Here are the Flea Flicker Awards for the 2014 NFL Season
MVP: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
Offensive Player of the Year: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Defensive Player of the Year: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aaron Donald, DT, St. Louis Rams
Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
Assistant Coach of the Year (this is an actual award this year): Todd Bowles, Arizona Cardinals
All-Pro Team
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Running Back
Demarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Fullback
Anthony Sherman, Kansas City Chiefs
Wide Receiver
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
Tackle
Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns
Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Guard
Marshall Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
Center
Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers
Defensive End
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings
Defensive Tackle
Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals
Outside Linebacker
Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DeAndre Levy, Detroit Lions
Middle Linebacker
Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
Cornerback
Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
Safety
Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
Kicker
Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
Punter
Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts
Returner
Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
The Picks Are In
Well, most of the picks are in. The order of the first twenty picks in the 2015 NFL Draft are now settled with the end of the regular season. Here they are:
1. Tampa Bay (2-14)
2. Tennessee (2-14)
3. Jacksonville (3-13)
4. Oakland (3-13)
5. Washington (3-13)
6. N.Y. Jets (4-12)
7. Chicago (5-11)
8. Atlanta (6-10)
9. N.Y. Giants (6-10)
10. St. Louis (6-10)
11. Minnesota (7-9)
12. Cleveland (7-9)
13. New Orleans (7-9)
14. Miami (8-8)
15. San Francisco (8-8)
16. Houston (9-7)
17. Kansas City (9-7)
18. San Diego (9-7)
19. San Diego (from Buffalo 9-7)
20. Philadelphia (10-6)
Picks #21-32 will be determined by playoff results.
It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that the Tampa Bay will select a quarterback with that first pick. That's mostly due to the quarterbacks that might be available and the Buccaneers dire need for a quarterback. Florida State's Jameis Winston and Oregon's Marcus Mariota have yet to declare for the draft. At least one of them, and probably both, surely will. Talented quarterbacks usually find their way to the top of the draft. Every team needs one and the teams that are at the top of the are usually most in need of one. This draft actually has some teams at the top that might be happy with the quarterback that they have. Tennessee saw some good things in rookie Zach Mettenberger this year so they might tentatively move forward with him. Jacksonville is committed to Blake Bortles. Oakland is comfortable with Derek Carr. Washington has talented but floundering Robert Griffin III. It's possible that the team might give their young quarterback another year. This is Griffin's first healthy offseason as an NFL player. Maybe something will come of it. Many N.Y. Jets fans wanted their team to lose games to get the top pick. They might find some luck on draft day. There's a chance that one of Winston or Mariota could be there at #6. Or, there's Brett Hundley. Or the Jets can keep plugging away with Geno Smith. He closed the season nicely.
The Minnesota Vikings ended up with the 11th pick. The Vikings biggest weakness this season was the offensive line. Some of the line problems were due to injuries. They lost right guard Brandon Fusco early in the season. They lost right tackle Phil Loadholt and left guard Charlie Johnson later in the season. The line has to improve. Getting healthy will help. So will finding a new left guard. That guy could be on the roster (David Yankey), found in free agency or later in the draft. I don't see the Vikings going offensive line with the first pick. Any one of receiver, linebacker, corner, and safety could be the Vikings first round pick. Teddy Bridgewater's college teammate at Louisville Davante Parker would be a nice option at receiver. If the draft was today, I like a big corner to play opposite emerging Xavier Rhodes. Michigan State's Trae Waynes would fill that role. Alabama safety Landon Collins and Mississippi State linebacker are also interesting possibilities. Fun times. We have damn near five months to talk about it.
1. Tampa Bay (2-14)
2. Tennessee (2-14)
3. Jacksonville (3-13)
4. Oakland (3-13)
5. Washington (3-13)
6. N.Y. Jets (4-12)
7. Chicago (5-11)
8. Atlanta (6-10)
9. N.Y. Giants (6-10)
10. St. Louis (6-10)
11. Minnesota (7-9)
12. Cleveland (7-9)
13. New Orleans (7-9)
14. Miami (8-8)
15. San Francisco (8-8)
16. Houston (9-7)
17. Kansas City (9-7)
18. San Diego (9-7)
19. San Diego (from Buffalo 9-7)
20. Philadelphia (10-6)
Picks #21-32 will be determined by playoff results.
It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that the Tampa Bay will select a quarterback with that first pick. That's mostly due to the quarterbacks that might be available and the Buccaneers dire need for a quarterback. Florida State's Jameis Winston and Oregon's Marcus Mariota have yet to declare for the draft. At least one of them, and probably both, surely will. Talented quarterbacks usually find their way to the top of the draft. Every team needs one and the teams that are at the top of the are usually most in need of one. This draft actually has some teams at the top that might be happy with the quarterback that they have. Tennessee saw some good things in rookie Zach Mettenberger this year so they might tentatively move forward with him. Jacksonville is committed to Blake Bortles. Oakland is comfortable with Derek Carr. Washington has talented but floundering Robert Griffin III. It's possible that the team might give their young quarterback another year. This is Griffin's first healthy offseason as an NFL player. Maybe something will come of it. Many N.Y. Jets fans wanted their team to lose games to get the top pick. They might find some luck on draft day. There's a chance that one of Winston or Mariota could be there at #6. Or, there's Brett Hundley. Or the Jets can keep plugging away with Geno Smith. He closed the season nicely.
The Minnesota Vikings ended up with the 11th pick. The Vikings biggest weakness this season was the offensive line. Some of the line problems were due to injuries. They lost right guard Brandon Fusco early in the season. They lost right tackle Phil Loadholt and left guard Charlie Johnson later in the season. The line has to improve. Getting healthy will help. So will finding a new left guard. That guy could be on the roster (David Yankey), found in free agency or later in the draft. I don't see the Vikings going offensive line with the first pick. Any one of receiver, linebacker, corner, and safety could be the Vikings first round pick. Teddy Bridgewater's college teammate at Louisville Davante Parker would be a nice option at receiver. If the draft was today, I like a big corner to play opposite emerging Xavier Rhodes. Michigan State's Trae Waynes would fill that role. Alabama safety Landon Collins and Mississippi State linebacker are also interesting possibilities. Fun times. We have damn near five months to talk about it.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Week 17 Thoughts
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Chicago Bears 13-9. Explosive.
The Vikings end the 2014 season at 7-9. The Bears finish at 5-11. It's a difference of only two games but these two teams are in completely different situations. The Vikings have a great deal of hope and promise moving forward. They lost more games than they won but this was a productive season. The Bears are a mess. Rumors are spreading that head coach Marc Trestman and his staff could be gone soon. Quarterback Jay Cutler's talent is being eclipsed by questions.
If Trestman is fired, it's unfortunate. He waited so long for an NFL head coaching job. He's a terrific football coach. Some speculate that he lost the locker room. But who really knows? He earned his shot at leading his own team. For as long as he's waited, two years doesn't feel like a fair shot but the NFL is a win now league and it's rarely fair.
This was the Vikings first win against a division foe this season. That's not good. Every division game is a must-win game. Going 1-5 within the division is unacceptable.
Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been playing fantastic for about a month. He didn't play as fantastic yesterday but he played like a franchise quarterback that was having a good, safe game. He controlled the game. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 209 yards and a 44-yard touchdown to Adam Thielen. The one blemish was an interception that Bears rookie corner Kyle Fuller nearly returned for a touchdown.
This was the second game in a row that Bridgewater has thrown an interception that should have been a reception. Last week against the Miami Dolphins, running back Matt Asiata bobbled a short pass that ended up in the hands of a defender. Yesterday, receiver Cordarrelle Patterson bobbled a pass right into the hands of Fuller.
Bridgewater threw 12 interceptions on the season. Nearly half, five, of those came in two of his first three games. His accuracy and ability to keep the ball away from the defense has improved greatly through the season. He's thrown 14 touchdowns. He takes a 10 game touchdown throwing streak into his second season.
Having a young quarterback that can control the game and lead his team to wins is a very good thing to have.
The Vikings have been able to manufacture a running game despite missing Adrian Peterson for all but one game. It hasn't been pretty very often but the running game has done enough to keep the defense aware of it. Earlier in the season, Matt Asiata and rookie Jerick McKinnon shared the load. Then McKinnon claimed the majority of the carries due to his explosiveness. He suffered a back injury and was placed on injured reserve. Asiata took over and bulled his way for productive yards. He probably played his best game of the year yesterday. He even broke some runs of more than 10 yards. He finished with 91 yards on 19 carries.
Asiata has done a lot of good things this year. I addition to his tough running he has have provided some production in the passing game. But, he has had some brutal drops and bobbles. The worst being the bobbled pass and interception last week. He's dropped some passes with open field ahead of him. He's got to remember to secure that ball before he runs with it.
The Vikings entered the game with Gerald Hodges, Jasper Brinkley, Audie Cole, and Josh Kaddu as the only active and healthy linebackers. A little scary but they did fine. They were helped by the Bears offense being in something of a funk. Cole made a handful of terrific plays. Two on the Bears first possession of the game. Stops that played a huge role in forcing a punt. He also had a nice deflection of a pass to Bears back Matt Forte on a critical third down in the 4th quarter.
Linebacker will be a position that the Vikings will likely look to improve in the offseason. Rookie Anthony Barr looked like an impact playmaker before his season was ended with a knee injury. A knee injury that requires only minor surgery to fix. Barr's linebacker role is the only one that's certain. Veteran Chad Greenway or 2nd-year Gerald Hodges will likely fight for the other outside spot. A middle linebacker could be a first round target in the draft. Audie Cole has done well when given a shot on defense. He has a future with the team. While his play yesterday might give the coaches something to think about it's likely that they see him as providing depth on defense and playing a significant role on special teams.
Vikings 2nd-year corner Xavier Rhodes has been one of the best in the game over the past couple of months. He's spent most of the season lined up on the right side of the defense. When they faced the Detroit Lions a few weeks ago he was asked to travel with Calvin Johnson. The Lions had to use special formations and tactics to peal Rhodes off of Johnson to get receptions for their star. It looks like isolating Rhodes on the opponent's top receiver is more than a one game thing. He stayed on Bears giant receiver Alshon Jeffery yesterday. In the first Bears game Jeffery destroyed the Vikings. Josh Robinson just couldn't match up with him. Yesterday Jeffery had two catches for 34 yards.
It was great to see Vikings defensive end Corey Wootton get his first sack of the season but his sack dance(?) really needs to be sacked.
It didn't result in points but the Vikings 13-play drive in the fourth quarter secured the win. They ate up six minutes and forced the Bears to use all three of their timeouts. The drive ended on the Bears three-yard line when the Vikings were stopped on 4th and inches. The stop was disappointing but the long, time-consuming drive sealed the game.
The Vikings defense prevented the Bears from scoring a touchdown. The last time that the Vikings prevented a team from scoring a touchdown was in week 1 against the St. Louis Rams.
Bridgewater's freshman year stats at Louisville:
64.5% comp./14-12 TD-Int./7.2 yards per attempt
Bridgewater's rookie year stats:
64.4%/14-12 TD-Int./7.3 yards per attempt
That's incredible. Bridgewater got decidedly better each year in college. Hopefully the same pattern follows in the NFL.
Bridgewater gave the game ball to head coach Mike Zimmer for his first division win. The media asked him why he didn't keep the ball. "It was your first division win as well." Bridgewater said that he was more excited for Zimmer. Nice.
I really like this Bridgewater kid.
The San Diego Chargers were in the perfect spot. They only had to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs to secure the playoffs. And the Chiefs were starting Chase Daniel at quarterback. Instead the Chargers lose 19-7. Unbelievable.
The Baltimore Ravens took advantage of the Chargers inability to win and grabbed that last playoff spot in the AFC. For most of their game against the Cleveland Browns the Ravens didn't look much like a team that wanted to play football in January. They needed 17 4th quarter points to beat the Browns 20-10.
That puts three AFC North teams in the playoffs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens.
The AFC playoff picture looks like this.
1. New England Patriots
2. Denver Broncos
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Indianapolis Colts
5. Cincinnati Bengals
6. Baltimore Ravens
Wild Card games:
Ravens at Steelers
Bengals at Colts
The Dallas Cowboys were the only team that played like they wanted to enter the playoffs with some momentum. They took apart the Washington Redskins 44-17. The Cowboys are playing well on offense. Quarterback Tony Romo might be playing the best football of his career. He has to carry that into the playoffs.
New York Giants rookie receiver Odell Beckham has simply exploded on the NFL scene. Eli Manning targeted him 21 times yesterday. That's a lot. Beckham caught 12 of the passes for 185 years. In just over half a season's worth of games it's already gotten to the point that a stat line of 125 yards and a couple of touchdowns is considered routine for the rookie. His presence in the Giants offense has even turned Rueben Randle into the receiver that the Giants had hoped. Randle had 158 yards yesterday. He had 132 yards last week. The Giants 2014 season wasn't great. 6-10. If they can improve the defense this offseason they could be scary. The offense has a lot of firepower. Opponents will be spending all offseason trying to figure out what to do about Beckham.
The AP voters should give Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt more than a cursory thought for the MVP. He's been dominant all season. Three sacks, forced fumble, and a safety yesterday. 20 sacks on the season for the second time in his young career. Pretty routine statistics for the most disruptive defensive player since Lawrence Taylor. Watt has my vote. Wish that I had one.
The Carolina Panthers took apart the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South title. The Panthers are the first NFC South team to repeat as division champ.
The NFC playoff picture looks like this:
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. Carolina Panthers
5. Arizona Cardinals
6. Detroit Lions
Wild Card games:
Lions at Cowboys
Cardinals at Panthers
In short, the Detroit Lions are assholes. Center Dominic Raiola was suspended for yesterday's game for intentionally stomping the ankle of Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson last week. Ndamukong Suh took up the slack for Raiola. He stomped the ankle of Aaron Rodgers. What is it with the Lions and ankles? Assholes.
Let the always unfortunate Black Monday begin. It's not just the head coaches that lose their jobs. Most of the assistant coaches are shown the door as well. A lot of families are impacted.
