The generation of Viking fans that followed the team throughout the 1970s is a little strange. On the one hand, they consider that time the "Golden Age" of Minnesota football, revering Bud Grant and most of the players of that era. On the other hand, they saw four Super Bowl losses, and developed an odd mix of enthusiastic optimism and cynical pessimism for the Vikes that they've passed on to the next generation of Viking fans.
Anyway, if you're a Viking fan of that age, this warning is for you. If you're a younger Viking fan, warn your parents and grandparents.
Don't watch ESPN Classic on August 4th.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Looking back at 2005 draft grades
You have to love the internet. The Vikings' 2005 draft was clearly horrible, and it takes little effort to go back and find out what the "experts" thought about the Vikings' draft at the time.
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli loved the Vikings' draft:
"It was anticipated that the Vikings, who had a pair of first-round choices by virtue of the trade that sent Randy Moss packing, would have a solid draft. But saying a team is going to choose wisely, and then having the club do it, are sometimes polar extremes. And as colleague Chris Mortensen noted on-air Sunday afternoon, credit Minnesota owner Red McCombs, who is on the brink of peddling his franchise, for having the vision to see beyond the "For Sale" sign, hold things together, and conduct business pretty nicely."
Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z gave the Vikes an A. They were the first team he listed, and here's what he had to say:
"Where do we start? Top pick Troy Williamson goes deep and doesn't walk off the field while the game's going on. The other first-rounder, Erasmus James, should have been the first outside rusher selected. Instead the Vikes got lucky and he was the fourth. Marcus Johnson is a serious mauler at either guard or tackle. Dustin Fox -- a cornerback or safety, take your pick -- vertically jumped 43 1/2, which is almost as high as I went when the Redhead presented me with those rugger tix."
Sports Illustrated's Don Banks listed the Vikes #3 for draft winners. Among other things, he writes of Troy Williamson:
"His presence will stretch the field for the Vikings, giving them a reasonable facsimile of Moss, who was traded to Oakland."
Yahoo!'s Charles Robinson didn't have much bad to say about the Vikings, giving them an A+:
"High marks: Minnesota nailed its top three needs with high-quality players. Mississippi's Marcus Johnson can play guard or tackle and should be able to beat out Shannon Snell for a starting guard spot. Troy Williamson can absolutely fly and will give the receiving corps a deep threat immediately. Defensive end Erasmus James has the body and talent to start from Day 1. The Vikings also made three great depth picks with safety Dustin Fox, running back Ciatrick Fason and defensive tackle C.J. Mosely.
"Low marks: Not many mistakes here. A kicker later in the draft would have been a nice pickup."
Football Outsiders provided some links and found more draft graders giving the Vikings a grade in the A range, including NBC Sports' Ron Borges, The Dallas Morning News' Rick Gosselin, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco, Sporting News' Dan Pompei, and NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang.
Look, it's hard for me to pick on these writers. As the great Dr. Farthing says, "Hindsight is 20/20 my friend." If I were blogging here in 2005, you could probably go to my archives and find me raving about the Vikings' draft (go to the archives now and you'll find all sorts of stupid things written). But I think there are two lessons to take here:
1. The draft is all about potential, and so there is little reason to pay attention to any "grades" for the draft before the players actually play.
2. There seems little reason to consider paid sportswriters "experts" on the game. Why, precisely, do I need to think these writers know more about football than serious fans? What do these writers do that proves their opinions on the game are more meaningful, relevant, and correct, than a blogger's opinion?
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli loved the Vikings' draft:
"It was anticipated that the Vikings, who had a pair of first-round choices by virtue of the trade that sent Randy Moss packing, would have a solid draft. But saying a team is going to choose wisely, and then having the club do it, are sometimes polar extremes. And as colleague Chris Mortensen noted on-air Sunday afternoon, credit Minnesota owner Red McCombs, who is on the brink of peddling his franchise, for having the vision to see beyond the "For Sale" sign, hold things together, and conduct business pretty nicely."
Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z gave the Vikes an A. They were the first team he listed, and here's what he had to say:
"Where do we start? Top pick Troy Williamson goes deep and doesn't walk off the field while the game's going on. The other first-rounder, Erasmus James, should have been the first outside rusher selected. Instead the Vikes got lucky and he was the fourth. Marcus Johnson is a serious mauler at either guard or tackle. Dustin Fox -- a cornerback or safety, take your pick -- vertically jumped 43 1/2, which is almost as high as I went when the Redhead presented me with those rugger tix."
Sports Illustrated's Don Banks listed the Vikes #3 for draft winners. Among other things, he writes of Troy Williamson:
"His presence will stretch the field for the Vikings, giving them a reasonable facsimile of Moss, who was traded to Oakland."
Yahoo!'s Charles Robinson didn't have much bad to say about the Vikings, giving them an A+:
"High marks: Minnesota nailed its top three needs with high-quality players. Mississippi's Marcus Johnson can play guard or tackle and should be able to beat out Shannon Snell for a starting guard spot. Troy Williamson can absolutely fly and will give the receiving corps a deep threat immediately. Defensive end Erasmus James has the body and talent to start from Day 1. The Vikings also made three great depth picks with safety Dustin Fox, running back Ciatrick Fason and defensive tackle C.J. Mosely.
"Low marks: Not many mistakes here. A kicker later in the draft would have been a nice pickup."
Football Outsiders provided some links and found more draft graders giving the Vikings a grade in the A range, including NBC Sports' Ron Borges, The Dallas Morning News' Rick Gosselin, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco, Sporting News' Dan Pompei, and NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang.
Look, it's hard for me to pick on these writers. As the great Dr. Farthing says, "Hindsight is 20/20 my friend." If I were blogging here in 2005, you could probably go to my archives and find me raving about the Vikings' draft (go to the archives now and you'll find all sorts of stupid things written). But I think there are two lessons to take here:
1. The draft is all about potential, and so there is little reason to pay attention to any "grades" for the draft before the players actually play.
