childress Syndrome.

When Peterson is in the game, Norv feels like he must run it with him.  And he’s become amazingly predicable about it.  This is ruining any chance we have of tricking the defense into thinking we are going to do anything other than run it with Peterson.  (Even if we do pass on the 5% chance, you have 3 Tight Ends and a 5^th string Wide Receiver going out for a pass.  Not very effective.)  Obviously, he's not great at pass protection. I don't know, just drop him in the flats every time if it's a passing play?  I'm just shooting out ideas here.

This has hindered Teddy’s ability to develop as a legit passer in this league.  Musgrave was a OC that seemed horrible when he was here, too. Now he has a Raiders offense that puts up more yards than the Vikings, score more points than the Vikings, and relies on a young quarterback that still makes mistakes because it happens!  If you put Peterson on that offense, Derek Carr would take a huge step backwards because for some reason having Peterson on the team makes you a one dimensional team. And being one dimensional is...what was that class? A bad thing! Right, good. Good.

PS, for all the Teddy doubters out there, did you watch the game where he was the focus of the offense and Peterson didn't play?  Oh, you did, but want a reminder?  Cool, here you go!

We need to understand in this league, you can't just depend on a top flight defense anymore.  And allowing teams to play our offense set up to stop the run, you are going to get stuffed.  30th in total yards a game, people.  With your Hall of Fame Peterson and mastermind, Norv Turner. This doesn't cut it, and I wont accept that it's because of our offensive line.  I mean, how well can you block when teams are plugging your holes? Hehe.

Let's set this ship straight and make for a better year by making Peterson a weapon on the offense and not the focus.

Skol!

Vikings: Secondary Shmecondary

Don't worry, I'll get to the Twins soon, but I want to finish this Goddamn Vikings outlook because I'm stubborn and selfish.

Let's talk about something that really excites me: the secondary of the Vikings. Why is this so exciting to talk about? Because in recent years before Zimmer's beautiful mug showed up, the secondary was a joke.  Like, not the funny kind of joke that we all love.  Like a Trump for President kind of joke.  Like the painfully drawn out joke your uncle tells at every holiday and you are too nice to stop him and let him know you've heard that 14 minute joke a hundred times before.

Remember when Chris Cook was our "lockdown" corner? Wow, we we're wrong.  I wonder if he is still in the league.

Nope.

Well, back to the players we actually have.

Defensive Backs: FS Harrison Smith (26), CB Xaviar Rhodes (25), SS Anthony Sendijo (28), CB Terrance Newman (37), CB Trae Waynes (23), CB Captain Munnerlyn (27), SS Antone Exum Jr. (24), CB/SS Jabari Price (23), CB Melvin White (25)

(USA TODAY Sports: Kirby Lee)

The secondary of the Minnesota more than held their own this year. Harrison Smith showed again why he is one of the best safeties in the league and that he will remain there for a long time.  He is one of the best all-around players the Vikings have seen on defense since Jared Allen.  He's like a Jared Allen (Good Luck with your future, Cowboy) but for the secondary.  Mean, sly, and just someone you want to be best friends with.  And we share the same last name, so we are practically brothers and stuff.

Sendejo, on the other hand, showed that he is adequate at best and should be replaced sooner than later with his lackluster play beside Smith.  Also, his last name is different than mine, and I don't like outsiders.

(USA TODAY Sports: Brain Hemmelgarn)

Rhodes continues to be one of the worst, best corner backs in the league. I say that because he can lock a player down all game, but then give up consistent yards on passes or penalties because of his difficulties turning back to the ball.  Hopefully he can correct this and can become the lock down corner I believe he can be.     He's right there....so close...but just not elite yet.  Sniffing at it, though.

Newman was a wonderful surprise and he is a dark horse for me to take over at the SS spot for the Vikings next year and maybe the next few after that.  Even at his age (37), he has shown consistency and great play make ability at the bookend of the defense.  Moving him to safety would allow young and talented Waynes to step into a new role as the starting corner across from Rhodes without losing too much at the spot.   (Did you hear that, Zimmer?  This is an open letter specifically to you. Make it hap'n cap'n.)