The Vikings end the 2014 season at 7-9. The Bears finish at 5-11. It's a difference of only two games but these two teams are in completely different situations. The Vikings have a great deal of hope and promise moving forward. They lost more games than they won but this was a productive season. The Bears are a mess. Rumors are spreading that head coach Marc Trestman and his staff could be gone soon. Quarterback Jay Cutler's talent is being eclipsed by questions.
If Trestman is fired, it's unfortunate. He waited so long for an NFL head coaching job. He's a terrific football coach. Some speculate that he lost the locker room. But who really knows? He earned his shot at leading his own team. For as long as he's waited, two years doesn't feel like a fair shot but the NFL is a win now league and it's rarely fair.
This was the Vikings first win against a division foe this season. That's not good. Every division game is a must-win game. Going 1-5 within the division is unacceptable.
Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been playing fantastic for about a month. He didn't play as fantastic yesterday but he played like a franchise quarterback that was having a good, safe game. He controlled the game. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 209 yards and a 44-yard touchdown to Adam Thielen. The one blemish was an interception that Bears rookie corner Kyle Fuller nearly returned for a touchdown.
This was the second game in a row that Bridgewater has thrown an interception that should have been a reception. Last week against the Miami Dolphins, running back Matt Asiata bobbled a short pass that ended up in the hands of a defender. Yesterday, receiver Cordarrelle Patterson bobbled a pass right into the hands of Fuller.
Bridgewater threw 12 interceptions on the season. Nearly half, five, of those came in two of his first three games. His accuracy and ability to keep the ball away from the defense has improved greatly through the season. He's thrown 14 touchdowns. He takes a 10 game touchdown throwing streak into his second season.
Having a young quarterback that can control the game and lead his team to wins is a very good thing to have.
The Vikings have been able to manufacture a running game despite missing Adrian Peterson for all but one game. It hasn't been pretty very often but the running game has done enough to keep the defense aware of it. Earlier in the season, Matt Asiata and rookie Jerick McKinnon shared the load. Then McKinnon claimed the majority of the carries due to his explosiveness. He suffered a back injury and was placed on injured reserve. Asiata took over and bulled his way for productive yards. He probably played his best game of the year yesterday. He even broke some runs of more than 10 yards. He finished with 91 yards on 19 carries.
Asiata has done a lot of good things this year. I addition to his tough running he has have provided some production in the passing game. But, he has had some brutal drops and bobbles. The worst being the bobbled pass and interception last week. He's dropped some passes with open field ahead of him. He's got to remember to secure that ball before he runs with it.
The Vikings entered the game with Gerald Hodges, Jasper Brinkley, Audie Cole, and Josh Kaddu as the only active and healthy linebackers. A little scary but they did fine. They were helped by the Bears offense being in something of a funk. Cole made a handful of terrific plays. Two on the Bears first possession of the game. Stops that played a huge role in forcing a punt. He also had a nice deflection of a pass to Bears back Matt Forte on a critical third down in the 4th quarter.
Linebacker will be a position that the Vikings will likely look to improve in the offseason. Rookie Anthony Barr looked like an impact playmaker before his season was ended with a knee injury. A knee injury that requires only minor surgery to fix. Barr's linebacker role is the only one that's certain. Veteran Chad Greenway or 2nd-year Gerald Hodges will likely fight for the other outside spot. A middle linebacker could be a first round target in the draft. Audie Cole has done well when given a shot on defense. He has a future with the team. While his play yesterday might give the coaches something to think about it's likely that they see him as providing depth on defense and playing a significant role on special teams.
Vikings 2nd-year corner Xavier Rhodes has been one of the best in the game over the past couple of months. He's spent most of the season lined up on the right side of the defense. When they faced the Detroit Lions a few weeks ago he was asked to travel with Calvin Johnson. The Lions had to use special formations and tactics to peal Rhodes off of Johnson to get receptions for their star. It looks like isolating Rhodes on the opponent's top receiver is more than a one game thing. He stayed on Bears giant receiver Alshon Jeffery yesterday. In the first Bears game Jeffery destroyed the Vikings. Josh Robinson just couldn't match up with him. Yesterday Jeffery had two catches for 34 yards.
It was great to see Vikings defensive end Corey Wootton get his first sack of the season but his sack dance(?) really needs to be sacked.
It didn't result in points but the Vikings 13-play drive in the fourth quarter secured the win. They ate up six minutes and forced the Bears to use all three of their timeouts. The drive ended on the Bears three-yard line when the Vikings were stopped on 4th and inches. The stop was disappointing but the long, time-consuming drive sealed the game.
The Vikings defense prevented the Bears from scoring a touchdown. The last time that the Vikings prevented a team from scoring a touchdown was in week 1 against the St. Louis Rams.
Bridgewater's freshman year stats at Louisville:
64.5% comp./14-12 TD-Int./7.2 yards per attempt
Bridgewater's rookie year stats:
64.4%/14-12 TD-Int./7.3 yards per attempt
That's incredible. Bridgewater got decidedly better each year in college. Hopefully the same pattern follows in the NFL.
Bridgewater gave the game ball to head coach Mike Zimmer for his first division win. The media asked him why he didn't keep the ball. "It was your first division win as well." Bridgewater said that he was more excited for Zimmer. Nice.
I really like this Bridgewater kid.
The San Diego Chargers were in the perfect spot. They only had to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs to secure the playoffs. And the Chiefs were starting Chase Daniel at quarterback. Instead the Chargers lose 19-7. Unbelievable.
The Baltimore Ravens took advantage of the Chargers inability to win and grabbed that last playoff spot in the AFC. For most of their game against the Cleveland Browns the Ravens didn't look much like a team that wanted to play football in January. They needed 17 4th quarter points to beat the Browns 20-10.
That puts three AFC North teams in the playoffs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens.
The AFC playoff picture looks like this.
1. New England Patriots
2. Denver Broncos
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Indianapolis Colts
5. Cincinnati Bengals
6. Baltimore Ravens
Wild Card games:
Ravens at Steelers
Bengals at Colts
The Dallas Cowboys were the only team that played like they wanted to enter the playoffs with some momentum. They took apart the Washington Redskins 44-17. The Cowboys are playing well on offense. Quarterback Tony Romo might be playing the best football of his career. He has to carry that into the playoffs.
New York Giants rookie receiver Odell Beckham has simply exploded on the NFL scene. Eli Manning targeted him 21 times yesterday. That's a lot. Beckham caught 12 of the passes for 185 years. In just over half a season's worth of games it's already gotten to the point that a stat line of 125 yards and a couple of touchdowns is considered routine for the rookie. His presence in the Giants offense has even turned Rueben Randle into the receiver that the Giants had hoped. Randle had 158 yards yesterday. He had 132 yards last week. The Giants 2014 season wasn't great. 6-10. If they can improve the defense this offseason they could be scary. The offense has a lot of firepower. Opponents will be spending all offseason trying to figure out what to do about Beckham.
The AP voters should give Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt more than a cursory thought for the MVP. He's been dominant all season. Three sacks, forced fumble, and a safety yesterday. 20 sacks on the season for the second time in his young career. Pretty routine statistics for the most disruptive defensive player since Lawrence Taylor. Watt has my vote. Wish that I had one.
