What was that bang?'s Wild Card Preview
At Epic Carnival, wwtb? previews the playoffs by telling us which teams' fanbases have suffered the most.
PV's playoff notes
I see three teams in the Wild Card Round capable of making it to the Super Bowl: in order, San Diego, Jacksonville, and Seattle. To the rest of the teams, I say like Principle Skinner, "Prove me wrong!" Look just past their records and look at the points scored and points allowed rankings. The Chargers were 5th and 5th, the Jaguars were 6th and 10th, and the Seahawks were 9th and 6th. The Steelers ranked 9th and 2nd, but I don't believe in them (not as good in the second half of the season as they were in the first half). The other Wild Card teams don't have top-10 rankings in both categories.
For yucks, here is my personal ranking for who I want to see win the Super Bowl. Some of this is easily explainable (I hate Green Bay and resent Boston for winning with former Minnesota players; I'm a Peyton Manning rube); some are just gut feelings I can't explain.
1. Indianapolis
2. San Diego
3. Seattle
4. Jacksonville
5. Dallas
6. Pittsburgh
7. New York
8. Washington
9. Tennessee
10. Tampa Bay
11. New England
12. Green Bay
The Vikings' top offseason priority should be at WIDE RECEIVER
I've already seen a lot of articles about Tarvaris Jackson and the Viking quarterback situation (like here, here, here, here, and here) . It's easy to focus on quarterback (and worthwhile), but I hope the Vikings realize their top priority should be upgrading the wide receiver corps. One reason no Viking QB had much success in 2007 (Jackson was inconsistent, and Holcomb/Bollinger were 0-4 as starters and the offense averaged 10.5 ppg in their starts) was because the weak WR unit.
Sidney Rice showed some flashes of real ability, and Bobby Wade would be a solid #3 WR. Hopefully Rice improves to be a polished, reliable starter, and hopefully Wade becomes a #3 and not a #1. The 2007 Vikings just didn't have any WR that was both experienced/polished/consistent/reliable and athletic/fast/playmaking.
Whether Tarvaris Jackson is the 2008 starter or not, whoever is quarterbacking the 2008 Viking needs better wide receivers to throw to.
In 2007, free agent wide receiver Kevin Curtis chose Philadelphia over Minnesota in part, I believe, because he wanted to play with Donovan McNabb instead of an inexperienced second-round, second-year quarterback (I'm guessing he won't feel happy if in 2008 Donovan McNabb is in Minnesota while he catches passes from an inexperienced second-round, second-year quarterback). I don't know how many WRs will choose Minnesota; the Vikings will probably have to overpay. And that's fine--I'd rather have them overpay at WR than keep the WR corps as is because they don't want to overpay.
I don't know exactly how the Vikings should go about improving the WRs. Bernard Berrian is evidently the best FA WR available (though if D.J. Hackett is available, I'd prioritize him), and in crazy fantasy world, WRs like Javon Walker and Chad Johnson may be available (I see no way Johnson ends up in Minnesota).
Jackson needs to improve: he was inconsistent in 2007 in his accuracy and decision making, two critical areas for a quarterback. Wide receivers that get open easier (and catch the ball when they're open) should help.
2007 Stats
Let's look at pro-football-reference.com for some statistical milestones and updates.
I didn't read or hear anybody talking about this, but it turns out that Drew Brees shattered the single season record for completions in a season with 443. But he averaged a pretty lousy 10.0 yards per completion and his team went 7-9, so nobody really noticed.
Tom Brady set the passing TD record with 50, but his 4,806 yards passing was also third best all-time.
The all-time passing TD leaderboard got shaken up, as Brett Favre moved to #1 with 442 TDs, and Peyton Manning moved to #4 with 306 TD passes. Manning is now just 36 TDs away from Fran Tarkenton, and at his (very consistent) pace should pass Frantastic in early 2009. Favre also now has a record 288 interceptions.
Two rushing titles alone don't make a Hall of Famer, but historically, few RBs win multiple Rushing Titles without being Hall of Famers. Ladanian Tomlinson is now a two-time rushing leader.
You know Randy Moss caught a record 23 TD receptions this season. That brings his career total to 124, 4th all-time. Terrell Owens is 3rd all-time with 129, and Marvin Harrison is 5th all-time with 123. I don't think any of these players will catch Jerry Rice at 197, but Moss could get close.
Other Links
Cold, Hard Football Facts notes some league leaders in categories that often don't get attention (but that are important, such as first down runs and first down catches).
Dr. Z previews Wild Card weekend.
Weekend
Four playoff games this weekend, all televised on broadcast. I'm pretty willing to allow my time and energy to be sucked up entirely by these four games. If games get boring, I'll put the game on mute and read Dostoevsky.
Enjoy your weekend, people.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Blizzard: we're done with Souhan and Powers
Here's this blog's resolution for 2008: PV will not read a single column by Jim Souhan or Tom Powers (I thought of including Patrick Reusse, but I'm slightly warming to him). I realize that neither Souhan nor Powers have ever provided any relevant insights on the Vikings in their columns; they've just annoyed me with their insults and hapless attempts at humor. They are not good writers, and I would like to try make 2008 Souhan and Powers free.
This will negatively affect those readers who enjoy the Bad Sportswriting tag at this blog. I'm sorry that in 2008 I won't be there to help you lambaste these awful writers. But there are plenty of other bad sportswriters out there, and we'll continue to write scathing critiques of their works; Souhan and Powers have just annoyed me enough that I'm not going to bother with them anymore.
Links
Moderately Cerebral Bias points out the generational nature in ESPN-backlash: ESPN likely targets teenagers, and if you don't like ESPN anymore, it's probably not because ESPN started sucking, but because you grew up.
The Star Tribune reports that Viking players support Tarvaris Jackson returning as the starting QB.
The Pioneer Press notes the four areas the Vikings must work to improve in the offseason (the first three areas include some form of the word "pass").
Let me ask this to Cleveland Browns fans: would you rather be 10-6 and get whooped in the first round of the playoffs, or would you rather be 10-6 and miss the playoffs? Either way, a 10 win season is an accomplishment and a major sign of progress (it's the Browns' best record since returning in 1999). It's alright, thenaturalmevs: you're watching a team on the rise.
The Boston Celtics have played 30 games and the Minnesota Timberwolves have played 31 games. The Celtics have won 27 and the Timberwolves have won 4. They've got Randy Moss and Kevin Garnett: there's a reason Minnesota fans are much more bitter about the overall Boston sports success than anybody else.
At Epic Carnival, DMtShooter tells you what NFL storylines you're going to be tired of this NFL offseason (if you're not already).
I might continue with more links, but I have to go Magic Bullet some smoothies. More links another time, suckers.
This will negatively affect those readers who enjoy the Bad Sportswriting tag at this blog. I'm sorry that in 2008 I won't be there to help you lambaste these awful writers. But there are plenty of other bad sportswriters out there, and we'll continue to write scathing critiques of their works; Souhan and Powers have just annoyed me enough that I'm not going to bother with them anymore.
Links
Moderately Cerebral Bias points out the generational nature in ESPN-backlash: ESPN likely targets teenagers, and if you don't like ESPN anymore, it's probably not because ESPN started sucking, but because you grew up.
The Star Tribune reports that Viking players support Tarvaris Jackson returning as the starting QB.
The Pioneer Press notes the four areas the Vikings must work to improve in the offseason (the first three areas include some form of the word "pass").
Let me ask this to Cleveland Browns fans: would you rather be 10-6 and get whooped in the first round of the playoffs, or would you rather be 10-6 and miss the playoffs? Either way, a 10 win season is an accomplishment and a major sign of progress (it's the Browns' best record since returning in 1999). It's alright, thenaturalmevs: you're watching a team on the rise.
The Boston Celtics have played 30 games and the Minnesota Timberwolves have played 31 games. The Celtics have won 27 and the Timberwolves have won 4. They've got Randy Moss and Kevin Garnett: there's a reason Minnesota fans are much more bitter about the overall Boston sports success than anybody else.
At Epic Carnival, DMtShooter tells you what NFL storylines you're going to be tired of this NFL offseason (if you're not already).
I might continue with more links, but I have to go Magic Bullet some smoothies. More links another time, suckers.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Another year closer to death
"Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now" by A. E. Housman
Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.
Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.
And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.
Another year goes by, and there's one fewer chance that I'll see the Vikings win a Super Bowl before I die.
Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.
Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.
And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.