Speaking of Cap'n.

(Corbis Images:Ann Heisenfelt)

"Sup" - Captain Munnerlyn is thinking in this picture I assume

Munnerlyn proved with a year more in Zimmer’s system that he can succeed at a high level in the Nickel spot.   And if anyone here calls him a Nickelback, I will shut off the internet for a day, hunt you down, and torture you with...you guessed it...Nickelback music.  That will teach you to relate a horrible, horrible band to anything related with the Vikings. Goddammit, now I'm angry.  You see what you made me do? But yeah, Munnerlyn, you get a solid thumbs up from me this last season.

Exum Jr. or Price could also be possibilities at the SS position if the Vikings don’t head to FA or the draft to fill that hole.  Hehe, fill that hole. 

Skol!

T'Wolves: Sam Mitchell Needs to Go

Well, this is probably the best time ever to write this blog about my new hatred for Sam Mitchell as the Timberwolves intern coach.  I've already been disappointed with how he's coached the first half of this horrendous 2015-2016 season.  'Disappointed' doesn't even do my emotions justice.  I don't think I've said the phrase 'What the f**k are you doing?' more times in my life compared to the times I've said it during the last 54 games.  I've played online video games with noobs, experianced fresh-faced teens post embarrassing shit on Facebook, and watched horror movie victims run up the stairs instead of out the front door to safety, and I have still yet to reach the level of 'WTFAYD?'s as I have watching Sam Mitchell coach.

Let's go back in time first, and look at the sunny side of his coaching before I completely tear him down (because, in all honestly, I'm a really nice guy).

First of all, I have his bobblehead.  If that doesn't show that I gave him the best chance possible, I don't know what does. See!

Aw, shucks you guys!  So cute! I used to be a huge fan of Mitchell when he played.  He was a very likable guy (and still probably is). And, he's so nice in this picture, almost like he's saying, "Yo, KG. Have one of my balls."  A true gentleman.

(Side note: I found Chauncey Billups and Terrell Brandon like this...)

(It's like Billups is telling Brandon, "Hush, baby.  I'm right here.  Just let it happen.")  Don't let it happen, Brandon.  There's other ways you can make rent.

Okay, back to my anger.  I gave every chance that I possibly could to Mitchell being the head coach this year after the sad and unfortunate passing of Flip Saunders.  I figured the team needed a former Coach of the Year as well as a familiar face and friend to the franchise.  Sam fit that bill perfectly.  His record with the Raptors gave me the hope he could do the same here.  But I didn't really recall his coaching record there. So, I looked his record up.  156 wins and 189 losses.  Ew.  That's not as great as I expected.  47 and 35 in 2007 when he was coach of the year (I get it, 20 win increase from the year before, but quickly followed up by a 41-41 year).  Ew and ew.

I really wanted him to succeed. Not only because I'm a die hard Timberwolves fan, but, yes, actually, because I'm a die hard Timberwolves fan.  The first part of the season I was extremely happy with the outcome.  The T'Wolves were in almost every game, starting the year 8-6 after being the worst team in the league the year before.  Fuck yeah, guys! Playoffs! We're going all way! I knew it!

17-37.

Ouch.

I haven't felt this hurt since Topher Grace 'portrayed' Venom in Spiderman 3.

I mean, real ouch here.

They way Mitchell coaches the Timberwolves is laughable to me.  And I love laughing.  But, not like this.  I honestly think he is one of the most hypocritical coaches in the league.  He claims to want to get the young guys time so they can grow into better players.  So, that's why he's starting Kevin Garnett (39) and Tayshaun Prince (102) over young guys like Gorgui Dieng (26) and Shabazz Mohammad (23) or Zach LaVine (12)? And he's not just starting Prince, he's keeping him like almost 21:20 minutes a game. WTFAYD?  If you want the young guys to learn, put them in the game.  It doesn't take rocket surgery to know this isn't the way to go about it.