The Carolina Panthers took apart the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South title. The Panthers are the first NFC South team to repeat as division champ.
The NFC playoff picture looks like this:
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Green Bay Packers
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. Carolina Panthers
5. Arizona Cardinals
6. Detroit Lions
Wild Card games:
Lions at Cowboys
Cardinals at Panthers
In short, the Detroit Lions are assholes. Center Dominic Raiola was suspended for yesterday's game for intentionally stomping the ankle of Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson last week. Ndamukong Suh took up the slack for Raiola. He stomped the ankle of Aaron Rodgers. What is it with the Lions and ankles? Assholes.
Let the always unfortunate Black Monday begin. It's not just the head coaches that lose their jobs. Most of the assistant coaches are shown the door as well. A lot of families are impacted.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Game Day Thoughts
Minnesota Vikings trivia:
When was the Vikings first winning season?
a. 1962
b. 1963
c. 1964
d. 1965
-answer can be found below
The 2014 NFL regular season comes to a close today.
It seems like only a month ago that the Minnesota Vikings were visiting the St. Louis Rams. It hasn't been a smooth season but it has been a season filled with promise for the future. That promising future rests in the hands of head coach Mike Zimmer and the quarterbacking of Teddy Bridgewater. Head coach and quarterback are the most important positions on an NFL football team. Zimmer and Bridgewater were rookies in those roles this year. The future looks very bright in Minnesota.
The Vikings host the Chicago Bears today. A win will give the Vikings a 7-9 record. It would also be the first win against a division opponent. That's very sad. A team can't expect to win their division if they can't beat their division opponents.
The Vikings are very thin at linebacker. Rookie dynamo Anthony Barr is on IR. Chad Greenway hasn't practiced all week due to knee injury and is inactive for the game. Rookie Brandon Watts is out due to a sore hamstring. Gerald Hodges, Jasper Brinkley, and Audie Cole are the last standing from the opening day roster. The great lack of standing linebackers forced the Vikings to activate Josh Kaddu from the practice squad.
One great thing about Zimmer's coaching has been his use of the entire roster. There was tremendous rotation on defense. Nearly active player on the roster saw some playing time on defense throughout the season. Receiver Charles Johnson's rise up the depth chart was the best example on offense of the Vikings refreshing and new use of the entire roster. Brad Childress and Leslie Frazier seemed very reluctant to give anyone but the starters playing time. Even late in lost seasons.
Jay Cutler returns as the Bears starting quarterback. He was quite successful in his last meeting against the Vikings just chucking the ball up to receiver Alshon Jeffery. Corner Josh Robinson gave up about six inches to Jeffery. It wasn't pretty as the Bears giant receiver took apart the Vikings itty-bitty corner.
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt should challenge for this season's MVP award. If I had a vote, and I should, it would go to Watt. He's more disruptive than any defensive player that I've seen since Lawrence Taylor. At the very least, Watt should get more than a handful of votes. Since 2000, only Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Derrick Brooks, and James Harrison have received votes. None has received more than three of the 50 votes. Defensive players are at such a disadvantage for the MVP award. The fact that the award has gone to a defensive player before gives hope that it could happen again. In 1971, Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page was the first defensive player to win the award. Taylor won it in 1986.
Five of the six playoff spots in the AFC are filled. New England, Denver, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh are in. San Diego has the best shot to fill the final spot. If they defeat Kansas City they are in. Baltimore needs to defeat Cleveland and hope for a San Diego loss. Kansas City and Houston need more than that to happen but there is still a chance.
The NFC playoff picture is more clear than the AFC. There's also one spot left but only two teams have a shot at it. And they are playing each other. The winner of the Carolina-Atlanta game will win the sad NFC South with a losing record. It's a play-in game. A playoff game a week before the playoffs.
Despite their records, the Falcons and Panthers are playing well at the right time. The NFC South teams get a lot of grief because of their records. Sometimes seasons just unfold in a crazy manner. And NFC South has been crazy this year.
Rumor has it that Jim Harbaugh will have a new coaching gig. Michigan. University of.
Trivia answer:
c. The Vikings finished the 1964 season with an 8-5-1 record. Tied for second in the NFL Western Conference.
When was the Vikings first winning season?
a. 1962
b. 1963
c. 1964
d. 1965
-answer can be found below
The 2014 NFL regular season comes to a close today.
It seems like only a month ago that the Minnesota Vikings were visiting the St. Louis Rams. It hasn't been a smooth season but it has been a season filled with promise for the future. That promising future rests in the hands of head coach Mike Zimmer and the quarterbacking of Teddy Bridgewater. Head coach and quarterback are the most important positions on an NFL football team. Zimmer and Bridgewater were rookies in those roles this year. The future looks very bright in Minnesota.
The Vikings host the Chicago Bears today. A win will give the Vikings a 7-9 record. It would also be the first win against a division opponent. That's very sad. A team can't expect to win their division if they can't beat their division opponents.
The Vikings are very thin at linebacker. Rookie dynamo Anthony Barr is on IR. Chad Greenway hasn't practiced all week due to knee injury and is inactive for the game. Rookie Brandon Watts is out due to a sore hamstring. Gerald Hodges, Jasper Brinkley, and Audie Cole are the last standing from the opening day roster. The great lack of standing linebackers forced the Vikings to activate Josh Kaddu from the practice squad.
One great thing about Zimmer's coaching has been his use of the entire roster. There was tremendous rotation on defense. Nearly active player on the roster saw some playing time on defense throughout the season. Receiver Charles Johnson's rise up the depth chart was the best example on offense of the Vikings refreshing and new use of the entire roster. Brad Childress and Leslie Frazier seemed very reluctant to give anyone but the starters playing time. Even late in lost seasons.
Jay Cutler returns as the Bears starting quarterback. He was quite successful in his last meeting against the Vikings just chucking the ball up to receiver Alshon Jeffery. Corner Josh Robinson gave up about six inches to Jeffery. It wasn't pretty as the Bears giant receiver took apart the Vikings itty-bitty corner.
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt should challenge for this season's MVP award. If I had a vote, and I should, it would go to Watt. He's more disruptive than any defensive player that I've seen since Lawrence Taylor. At the very least, Watt should get more than a handful of votes. Since 2000, only Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Derrick Brooks, and James Harrison have received votes. None has received more than three of the 50 votes. Defensive players are at such a disadvantage for the MVP award. The fact that the award has gone to a defensive player before gives hope that it could happen again. In 1971, Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page was the first defensive player to win the award. Taylor won it in 1986.
Five of the six playoff spots in the AFC are filled. New England, Denver, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh are in. San Diego has the best shot to fill the final spot. If they defeat Kansas City they are in. Baltimore needs to defeat Cleveland and hope for a San Diego loss. Kansas City and Houston need more than that to happen but there is still a chance.
The NFC playoff picture is more clear than the AFC. There's also one spot left but only two teams have a shot at it. And they are playing each other. The winner of the Carolina-Atlanta game will win the sad NFC South with a losing record. It's a play-in game. A playoff game a week before the playoffs.
Despite their records, the Falcons and Panthers are playing well at the right time. The NFC South teams get a lot of grief because of their records. Sometimes seasons just unfold in a crazy manner. And NFC South has been crazy this year.