Another year goes by, and there's one fewer chance that I'll see the Vikings win a Super Bowl before I die.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Viking Offseason: quarterbacks and wide receivers
It's a day after the season. We love the NFL playoffs and will blog the hell out of them. And soon the obsession of the season will recede, and we'll write about other things (HH, wwtb?, and I have other things to write about and we sometimes do, more likely in the Viking offseason). But why the hell shouldn't we go ahead and start talking about the Vikings' offseason needs? It's on our minds, so here we go.
The 8-8 2007 Vikings had one major weakness: their offensive passing game was inadequate. Thus improving the quarterbacks and wide receivers must be the priority of the 2008 offseason.
Quarterbacks
I see only two possible options.
Plan A: acquire Donovan McNabb
We're at a stage where Tarvaris Jackson may turn into a competent or good quarterback. We're at a stage where Donovan McNabb is a very good quarterback. He has been and may be again an elite quarterback. No matter what you think of Tarvaris Jackson, is is better than may turn into. If Donovan McNabb is really available, the Vikings should do whatever they can to acquire him. He's good now, and with McNabb at quarterback, the Vikings would immediately be a major contender for the NFC North, and the NFC. I don't know whether he will be available, but if he is, the Vikings would be utterly foolish to pass on him.
There's a secondary benefit: Donovan McNabb would put asses in the seats. The Vikes struggled to sell out the Metrodome in 2007; I doubt that would be a problem in 2008 with Donovan McNabb (I'm leaning against renewing my season tickets for personal reasons: the time and money commitment is too high for this stage of my life. However, if the Vikings had McNabb, I would pretty much ignore the time and money commitment and get myself to the Metrodome for every home game).
If McNabb is really not available, only then should they move to the second plan.
Plan B: acquire a legitimate, competent veteran backup quarterback to Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson can go into 2008 as the Viking starting quarterback. But given that he's still at the may turn into stage, a team that can win now needs to have another option if Jackson fails. Furthermore, Jackson missed games with injury for three separate injuries in 2007; the Vikes need a reliable backup option if Jackson gets injured again.
Those are the only two options I would consider. It would be pointless to draft a quarterback in the first round to start 2008: the Vikings can win immediately, and 3rd year Tarvaris Jackson is probably better than rookie anybody. And I don't think there's a veteran QB worth acquiring to compete with or replace Jackson.
There's no reason Kelly Holcomb or Brooks Bollinger need to be on the roster in 2008.
Wide Receivers
There are three current Viking WRs who should be on the 2008 roster.
Sidney Rice: at worst, he's going to turn into a playmaking #2 or #3 WR. At best, he's going to turn into a playmaking #1 WR.
Bobby Wade: Wade is a reliable #3 WR: he's good in the slot, he blocks hard, and he catches the ball when it gets to him. He doesn't have the ability to get separation or get downfield consistently, so he really shouldn't be a #1 or #2 WR.
Aundrae Allison: He's good enough to return as a kick returner, and so he can be a part of the wide receiver mix.
Robert Ferguson is just below OK, and there's no pressing need to bring him back. Troy Williamson really needs to be finished with the Vikings. I can't even remember if there are any other WRs on the roster, so they probably don't need to return.
And then the Vikings need to exhaust all possible resources and outlets to acquire playmaking WRs. It's such a pressing need that the Vikings may even need to sign talented malcontents. Javon Walker was unhappy in Green Bay and now he's unhappy in Denver. He'd probably be unhappy in Minnesota, but he's still really good. We can't realistically expect some of the possibly available talented but occasionally pissy WRs to want to come to the Viking QB situation (Chad Johnson, Randy Moss). Larry Fitzgerald makes a lot of money, but he can't really be available, right? But the Vikes need to explore every possible good WR. They can't assume a player isn't available: they must find out for sure.
The draft, free agency, and trades: anything to get any good wide receivers.
Obsession. We have a problem. If we didn't, this blog wouldnt' even exist.
The 8-8 2007 Vikings had one major weakness: their offensive passing game was inadequate. Thus improving the quarterbacks and wide receivers must be the priority of the 2008 offseason.
Quarterbacks
I see only two possible options.
Plan A: acquire Donovan McNabb
We're at a stage where Tarvaris Jackson may turn into a competent or good quarterback. We're at a stage where Donovan McNabb is a very good quarterback. He has been and may be again an elite quarterback. No matter what you think of Tarvaris Jackson, is is better than may turn into. If Donovan McNabb is really available, the Vikings should do whatever they can to acquire him. He's good now, and with McNabb at quarterback, the Vikings would immediately be a major contender for the NFC North, and the NFC. I don't know whether he will be available, but if he is, the Vikings would be utterly foolish to pass on him.
There's a secondary benefit: Donovan McNabb would put asses in the seats. The Vikes struggled to sell out the Metrodome in 2007; I doubt that would be a problem in 2008 with Donovan McNabb (I'm leaning against renewing my season tickets for personal reasons: the time and money commitment is too high for this stage of my life. However, if the Vikings had McNabb, I would pretty much ignore the time and money commitment and get myself to the Metrodome for every home game).
If McNabb is really not available, only then should they move to the second plan.
Plan B: acquire a legitimate, competent veteran backup quarterback to Tarvaris Jackson
Tarvaris Jackson can go into 2008 as the Viking starting quarterback. But given that he's still at the may turn into stage, a team that can win now needs to have another option if Jackson fails. Furthermore, Jackson missed games with injury for three separate injuries in 2007; the Vikes need a reliable backup option if Jackson gets injured again.
Those are the only two options I would consider. It would be pointless to draft a quarterback in the first round to start 2008: the Vikings can win immediately, and 3rd year Tarvaris Jackson is probably better than rookie anybody. And I don't think there's a veteran QB worth acquiring to compete with or replace Jackson.
There's no reason Kelly Holcomb or Brooks Bollinger need to be on the roster in 2008.
Wide Receivers
There are three current Viking WRs who should be on the 2008 roster.
Sidney Rice: at worst, he's going to turn into a playmaking #2 or #3 WR. At best, he's going to turn into a playmaking #1 WR.
Bobby Wade: Wade is a reliable #3 WR: he's good in the slot, he blocks hard, and he catches the ball when it gets to him. He doesn't have the ability to get separation or get downfield consistently, so he really shouldn't be a #1 or #2 WR.
Aundrae Allison: He's good enough to return as a kick returner, and so he can be a part of the wide receiver mix.
Robert Ferguson is just below OK, and there's no pressing need to bring him back. Troy Williamson really needs to be finished with the Vikings. I can't even remember if there are any other WRs on the roster, so they probably don't need to return.
And then the Vikings need to exhaust all possible resources and outlets to acquire playmaking WRs. It's such a pressing need that the Vikings may even need to sign talented malcontents. Javon Walker was unhappy in Green Bay and now he's unhappy in Denver. He'd probably be unhappy in Minnesota, but he's still really good. We can't realistically expect some of the possibly available talented but occasionally pissy WRs to want to come to the Viking QB situation (Chad Johnson, Randy Moss). Larry Fitzgerald makes a lot of money, but he can't really be available, right? But the Vikes need to explore every possible good WR. They can't assume a player isn't available: they must find out for sure.
The draft, free agency, and trades: anything to get any good wide receivers.
Obsession. We have a problem. If we didn't, this blog wouldnt' even exist.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Stats. Yippee, stats (with Viking comments at the end)
At the end of the season, it's always fun to look at stats around the league. I like to look at the league leaders in a few categories (the "Black Ink Test" makes a lot of sense), and after all, these are all the stats that will be on the backs of the football cards we buy next summer. NFL.com is mostly updated, and as always, we can rely on pro-football-reference.com for a lot of numbers we want to look at. This is really random and not analytical: I really like looking at season by season stats, so if I'm wasting my time with it, why not waste more time blogging about it. I'm spent talking about the 2007 Vikings; they've already taken up more of my time, money, and energy than they really deserved.
Comparing Tom Brady's 2007 to Peyton Manning's 2004
At the end, Tom Brady's career statistical year is pretty comparable to Peyton Manning's career statistical year.
Let's wipe out discussion of wins first: Brady's '07 Pats won 16 games, partly helped by the #1 defense in points allowed; Manning's '04 Colts ranked 19th in points allowed (and won 12 games). Let's also wipe out discussion of teammate contributions: Manning's '04 combo of Harrison-Wayne-Stokley is a wash with Brady's '07 combo of Moss-Welker-Stallworth.
Brady '07 edges Manning '04 in:
TD passes (50-49)
Yards (4,806-4,557)*
Interceptions (8-10)
Completion percentage (68.9%-67.6%)
*Manning sat most of week 16 in 2004, throwing for just 6 yards: take that game away, and Manning averaged 303.4 yards per game, while Brady's '07 average was 300.4 per game.
