Bryant McKinnie, the 6'8", 343 lb. monster left tackle for the Vikings, seemed to disappoint in 2006. He really came on strong at the end of 2005, and in early 2006 he signed a gigantic contract extension with the Vikings. But he didn't seem to show the dominance to justify such a contract.
Of course, HE WAS PLAYING WITH A BROKEN HAND!
McKinnie is huge, talented, and durable. He's not somebody Viking fans should be turning against; he's one of the reasons Viking fans should be excited for 2007. Next season, Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor are going to run behind the icebergs that are Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, and Matt Birk. The Vikings are going to have one of the most dominant running games in the league with that lineup. There's nobody the Vikings won't be able to run against next season; hell, given that Peterson is a rookie and McKinnie and Hutchinson are signed to long contracts, there's nobody the Vikes won't be able to run against for the next five years.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was fun watching Randall Cunningham and Jeff George and Daunte Culpepper throw flying meteors out to Randy Moss and Cris Carter. It would have been a lot more fun, I think, to see the Vikes win a damn championship.
So you're not excited about Tarvaris Jackson and a bunch of mediocre receivers in 2007? Big freaking deal. The Vikes have a dominant force of a defense led by Antoine Winfield, Pat Williams, Kevin Williams, Darren Sharper, and E. J. Henderson, and they've got a soul crushing power running game featuring Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor, Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, and Matt Birk. They're now a powerful, grinding, tough team, not a flashy team with a wilting defense. There's a real good nucleus to build around: a nucleus of great defenders and a steamrolling running game, not a nucleus of crazy talented passers and receivers and little else.
We should be excited for 2007. We should be ecstatic for the future. You can build around young big guys like Bryant McKinnie and Kevin Williams. You can win football games playing crushing defense with a good running game. This Viking team is capable of winning the division this season.
And Bryant McKinnie is a big reason why.
Finally. All I've been hearing is that the Vikings will be at the bottom of the division this season. I have tried to explain that the Vikes have a very good defense. Nobody listened. I tried to explain that the Vikes have a very good running game. Nobody listened. I tried to explain that depth and raw talent at wide receiver is enviable by most teams. Nobody listened. I even tried to explain that Tavaris Jackson is the quarterback of the future. His raw talent and pension for working very hard is reason to be optimistic. Nobody listened. It's nice to see that someone else shares my view of the Vikings.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a couple people have emptied the Kool-aid. We have nothing proven but a defense that is very stingy against the run. I like McKinnie but he has not inspired me. The right side is weak. The offense is one dimensional not difficult to stop the run when the pass is not there. It is July folks are tickets aren't even here yet. Lets get everyone through camp and the injury season games then we can start with the optimism. Nick
ReplyDeleteThe right side of the o-line is un-proven, not weak. Cook came in late last season and did an admirable job at right tackle and Hicks did o.k. at right guard. It's safe to assume that they will improve this year. It's true, the pass was not there last year, but you can't judge this years' team by what the ex-viking players did last year. The Vikings are very deep at most positions and a couple of training camp injuries won't kill them. Optimist
ReplyDeleteIf teams will be able to stop our run so easily,because of no passing attack,then why couldn't we stop other teams last year from passing on us?After all, we all know it was impossible to run against our defense right?
ReplyDeleteMckinney is a bum. He commenced to sucking as soon as he got paid, and he'll have his next good season in his contract year, whenever that is. Philly replaced Hicks with an unproven player because Hicks is a good as he's ever going to be, and that's not good enough. Cook may or may not be the answer, but saying he came on the end of last season is a stretch. I'll watch them all year again, they're my team, but if they win four games I'll be ecstatic. My opinion is that Childress, on orders from Ziggy, is tearing this team down in order to expedite a move to LA.
ReplyDeleteif your new running back is really eric dickerson then alot of things will change for the vikings offense.
ReplyDeleterk
shimrod
ReplyDeleteif the bald one is tearing the team down on orders from wilf why did they draft AP when they could have drafted a lineman or other "boring" position?
and why would ziggy spend 40 freekin million on parking lots next to the metrodome? wouldnt he be buying up LA instead? dont do the vikes any favors by watching them with your 4 wins mentality, they dont need you
This is a perfect time for the Vikings fans to be excited. Right before they play any games! Maybe even 4 or 6 games into the season, but then as usual, they will fade along with their fare weather fans into the cold cold Minnesota winter!
ReplyDeleteWhy do some of you guys even bother? Is your life that horrible that you have to gripe on football fan sites? If you aint a VIKINGS FAN, what are you even doing here? I've been a fan since inception and even though it's hard to love 'em sometimes, I will never give up. I will continue to bleed purple until some substantial evidence magically appears proving the NFL is tainted and that our owners are part of the conspiracy. I think there are too many variables to manipulate the entire integrity of the game and therefore don't forsee this becomming a reality. Bottom Line: WE DON'T NEED A BANDWAGON!! We are lucky to have such a storied franchise in our city and need to support it more loudly and more often. Tarvaris "The Truth" Jackson for president!!!
ReplyDeleteAP will be on IR before preseason is over. Taylor will again get most of the available yards, but they will be few and far between as we return the same sorry line, an inexperienced division II QB who stunk up every game he played last year, and the worst set of wideouts in the league. And the Vikes are sitting on the third most cap room in the NFL. I don't think they're trying too hard.
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