Rumor has it that Jim Harbaugh will have a new coaching gig. Michigan. University of.
Trivia answer:
c. The Vikings finished the 1964 season with an 8-5-1 record. Tied for second in the NFL Western Conference.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Playoff Presence
The Minnesota Vikings have been a playoff participant more often than not in my 40+ years as a fan. The 1970s were especially fun. From 1973-78 the Vikings were in the playoffs every year. And they weren't just token appearances. That would come a couple decades later. The Vikings in the 1970s were an active playoff participant. They made it to Super Bowls VIII, IX, and XI. That's three in four years. The Super Bowl that they missed in that four year stretch was one that should have made. In 1975 they were robbed of that Super Bowl X appearance by Roger Staubach's "Hail Mary" pass to Drew Pearson. Nate Wright was clearly shoved to the ground by Pearson. I'll always know that to be true. The NFL playoffs of the 1970s were a strikingly stable environment. It was nearly always some combination of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, and Miami Dolphins in the AFC and the Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC. There was some comfort in that consistency. It was comforting to be a Vikings fan in late December and early January. It was never comforting during the Super Bowls but the playoffs were often a blast.
The Vikings were a playoff staple in the 1970s. Eight appearances. They missed the postseason dance in 1972 and 1979. The 1980s weren't quite as prosperous. Five playoff appearances. Three brief playoff appearances. Those were "one-and-done" appearances. In 1982 and 1987 (the strike-impacted seasons) the Vikings made it past the first round. Both times they lost to eventual Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins. In 1982 it was in the second round. In 1987 it was in the NFC Championship game.
Like the 1970s, the Vikings were a frequent playoff participant in the 1990s. The decade started slow with the last two years of the head coaching career of Jerry Burns. There was significant roster turnover when Dennis Green took over the coaching reins but the playoff appearances were immediate and frequent. From 1992-99, Green guided the Vikings to the playoffs every yet but 1995. Unlike the 1970s, the appearances were brief. Green didn't get his first playoff win until 1997. And that first win was more shocking that sound. They made a miraculous two-score comeback in just over a minute to stun the New York Giants. The 1998 season was a whole other story. It was very sound as the Vikings took opponents apart. 1998 was more like the 1970s than the 1990s. 15-1 in the regular season and the overwhelming favorite to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XXXIII. It didn't work out that way as the Atlanta Falcons thrashed those Super Bowl dreams in overtime of the NFC Championship game. For the 1990s the Vikings made seven playoff appearances but only three wins.
The Vikings haven't seen much playoff prosperity this century. They have made it to two conference championship games but most Vikings fans remember only one. The 41-0 loss to the Giants in the 2000 NFC Championship game never happened in the minds of most Vikings fans. It's been wiped from their memory. The 2009 season was a dream like much of the 1970s and 1998. The Brett Favre-led Vikings were a serious Super Bowl threat but the season ended with another conference championship game disappointment. The Vikings outplayed the Saints for four quarters only to lose on an overtime field goal. That's been the highlight this side of 2000 despite ending the season a game short of the goal. The Vikings have made the playoffs five times in the fifteen years of this still new century. The 1980s provided some rough times but this current stretch has been the most ragged of my 40+ years.
One interesting pattern of the Vikings playoff history is this:
1976-Super Bowl XI loss
1987-a play away from overtime in NFC Championship
1998-overtime loss to the Falcons in NFC Championship
2009-overtime loss to the Saints in NFC Championship
Since the Vikings last appearance in the big game they have made a serious Super Bowl run every 11 years. I hope that they make another run before 2020. Although I do hope that they make a run in 2020 as well. I just hope that any run that they make goes further than any run that they have made before.
In my lifetime the Vikings have:
4 Super Bowl appearances. All losses.
1 NFL Championship appearance. One win.
8 NFC Championship appearances. Three wins.
1 Western Conference Championship appearance. One loss.
27 playoff appearances.
48 playoff games
19 playoff wins
The Vikings total of 48 playoff games is tied for 5th all-time.
The Vikings will miss the playoffs this year but they are set up nicely for another playoff run in the coming years. Finally finding a franchise quarterback, and Teddy Bridgewater looks like a franchise quarterback so far, will do that for an NFL team.
The Vikings were a playoff staple in the 1970s. Eight appearances. They missed the postseason dance in 1972 and 1979. The 1980s weren't quite as prosperous. Five playoff appearances. Three brief playoff appearances. Those were "one-and-done" appearances. In 1982 and 1987 (the strike-impacted seasons) the Vikings made it past the first round. Both times they lost to eventual Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins. In 1982 it was in the second round. In 1987 it was in the NFC Championship game.
Like the 1970s, the Vikings were a frequent playoff participant in the 1990s. The decade started slow with the last two years of the head coaching career of Jerry Burns. There was significant roster turnover when Dennis Green took over the coaching reins but the playoff appearances were immediate and frequent. From 1992-99, Green guided the Vikings to the playoffs every yet but 1995. Unlike the 1970s, the appearances were brief. Green didn't get his first playoff win until 1997. And that first win was more shocking that sound. They made a miraculous two-score comeback in just over a minute to stun the New York Giants. The 1998 season was a whole other story. It was very sound as the Vikings took opponents apart. 1998 was more like the 1970s than the 1990s. 15-1 in the regular season and the overwhelming favorite to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XXXIII. It didn't work out that way as the Atlanta Falcons thrashed those Super Bowl dreams in overtime of the NFC Championship game. For the 1990s the Vikings made seven playoff appearances but only three wins.
The Vikings haven't seen much playoff prosperity this century. They have made it to two conference championship games but most Vikings fans remember only one. The 41-0 loss to the Giants in the 2000 NFC Championship game never happened in the minds of most Vikings fans. It's been wiped from their memory. The 2009 season was a dream like much of the 1970s and 1998. The Brett Favre-led Vikings were a serious Super Bowl threat but the season ended with another conference championship game disappointment. The Vikings outplayed the Saints for four quarters only to lose on an overtime field goal. That's been the highlight this side of 2000 despite ending the season a game short of the goal. The Vikings have made the playoffs five times in the fifteen years of this still new century. The 1980s provided some rough times but this current stretch has been the most ragged of my 40+ years.
One interesting pattern of the Vikings playoff history is this:
1976-Super Bowl XI loss
1987-a play away from overtime in NFC Championship
1998-overtime loss to the Falcons in NFC Championship
2009-overtime loss to the Saints in NFC Championship
Since the Vikings last appearance in the big game they have made a serious Super Bowl run every 11 years. I hope that they make another run before 2020. Although I do hope that they make a run in 2020 as well. I just hope that any run that they make goes further than any run that they have made before.
In my lifetime the Vikings have:
4 Super Bowl appearances. All losses.
1 NFL Championship appearance. One win.
8 NFC Championship appearances. Three wins.
1 Western Conference Championship appearance. One loss.
27 playoff appearances.
48 playoff games
19 playoff wins
The Vikings total of 48 playoff games is tied for 5th all-time.