Manning '04 edges Brady '07 in most of the averages categories:
Yards per Attempt (9.2-8.3)
Yards per Completion (13.6-12.1)
Touchdown Percentage (9.9%-8.7%)
In the end, the seasons are very close: 50 TD, 8 INT for Brady just edges 49 TD, 10 INT for Manning, and 67.6% for Manning is just a bit behind 68.9% for Brady (it's the difference of around 6 completions on the year). Excluding the final game of 2004 when Manning threw two passes, they each averaged 300 yards per game. Brady broke the significant TD record, but threw more passes than Manning, and in reality Manning's 49 TDs were in 15 games. So at the end, we're talking about a QB that completed 67-69% of his passes, threw for about 300 yards per game, threw for 49-50 TD passes, and threw just 8-10 interceptions. Brady just edges Manning, but it's really close to a wash.
And a bit on the Manning-Brady comparisons
For his career, the average Peyton Manning season features 64.2% passing for 4,163 yards, 30.6 TDs, and 15.3 interceptions, and 10.4 regular season wins. That's his freaking average.
As a starter, the average Tom Brady season features 63% passing for 3,766 yards, 28.1 TDs and 12.3 interceptions, and 12.3 regular season wins. I do think Peyton Manning is the best quarterback of all-time, but clearly, Tom Brady is also one of the greatest quarterbacks ever.
The difference in wins for the two QBs (in regular season and postseason) can be credited partly to the defenses each QB has had. The Indianapolis Colts' defensive points allowed rankings in Manning's 10 years with the team: 29, 17, 15, 31, 7, 20, 19, 2, 21, 2. The New England Patriots' defensive points allowed rankings in Brady's seven seasons as starter: 6, 17, 1, 2, 17, 2, 1. The average finish for the Colts' defense in Manning's reign is 15.6, while the average finish for the Patriots' defense during Brady's reign is 6.6; I'd say that could be the difference between 2 wins per season and a 12-2 playoff record versus a 7-6 playoff record (it's not surprising that in Peyton Manning's playoff losses, the Colts gave up 24.7 ppg, and in his wins the Colts gave up 18.6 ppg; in Tom Brady's playoff losses, the Patriots gave up 32.5 ppg, and in his playoff wins, they gave up 16.25 ppg). While quarterback is the most important position in football, teams win football games, not individual players.
Note, stat folks: I'm an English teacher, not a mathematician; I'm just observing and presenting some of the obvious numbers, not doing any rigid analysis.
Randy Moss's 23 TD receptions
Tom Brady's 50 TD passes breaks a three year old record; Randy Moss's 23 TD receptions breaks a 20 year old record. Consider this, too: before Moss joined the Pats, Tom Brady's career high for TD passes in a season was 28, which he did twice: Randy Moss, receiver of 23 TD receptions, helped Brady beat his career high by 22.
Look just below Moss on the TD leaderboard: third-year WR Braylon Edwards caught 16 freaking touchdowns. Edwards was the third pick in 2005; at pick seven, the Vikings selected Troy Williamson. The new economic theory on the draft is that higher picks are bad for you because you have to pay them more. OK--but you still want elite players, and sometimes the difference between pick #3 and pick #7 is the difference between Braylon Edwards and Troy Williamson.
Receiving yards leader: Reggie Wayne
Adding in his 87 yards Sunday Night, Wayne led the league with 1,510 yards. I've always thought receiving yards is more significant than receptions: it's what you do with your catches that matters, right? Reggie Wayne is having a nice career, and he showed this season he can be Manning's go-to-guy without Harrison. Before the season I speculated that Wayne would take over as the #1 WR on the team, so I made him a fantasy football priority--Harrison's injury obviously made Wayne the guy, but last season their numbers were pretty close to identical. With or without Harrison, Reggie Wayne is now Indianapolis' #1 WR.
TD passes
Four QBs threw over 30 TD passes: Tom Brady (50), Tony Romo (36), Ben Roethlisberger (32), and Peyton Manning (31). It's Manning's fourth time with 30+; each other QB did it for the first time. Six more QBs threw between 26 and 29 TD passes, which is why in fantasy football, you can usually function just fine with a second-tier option. Bananas seasons from a QB really help, though (in the Hazelweird League, in 2004 the champ and high scorer had Manning, and in 2007, the #2 team and high scorer had Brady).
Rushing Title: Ladanian Tomlinson
It seems that being a league leader in rushing yards means a lot to a RB's legacy. It really doesn't happen for other positions or statistical categories, but people will mention how many "Rushing Titles" a running back has. Tomlinson won his second rushing title, which is just icing for his great career. Adrian Peterson really struggled in the last four games, but still finished second. 17 RBs finished with 1,000+ yards, which is why that number itself isn't really anything special. A merely average running back that starts all season should get that (it's 62.5 yards per game).
Yards from Scrimmage
Maddeningly, NFL.com doesn't list leaders in yards from scrimmage, which I consider to be a critical category for RBs. Some offenses really involve RBs in the passing game, and those RBs deserve credit for their total contribution to the team. I'm going to guess that with 2,104 yards, Brian Westbrook led the league in yards from scrimmage this season.
OK, the Vikings
Somewhat maddeningly, our 8-8 Vikes ranked #1 in rush yards per game, #1 in rush yards per attempt, #1 in rush yards per game allowed, and #2 in rush yards per attempt allowed. Before the season I said that "one expects a team with a good defense and a good running game to be competitive." They were: 8-8 with just three losses by more than one score means the Vikings were competing in just about every game. But that's it: they competed. We want them to move beyond merely competing; we want them to win.
I'll say what I said repeatedly throughout the season: the main problem with the 2007 Viking team was the passing game personnel. They just didn't have adequate performances from the QB, WR, or TE positions. If they can put in the components of a real NFL passing game, they will be a good football team and will compete for a championship. Some components might already be on the roster and need improved performance and consistency (Sidney Rice, and maybe Tarvaris Jackson); other components will need to be acquired through draft, free agency, and trade. It's a passing league, and as Aaron Schatz writes, teams win in the playoffs "by passing the ball and shutting down the other team's quarterback with good pass defense."
And now we've got an offseason to talk about how the Vikings can build a passing game. If they do, they're a team on the rise; if they don't, they'll never rise beyond mediocre and merely competitive.
Comparing Tom Brady's 2007 to Peyton Manning's 2004
At the end, Tom Brady's career statistical year is pretty comparable to Peyton Manning's career statistical year.
Let's wipe out discussion of wins first: Brady's '07 Pats won 16 games, partly helped by the #1 defense in points allowed; Manning's '04 Colts ranked 19th in points allowed (and won 12 games). Let's also wipe out discussion of teammate contributions: Manning's '04 combo of Harrison-Wayne-Stokley is a wash with Brady's '07 combo of Moss-Welker-Stallworth.
Brady '07 edges Manning '04 in:
TD passes (50-49)
Yards (4,806-4,557)*
Interceptions (8-10)
Completion percentage (68.9%-67.6%)
*Manning sat most of week 16 in 2004, throwing for just 6 yards: take that game away, and Manning averaged 303.4 yards per game, while Brady's '07 average was 300.4 per game.
Manning '04 edges Brady '07 in most of the averages categories:
Yards per Attempt (9.2-8.3)
Yards per Completion (13.6-12.1)
Touchdown Percentage (9.9%-8.7%)
In the end, the seasons are very close: 50 TD, 8 INT for Brady just edges 49 TD, 10 INT for Manning, and 67.6% for Manning is just a bit behind 68.9% for Brady (it's the difference of around 6 completions on the year). Excluding the final game of 2004 when Manning threw two passes, they each averaged 300 yards per game. Brady broke the significant TD record, but threw more passes than Manning, and in reality Manning's 49 TDs were in 15 games. So at the end, we're talking about a QB that completed 67-69% of his passes, threw for about 300 yards per game, threw for 49-50 TD passes, and threw just 8-10 interceptions. Brady just edges Manning, but it's really close to a wash.
And a bit on the Manning-Brady comparisons
For his career, the average Peyton Manning season features 64.2% passing for 4,163 yards, 30.6 TDs, and 15.3 interceptions, and 10.4 regular season wins. That's his freaking average.
As a starter, the average Tom Brady season features 63% passing for 3,766 yards, 28.1 TDs and 12.3 interceptions, and 12.3 regular season wins. I do think Peyton Manning is the best quarterback of all-time, but clearly, Tom Brady is also one of the greatest quarterbacks ever.