2. There seems little reason to consider paid sportswriters "experts" on the game. Why, precisely, do I need to think these writers know more about football than serious fans? What do these writers do that proves their opinions on the game are more meaningful, relevant, and correct, than a blogger's opinion?
Monday, May 26, 2008
Another 2,000 yard off-season
In the Star-Telegram, Bronco running back Selvin Young talks about his goal: rushing for 2,000 yards. You have to have goals, everybody.
Let's keep going. There has to be another NFL running back ready to tell a reporter he's fantasizing about a 2,000 yard season. How many can we find this offseason?
(via PFT)
Let's keep going. There has to be another NFL running back ready to tell a reporter he's fantasizing about a 2,000 yard season. How many can we find this offseason?
(via PFT)
Big Blizzard
MMQB on Tarvaris Jackson
Peter King talks about Tarvaris Jackson. Here's a quote from Jackson that shows he's an understanding fellow:
""I know what people are saying [...] 'The Vikings have a great defense, the best running back in the league, a great offensive line ... what about the quarterback?' The quarterback position -- every day of your life you're under the microscope anyway. I understand that. I'm very confident in my growth as a player in this system. But I know what's going on. People don't have any reason NOT to ask that question about me.''
Jackson just summarized most of my feelings about him: I "don't have any reason NOT to" question whether he's a legitimate quarterback. As I've written recently, I like Jackson, but the best I can do is hope that he's going to be good. I think it is at best a 50/50 proposition that he plays competent football in 2008, and so I think the Vikes should have done more to get a competent backup in case Jackson sucks. But as King points out, Jackson did really improve his completion percentage near the end of the season. But I'm a little leery: King likes Jackson's "moxie," which is frankly frightening.
Other Links
Dr. Z talks with Ron Wolf about Hall of Fame candidates, including John Randle, Cris Carter, and Randall McDaniel.
Access Vikings talks to Leslie Frazier about minicamp.
Kevin Seifert says goodbye at Access Vikings. It's all on Judd Zulgad to keep up a very good team-focused newspaper blog.
Pro-football-reference.com grades 10 years worth of drafts.
Antoine Winfield (Star Tribune).
Madieu Williams (Vikings.com)
The 2005 draft may have been the worst in Viking history: the team just waived Erasmus James (Pioneer Press).
Viking Update looks at the roster turnover of the past few seasons.
Can you even suspend your disbelief for this story? According to KSTP, Ray Edwards is going after the single season sack record (via Vikings War Cry). One of the things I love about the NFL offseason is the wild projections of what's going to happen next season. The future is limitless potential: running backs rushing for 2,000 yards, defensive ends getting 23 sacks, armies being greeted as liberators. As Willy Loman says, "the greatest things can happen!"
Vike Vision grades the defense.
At ProFootballTalk, Inspector Javert notes that despite recent labor/owner issues, the NFL isn't losing money (Florio gives all sorts of silly nicknames, so on this blog he'll get a suitable nickname).
Peter King talks about Tarvaris Jackson. Here's a quote from Jackson that shows he's an understanding fellow:
""I know what people are saying [...] 'The Vikings have a great defense, the best running back in the league, a great offensive line ... what about the quarterback?' The quarterback position -- every day of your life you're under the microscope anyway. I understand that. I'm very confident in my growth as a player in this system. But I know what's going on. People don't have any reason NOT to ask that question about me.''
Jackson just summarized most of my feelings about him: I "don't have any reason NOT to" question whether he's a legitimate quarterback. As I've written recently, I like Jackson, but the best I can do is hope that he's going to be good. I think it is at best a 50/50 proposition that he plays competent football in 2008, and so I think the Vikes should have done more to get a competent backup in case Jackson sucks. But as King points out, Jackson did really improve his completion percentage near the end of the season. But I'm a little leery: King likes Jackson's "moxie," which is frankly frightening.
Other Links
Dr. Z talks with Ron Wolf about Hall of Fame candidates, including John Randle, Cris Carter, and Randall McDaniel.
Access Vikings talks to Leslie Frazier about minicamp.
Kevin Seifert says goodbye at Access Vikings. It's all on Judd Zulgad to keep up a very good team-focused newspaper blog.
Pro-football-reference.com grades 10 years worth of drafts.
Antoine Winfield (Star Tribune).
Madieu Williams (Vikings.com)
The 2005 draft may have been the worst in Viking history: the team just waived Erasmus James (Pioneer Press).
Viking Update looks at the roster turnover of the past few seasons.
Can you even suspend your disbelief for this story? According to KSTP, Ray Edwards is going after the single season sack record (via Vikings War Cry). One of the things I love about the NFL offseason is the wild projections of what's going to happen next season. The future is limitless potential: running backs rushing for 2,000 yards, defensive ends getting 23 sacks, armies being greeted as liberators. As Willy Loman says, "the greatest things can happen!"
Vike Vision grades the defense.
At ProFootballTalk, Inspector Javert notes that despite recent labor/owner issues, the NFL isn't losing money (Florio gives all sorts of silly nicknames, so on this blog he'll get a suitable nickname).
My Crazy Viking Dreams
I have a lot of really weird dreams, and a lot of my really weird dreams involve the Vikings. From now on, I'll share my crazy Viking dreams on this blog.
Last night I dreamed that Tarvaris Jackson was the quarterback and Cris Carter was the wide receiver for the Vikings. When the Vikes lined up, on Cris Carter's side of the field there were just two defenders there: an old couple wearing regular clothes. Cris Carter went back to chat with Jackson a bit. Then when Carter went back to his side (actually it was sort of the slot), and a 60 year old woman was covering him, he just took off on a go route. Jackson heaved the ball deep into the end zone. Carter actually didn't beat the 60 year old woman covering him as badly as I thought he would--she sort of stuck with him. And Jackson did make the throw, but it was way to the opposite side of the end zone--just a really inaccurate throw. But it was deep enough with enough air that Carter was able to cross the field and catch the ball easily and nicely. So I was happy about the Vikings scoring a touchdown, and I was happy about the long completion. But I also couldn't believe the defense chose to cover Cris Carter with a 60 year old woman. I was also vexed about the inaccurate pass Jackson threw: sure it was a completion for a long touchdown, but it was a really bad throw, just obviously off target. It made me think that Jackson isn't really going to be able to make throws in the future.