The Vikings will miss the playoffs this year but they are set up nicely for another playoff run in the coming years. Finally finding a franchise quarterback, and Teddy Bridgewater looks like a franchise quarterback so far, will do that for an NFL team.
Friday, December 26, 2014
A Purple Christmas
Some Minnesota Vikings trivia:
What was NOT a professional football team in Minneapolis?
a. Minneapolis Millers
b. Minnesota Red Jackets
c. Minneapolis Marines
d. Minnesota Vikings
-the answer can be found below
The 2014 edition of the Minnesota Vikings can end up with as many as seven wins and as few as six. That might not be the win total that many hoped but it might be more than most expected. For the Vikings players and coaches and the more optimistic of fans anything short of the playoffs is a disappointment. Despite the lack of wins everyone involved with the Vikings have reasons to be excited. A lot of good can be found in this season. Call the good Christmas gifts. Gifts that give great hope for the future.
Mike Zimmer
Teddy Bridgewater
Anthony Barr
Charles Johnson
Bud Grant is a Minnesota icon. He speaks and the entire state looks his way. Even if he really doesn't want them to. No other Vikings coach comes close to Grant. In appreciation or wins. Norm Van Brocklin, Les Steckel, Jerry Burns, Dennis Green, Mike Tice, Brad Childress, Leslie Frazier. In their first 23 years the Vikings employed two coaches. Van Brocklin for the first six. Grant for the rest. In the last 30 years, the Vikings employed seven coaches. That includes one more year from Grant when he came back for the 1985 season to fix the mess the Steckel made in 1984. Grant is in a great room and no other Vikings coach has come close to touching the door for it. The Vikings have finally found a coach that might. Mike Zimmer. It's a major Minnesota miracle that no football team was smart enough to hire Zimmer as head coach before the Vikings did so last January. Zimmer has been coaching football since 1979. He was at the college level for 14 years. He's been in the NFL for 20 years. He was never a head coach until the Vikings gave him his first shot. He's been a legitimate head coaching candidate for more than a decade. A handful of interviews were always followed by a handful of rejections. Some say that he's abrasive. Too direct. Actually, he's just honest. Asked in his introductory press conference if honesty isn't always the best policy, Zimmer said that honesty is always the best policy. Players love him even if they don't always like what he has to say. When he arrived in Mobile for the Senior Bowl last year as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings he was applauded by his coaching peers. He finally got his first head coaching gig and the Minnesota Vikings are damn lucky to have him.
The Vikings have been looking for a franchise quarterback since Fran Tarkenton retired in 1978. Tommy Kramer could never stay healthy long enough to carry a team. There was an insanely long line of quarterbacks that thrust their hands under the anxious tushies of Kirk Lowdermilk, Jeff Christy, Matt Birk, and John Sullivan. Wade Wilson, Sean Salisbury, Rich Gannon, Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Brad Johnson, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Daunte Culpepper, Kelly Holcomb, Brooks Bollinger, Gus Frerotte, Tarvaris Jackson, Brett Favre, Donovan McNabb, Christian Ponder, and Matt Cassel. That quarterback to center ratio is ridiculous. Some old farts had insane seasons. Even at 40, Moon threw one of the most beautiful passes ever. Cunningham was magnificent in 1998. Brett Favre in 2009, oh my. Culpepper was the only quarterback that was young enough and talented enough to be considered "the quarterback of the future." "The franchise quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings." A knee injury in 2004 zapped him of his incredible natural talent. He was never the same and the Vikings traded him away before it was evident that he was never the same. The most successful NFL teams of any generation often rise to the top with an incredible pairing of coach and quarterback. Lambeau-Herber, Halas-Luckman, Parker-Layne, Ewbank-Unitas/Namath, Lombardi-Starr, Landry-Staubach, Shula-Griese, Noll-Bradshaw, Walsh-Montana, Holmgren-Favre, Shanahan-Elway, Belichick-Brady, McCarthy-Rodgers, Payton-Brees. It goes on. The Vikings might have found that special pairing. Mike Zimmer and Teddy Bridgewater. About the only thing that Bridgewater doesn't possess is a cannon of an arm. He makes up for that with work, work, work, smarts, awareness, work and timing. He's started twelve NFL games. His last four look like he's been starting for 12 NFL seasons. Well, not quite but he's playing at a level now like he's going to be around for a very long time. With Zimmer.
Bridgewater has gotten so much attention that many forget that the Vikings drafted a player in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft before the quarterback. That's the nature of the quarterback position in today's NFL. The Vikings selected UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr with the ninth pick. Until a knee injury slowed and then ended his first NFL season Barr was a defensive force. Big, fast, incredibly athletic. He's the physical model of today's NFL linebacker.
Barr and Bridgewater are likely the football playing face of the Vikings for the next decade.
Then there's the gift that no one saw coming. Charles Johnson. Plucked off of the Cleveland Browns practice squad early in the season, Johnson was Bridgewater's most reliable target by the end of the season. His route running is terrific. A example for the rest of the receivers on the roster. Cordarrelle Patterson in particular. Johnson seemed to get open, wide open, on every snap. At 6'3" and 215 lbs, he has very good size and terrific speed. He was a great and fortunate find.
The wins might not have come this season but a lot of good has. Mike Zimmer is a great football coach. Teddy Bridgewater looks like the quarterback of the present and future. Every team needs a franchise quarterback these days and it looks like the Vikings finally have one. Anthony Barr is a defensive dynamo. And Charles Johnson will be catching passes from Bridgewater for a long time.
A very nice Purple Christmas. The next one hopefully involves in playoff appearance.
Trivia answer: a. The Minneapolis Miller were a professional sports team in Minneapolis but they played baseball. Willie Mays, Ted Williams, and Carl Yastrzemski played for the baseball playing Millers. The Red Jackets and Marines were NFL teams that played 30-40 years before the Vikings.
What was NOT a professional football team in Minneapolis?
a. Minneapolis Millers
b. Minnesota Red Jackets
c. Minneapolis Marines
d. Minnesota Vikings
-the answer can be found below
The 2014 edition of the Minnesota Vikings can end up with as many as seven wins and as few as six. That might not be the win total that many hoped but it might be more than most expected. For the Vikings players and coaches and the more optimistic of fans anything short of the playoffs is a disappointment. Despite the lack of wins everyone involved with the Vikings have reasons to be excited. A lot of good can be found in this season. Call the good Christmas gifts. Gifts that give great hope for the future.
Mike Zimmer
Teddy Bridgewater
Anthony Barr
Charles Johnson
Bud Grant is a Minnesota icon. He speaks and the entire state looks his way. Even if he really doesn't want them to. No other Vikings coach comes close to Grant. In appreciation or wins. Norm Van Brocklin, Les Steckel, Jerry Burns, Dennis Green, Mike Tice, Brad Childress, Leslie Frazier. In their first 23 years the Vikings employed two coaches. Van Brocklin for the first six. Grant for the rest. In the last 30 years, the Vikings employed seven coaches. That includes one more year from Grant when he came back for the 1985 season to fix the mess the Steckel made in 1984. Grant is in a great room and no other Vikings coach has come close to touching the door for it. The Vikings have finally found a coach that might. Mike Zimmer. It's a major Minnesota miracle that no football team was smart enough to hire Zimmer as head coach before the Vikings did so last January. Zimmer has been coaching football since 1979. He was at the college level for 14 years. He's been in the NFL for 20 years. He was never a head coach until the Vikings gave him his first shot. He's been a legitimate head coaching candidate for more than a decade. A handful of interviews were always followed by a handful of rejections. Some say that he's abrasive. Too direct. Actually, he's just honest. Asked in his introductory press conference if honesty isn't always the best policy, Zimmer said that honesty is always the best policy. Players love him even if they don't always like what he has to say. When he arrived in Mobile for the Senior Bowl last year as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings he was applauded by his coaching peers. He finally got his first head coaching gig and the Minnesota Vikings are damn lucky to have him.