The difference in wins for the two QBs (in regular season and postseason) can be credited partly to the defenses each QB has had. The Indianapolis Colts' defensive points allowed rankings in Manning's 10 years with the team: 29, 17, 15, 31, 7, 20, 19, 2, 21, 2. The New England Patriots' defensive points allowed rankings in Brady's seven seasons as starter: 6, 17, 1, 2, 17, 2, 1. The average finish for the Colts' defense in Manning's reign is 15.6, while the average finish for the Patriots' defense during Brady's reign is 6.6; I'd say that could be the difference between 2 wins per season and a 12-2 playoff record versus a 7-6 playoff record (it's not surprising that in Peyton Manning's playoff losses, the Colts gave up 24.7 ppg, and in his wins the Colts gave up 18.6 ppg; in Tom Brady's playoff losses, the Patriots gave up 32.5 ppg, and in his playoff wins, they gave up 16.25 ppg). While quarterback is the most important position in football, teams win football games, not individual players.
Note, stat folks: I'm an English teacher, not a mathematician; I'm just observing and presenting some of the obvious numbers, not doing any rigid analysis.
Randy Moss's 23 TD receptions
Tom Brady's 50 TD passes breaks a three year old record; Randy Moss's 23 TD receptions breaks a 20 year old record. Consider this, too: before Moss joined the Pats, Tom Brady's career high for TD passes in a season was 28, which he did twice: Randy Moss, receiver of 23 TD receptions, helped Brady beat his career high by 22.
Look just below Moss on the TD leaderboard: third-year WR Braylon Edwards caught 16 freaking touchdowns. Edwards was the third pick in 2005; at pick seven, the Vikings selected Troy Williamson. The new economic theory on the draft is that higher picks are bad for you because you have to pay them more. OK--but you still want elite players, and sometimes the difference between pick #3 and pick #7 is the difference between Braylon Edwards and Troy Williamson.
Receiving yards leader: Reggie Wayne
Adding in his 87 yards Sunday Night, Wayne led the league with 1,510 yards. I've always thought receiving yards is more significant than receptions: it's what you do with your catches that matters, right? Reggie Wayne is having a nice career, and he showed this season he can be Manning's go-to-guy without Harrison. Before the season I speculated that Wayne would take over as the #1 WR on the team, so I made him a fantasy football priority--Harrison's injury obviously made Wayne the guy, but last season their numbers were pretty close to identical. With or without Harrison, Reggie Wayne is now Indianapolis' #1 WR.
TD passes
Four QBs threw over 30 TD passes: Tom Brady (50), Tony Romo (36), Ben Roethlisberger (32), and Peyton Manning (31). It's Manning's fourth time with 30+; each other QB did it for the first time. Six more QBs threw between 26 and 29 TD passes, which is why in fantasy football, you can usually function just fine with a second-tier option. Bananas seasons from a QB really help, though (in the Hazelweird League, in 2004 the champ and high scorer had Manning, and in 2007, the #2 team and high scorer had Brady).
Rushing Title: Ladanian Tomlinson
It seems that being a league leader in rushing yards means a lot to a RB's legacy. It really doesn't happen for other positions or statistical categories, but people will mention how many "Rushing Titles" a running back has. Tomlinson won his second rushing title, which is just icing for his great career. Adrian Peterson really struggled in the last four games, but still finished second. 17 RBs finished with 1,000+ yards, which is why that number itself isn't really anything special. A merely average running back that starts all season should get that (it's 62.5 yards per game).
Yards from Scrimmage
Maddeningly, NFL.com doesn't list leaders in yards from scrimmage, which I consider to be a critical category for RBs. Some offenses really involve RBs in the passing game, and those RBs deserve credit for their total contribution to the team. I'm going to guess that with 2,104 yards, Brian Westbrook led the league in yards from scrimmage this season.
OK, the Vikings
Somewhat maddeningly, our 8-8 Vikes ranked #1 in rush yards per game, #1 in rush yards per attempt, #1 in rush yards per game allowed, and #2 in rush yards per attempt allowed. Before the season I said that "one expects a team with a good defense and a good running game to be competitive." They were: 8-8 with just three losses by more than one score means the Vikings were competing in just about every game. But that's it: they competed. We want them to move beyond merely competing; we want them to win.
I'll say what I said repeatedly throughout the season: the main problem with the 2007 Viking team was the passing game personnel. They just didn't have adequate performances from the QB, WR, or TE positions. If they can put in the components of a real NFL passing game, they will be a good football team and will compete for a championship. Some components might already be on the roster and need improved performance and consistency (Sidney Rice, and maybe Tarvaris Jackson); other components will need to be acquired through draft, free agency, and trade. It's a passing league, and as Aaron Schatz writes, teams win in the playoffs "by passing the ball and shutting down the other team's quarterback with good pass defense."
And now we've got an offseason to talk about how the Vikings can build a passing game. If they do, they're a team on the rise; if they don't, they'll never rise beyond mediocre and merely competitive.
On Brad Childress (short term)
After a 14-18 record in his first two seasons, there should be serious discussion about whether or not Brad Childress should return to coach the Vikings for a third season. There's not an obvious answer: an argument could be made either way.
But it takes a serious lack of rational thought to blame Brad Childress for today's loss at Denver. Childress didn't make Chester Taylor fumble at the goal line, costing the team 3-7 points (and he didn't make Taylor fumble later, leading to a Denver score). Childress didn't make Troy Williamson drop what would have been a 72 yard touchdown catch, costing the team 7 points (and he didn't make Williamson drop a third down pass later, either). The Vikings were playing a winnable game on the road at a difficult stadium, and at times they were playing really well. The Vikings lost because of obvious bad mistakes by individual players: it's difficult to put a whole bunch of blame on a head coach for fumbles and dropped passes.
I know those Viking fans who pure and simple loathe Childress will see this loss as his fault. And if you convince me that Brad Childress made Chester Taylor lose two costly fumbles and that he also made Troy Williamson drop two very easy passes, I'll agree with you.
But it takes a serious lack of rational thought to blame Brad Childress for today's loss at Denver. Childress didn't make Chester Taylor fumble at the goal line, costing the team 3-7 points (and he didn't make Taylor fumble later, leading to a Denver score). Childress didn't make Troy Williamson drop what would have been a 72 yard touchdown catch, costing the team 7 points (and he didn't make Williamson drop a third down pass later, either). The Vikings were playing a winnable game on the road at a difficult stadium, and at times they were playing really well. The Vikings lost because of obvious bad mistakes by individual players: it's difficult to put a whole bunch of blame on a head coach for fumbles and dropped passes.
I know those Viking fans who pure and simple loathe Childress will see this loss as his fault. And if you convince me that Brad Childress made Chester Taylor lose two costly fumbles and that he also made Troy Williamson drop two very easy passes, I'll agree with you.
Troy Williamson should be in horror movies
Nobody has made me scream out loud in the past two seasons more than Troy Williamson. Actually, nobody has ever made me scream in horror in my life as often as Troy Williamson.
Dead To Me
Troy Williamson. I guess NIKE doesn't work miracles. Wide-open, no defender within 15 yards and a perfectly delivered pass and he just flat out drops it.
Troy Williamson you are DEAD TO ME!
Troy Williamson you are DEAD TO ME!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Minneapolis-St. Paul is a nicer place to live than Boston (1)
I live with a pretty strong conviction that I'll never see my favorite sports team win a championship. Like Fox Mulder, I want to believe, but like George Costanza, I only believe in God for the bad things.
So watching Boston sports fans get everything just...well...sucks.
So while Boston sports fans are watching their teams win at everything and Minnesota sports fans live in a hopeless void, we must remind ourselves: we're better off.
So here's reason #1 that Minneapolis-St. Paul is a nicer place to live than Boston: theater. While they now get to watch Kevin Garnett (with competent teammates), we're too busy waiting for Tony Kushner to debut a new play at the Guthrie to really care.
So watching Boston sports fans get everything just...well...sucks.
So while Boston sports fans are watching their teams win at everything and Minnesota sports fans live in a hopeless void, we must remind ourselves: we're better off.
So here's reason #1 that Minneapolis-St. Paul is a nicer place to live than Boston: theater. While they now get to watch Kevin Garnett (with competent teammates), we're too busy waiting for Tony Kushner to debut a new play at the Guthrie to really care.
Friday, December 28, 2007
National Friday League, week seventeen
Vikings-Broncos
The 2007 Broncos rank #30 in the league in rushing yards allowed, #29 in rushing yards per attempt allowed, and #23 in rushing TDs allowed. The 2007 Vikings rank #1 in rushing yards, #1 in rushing yards per attempt, and #1 in rushing TDs. On the proverbial paper, the Vikings should run all over the place. But the Viking running game has been struggling lately, and Tarvaris Jackson isn't doing enough to take advantage of defensive schemes designed entirely to stop the run.