Last night I dreamed that Tarvaris Jackson was the quarterback and Cris Carter was the wide receiver for the Vikings. When the Vikes lined up, on Cris Carter's side of the field there were just two defenders there: an old couple wearing regular clothes. Cris Carter went back to chat with Jackson a bit. Then when Carter went back to his side (actually it was sort of the slot), and a 60 year old woman was covering him, he just took off on a go route. Jackson heaved the ball deep into the end zone. Carter actually didn't beat the 60 year old woman covering him as badly as I thought he would--she sort of stuck with him. And Jackson did make the throw, but it was way to the opposite side of the end zone--just a really inaccurate throw. But it was deep enough with enough air that Carter was able to cross the field and catch the ball easily and nicely. So I was happy about the Vikings scoring a touchdown, and I was happy about the long completion. But I also couldn't believe the defense chose to cover Cris Carter with a 60 year old woman. I was also vexed about the inaccurate pass Jackson threw: sure it was a completion for a long touchdown, but it was a really bad throw, just obviously off target. It made me think that Jackson isn't really going to be able to make throws in the future.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Rooting Paradox
In the Western Conference Finals, I find myself rooting for the Spurs. In the Eastern Conference Finals, I find myself rooting for the Pistons. Sure, I could give some reasons for this, but really it's the irrational, spontaneous way I find myself rooting while watching or reading about the games. But like everybody else, I don't really want to see a Spurs-Pistons NBA Finals.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
A lousy player's football card: 2007 Topps Chrome Troy Williamson
In 2005, Troy Williamson had 24 receptions, 372 yards, and 2 touchdowns. In 2006, Troy Williamson had 37 receptions, 455 yards, and 0 touchdowns. Oh, yeah, and according to Wikipedia he had 11 drops.
How does Topps interpret this course of Williamson's career? Just check out the back of his 2007 Topps Chrome to fine out:
"Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell predicted that Troy would be a bigger part of the team's new West Coast offense in 2006, and indeed he was. The second-year wideout with the game-breaking speed was third on the team in receiving yards, including the first 100-yard game (six catches for 102) of his career in a Week 2 win over Carolina."
The back of sports cards is like Garrison Keiler's Lake Wobegon: all the players are above average. Where do we even start? Williamson was a bigger part of the team's offense, because he increased his numbers by 13 receptions and 82 yards (but didn't score a TD)? That we're supposed to be impressed that he ranked third on the team in receiving yards? Third!?! Yep, I pulled out the exclamation point/question mark/exclamation point for that one. It is quite a feat for a starting wide receiver to rank third on his own team in receiving yards.
Well, let me step back here a second. Bevell predicted Williamson would be a "bigger part" of the offense, not a better part of the offense. Williamson was on the field more, and he did drop all those passes. He definitely was a bigger part of the offense in 2006 than 2005, just not in a good way. Actually, in a negative way. He was a bigger part of the offense, and that's probably why the offense was so bad. So yes, Williamson did have an impact on the Vikings' offense in 2006, in the same way that VD can have an impact on your sex life.
How does Topps interpret this course of Williamson's career? Just check out the back of his 2007 Topps Chrome to fine out:
"Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell predicted that Troy would be a bigger part of the team's new West Coast offense in 2006, and indeed he was. The second-year wideout with the game-breaking speed was third on the team in receiving yards, including the first 100-yard game (six catches for 102) of his career in a Week 2 win over Carolina."
The back of sports cards is like Garrison Keiler's Lake Wobegon: all the players are above average. Where do we even start? Williamson was a bigger part of the team's offense, because he increased his numbers by 13 receptions and 82 yards (but didn't score a TD)? That we're supposed to be impressed that he ranked third on the team in receiving yards? Third!?! Yep, I pulled out the exclamation point/question mark/exclamation point for that one. It is quite a feat for a starting wide receiver to rank third on his own team in receiving yards.
Well, let me step back here a second. Bevell predicted Williamson would be a "bigger part" of the offense, not a better part of the offense. Williamson was on the field more, and he did drop all those passes. He definitely was a bigger part of the offense in 2006 than 2005, just not in a good way. Actually, in a negative way. He was a bigger part of the offense, and that's probably why the offense was so bad. So yes, Williamson did have an impact on the Vikings' offense in 2006, in the same way that VD can have an impact on your sex life.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Blizzard of Links
Sports Cards Uncensored talks about the Vikings' prospects, on the field and in sports cards.
When starters don't make it to mini-camp, backups get a chance to practice more (Star Tribune).
Roger Goodell is going to start fining teams when their players have discipline issues (Sports Illustrated). Frankly, I think this is getting a little ridiculous. Teams are already punished when their own players get suspended for their "personal conduct": they lose those players' services for a period of time. Now they get fined, too? And why are the teams responsible for everything the players do on their own time? I've said this before: by trying to curtail the "problem" of players' off-the-field conduct, Goodell has simply brought more attention and publicity to off-the-field conduct, in effect doing more to make it a "problem."
Marion Barber signed a nice contract with the Cowboys (Sports Illustrated). So, fantasy football drafters, does Felix Jones scare you?
Wages of Wins talks about the "competitive imbalance" of the NBA. I guess "the short supply of tall people" is an explanation, but I'm not sure it quite explains why the Celtics and Lakers usually end up with the best of those tall people and win most of the titles (30). Then again, the big market Knicks suck and the small market Spurs dominate, so I can't complain about big market/small market for the NBA. But I think there is another simple explanation for basketball's competitive imbalance: sizes of rosters. Football teams have 22 starters, so it is difficult to maintain and supplement a dominant roster for an extended period of time. Basketball teams have five starters, and so once you have a championship nucleus, it is not as difficult to keep it together, and there are fewer contributing pieces necessary to add.