The Vikings have been looking for a franchise quarterback since Fran Tarkenton retired in 1978. Tommy Kramer could never stay healthy long enough to carry a team. There was an insanely long line of quarterbacks that thrust their hands under the anxious tushies of Kirk Lowdermilk, Jeff Christy, Matt Birk, and John Sullivan. Wade Wilson, Sean Salisbury, Rich Gannon, Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Brad Johnson, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Daunte Culpepper, Kelly Holcomb, Brooks Bollinger, Gus Frerotte, Tarvaris Jackson, Brett Favre, Donovan McNabb, Christian Ponder, and Matt Cassel. That quarterback to center ratio is ridiculous. Some old farts had insane seasons. Even at 40, Moon threw one of the most beautiful passes ever. Cunningham was magnificent in 1998. Brett Favre in 2009, oh my. Culpepper was the only quarterback that was young enough and talented enough to be considered "the quarterback of the future." "The franchise quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings." A knee injury in 2004 zapped him of his incredible natural talent. He was never the same and the Vikings traded him away before it was evident that he was never the same. The most successful NFL teams of any generation often rise to the top with an incredible pairing of coach and quarterback. Lambeau-Herber, Halas-Luckman, Parker-Layne, Ewbank-Unitas/Namath, Lombardi-Starr, Landry-Staubach, Shula-Griese, Noll-Bradshaw, Walsh-Montana, Holmgren-Favre, Shanahan-Elway, Belichick-Brady, McCarthy-Rodgers, Payton-Brees. It goes on. The Vikings might have found that special pairing. Mike Zimmer and Teddy Bridgewater. About the only thing that Bridgewater doesn't possess is a cannon of an arm. He makes up for that with work, work, work, smarts, awareness, work and timing. He's started twelve NFL games. His last four look like he's been starting for 12 NFL seasons. Well, not quite but he's playing at a level now like he's going to be around for a very long time. With Zimmer.
Bridgewater has gotten so much attention that many forget that the Vikings drafted a player in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft before the quarterback. That's the nature of the quarterback position in today's NFL. The Vikings selected UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr with the ninth pick. Until a knee injury slowed and then ended his first NFL season Barr was a defensive force. Big, fast, incredibly athletic. He's the physical model of today's NFL linebacker.
Barr and Bridgewater are likely the football playing face of the Vikings for the next decade.
Then there's the gift that no one saw coming. Charles Johnson. Plucked off of the Cleveland Browns practice squad early in the season, Johnson was Bridgewater's most reliable target by the end of the season. His route running is terrific. A example for the rest of the receivers on the roster. Cordarrelle Patterson in particular. Johnson seemed to get open, wide open, on every snap. At 6'3" and 215 lbs, he has very good size and terrific speed. He was a great and fortunate find.
The wins might not have come this season but a lot of good has. Mike Zimmer is a great football coach. Teddy Bridgewater looks like the quarterback of the present and future. Every team needs a franchise quarterback these days and it looks like the Vikings finally have one. Anthony Barr is a defensive dynamo. And Charles Johnson will be catching passes from Bridgewater for a long time.
A very nice Purple Christmas. The next one hopefully involves in playoff appearance.
Trivia answer: a. The Minneapolis Miller were a professional sports team in Minneapolis but they played baseball. Willie Mays, Ted Williams, and Carl Yastrzemski played for the baseball playing Millers. The Red Jackets and Marines were NFL teams that played 30-40 years before the Vikings.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Throwback Thursday: The Longest Day
Merry Christmas. Everyone. Even Packers fans.
On Christmas Day, 1971, the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins played in a playoff classic. They needed nearly 23 extra minutes to settle the 1971 AFC Divisional Playoff game. It's the longest playoff game in NFL history.
This great game marked the beginning of the end of the great Kansas City Chiefs teams. It also marked the start of the Miami Dolphins' little dynasty.
Here's the Pro Football Hall of Fame's summary of the NFL's Longest Day:
The NFL's Longest Game
The 1971 AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, played on Christmas day, was a seesaw battle of touchdowns and field goals that didn’t end until halfway through a second overtime period. The marathon game lasted eighty-two minutes and forty seconds and by all accounts was one of the most exciting games ever played.
On Christmas Day, 1971, the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins played in a playoff classic. They needed nearly 23 extra minutes to settle the 1971 AFC Divisional Playoff game. It's the longest playoff game in NFL history.
This great game marked the beginning of the end of the great Kansas City Chiefs teams. It also marked the start of the Miami Dolphins' little dynasty.
Here's the Pro Football Hall of Fame's summary of the NFL's Longest Day:
The NFL's Longest Game
The 1971 AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, played on Christmas day, was a seesaw battle of touchdowns and field goals that didn’t end until halfway through a second overtime period. The marathon game lasted eighty-two minutes and forty seconds and by all accounts was one of the most exciting games ever played.
The Kansas City Chiefs offense directed by Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, scored the first two times they had the ball and led 10-0, at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Dolphins - with their Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese - added 10 points of their own to end the first half deadlocked.
 |
ED PODOLAK racked up 350 yards.
|
Both teams scored touchdowns in the third quarter. In the fourth, the Chiefs scored another to take the lead 24-17. However, with 1:25 remaining in regulation play the Dolphins scored to once again tie the game. On the next play Chiefs running back Ed Podolak returned the Dolphins kick 78 yards to the Miami 22 yard line. Three more plays advanced the ball to the 15. With just 35 seconds left and sensing a victory, Jan Stenerud missed a game-winning field goal. With the score tied 24-24, the game went into overtime.
Both teams missed scoring opportunities in the first overtime. Stenerud had a 42-yard field goal attempt blocked and the Dolphins’ placekicker Garo Yepremian missed a 52-yarder. Finally halfway through the sixth quarter, Yepremian got another chance. This time his 37-yard attempt was good and the Dolphins won 27-24.
Although a total of 13 future Hall of Fame players were suited up that day, the real star was Chiefs’ running back Ed Podolak. In one of the greatest post-season performances ever, Podolak carried the ball 17 times for 85 yards, caught eight passes for 110 yards, returned three kickoffs for 153 yards, and ran back 2 punts for 2 yards. For the day, Podolak gained a combined total of 350 yards.
