I've written the Viking team preview at SportsProjections.com. Go check it out, and if you feel like it, come back here to comment on it.
At SportsProjections.com, you'll see that if you allow fan bloggers to write the team predictions, you're not going to see a lot people predicting losing records. I don't offer you different: after looking at the schedule, I'm projecting our beloved Vikings at 9-7, matching the Bears' record, but placing second in the division due to divisional record. Whether 9-7 is enough to earn a playoff birth depends on the rest of the conference.
So check out my preview. I hope you enjoy it, and be sure to check out the other projections around the site.
I wish I could share your optimism, but I just haven't seen enough out of the receivers to let me think that opposing defensive coordinators will be punished for putting eight, and sometimes even nine guys in the box, and rushing more guys than the o-line can block.
ReplyDeleteI think 6 wins is most likely, with an upside of 9, and a downside of 5, so I'm not completely without hope.
The most encouraging thing I saw during the preseason was a more aggressive playcalling on passing downs. If we can convert some 12-20 yard passes, it'll make life sooooo much easier for the rest of the offense. BTW, I think Rice is a star in the making.
ReplyDeleteWell, peder, that's what they desperately need; a receiver who can keep defensive coordinators from putting eight or nine guys in box, and blitzing incessantly, confident in the knowledge that there will not be any big plays yielded as a result. I know Tavaris Jackson can make the throws, and while he will make mistakes related to inexperience, especially when he is being pressured, if he had confidence that even one receiver could consistently beat press coverage, and had the ball skills to go up and make a catch consistently, Tavaris Jackson's life as an inexperienced NFL QB would be immeasurably easier.
ReplyDeleteI'm really concerned that poor receiver play could ruin his confidence, in much the same manner that a young major league pitcher can get ruined by guys who can't field the ball. The young qb or pitcher starts trying to make the perfect throw, to the perfect place, to compensate for his teammates' lack of talent, instead of just employing his natural athletic ability, and then everything really goes to hell.