Cold, Hard Football Facts calls the '82 Washington football team the last Old School football team.
Ballers, Gamers, and Scoundrels talks about the "hot seat" cliche.
We look for "Suspension of Disbelief" articles: Pancake Blocks calls it the "Puff Piece Detector."
Here's Chad Ford's Mock Draft. Please, Timberwolves, make the best of a disappointment (missing out on Beasley or Rose), and take O.J. Mayo. Kevin McHale may be thinking "we already have guards," but those guards were good enough to get you the third pick in the draft. Take the potential superstar when you can. But since when have the Timberwolves ever picked the player I thought they should pick?
Ian Thomsen's mock draft also has the Wolves taking Brook Lopez. He says " Going with a true center enables them to shift Al Jefferson to his natural position of power forward and saves him from being worn down against bigger players." OK, but why is that his "natural position"? On the day of his birth, did he pop out into the hospital room and the doctors said, "well, this is a natural power forward." Is it sort of like a Jedi Counsel deciding if somebody has enough of the Force to be a Jedi: is there some Power Forward Counsel that determines Al Jefferson is naturally, inherently, in his very essence, a power forward? And I'm still not entirely sure what the real difference between a power forward or a center is in today's NBA. Whatever: I'll get over it. Though I'd write something like "drafting O.J. May enables the Timberwolves to move players like Randy Foye and Rashad McCants to their natural positions of backup players."
James Walker talks about the Browns: what do you think of them? They should have a loaded passing game.
The Daily Norseman notes the NBA wise has a rookie salary structure that the NFL needs: the league's highest paid players shouldn't be the ones who haven't done anything yet.
When starters don't make it to mini-camp, backups get a chance to practice more (Star Tribune).
Roger Goodell is going to start fining teams when their players have discipline issues (Sports Illustrated). Frankly, I think this is getting a little ridiculous. Teams are already punished when their own players get suspended for their "personal conduct": they lose those players' services for a period of time. Now they get fined, too? And why are the teams responsible for everything the players do on their own time? I've said this before: by trying to curtail the "problem" of players' off-the-field conduct, Goodell has simply brought more attention and publicity to off-the-field conduct, in effect doing more to make it a "problem."
Marion Barber signed a nice contract with the Cowboys (Sports Illustrated). So, fantasy football drafters, does Felix Jones scare you?
Wages of Wins talks about the "competitive imbalance" of the NBA. I guess "the short supply of tall people" is an explanation, but I'm not sure it quite explains why the Celtics and Lakers usually end up with the best of those tall people and win most of the titles (30). Then again, the big market Knicks suck and the small market Spurs dominate, so I can't complain about big market/small market for the NBA. But I think there is another simple explanation for basketball's competitive imbalance: sizes of rosters. Football teams have 22 starters, so it is difficult to maintain and supplement a dominant roster for an extended period of time. Basketball teams have five starters, and so once you have a championship nucleus, it is not as difficult to keep it together, and there are fewer contributing pieces necessary to add.
Cold, Hard Football Facts calls the '82 Washington football team the last Old School football team.
Ballers, Gamers, and Scoundrels talks about the "hot seat" cliche.
We look for "Suspension of Disbelief" articles: Pancake Blocks calls it the "Puff Piece Detector."
Here's Chad Ford's Mock Draft. Please, Timberwolves, make the best of a disappointment (missing out on Beasley or Rose), and take O.J. Mayo. Kevin McHale may be thinking "we already have guards," but those guards were good enough to get you the third pick in the draft. Take the potential superstar when you can. But since when have the Timberwolves ever picked the player I thought they should pick?
Ian Thomsen's mock draft also has the Wolves taking Brook Lopez. He says " Going with a true center enables them to shift Al Jefferson to his natural position of power forward and saves him from being worn down against bigger players." OK, but why is that his "natural position"? On the day of his birth, did he pop out into the hospital room and the doctors said, "well, this is a natural power forward." Is it sort of like a Jedi Counsel deciding if somebody has enough of the Force to be a Jedi: is there some Power Forward Counsel that determines Al Jefferson is naturally, inherently, in his very essence, a power forward? And I'm still not entirely sure what the real difference between a power forward or a center is in today's NBA. Whatever: I'll get over it. Though I'd write something like "drafting O.J. May enables the Timberwolves to move players like Randy Foye and Rashad McCants to their natural positions of backup players."
James Walker talks about the Browns: what do you think of them? They should have a loaded passing game.
The Daily Norseman notes the NBA wise has a rookie salary structure that the NFL needs: the league's highest paid players shouldn't be the ones who haven't done anything yet.
I wish I could just quit the Timberwolves
I might be disappointed with the Timberwolves' bad lottery luck this season if I had ever believed anything good would ever happen with the franchise. But I don't, so getting the third pick is entirely expected. They've played 19 seasons and won two playoff series. Kevin Garnett (who has now won as many playoff series in one season in Boston as he won in 12 seasons here) may as well have never even been on the team for all it did (I actually wish he hadn't been--since they didn't ever get to the Finals anyway, it would have been no worse to pass on Garnett and see the team built entirely differently over the past 13 seasons, and it might have been better). So the Wolves get the third pick, and because they're incompetently run they'll probably pass on the potential superstar (O.J. Mayo) to get another bum who will at best put up some sort of numbers because he plays on a team that can't win 30 games, and at worst be so bad he can't get playing time on a team that can't win 30 games.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
"Jollity and gloom were contending for an empire."
Is it the freakin' '60s again? Actually, obsession with stifling long hair goes further back--it's a very Puritan impulse. John Milton's Puritan friends made fun of him for his long hair, and the Puritans who came to America were appalled by (among other things) the long hair of the Native Americans.
Nathaniel Hawthorne included this in "The May-Pole of Merry Mount," his story of the oppressive triumph of the Puritans:
"'And shall not the youth's hair be cut?' asked Peter Pelfrey, looking with abhorrence at the love-lock and long glossy curls of the young man. 'Crop it forthwith, and that in the true pumpkin-shell fashion,' answered the captain."