During the game, the commentators keep gushing over how he has one of the top scoring benches in the league.  Yeah, you guys, it's because the bench almost plays the same amount of time as the starters.  What do normal coaches do when a bench player is out performing a starter?  They start over them, that's what. I understand you are depleting your bench, but that's why you rotate guys in and out so you always have at least two starters on the floor at all times, because, you know, that's what normal coaches do.

This brings me to the news I read today.  "Zach LaVine and Tayshaun Prince will be alternated as starters in the Wolves' final 28 games, according to coach Sam Mitchell." WTFAYD. I mean, what? Has any coach done this in the history of the game? Ever? No! No, because they plan on keeping their jobs.  "Hey girl, I really like you.  But, I like this other girl.  So, if it's cool with you I'm going to date you alternate days. Because that's normal. Cool? Cool."

My GAWD.  Stop this.  Right now. Start LaVine. Put Prince on the bench. Or give him box seats, because his 3.3 points a game could be put to better use watching the team awkwardly from far, far away.

Vikings: Young and the Restless Needs to Replace the Days of Our Lives: Linebacker Edition

By K.E. Smith

The Vikings have one of the top blitzing defenses in the league and that’s because it has the players to do it correctly and efficiently.  When the Vikings took Anthony Barr 9th overall in the 2014 draft, I was ecstatic to have a playmaker in the linebacker crew again.  Chad Greenway was letting his age show and wasn’t the same player he was years before so they needed someone to come and knock the poop out of quarterbacks and running backs alike.  

(Getty Images: Adam Bettcher)

Then, the Vikings took Eric Kendricks from UCLA, Barr’s old college roommate, and I said, “the Vikings will soon have one of the best linebacker cores in the league.”  I was right, like always.  So here’s what we have to look forward to in 2016.

Linebackers: OLB Anthony Barr (23), ILB Eric Kendricks (23), OLB Chad Greenway (32), OLB Edmond Robinson (23), ILB Audie Cole (26).

For all the power coming from the two young UCLA stud linebackers, the Vikings will learn quickly that they need an upgrade at the OLB where Greenway currently plays now.  His age showed this year with his decline in speed and read action.  Though he is still an above average player, I fear next year he would be better suited to come off the bench and be a mentor to the new face of the Vikings linebacker core.

Kendricks showed he could play in this league at an extremely high level after recording 92 tackles and 4 sacks in his first year of play (that was limited because he didn’t start the beginning of the year). Barr has already proven himself to be a terror on the field for his second year (67 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 FF, 1 interception). If the Vikings can find an OLB in FA or the draft to help take the reins out of Greenways hands (2013 134 tackles, 2014 93 tackles, 2015 69 tackles…eek!), the Vikings core will be heading into the talks of league’s best.

(USA TODAY Sports:  Brace Hemmelgarn)

I don’t see any of the guys on the bench coming in and doing too much to move Greenway out of his spot (like Cole or Robinson), which scares me.  I know Zimmer is smart and will try and find a better-suited player to move into Greenways spot, which doesn’t scare me.  I have a good feeling that we will look into putting a new face on the corner end from Barr on the other outside linebacker spot. 

There are some mock drafts out there that think the Vikings will take Darron Lee out of Ohio State, which would be a perfect to groom into the OLB that Greenway will have to give up in the coming years.  But, the first round could go many which ways because we have the ability to take PBA in this draft without reaching too far.  

Even if the Vikings decide to stay where they are at with their linebacker situation, I still believe Barr and Kendricks alone will make our crew one of the best in the league.  I mean, I don't want to be greedy and say I want another stud at the OLB opposite Barr, but I'm greedy and I do.  This is a position that I want to keep a close eye on for the next coming months heading into the 2016 NFL Draft.

Skol!