Denver has lost badly in its last two games, but they've also played some pretty good games at home this season.
While the game is going on, of course, we'll be watching the score between Washington and the Dallas backups. But regardless of what happens in Washington, a 9-7 season for a young team in a head coach's second season feels a lot better than an 8-8 season in the same situation. I'm rooting hard for a win.
Oh, wait!
According to the NFL.com preview of the Washington-Dallas game,
"Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has not confirmed he will sit any other starters or limit their playing time, saying he will play to win for 'the integrity of the game.'"
Adrian Peterson's problem (and why we need not fret it)
Like many talented rookie running backs, Adrian Peterson thinks he should score a touchdown on every play. Look at his tackles for no gain or tackles for loss: they almost all take place on the edges, where Peterson is trying to break out to the sideline. Instead of going up the middle to gain what he can, Peterson tries to cut outside, and lately linebackers and defensive backs have been catching him. With experience, he'll learn that churning out a four to six yard run up the middle is much better for the team than going to the edges to try break touchdowns every play.
This problem is also taking potential carries away from Peterson. If Peterson goes for no gain on 1st and 10, now it's 2nd and 10, and the Vikings start thinking pass. If Peterson could go up the middle and pick up five yards, now it's 2nd and 5, and the Vikings can still be thinking run. Peterson can get more opportunities--and more opportunities to break the big run when it's there--if he becomes a more consistent running back. He'll still be a breakaway player capable of scoring on any play, but he'll also be doing more to help his team move down the field.
What scares me about Tarvaris Jackson
The poor decision making doesn't scare me long term (though it certainly does in the short term). Tarvaris Jackson is a Division I-AA QB who has now started 13 NFL games--he's going to make bad decisions, and hopefully (hopefully!) he learns to avoid those ugly passes into coverage.
What scares me is that the inaccuracy is coming back. During his nice four game stretch, he was mostly putting passes on target, allowing his receivers to make easy plays. But during the last two games (even though his completion percentage was over 60% each game), he's overthrown and underthrown and leftthrown and rightthrown his wide receivers. He's been missing targets badly.
A quarterback can always improve his decision making. Can a quarterback improve his accuracy once he's reached the pro level? I'm not sure, and I'm worried that Jackson is just too inaccurate to be a good NFL QB.
On the plus side for Jackson, I would expect an inexperienced but mobile QB to take a lot of sacks. Jackson's sack percentage is a pretty solid 5.7% While he's throws some brutal interceptions, he does a good job either getting rid of the ball quickly or running to avoid sacks.
Randy Moss and Terrell Owens
Given that wide receivers are never given serious consideration for MVP, one way to appreciate the greatness of a wide receiver is to see what he does for his quarterback. For example, G.O.A.T. Jerry Rice never won an AP MVP, but he helped three different quarterbacks win five MVPs: Joe Montana ('89 and '90), Steve Young ('92 and '94), and Rich Gannon ('02).
So too Terrell Owens and Randy Moss will never win MVP awards. But Owens has helped four different quarterbacks throw for 30+ TD passes (Steve Young, Jeff Garcia [twice], Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo): each threw a career high when Owens was one of his targets. Randy Moss has now helped three different quarterbacks throw for 30+ TD passes (Randall Cunningham, Daunte Culpepper [twice], Tom Brady): each threw a career high when Moss was one of his targets.
Fantasy Narcissism: Week 17 is all about fantasy football
Fantasy leagues that use a playoff often end before Week 17 to avoid resting starters. The revolutionary Hazelweird League goes to the end, baby, so you have to plan for those resting starters. And since so many of Week 17's scheduled matchups are entirely pointless in the playoff scheme of things, it's all about fantasy football.
In Week 16 I committed a critical error that could cost me the Hazelweird Title. I had Kevin Curtis in my lineup Sunday morning, but I idiotically replaced him with David Patten. The substitution cost me about 13 points and exactly 2 wins in the Hazelweird's cross country scoring. If I had left Curtis in my lineup, I would be in an unprecedented three-way tie for first place going into Week 17. Instead, I'm two games back and need to beat both first-place contenders by three games to win the league. This is still entirely plausible and really could happen.
Peyton Manning threw 49 touchdowns in the first 15 games in 2004; the Colts rested their starters in the 16th game and Manning threw just two passes.
And 2007 is Manning's tenth straight season with 26+ TD passes, and his fourth career season with 30+ TD Passes. He's also led the Colts to their fifth consecutive 12+ win season.
Weekend
For teachers and students, it's all weekend right now: if you told me it's not actually Friday right now and this post comes a day early or a day late, I'd believe you. But have a good weekend, everybody.
The 2007 Broncos rank #30 in the league in rushing yards allowed, #29 in rushing yards per attempt allowed, and #23 in rushing TDs allowed. The 2007 Vikings rank #1 in rushing yards, #1 in rushing yards per attempt, and #1 in rushing TDs. On the proverbial paper, the Vikings should run all over the place. But the Viking running game has been struggling lately, and Tarvaris Jackson isn't doing enough to take advantage of defensive schemes designed entirely to stop the run.
Denver has lost badly in its last two games, but they've also played some pretty good games at home this season.
While the game is going on, of course, we'll be watching the score between Washington and the Dallas backups. But regardless of what happens in Washington, a 9-7 season for a young team in a head coach's second season feels a lot better than an 8-8 season in the same situation. I'm rooting hard for a win.
Oh, wait!
According to the NFL.com preview of the Washington-Dallas game,
"Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has not confirmed he will sit any other starters or limit their playing time, saying he will play to win for 'the integrity of the game.'"
Adrian Peterson's problem (and why we need not fret it)
Like many talented rookie running backs, Adrian Peterson thinks he should score a touchdown on every play. Look at his tackles for no gain or tackles for loss: they almost all take place on the edges, where Peterson is trying to break out to the sideline. Instead of going up the middle to gain what he can, Peterson tries to cut outside, and lately linebackers and defensive backs have been catching him. With experience, he'll learn that churning out a four to six yard run up the middle is much better for the team than going to the edges to try break touchdowns every play.
This problem is also taking potential carries away from Peterson. If Peterson goes for no gain on 1st and 10, now it's 2nd and 10, and the Vikings start thinking pass. If Peterson could go up the middle and pick up five yards, now it's 2nd and 5, and the Vikings can still be thinking run. Peterson can get more opportunities--and more opportunities to break the big run when it's there--if he becomes a more consistent running back. He'll still be a breakaway player capable of scoring on any play, but he'll also be doing more to help his team move down the field.
What scares me about Tarvaris Jackson
The poor decision making doesn't scare me long term (though it certainly does in the short term). Tarvaris Jackson is a Division I-AA QB who has now started 13 NFL games--he's going to make bad decisions, and hopefully (hopefully!) he learns to avoid those ugly passes into coverage.
What scares me is that the inaccuracy is coming back. During his nice four game stretch, he was mostly putting passes on target, allowing his receivers to make easy plays. But during the last two games (even though his completion percentage was over 60% each game), he's overthrown and underthrown and leftthrown and rightthrown his wide receivers. He's been missing targets badly.
A quarterback can always improve his decision making. Can a quarterback improve his accuracy once he's reached the pro level? I'm not sure, and I'm worried that Jackson is just too inaccurate to be a good NFL QB.
On the plus side for Jackson, I would expect an inexperienced but mobile QB to take a lot of sacks. Jackson's sack percentage is a pretty solid 5.7% While he's throws some brutal interceptions, he does a good job either getting rid of the ball quickly or running to avoid sacks.
Randy Moss and Terrell Owens
Given that wide receivers are never given serious consideration for MVP, one way to appreciate the greatness of a wide receiver is to see what he does for his quarterback. For example, G.O.A.T. Jerry Rice never won an AP MVP, but he helped three different quarterbacks win five MVPs: Joe Montana ('89 and '90), Steve Young ('92 and '94), and Rich Gannon ('02).
So too Terrell Owens and Randy Moss will never win MVP awards. But Owens has helped four different quarterbacks throw for 30+ TD passes (Steve Young, Jeff Garcia [twice], Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo): each threw a career high when Owens was one of his targets. Randy Moss has now helped three different quarterbacks throw for 30+ TD passes (Randall Cunningham, Daunte Culpepper [twice], Tom Brady): each threw a career high when Moss was one of his targets.
Fantasy Narcissism: Week 17 is all about fantasy football
Fantasy leagues that use a playoff often end before Week 17 to avoid resting starters. The revolutionary Hazelweird League goes to the end, baby, so you have to plan for those resting starters. And since so many of Week 17's scheduled matchups are entirely pointless in the playoff scheme of things, it's all about fantasy football.