Some of the NFL's powerful continue a long line of Puritans fixated on resisting the expressiveness of long hair. A group of veritable Endicotts.
Nathaniel Hawthorne included this in "The May-Pole of Merry Mount," his story of the oppressive triumph of the Puritans:
"'And shall not the youth's hair be cut?' asked Peter Pelfrey, looking with abhorrence at the love-lock and long glossy curls of the young man. 'Crop it forthwith, and that in the true pumpkin-shell fashion,' answered the captain."
Some of the NFL's powerful continue a long line of Puritans fixated on resisting the expressiveness of long hair. A group of veritable Endicotts.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Blizzard
Do you sense that? I do.
The time has come to start ranking fantasy football players and preparing for drafts. Yes, it really is. There are a lot of blogs that will help you (including this one, a little later in the summer, but you really can't trust much of what I say, because I'm a duplicitous and paranoid fantasy footballer). For now, check out Pancake Blocks.
Links
The Vikings and Chiefs will practice against each other at River Falls, Wisconsin on July 31st this summer (Vikings.com). I've watched a lot of Chiefs' training camp at River Falls, and I've been to the Vikings-Chiefs scrimmage there a couple of times (2000 and 2003, if I remember correctly). Good times.
The Sporting News says the Vikes have the top safeties in the NFC (I'm not ready to agree until I see them produce) and Michael Fabiano at NFL.com ranks the Vikes' offensive line as 8th in the NFL (both via Vikings War Cry).
At SI, Steve Aschburner explores the struggles of road teams in this year's NBA playoffs.
At Sports Law Blog, see when metaphors don't quite work out (my coming reference to a "vegetarian beef" is entirely deliberate and full of witty irony, suckers).
In non-sports, non-meaningful news
My one-man vegetarian feud with Subway may be going up a notch. Most likely, during the season I would never bother you with any of this. But it's now summer for me, and I happen to have the time for a pointless beef with a major fast food franchise that I used to love until it betrayed me.
The time has come to start ranking fantasy football players and preparing for drafts. Yes, it really is. There are a lot of blogs that will help you (including this one, a little later in the summer, but you really can't trust much of what I say, because I'm a duplicitous and paranoid fantasy footballer). For now, check out Pancake Blocks.
Links
The Vikings and Chiefs will practice against each other at River Falls, Wisconsin on July 31st this summer (Vikings.com). I've watched a lot of Chiefs' training camp at River Falls, and I've been to the Vikings-Chiefs scrimmage there a couple of times (2000 and 2003, if I remember correctly). Good times.
The Sporting News says the Vikes have the top safeties in the NFC (I'm not ready to agree until I see them produce) and Michael Fabiano at NFL.com ranks the Vikes' offensive line as 8th in the NFL (both via Vikings War Cry).
At SI, Steve Aschburner explores the struggles of road teams in this year's NBA playoffs.
At Sports Law Blog, see when metaphors don't quite work out (my coming reference to a "vegetarian beef" is entirely deliberate and full of witty irony, suckers).
In non-sports, non-meaningful news
My one-man vegetarian feud with Subway may be going up a notch. Most likely, during the season I would never bother you with any of this. But it's now summer for me, and I happen to have the time for a pointless beef with a major fast food franchise that I used to love until it betrayed me.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Little Night Blizzard
The NFL off-season is like Plato's Ideal: every running back is a 2,000 yard rusher. Let's try to take note of every pro running back that discusses the possibility of rushing for 2,000 yards in 2008. Access Vikings reminds us that Adrian Peterson did so at the Pro Bowl.
Sid Hartman talks to Rich Gannon about Tarvaris Jackson (Star Tribune).
MinnPost on Kevin Seifert's move from the Star Tribune to ESPN (via 10,000 Takes). Seifert uses the phrase "multimedia synergy."
Mike Lombardi talks about three NFL myths that aren't true (Sports Illustrated). Two of the three mention the Vikings, and are particularly relevant to what the Vikes will be up to in 2008.
I like this site: Sports Cards Uncensored.
OK, off to watch The Office. I like it, but whenever I hear people heaping praises on Dwight Schrute as a wonderful television character, I want to move to England. He's a freaking caricature, not nearly as funny as his British counterpart, Gareth Keenan. And of course David Brent of the British version of the show is a quantifiable 150.6 times funnier than anybody on the American version.
Sid Hartman talks to Rich Gannon about Tarvaris Jackson (Star Tribune).
MinnPost on Kevin Seifert's move from the Star Tribune to ESPN (via 10,000 Takes). Seifert uses the phrase "multimedia synergy."
Mike Lombardi talks about three NFL myths that aren't true (Sports Illustrated). Two of the three mention the Vikings, and are particularly relevant to what the Vikes will be up to in 2008.
I like this site: Sports Cards Uncensored.
OK, off to watch The Office. I like it, but whenever I hear people heaping praises on Dwight Schrute as a wonderful television character, I want to move to England. He's a freaking caricature, not nearly as funny as his British counterpart, Gareth Keenan. And of course David Brent of the British version of the show is a quantifiable 150.6 times funnier than anybody on the American version.
PV at 10,000 Takes
This offseason, the Vikings made additions to improve on all of their weaknesses from last season. Well, except at one position so obscure and insignificant you probably won't even notice it next season.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Tuesday Blizzard
Clutch and Defense
The Daily Norseman writes on "The Myth of Jared Allen's Fourth Quarter Sack Production." I'll go even further and suggest that to a certain degree, when a defensive player gets certain stats is meaningless. I'm one of those philistines that hasn't entirely given up the concept of "clutch." But for defensive players, most statistics are based on reaction. They can't entirely control whether they make a play at a given moment or not; they react to what the offense is doing. If the offense runs the ball and you're a defensive end, you can't get a sack on that play. If you're a cornerback, you can't get an interception if the team throws the ball to the opposite side of the field. Defensive players can still play "clutch" in the fourth quarter, just as they can "choke" in the fourth quarter. However, that can't be determined by compilation numbers, which are dictated in large part by what the offense does.