Vikings: Stay Within the Lines

By K.E. Smith

The defensive line is the heart of this top notch Vikings defense and this year it’s shown why it’s one of the best.  This is one of the positions on the Vikings team that I see little to no change coming into 2016.  So lets take a look and see why. 

Defensive Line: DT Linval Joseph (27), DE Everson Griffen (28), DT Sharrif Floyd (24), DE Danielle Hunter (21), DE Brian Robison (32), DT Tom Johnson (30)

I feel this is one of the best rotations in the NFL and is still young to an extent.  I don’t see too many big moves being made with this 6-man rotation except for the snap majority moving over from Robison (32) to the younger and more productive Hunter (21). This should happen and I totally expect Zimmer to do it.  If he doesn't, I will eat tacos until he does (more than likely I will just eat tacos for enjoyment anyways, but still).  You could see later in the year Zimmer putting in Hunter on more 2nd and 3rd downs due to his incredible athletic ability, but also his capability of learning Zimmer’s system in such a short period of time.

(USA TODAY Sports:Brace Hemmelgarn) 

Linval Joseph is arguably one of the best defensive tackles in the game (according to Zimmer and I believe him) "One thing about him that I'm very impressed with -- and I hope that our whole football team gets this mentality -- is that he does an awful lot of dirty work that doesn't show up in the stat book," Zimmer said on Joseph.  He’s the definition of and underappreciated workhorse.  The Vikings wouldn’t be so good against the run if it wasn’t for him but no stat sheets are filled with gaudy numbers because of it.  Taking on two to three defenders at a time to fill lanes isn’t recorded on the stat sheet, but that’s what Joseph does and does it well.  He is a dirty, dirty man.  Wait, not like that.  You know, like, does the dirty, workhorse stuff.  

Sharrif Floyd is another one of those players for me (dirty, dirty man).  He proved that even having a smaller frame in the NFL could be looked over because of brute force and technic.  Though he had a bit of drop off in production from 2014 (42 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2014 compared to 34 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2015) but it can be expected due to playing next Linval Joseph.  I think that another year in Zimmer’s system and we will continue to see development from both our interior defenders.  

Those two in the middle can easily be considered one of the top DT duos in the NFL and (baring health) should be for the next 5-6 years (I'm hopeful, what can I say). Tom Johnson has proven to be a solid fill in at either positions and can be a run stopper and a pass rusher (5.5 sacks in 2015).  This core will be the heart of the future Purple People Eaters. Yes, the PPE.  It’s back because I said it’s back, so there.  

(USA TODAY Sports: Brad Rempel) 

Everson had a disappointing year compared to what he was expected to do after last year (10.5 sacks to last year’s 12.0). He did play in one less game, but the productivity wasn’t what everyone was expecting.  I see him coming back around to the player we wanted him to be in 2016.  Watching him play in Zimmer’s scheme has been exciting because even if he isn’t getting the stats like a sack or a tackle, he’s still keeping the quarterback in the pocket and not allowing it to break down, which is huge.  That alone allows other players to collapse on the pocket and giving the defense a better chance of closing out.  He is an overall great player with a great attitude towards the game which goes a long way into today's NFL where morals are going downhill with players like Hardy, Manziel, and whoever else is getting in the spot light for the wrong reasons.

Now Robison (5.5 sacks) still has some power churning in his gears, but would be better suited to back up rookie Hunter (6.0 sacks) at the other end.  Hunter surprised everyone coming onto the scene in 2015 so quickly when he was considered to be such a raw talent coming out of college.  He had the ability, but it didn’t exactly translate with only 4.5 total sacks in his college career at Louisiana State.  But, “In Zimmer We Trust,” and it seems to have paid off because Hunter is definitely looking like the “raw ability” tag is moving to a “solid player” tag and he’s only 21.  With Zimmer showing the way, I think Hunter is going to be on course for a great career coming off the end for the Vikings.  I'm so excited thinking about it I almost screamed like a little girl, but then I remember I was a big boy and I don't do that.