In Week 16 I committed a critical error that could cost me the Hazelweird Title. I had Kevin Curtis in my lineup Sunday morning, but I idiotically replaced him with David Patten. The substitution cost me about 13 points and exactly 2 wins in the Hazelweird's cross country scoring. If I had left Curtis in my lineup, I would be in an unprecedented three-way tie for first place going into Week 17. Instead, I'm two games back and need to beat both first-place contenders by three games to win the league. This is still entirely plausible and really could happen.
Peyton Manning threw 49 touchdowns in the first 15 games in 2004; the Colts rested their starters in the 16th game and Manning threw just two passes.
And 2007 is Manning's tenth straight season with 26+ TD passes, and his fourth career season with 30+ TD Passes. He's also led the Colts to their fifth consecutive 12+ win season.
Weekend
For teachers and students, it's all weekend right now: if you told me it's not actually Friday right now and this post comes a day early or a day late, I'd believe you. But have a good weekend, everybody.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The Five Year Tease
Let's look at the Vikings' records at their peak moments of the past five seasons.
2003: 6-0
2004: 5-1
2005: 8-5
2006: 4-2
2007: 8-6
In those five years, the Vikings have never won 10 games in a season, and they've never won the NFC North. In each of these seasons the Vikes were doing enough to make us believe they could be something, but ultimately turned out to be merely teasing us. They made the playoffs in 2004 and won a playoff game at Lambeau Field, and that was good fun, of course; still, it's hard not to look back and see disappointed hopes.
We still don't know about 2007: if the Vikings beat Denver and Washington loses to Dallas, the Vikes will have made their second playoff appearance during these five seasons. Still, it feels like once again we've been teased.
2003: 6-0
2004: 5-1
2005: 8-5
2006: 4-2
2007: 8-6
In those five years, the Vikings have never won 10 games in a season, and they've never won the NFC North. In each of these seasons the Vikes were doing enough to make us believe they could be something, but ultimately turned out to be merely teasing us. They made the playoffs in 2004 and won a playoff game at Lambeau Field, and that was good fun, of course; still, it's hard not to look back and see disappointed hopes.
We still don't know about 2007: if the Vikings beat Denver and Washington loses to Dallas, the Vikes will have made their second playoff appearance during these five seasons. Still, it feels like once again we've been teased.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Signs of Hope
Unlike many other bloggers I am going to look for hope in the midst of despair. The 2nd half a totally different offense showed up. Jackson was handling the offense and making crisp passes and pretty good reads. Childress showed he could make half-time adjustments. Of course the challenge by Gibbs was a smart move by him, but totally killed the momentum we had going.
While Childress and Jackson showed signs of hope in the 2nd half, that first half was inexcusable. Childress as a head coach should have known that Washington was going to stack the box and he should have game planned to throw them out of it right away. Throwing on first down and lining up in constant 3 WR sets to spread out the defense. Oh well, I have hope.
Washington needs to lose and the Vikings have to win. We can do it (at least I hope). I for one welcome Childress and Jackson back next year, but I do hope that the Vikings acquire a veteran QB via free agency to replace the two hacks that we have. Fact is as bad as Jackson was in the 1st half he still is better than either Bollinger or Holcomb could have done. (They would have each been sacked at least 5-7 times under the pressure of Washington's D)
While Childress and Jackson showed signs of hope in the 2nd half, that first half was inexcusable. Childress as a head coach should have known that Washington was going to stack the box and he should have game planned to throw them out of it right away. Throwing on first down and lining up in constant 3 WR sets to spread out the defense. Oh well, I have hope.
Washington needs to lose and the Vikings have to win. We can do it (at least I hope). I for one welcome Childress and Jackson back next year, but I do hope that the Vikings acquire a veteran QB via free agency to replace the two hacks that we have. Fact is as bad as Jackson was in the 1st half he still is better than either Bollinger or Holcomb could have done. (They would have each been sacked at least 5-7 times under the pressure of Washington's D)
Live Blog: Minnesota vs. Washington
Okay, after watching the first series and commenting over 4 times on the previous post's comment section I decided it was time to just live blog this sucker.
7:32- Challenge! Will they determine there is conclusive evidence that the ball did not cross the plane?
7:33- Holy Crap! We won the challenge. Let's build on this huge stand!
7:33- Safety. Man this game is going to give me a heart attack. The Vikings make a huge defensive stance and then we follow it up by not getting out of the end zone. Why we ran to the right side of the line in a key situation like that escapes me. (yeah I know the whole fact of them probably loading up the left side, but you have to go to your strength)
7:39- E.J. Henderson is down on the field. I hope this is nothing serious because outside of the Williams' Wall he is the most important player on this defense.
7:42- That is not only the 2nd 3rd down conversion to Reche Caldwell, but it is the 2nd time that Cedric Griffin has been behind him by 5 yards at the time of the reception.
7:43- That had to be a breakdown in coverage. Crap. 9-0.
7:46- Is this what we are in for. An exciting return by Allison that almost was another Viking turnover. Even the exciting plays by the Vikings are instantly tempered by fear. First the great defensive stand into a safety and now this exciting return almost made my heart sink.
7:51- Just short. Great coverage on the punt. C'mon defense get us back in this game.
7:53- Side note: Pacifist Viking I am sure would have had strong words about the Armed Forces message by Sunday Night Football as we came back from break. Are we suppose to feel guilty that we aren't protecting our freedoms?
7:55- Huge defensive stop on 3rd and 6. Great return by more, even with the penalty the Vikings still have pretty good field position. We need to get some points out of this possession.
7:58- That false start is a killer. It takes us out of short yardage on 3rd down and also gets us out of FG territory.
7:59- A freaking wide open WR and you can't get it to him. Crap. And then the long field goal attempt is no good. That penalty was killer.
END OF 1ST QUARTER
(The way the 1st quarter went this could be a long night. The Redskins are dominating us. We need to open up the passing game to get those 8 defenders in the box to disappear.)
8:02- Does Citizen really expect us to buy their watches because they are unstoppable like Eli Manning? Are they serious? The Giants one today DESPITE the efforts of Eli Manning to lead them to another loss. Eli Manning is anything but unstoppable.
8:05- Wow, huge sack by E.J. Henderson.
8:07- Okay, our defense is keeping us in the game. 1st the huge stand at the goal line and now thanks to a bobbled snap they keep Washington from going up 12 points. C'mon offense, we need to put some points on the board.
8:10- Madden is right. Tarvaris Jackson needs to gain some traction in the passing game in order for our running game to have success. Shiancoe fumbles. Great, freaking great. I am dreaming of John Carlson right now.
8:13- Are you serious? Knight Rider is coming back to television? As long as Hasselhoff isn't the star I am watching. I used to look forward to Knight Rider so much as a kid.
8:16- I wonder if anyone else had the same feeling as me? If Sidney Rice were healthy I have a feeling the first play this possession would be a downfield long pass to him. Man, that injury really does hurt our game. Well maybe they will do it with Troy Williamson.
8:19- You just cannot, and I repeat, cannot make that throw. 2 interceptions, this game is not going well at all.
8:21- 16-0. This is depressing. This might sound crazy, but if I were Childress I would have Adrian Peterson returning this next kick. We need a big play to get our team some momentum and he is our big play threat. I hate seeing AP returning kicks, but I think this situation demands it.
8:24- Al Michaels annoys me. He can be an arrogant prick sometimes. He talks about AP like all these other announcers were proclaiming him the greatest of all time, but I remember Michaels himself saying something to the effect of AP possibly being the best in the NFL right now. Yet when he talks it seems like he never ever would have said something like that.
8:26- That high floater was begging to be interception number 3. Lucky for us it wasn't. In the words of Pacifist Viking (I can hear him screaming from the upper deck): Why not some screens?
8:28- Can I ask a question? Where in the world was the flag for "block in the back" on that punt. The Washington guy clearly ran over the Viking player through his back and he had an opportunity to be right there for the tackle.
8:36- See Minnesota. Screen Passes can work out very nice. Washington just showed you with Clinton Portis.
8:40- Great a Clinton Portis TD Pass. What next a 50 yard TD scramble by Todd Collins?
8:41- 44 seconds left. Can the Vikes move the ball and at least get some points on the board going into the half? They aren't even going to try. Great.
HALFTIME
8:59: Okay, we need our defense to come up with some turnovers and our offense has to be run to perfection. C'mon Vikings.
9:00: You never want to see a guy lying on the field like Mike Sellers is currently. Football can be a really scary sport. Good to see Sellers up and running.