The NBA season really, really matters
As the NBA season was winding down, I was following the battle for seeding in the Western Conference daily. At the time, I didn't even know how big a deal it actually was. Home teams are dominating the NBA playoffs. In three of the four second-round series, the top seed won the first two games at home (often convincingly), only to go lose the next two games on the road (often convincingly). Let us never again put for the pseudo-myth that the NBA doesn't matter until the playoffs. The NBA season determines playoff seeds, which determines home court advantage, which as a major impact on how playoff series play out.
Get arbitrarily offended at restaurants, get cheap food
Folks in Ohio are getting cheap pizza from Papa John's (Sports Illustrated). Could Subway make fun of Justin Morneau or something, then give us 33 cent footlong subs? Could Subway at least give me 33 cent subs to make up for my petty, insignificant grudge (a grudge that doesn't stop me from getting a couple of veggie subs each week, by the way)?
You all know this already, I'm sure...
But Fire Joe Morgan is a really fine site. I knew for a while they've been skewering bad sportswriting in just the fashion I like, but now that I follow baseball I'm really enjoying it.
I'll try do better next time.
The Daily Norseman writes on "The Myth of Jared Allen's Fourth Quarter Sack Production." I'll go even further and suggest that to a certain degree, when a defensive player gets certain stats is meaningless. I'm one of those philistines that hasn't entirely given up the concept of "clutch." But for defensive players, most statistics are based on reaction. They can't entirely control whether they make a play at a given moment or not; they react to what the offense is doing. If the offense runs the ball and you're a defensive end, you can't get a sack on that play. If you're a cornerback, you can't get an interception if the team throws the ball to the opposite side of the field. Defensive players can still play "clutch" in the fourth quarter, just as they can "choke" in the fourth quarter. However, that can't be determined by compilation numbers, which are dictated in large part by what the offense does.
The NBA season really, really matters
As the NBA season was winding down, I was following the battle for seeding in the Western Conference daily. At the time, I didn't even know how big a deal it actually was. Home teams are dominating the NBA playoffs. In three of the four second-round series, the top seed won the first two games at home (often convincingly), only to go lose the next two games on the road (often convincingly). Let us never again put for the pseudo-myth that the NBA doesn't matter until the playoffs. The NBA season determines playoff seeds, which determines home court advantage, which as a major impact on how playoff series play out.
Get arbitrarily offended at restaurants, get cheap food
Folks in Ohio are getting cheap pizza from Papa John's (Sports Illustrated). Could Subway make fun of Justin Morneau or something, then give us 33 cent footlong subs? Could Subway at least give me 33 cent subs to make up for my petty, insignificant grudge (a grudge that doesn't stop me from getting a couple of veggie subs each week, by the way)?
You all know this already, I'm sure...
But Fire Joe Morgan is a really fine site. I knew for a while they've been skewering bad sportswriting in just the fashion I like, but now that I follow baseball I'm really enjoying it.
I'll try do better next time.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
I always knew Marino was better than Favre...
And now Doug at pro-football-reference.com has quantified it in absolute, irrefutable, "ubermetric" terms. (Just kidding, Doug).
Saturday, May 10, 2008
So I'm reading Derrida...
And I'm thinking about deconstruction. I'm thinking about finding fundamental flaws in methodology and terminology in various fields, about what fallacies may be at the center.
And I'm following baseball for the first time in a long while. And, still, thinking about deconstruction.
And I'm thinking about how stat-focused football analysis like you can find at Football Outsiders has sort of taken its cue from the stat-focused baseball analysis that preceded it. About how some of the same concepts are borrowed. And I'm thinking about what sort of fundamental flaws might be at work when some of those borrowed concepts are transferred to a different sport, how the analysis might have worked differently and better if the analysis started free without borrowing from another sport. Say, for example, a concept like "replacement level" and value above replacement level. As far as I can tell, it is a concept initially used effectively for baseball that FO applies to football. But I'm wondering if that works very well, whether the reliance on teammates for performance, the varieties of football players, the diversity of plays, the different offensive schemes, the different skill sets different players might have, and all that, make the concept of "replacement level" mean something very different, and less relevant, in football than baseball.
And I'm thinking if I actually knew more about sabermetrics, I might take up Derrida's cue and deconstruct statistical football analysis, and see how it may rely (inadequately and inaccurately) on concepts from statistical baseball analysis that don't translate to another sport well. That, well, "transform" when applied to another sport. But that I don't know enough about baseball statistical analysis to take this on.
And so I'm sitting with a feeling, a little tiny seed of an idea, wondering whether I should even post these unverified, ill-informed thoughts. Whether I should perhaps do a little deeper study before even suggesting I'm considering a big deconstruction project. Or whether some combination of grading research papers and reading Derrida has twisted my brain in ways that don't quite make sense. But then I'm posting it anyway but starting my sentences with a lot of conjunctions to make it clear I'm throwing ideas around rather than presenting a well-thought thesis.
And I'm following baseball for the first time in a long while. And, still, thinking about deconstruction.
And I'm thinking about how stat-focused football analysis like you can find at Football Outsiders has sort of taken its cue from the stat-focused baseball analysis that preceded it. About how some of the same concepts are borrowed. And I'm thinking about what sort of fundamental flaws might be at work when some of those borrowed concepts are transferred to a different sport, how the analysis might have worked differently and better if the analysis started free without borrowing from another sport. Say, for example, a concept like "replacement level" and value above replacement level. As far as I can tell, it is a concept initially used effectively for baseball that FO applies to football. But I'm wondering if that works very well, whether the reliance on teammates for performance, the varieties of football players, the diversity of plays, the different offensive schemes, the different skill sets different players might have, and all that, make the concept of "replacement level" mean something very different, and less relevant, in football than baseball.