(Associated Press: Tony Gutierrez)

There may be some room to add in another man into the rotation, but isn’t a need at this moment and I don’t expect the Vikings to make a big splash in free agency or the draft at this position.

Skol!

Vikings: A Zimmer of Hope

By K.E. Smith

He missed the kick, everyone.  We get it.  Stop beating it like a dead Sarah Jessica Parker. The season is over and there’s nothing we can do to change that.  But, what we can do is to start looking forward to the next great season in 2016.  And the next decade after if everything goes to my dastardly plan.

This is due to Mike Zimmer.

(USA TODAY Sports: Bruce Kluckhohn) 

When we first signed him in 2014, I really had no idea who he was.  That’s funny because I consider myself a pretty educated viewer and follower of the NFL.  I was wrong.  

I researched him a little bit like any normal Vikings fanatic would and found out how many positive things he’s done as a coach and how quickly he’s moved up everywhere he’s gone as a defensive coordinator.  And the numbers speak for themselves (because me speaking for him doesn’t give any factual credit).  

After being the defensive backs coach for the Cowboys in 1995 (when they won Super Bowl XXX) he was soon promoted to defensive coordinator in 2000.  2003 after getting his mitts dirty and having control for 3 years, he had a defense, which had given up the fewest yards in the league.

Same thing happened when he moved to Cincinnati in 2008 taking their DC position, making a huge leap and taking a 27th ranked defense to 12th in one year. Zimmer then held on to that consistent level for the next 5 years, having them ranked 4th, 15th, 7th, 6th, and 3rd respectively.

After I watched him in his first few preseason games of 2014, I knew he was the one to take the Vikings to the Promised Land (I actually don’t know who promised anything to us Vikings fans in the first place, but there is a land of victory and it was promised to us). He has the perfect mold of what you want in a head coach: aggression, passion, knowledge, compassion, history, and even the look.  He just has “it.”  He’s like a Bill Belichick or a Vince Lombardi.  He just carries that feel to him.  I mean just look at him.

                                                             (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

Do you see it?  I do.  At least to me he looks like the perfect head coach and I don’t care if you agree.   You do agree? Cool! We should hang out and play cards and talk about how we are right and everyone else is wrong.

Even the snow in this picture is like, “Yo, we are going to make this game extremely cold,” and Mike Zimmer responds with, “I’m Mike Zimmer,” and the snow cowers away saying, “Oh, crap! It is Mike Zimmer, let’s lay low other snow flakes.”  

He’s that intimidating.  Zimmer can change the weather, guys.  

Okay, back to reality.  The way he took one of the NFL’s worst defenses in the Vikings (32nd in scoring against at 30.0 PPGA) and turned them into the 5th best in scoring against (18.9 PPGA) in 2 years is incredible.  I don’t think he’s done in making the Vikings defense what it will be in the next few years.  We have too much young talent and someone who will put the pieces in place to not bring back the Purple People Eaters.

Adrian Peterson on Zimmer? “He’s the most competitive coach I’ve ever had.” A “great” talking about a “great,” and it’s pretty great.

And what do former “great” players think about Zimmer? “I think the Vikings got a hell of a head coach and I think he’ll take that organization pretty far,’’ Geno Atkins said. “He did a great job (turning the defense around). That’s what Zimmer is going to do; he’s going to fix it. I mean that’s what he’s known for. He’s going to fix it, whether it’s scheme, whether it’s new personnel. He’s going to figure out a way to do that.’’

This is why I think the Vikings and its fans have a lot to be excited about for the foreseeable future.  Mike Zimmer will bring his “A” game and make everyone on the team follow suit like he’s done in the past and proven to do so now.   And having one of the best defenses in the league will keep you on the top for a long time.  Having players like Harrison Smith, Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen doesn’t hurt.  Also, having players like Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Barr, and Eric Kendricks doesn’t hurt either.  The opposing offenses will hurt, though.

Now, if only the offense with the best running back in the league could follow the leader.