9:04: Adrian Peterson. C'mon offense keep this up. 18 yard run, very nice.
9:06: 4th and Short. We need to go for this. Yes, we are going for it. No Penalties, cmon. CRAP!
9:12: 1st and Goal for Washington. This game is just depressing. I am done blogging it.
7:32- Challenge! Will they determine there is conclusive evidence that the ball did not cross the plane?
7:33- Holy Crap! We won the challenge. Let's build on this huge stand!
7:33- Safety. Man this game is going to give me a heart attack. The Vikings make a huge defensive stance and then we follow it up by not getting out of the end zone. Why we ran to the right side of the line in a key situation like that escapes me. (yeah I know the whole fact of them probably loading up the left side, but you have to go to your strength)
7:39- E.J. Henderson is down on the field. I hope this is nothing serious because outside of the Williams' Wall he is the most important player on this defense.
7:42- That is not only the 2nd 3rd down conversion to Reche Caldwell, but it is the 2nd time that Cedric Griffin has been behind him by 5 yards at the time of the reception.
7:43- That had to be a breakdown in coverage. Crap. 9-0.
7:46- Is this what we are in for. An exciting return by Allison that almost was another Viking turnover. Even the exciting plays by the Vikings are instantly tempered by fear. First the great defensive stand into a safety and now this exciting return almost made my heart sink.
7:51- Just short. Great coverage on the punt. C'mon defense get us back in this game.
7:53- Side note: Pacifist Viking I am sure would have had strong words about the Armed Forces message by Sunday Night Football as we came back from break. Are we suppose to feel guilty that we aren't protecting our freedoms?
7:55- Huge defensive stop on 3rd and 6. Great return by more, even with the penalty the Vikings still have pretty good field position. We need to get some points out of this possession.
7:58- That false start is a killer. It takes us out of short yardage on 3rd down and also gets us out of FG territory.
7:59- A freaking wide open WR and you can't get it to him. Crap. And then the long field goal attempt is no good. That penalty was killer.
END OF 1ST QUARTER
(The way the 1st quarter went this could be a long night. The Redskins are dominating us. We need to open up the passing game to get those 8 defenders in the box to disappear.)
8:02- Does Citizen really expect us to buy their watches because they are unstoppable like Eli Manning? Are they serious? The Giants one today DESPITE the efforts of Eli Manning to lead them to another loss. Eli Manning is anything but unstoppable.
8:05- Wow, huge sack by E.J. Henderson.
8:07- Okay, our defense is keeping us in the game. 1st the huge stand at the goal line and now thanks to a bobbled snap they keep Washington from going up 12 points. C'mon offense, we need to put some points on the board.
8:10- Madden is right. Tarvaris Jackson needs to gain some traction in the passing game in order for our running game to have success. Shiancoe fumbles. Great, freaking great. I am dreaming of John Carlson right now.
8:13- Are you serious? Knight Rider is coming back to television? As long as Hasselhoff isn't the star I am watching. I used to look forward to Knight Rider so much as a kid.
8:16- I wonder if anyone else had the same feeling as me? If Sidney Rice were healthy I have a feeling the first play this possession would be a downfield long pass to him. Man, that injury really does hurt our game. Well maybe they will do it with Troy Williamson.
8:19- You just cannot, and I repeat, cannot make that throw. 2 interceptions, this game is not going well at all.
8:21- 16-0. This is depressing. This might sound crazy, but if I were Childress I would have Adrian Peterson returning this next kick. We need a big play to get our team some momentum and he is our big play threat. I hate seeing AP returning kicks, but I think this situation demands it.
8:24- Al Michaels annoys me. He can be an arrogant prick sometimes. He talks about AP like all these other announcers were proclaiming him the greatest of all time, but I remember Michaels himself saying something to the effect of AP possibly being the best in the NFL right now. Yet when he talks it seems like he never ever would have said something like that.
8:26- That high floater was begging to be interception number 3. Lucky for us it wasn't. In the words of Pacifist Viking (I can hear him screaming from the upper deck): Why not some screens?
8:28- Can I ask a question? Where in the world was the flag for "block in the back" on that punt. The Washington guy clearly ran over the Viking player through his back and he had an opportunity to be right there for the tackle.
8:36- See Minnesota. Screen Passes can work out very nice. Washington just showed you with Clinton Portis.
8:40- Great a Clinton Portis TD Pass. What next a 50 yard TD scramble by Todd Collins?
8:41- 44 seconds left. Can the Vikes move the ball and at least get some points on the board going into the half? They aren't even going to try. Great.
HALFTIME
8:59: Okay, we need our defense to come up with some turnovers and our offense has to be run to perfection. C'mon Vikings.
9:00: You never want to see a guy lying on the field like Mike Sellers is currently. Football can be a really scary sport. Good to see Sellers up and running.
9:04: Adrian Peterson. C'mon offense keep this up. 18 yard run, very nice.
9:06: 4th and Short. We need to go for this. Yes, we are going for it. No Penalties, cmon. CRAP!
9:12: 1st and Goal for Washington. This game is just depressing. I am done blogging it.
Minnesota. Washington. Sunday Night. Thunderdome.
Comment before, during, and after the game. Skol Vikings.
Friday, December 21, 2007
wwtb? takes over the Blizzard
Oh, Pacifist Viking is too busy grading papers. As Livia Soprano would say, "Poor you!"
Well I can do this Blizzard shit. Nothing to it. It'll give you lousy bastards something to read before you go enjoy your capitalist holiday, you materialistic pricks.
Some senators are threatening to revoke the NFL's antitrust exemption because of the NFL Network (ESPN). Good for you: Teddy Roosevelt would hate the NFL's monopoly. But who gives a crap what Teddy Roosevelt would think about anything? I don't.
Marshall Faulk's #28 is retired for the Rams (Sports Illustrated).
Bill Parcells is now running the Dolphins (ESPN). I couldn't be more intrigued: a master coach is now running a proud, historic franchise that has fallen on hard times (but he's not coaching it).
Adrian Peterson wants to bring just about everybody who has anything to do with him to Hawaii (Star Tribune).
Michael David Smith watched the Vikings Monday, and has a lot of good things to say about them. But for some inexplicable reason, he thinks the team would be better off starting Kelly Holcomb or Brooks Bollinger rather than Tarvaris Jackson. The same Kelly Holcomb that takes a sack about once every eight times he drops back. The same Brooks Bollinger that takes a sack about once every nine times he drops back. Over Tarvaris Jackson who takes a sack about once every 19 times he drops back. Hey, sack rate ain't all, but it's one reason the Vikes were 0-4 in the games Jackson didn't start this season. Jackson's sack rate is 6.3%, Bollinger's 11.7%, and Holcomb's 12.3%. An offense with a shaky passing attack and a strong running game can't handle many 2nd and 17s or 3rd and 20s; Jackson has for the most part given the Vikings solid downs and distances to work with. He's not a god among quarterbacks, but he can do more to help the Vikings win than Holcomb or Bollinger can.
The new Pro-Football-Reference has been launched; check it out.
PV thinks PFT engages in anti-intellectualism. What does he think of Florio seeming to proudly ask "Who in the hell is Joyce Carol Oates?" (scroll down to the 8:11 post on Dec. 20th). She's a pretty well-known American fiction writer. But don't worry about it--if you don't like Tiki Barber's big words, you're probably not going to bother reading any of Joyce Carol Oates' work.
The Starting Five notes that more athletes are going straight to fans with their voices, rather than letting their souls be filtered through media interpreters.
The Nosebleeds is an NFL blog written by a Browns fan. Check it out.
So that's it, fools. On Sunday the Vikes play the Washington team with a racist nickname. Enjoy the game.
Well I can do this Blizzard shit. Nothing to it. It'll give you lousy bastards something to read before you go enjoy your capitalist holiday, you materialistic pricks.
Some senators are threatening to revoke the NFL's antitrust exemption because of the NFL Network (ESPN). Good for you: Teddy Roosevelt would hate the NFL's monopoly. But who gives a crap what Teddy Roosevelt would think about anything? I don't.
Marshall Faulk's #28 is retired for the Rams (Sports Illustrated).
Bill Parcells is now running the Dolphins (ESPN). I couldn't be more intrigued: a master coach is now running a proud, historic franchise that has fallen on hard times (but he's not coaching it).
Adrian Peterson wants to bring just about everybody who has anything to do with him to Hawaii (Star Tribune).