And I'm thinking if I actually knew more about sabermetrics, I might take up Derrida's cue and deconstruct statistical football analysis, and see how it may rely (inadequately and inaccurately) on concepts from statistical baseball analysis that don't translate to another sport well. That, well, "transform" when applied to another sport. But that I don't know enough about baseball statistical analysis to take this on.
And so I'm sitting with a feeling, a little tiny seed of an idea, wondering whether I should even post these unverified, ill-informed thoughts. Whether I should perhaps do a little deeper study before even suggesting I'm considering a big deconstruction project. Or whether some combination of grading research papers and reading Derrida has twisted my brain in ways that don't quite make sense. But then I'm posting it anyway but starting my sentences with a lot of conjunctions to make it clear I'm throwing ideas around rather than presenting a well-thought thesis.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Friday Blizzard
It's here: the depths of the offseason
Though we don't write exclusively about pro football on this blog, that's definitely our primary focus. And now that the draft is over, we've got little actual news to write about. So what do we do?
Naturally we'll cover irrelevant controversy season. We'll also cover "suspension of disbelief" articles (these are feature stories on a player that has struggled but is really optimistic about next season and doing well in training camp: they are "suspension of disbelief" articles because in the offseason the writers and players ask us to imagine all sorts of wild possibilities. For example, each offseason at least one running back discusses the possibility of a 2,000 yard season). And since summer is when we get the bug and start reading a lot of articles about football, we'll probably fill use up some more bad sportswriting tags.
We'll also do team by team fantasy previews (with subterfuge: I don't want people in my league knowing exactly what I'm thinking), and we'll cover basketball and maybe even baseball.
All this probably starts in earnest about a week from now, when I'm not buried down to my very Being in grading papers.
Links
Yes, the Vikes have questions at quarterback: now the Star Tribune has a story on the undrafted quarterback they signed. Is this a case of beat writers looking for something to write about in the off-season? Or, given the team's quarterback situation, should we know details about every possible quarterback on the roster?
The Vikes are paying Kenechi Udeze's salary next season (Star Tribune). That's great, of course, though it makes me wonder about how many Americans get sick and just lose their income.
When I was a little T-Wolves fan, I loved Christian Laettner. I would go to school in a Christian Laettner sweatshirt, and when I got warm, I would take it off to reveal a Christian Laettner t-shirt. I had over 20 different Christian Laettner rookie cards. In art class I drew a big picture of Christian Laettner that's still at my parents' house. Well, Christian Laettner just got elected to the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame (10,000 Takes). Now that I'm no longer such a little T-Wolves fan, that just seems silly.
Fire Joe Morgan writes on the stupidity of calling the Twins the 7th worst franchise in all of sports. Uh, yeah, if the most successful pro franchise in the Twin Cities is that bad, whither the Wolves, Wild, and Vikes?
Because I'm an idiot, I think that if the Buccaneers cut Chris Simms, the Viking should sign him and immediately install him as starter.
Chris Paul's playoff average: 25.6 points, 11.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds. Kobe Bryant's playoff average: 34.3 points, 6.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds. What happens if the two most unstoppable individual players in the game meet up in the next round? Well, I mean, I know what happens: one team will win and the other team will lose. But the second round isn't over yet.
Sports Law Blog on horses dying in races.
TNABACG discusses Pat Reusse's comments on newspapers and blogs. While I think blogs could make columnists irrelevant (for columns often fail to provide news, insight, or good writing), blogs will not make reporters irrelevant. Viking reporters like Kevin Seifert, Judd Zulgad, Sean Jensen, and Don Seeholzer do good work. On the other hand, we could ask about the big scheme of things: just how necessary is it to have reporters digging out inside information from teams? Without it, we'd still hear about the signings and draft picks (on team sites), and we could still watch the games. Most of my pleasure as football fan comes from watching the games themselves. Without the reporters, I'd have less to blog about, but I'd still be able to watch all the games and express opinions about the individual and team performances in those games.
Though we don't write exclusively about pro football on this blog, that's definitely our primary focus. And now that the draft is over, we've got little actual news to write about. So what do we do?
Naturally we'll cover irrelevant controversy season. We'll also cover "suspension of disbelief" articles (these are feature stories on a player that has struggled but is really optimistic about next season and doing well in training camp: they are "suspension of disbelief" articles because in the offseason the writers and players ask us to imagine all sorts of wild possibilities. For example, each offseason at least one running back discusses the possibility of a 2,000 yard season). And since summer is when we get the bug and start reading a lot of articles about football, we'll probably fill use up some more bad sportswriting tags.
We'll also do team by team fantasy previews (with subterfuge: I don't want people in my league knowing exactly what I'm thinking), and we'll cover basketball and maybe even baseball.
All this probably starts in earnest about a week from now, when I'm not buried down to my very Being in grading papers.
Links
Yes, the Vikes have questions at quarterback: now the Star Tribune has a story on the undrafted quarterback they signed. Is this a case of beat writers looking for something to write about in the off-season? Or, given the team's quarterback situation, should we know details about every possible quarterback on the roster?
The Vikes are paying Kenechi Udeze's salary next season (Star Tribune). That's great, of course, though it makes me wonder about how many Americans get sick and just lose their income.
When I was a little T-Wolves fan, I loved Christian Laettner. I would go to school in a Christian Laettner sweatshirt, and when I got warm, I would take it off to reveal a Christian Laettner t-shirt. I had over 20 different Christian Laettner rookie cards. In art class I drew a big picture of Christian Laettner that's still at my parents' house. Well, Christian Laettner just got elected to the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame (10,000 Takes). Now that I'm no longer such a little T-Wolves fan, that just seems silly.
Fire Joe Morgan writes on the stupidity of calling the Twins the 7th worst franchise in all of sports. Uh, yeah, if the most successful pro franchise in the Twin Cities is that bad, whither the Wolves, Wild, and Vikes?
Because I'm an idiot, I think that if the Buccaneers cut Chris Simms, the Viking should sign him and immediately install him as starter.