Michael David Smith watched the Vikings Monday, and has a lot of good things to say about them. But for some inexplicable reason, he thinks the team would be better off starting Kelly Holcomb or Brooks Bollinger rather than Tarvaris Jackson. The same Kelly Holcomb that takes a sack about once every eight times he drops back. The same Brooks Bollinger that takes a sack about once every nine times he drops back. Over Tarvaris Jackson who takes a sack about once every 19 times he drops back. Hey, sack rate ain't all, but it's one reason the Vikes were 0-4 in the games Jackson didn't start this season. Jackson's sack rate is 6.3%, Bollinger's 11.7%, and Holcomb's 12.3%. An offense with a shaky passing attack and a strong running game can't handle many 2nd and 17s or 3rd and 20s; Jackson has for the most part given the Vikings solid downs and distances to work with. He's not a god among quarterbacks, but he can do more to help the Vikings win than Holcomb or Bollinger can.
The new Pro-Football-Reference has been launched; check it out.
PV thinks PFT engages in anti-intellectualism. What does he think of Florio seeming to proudly ask "Who in the hell is Joyce Carol Oates?" (scroll down to the 8:11 post on Dec. 20th). She's a pretty well-known American fiction writer. But don't worry about it--if you don't like Tiki Barber's big words, you're probably not going to bother reading any of Joyce Carol Oates' work.
The Starting Five notes that more athletes are going straight to fans with their voices, rather than letting their souls be filtered through media interpreters.
The Nosebleeds is an NFL blog written by a Browns fan. Check it out.
So that's it, fools. On Sunday the Vikes play the Washington team with a racist nickname. Enjoy the game.
Finals Week, Fools
We'll be back to our regularly scheduled blogging soon. Or maybe we won't, how should I know? What's it to us (or you)?
Anyway, at Epic Carnival, wwtb? has a nice post called "A PLAYER ON MY FAVORITE TEAM DIDN'T MAKE THE PRO BOWL."
Anyway, at Epic Carnival, wwtb? has a nice post called "A PLAYER ON MY FAVORITE TEAM DIDN'T MAKE THE PRO BOWL."
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
E.J. Henderson
Viking middle linebacker E.J. Henderson has been a dominating football player in 2007, making plays all over the field. He stuffs the middle, he chases running backs sideline to sideline, and he puts pressure on the quarterback. He's been one of the really fun Vikings to watch, and I'm really excited to have him on the team.
It is disappointing that Henderson did not make the Pro Bowl; Patrick Willis and Lofa Tatupu are the NFC's middle linebackers. Still, I can't really complain. It's too easy for a fan of one particular team to complain that a player on that team got shafted; I've watched all but a handful of the Viking plays this season, meaning I've seen a lot of Henderson's great play, but I've only watched San Francisco and Seattle once each (Willis was very good, and I don't even remember noticing Tatupu). I can't really argue against Willis or Tatupu.
But it's been a pleasure watching E.J. Henderson this season. He's been a standout individual performer, and he's a key reason the Viking defense has consistently dominated against the run (and improved against the pass). If you watch the Vikes closely, you're going to notice Henderson making solo tackles all over the field and putting serious disruptive pressure on the quarterback. Hopefully there's Pro Bowl recognition for him in the future.
Congratulations to Viking Pro Bowlers Steve Hutchinson, Matt Birk, Adrian Peterson, Tony Richardson, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, and Darren Sharper.
It is disappointing that Henderson did not make the Pro Bowl; Patrick Willis and Lofa Tatupu are the NFC's middle linebackers. Still, I can't really complain. It's too easy for a fan of one particular team to complain that a player on that team got shafted; I've watched all but a handful of the Viking plays this season, meaning I've seen a lot of Henderson's great play, but I've only watched San Francisco and Seattle once each (Willis was very good, and I don't even remember noticing Tatupu). I can't really argue against Willis or Tatupu.
But it's been a pleasure watching E.J. Henderson this season. He's been a standout individual performer, and he's a key reason the Viking defense has consistently dominated against the run (and improved against the pass). If you watch the Vikes closely, you're going to notice Henderson making solo tackles all over the field and putting serious disruptive pressure on the quarterback. Hopefully there's Pro Bowl recognition for him in the future.
Congratulations to Viking Pro Bowlers Steve Hutchinson, Matt Birk, Adrian Peterson, Tony Richardson, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, and Darren Sharper.
Notes from Monday Night at Thunderdome
I kid you not: the Bear defense opened the game in a 4-5 defense. The next play they were in a 4-4, and the next play they were in a 5-3. It was like watching small high school football. The Vikings really had a chance to exploit Chicago in the pass, with some mixed results (three INTs and a few sacks, but a career high 249 yards passing for Tarvaris Jackson).
The Metrodome crowd was really into it. There were more Bears fans than I thought there'd be (and they were quite spirited, in a fun way), but it was really fun in the fourth quarter when everybody in the dome was standing and waving and yelling and cheering. Great atmosphere for an important football game against a big rival.
Did Lovie Smith fail to give his team one last chance to win? The Vikings had 1st and 10 with 2:00 left, but couldn't actually run out the clock kneeling down. The Bears had one timeout left. After the Vikings' third kneel-down to make it fourth down, there were more than 10 seconds on the clock. The Bears had another timeout, but they simply let the clock run out. If they called a timeout, they could have either went for an all-out punt block, or they could have let Devin Hester have one more chance at a game breaking play. A total brain-freeze on the Bears' coaches, I think.
If you're going to squib kick to avoid a great kick returner, why squib it to that great returner? Still, the Vikes did a good job containing Hester (their entire starting secondary was in on kickoff coverage). Hester, though, is so good as a returner that he plays by his own rules (rightly so). He fields punts nobody else would, pauses to look for openings when everybody else would be trying to gain any yards, and cuts back and around with abandon. A lot of times, the Vikings simply got lucky he didn't do more.
Kyle Orton is inept--and the Bear running backs are worse.
A solid pass rush from the Vikings in the second half really helped mess up an already horrid Bear offense.
Here's what I say about 100 times a game: WHY DON'T THE VIKINGS CALL MORE SCREEN PASSES?! With good RBs, good downfield blocking WRs, and good OL, the Vikings should be able to pick up easy yards with screens. They could also get Adrian Peterson in space.
Robert Ferguson's long catch and run was a lot of fun.
Before the game, we saw some Viking players walking into the Metrodome, including Pat Williams (a mammoth of a man) and Adrian Peterson. Peterson is a smooth character. He also gave the cheering fans a two-finger wave. A meaningless greeting, a sign for "victory," or a peace sign? Is there another pacifist Viking? I'm guessing meaningless greeting.
Sal Paolantonio, Steve Young, and Emmitt Smith were on the sidelines before the game, and Adrian Peterson ran over to talk to Emmitt Smith. The young RB from Texas hugged the great Cowboy RB and the two beamed giant smiles as they chatted for quite a while. Then Peterson was going to run back to warmups--completely ignoring Steve Young. I almost thought Steve Young felt a little bad, thinking "What about me? Don't you know you I am?" But Young got his attention before he left, and Peterson shook hands and chatted briefly with Young and Paolantonio. Compared to Emmitt Smith, Steve Young means nothing to Adrian Peterson.
Yeah, the Bear fans were lively and energetic, and interacted with Viking fans with good spirits. One guy wearing a Robbie Gould jersey (why?) held up a sign to us that read "#29>#28" and something or other about how Bear Adrian Peterson is better than Viking Adrian Peterson. He was just smiling knowing how stupid it really was, and we all just sort of laughed. There were a lot of smiling, laughing interactions between fans of the two teams. I sort of like Bear fans.
My back row section is getting rowdier and rowdier. I never drink during Viking games (I love watching the Vikings--I want to fully appreciate and enjoy the games, not dull my senses during the games); others don't feel the same way. In the back row, fans find a lot of things to bang on: a metal fence, the Coca-Cola ad, the metal ramp behind us. Fun times up in the nosebleeds. I love having the back row, actually--it's very pleasant not having anybody behind you during a game, and the crowd up there is pretty high energy.
Cheese curds: my one weakness. Actually, I have many, many weaknesses--I don't know why I should label fat-fried cheese my singular weakness.
Right now, I'm pretty happy to be a Viking season ticket holder. I wasn't sure if it would be a one-year experiment or not (I only got the tickets in late August to avoid blackouts), but I'm strongly leaning toward renewing season tickets and going to every home game I ever can. Attending the games is just too much fun (and in my seats, relatively cheap).
Trailing Clouds of Heaven: Vikings 20, Bears 13
Viking-Bear Box Score
You don't usually get a chance to win pretty against the Bears; you just have to try win.
And the Vikings beat the Bears, twice this season. 8-6 feels good.
You don't usually get a chance to win pretty against the Bears; you just have to try win.
And the Vikings beat the Bears, twice this season. 8-6 feels good.
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