Chris Paul's playoff average: 25.6 points, 11.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds. Kobe Bryant's playoff average: 34.3 points, 6.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds. What happens if the two most unstoppable individual players in the game meet up in the next round? Well, I mean, I know what happens: one team will win and the other team will lose. But the second round isn't over yet.
Sports Law Blog on horses dying in races.
TNABACG discusses Pat Reusse's comments on newspapers and blogs. While I think blogs could make columnists irrelevant (for columns often fail to provide news, insight, or good writing), blogs will not make reporters irrelevant. Viking reporters like Kevin Seifert, Judd Zulgad, Sean Jensen, and Don Seeholzer do good work. On the other hand, we could ask about the big scheme of things: just how necessary is it to have reporters digging out inside information from teams? Without it, we'd still hear about the signings and draft picks (on team sites), and we could still watch the games. Most of my pleasure as football fan comes from watching the games themselves. Without the reporters, I'd have less to blog about, but I'd still be able to watch all the games and express opinions about the individual and team performances in those games.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
PV at 10,000 Takes
I've started writing a weekly Viking column at Minnesota sports blog 10,000 Takes. I'm exciting to be joining the team of writers at 10,000 Takes, and I'm excited for another place to discuss the Purple.
My first column is up today, about why the Jared Allen signing is so important for this team in particular. And if you're interested in Minnesota sports and sports media, you should definitely stick around to read the other fine writing at the site.
I'll still be blogging away here at Pacifist Viking, too.
(By the way, I've started having my off-season dreams about the Vikings. Last night I dreamed they started out 1-3 and were losing games by scores like 46-40. I was enraged. But as it was a dream, I then became confused about whether some of those games were preseason or regular season games. And as it was a dream, I may have made some sort of deal with a demon somewhere along the line. That wasn't good either. Now I'm awake and mildly relieved).
My first column is up today, about why the Jared Allen signing is so important for this team in particular. And if you're interested in Minnesota sports and sports media, you should definitely stick around to read the other fine writing at the site.
I'll still be blogging away here at Pacifist Viking, too.
(By the way, I've started having my off-season dreams about the Vikings. Last night I dreamed they started out 1-3 and were losing games by scores like 46-40. I was enraged. But as it was a dream, I then became confused about whether some of those games were preseason or regular season games. And as it was a dream, I may have made some sort of deal with a demon somewhere along the line. That wasn't good either. Now I'm awake and mildly relieved).
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Laugh or Cry?
I just realized that the NFC North's starting quarterbacks next season will be Tarvaris Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, Jon Kitna, and Rex Grossman. Sometimes I know these things and then suddenly they strike me like an epiphany. That's the list of the division's starting quarterbacks. Welcome back, Black and Blue Division.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Fun but Meaningless
SI's Don Banks includes the Vikings as one of his "going up" teams. Unfortunately, I've heard this too many times from too many people in too many years to actually get excited about this. The Vikings look like a team on the rise during the offseason, but they haven't won 10 games in a season since 2000.
I also can't get too excited that Peter King ranks the Vikes as the 7th best team in the league. Again, I've seen this scenario play out (like when Peter King predicted the Vikes to reach the Super Bowl in 2005).
It's great to see national football columnists respecting the Vikings and predicting big things for them. But during last off-season, a whole lot of commentators thought the Vikings would be one of the worst teams in the league, and they turned out precisely mediocre. It's more fun to read good things about the Vikings during this offseason than it was to read bad things about the Vikings last offseason, but while it may be fun, we have to recognize that we've seen this before. Until it ends with a division title (the first since 2000), it's pretty empty.
I also can't get too excited that Peter King ranks the Vikes as the 7th best team in the league. Again, I've seen this scenario play out (like when Peter King predicted the Vikes to reach the Super Bowl in 2005).
It's great to see national football columnists respecting the Vikings and predicting big things for them. But during last off-season, a whole lot of commentators thought the Vikings would be one of the worst teams in the league, and they turned out precisely mediocre. It's more fun to read good things about the Vikings during this offseason than it was to read bad things about the Vikings last offseason, but while it may be fun, we have to recognize that we've seen this before. Until it ends with a division title (the first since 2000), it's pretty empty.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
How to know your favorite football team has some itty bitty quarterback issues:
when a beat writer for one of the major newspapers in the region does a moderately sized article on an undrafted quarterback that signs with the team.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Little Friday Blizzard
There's no way to know what John David Booty is going to be.
John David Booty was a 5th round pick. Like a lot of late round quarterbacks, there's a good chance he'll never really play (or he plays a little and stinks) and we'll never hear about him again. There's a chance he becomes a competent journeyman quarterback. There's even a chance that like 6th rounder Tom Brady or undrafted Tony Romo, he develops into a star at some point. I won't bother speculating even a little bit.
Links
Viking Update on John David Booty and the Viking offensive system.
Marty Burns of SI looks at the Spurs-Hornets series, which could be a classic.
Randy Kim of Fanhouse notes that new Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is the first Asian-American head coach in the NBA, MLB, or NFL.
HCIC has started posting at Leave the Man Alone again: blogging just got a little more fun.
It is down to the last few weeks of a semester, so posting might be a little thin here for a couple of weeks.
John David Booty was a 5th round pick. Like a lot of late round quarterbacks, there's a good chance he'll never really play (or he plays a little and stinks) and we'll never hear about him again. There's a chance he becomes a competent journeyman quarterback. There's even a chance that like 6th rounder Tom Brady or undrafted Tony Romo, he develops into a star at some point. I won't bother speculating even a little bit.
Links
Viking Update on John David Booty and the Viking offensive system.
Marty Burns of SI looks at the Spurs-Hornets series, which could be a classic.
Randy Kim of Fanhouse notes that new Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is the first Asian-American head coach in the NBA, MLB, or NFL.
HCIC has started posting at Leave the Man Alone again: blogging just got a little more fun.
It is down to the last few weeks of a semester, so posting might be a little thin here for a couple of weeks.
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