1971 AFC Divisional Playoff Game
December 25, 1971
| Miami |
0
|
10
|
7
|
7
|
0
|
3
|
-
|
27
|
| Kansas City |
10
|
0
|
7
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
-
|
24
|
Scoring Summary
| ||||||||
First Quarter
| ||||||||
| KC |
FG Stenerud 24
| |||||||
| KC | Podolak 7 pass from Dawson (Stenerud kick) | |||||||
Second Quarter
| ||||||||
| MIA | Csonka 1 run (Yepremian kick) | |||||||
| MIA | FG Yepremian 14 | |||||||
Third Quarter
| ||||||||
| KC | Otis 1 run (Stenerud kick) | |||||||
| MIA | Kiick 1 run (Yepremian kick) | |||||||
Fourth Quarter
| ||||||||
| KC | Podolak 3 run (Stenerud kick) | |||||||
| MIA | Fleming 5 pass from Griese (Yepremian kick) | |||||||
Second Overtime
| ||||||||
| MIA | FG Yepremian 37 | |||||||
Statistics
| ||||||||
| PASSING | MIA - Griese, 20 of 35 for 263, 1 TD, 2 INT. KC - Dawson, 18 of 26 for 246, 1 TD, 2 INT | |||||||
| RUSHING | MIA - Csonka, 24 for 86, 1 TD; Kiick, 15 for 56, 1 TD; Griese, 2 for 9; Warfield, 2 for -7. KC - Hayes, 22 for 100; Podolak, 17 for 85, 1 TD; Wright, 2 for 15; Otis, 3 for 13, 1 TD. | |||||||
| RECEIVING | MIA - Warfield, 7 for 140; Twilley, 5 for 58; Fleming, 4 for 37, 1 TD; Kiick, 3 for 24; Mandich, 1 for 4. KC - Podolak, 8 for 110, 1 TD; Wright, 3 for 104; Taylor, 3 for 12; Hayes, 3 for 6; Frazier, 1 for 14. | |||||||
| Hall of Famers Involved in NFL's Longest Game | |||
 | Nick Buoniconti (LB), Larry Csonka (RB), Bob Griese, (QB), Jim Langer (C), Larry Little (RG), Don Shula (coach), Paul Warfield (WR) | ||
 |
Bobby Bell (LOLB), Buck Buchanan (RDT), Curley Culp (DT), Len Dawson (QB), Lamar Hunt (owner), Willie Lanier (MLB), Jan Stenerud (K), Hank Stram (coach), Emmitt Thomas (CB)
| ||
| Longest Overtimes in NFL History | |
| 22:40 | Miami Dolphins 27, Kansas City Chiefs 24 - Dec. 25, 1971 |
| 17:54 | Dallas Texans 20, Houston Oilers 17 - Dec. 23, 1962 |
| 17:02 | Cleveland Browns 23, New York Jets 20 - Jan. 3, 1987 |
| 16:42 | Baltimore Ravens 38, Denver Broncos 35 – Jan. 12, 2013 |
| 15:43 | Oakland Raiders 37, Baltimore Colts 31 - Dec. 24, 1977 |
| 15:10 | Carolina Panthers 29, St. Louis Rams 23 – Jan. 10, 2004 |
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Brisk Sales
The Minnesota Vikings do not set foot in the new Minneapolis stadium until the 2016 NFL season but ticket sales for seats and suites at that new stadium are exceeding goals. The team is even adding suites to accommodate the demand.
"The response from Vikings fans since we began this process in March has been overwhelmingly positive," said Executive Vice President Steve LaCroix. "We expected a strong fan reaction, but this is a true testament of the passion and loyalty Vikings fans have for this team and the excitement they have for the new stadium."
The team reports sales of 30,000 seat-builder licenses for the $1.1 billion stadium. Three out of four seats require the purchase of licenses for the 64,500-seat facility. The team had set an overall goal of $125 million from seat licenses. $80 million of that has been raised. The goal for this year alone was $37 million. The most expensive seat-builder licenses have already sold out. Those are the Field Club seats at $9,500 per seat, Valhalla Club at $7,000 per seat, and Vikings Club at $4,500 per seat. The Vikings need to rethink the names for these "pricey" seats. The Valhalla Club has to be at the top of the seat food chain.
The team has contacted all current season-ticket holders as they get first priority for the new stadium, but that opportunity expires at the end of the year. The next group to be contacted are the 6,000 new season-ticket holders who bought seats at TCF Bank Stadium for this season. The general public will have a chance some time this spring. The team has recently been offering a plan that puts fans on a waiting list for tickets at the new stadium if they purchase season tickets for next season.
The team also announced strong suite sales. So strong that they are offering two new categories. Early next year, the Vikings will offer 15 new 10-person Norseman Lounge Seats. That brings the new stadium's suite total to 131. 74 of the 108 suites up for sale have been sold at prices ranging from $110,000 to more than $300,000. Oh my. It wasn't too long ago that the only seating options available in an NFL stadium were a seat/bench or the press box. Suite buyers have to sign a four-year agreement. Five suite styles were originally offered: Loft, Turf, Valhalla, Norseman, and Touchdown. Of the original suites, only Loft and Turf remain.
It's great to see that the seats and suites are selling at a brisk rate. It took a very long time and a lot of work to get legislative approval for this stadium. It would be a real shame if the Vikings failed to fill what will be a beautiful stadium. It has become tremendously expensive to attend an NFL game. No matter the location or comfort of the seat. These new "palaces" that teams are building will only push that price higher. The Minnesota Vikings have to put an appealing football product on that new field to keep people paying those rising prices. With head coach Mike Zimmer and rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater the Vikings should be able to draw in the fans for the immediate future and beyond.
"The response from Vikings fans since we began this process in March has been overwhelmingly positive," said Executive Vice President Steve LaCroix. "We expected a strong fan reaction, but this is a true testament of the passion and loyalty Vikings fans have for this team and the excitement they have for the new stadium."
The team reports sales of 30,000 seat-builder licenses for the $1.1 billion stadium. Three out of four seats require the purchase of licenses for the 64,500-seat facility. The team had set an overall goal of $125 million from seat licenses. $80 million of that has been raised. The goal for this year alone was $37 million. The most expensive seat-builder licenses have already sold out. Those are the Field Club seats at $9,500 per seat, Valhalla Club at $7,000 per seat, and Vikings Club at $4,500 per seat. The Vikings need to rethink the names for these "pricey" seats. The Valhalla Club has to be at the top of the seat food chain.
The team has contacted all current season-ticket holders as they get first priority for the new stadium, but that opportunity expires at the end of the year. The next group to be contacted are the 6,000 new season-ticket holders who bought seats at TCF Bank Stadium for this season. The general public will have a chance some time this spring. The team has recently been offering a plan that puts fans on a waiting list for tickets at the new stadium if they purchase season tickets for next season.
The team also announced strong suite sales. So strong that they are offering two new categories. Early next year, the Vikings will offer 15 new 10-person Norseman Lounge Seats. That brings the new stadium's suite total to 131. 74 of the 108 suites up for sale have been sold at prices ranging from $110,000 to more than $300,000. Oh my. It wasn't too long ago that the only seating options available in an NFL stadium were a seat/bench or the press box. Suite buyers have to sign a four-year agreement. Five suite styles were originally offered: Loft, Turf, Valhalla, Norseman, and Touchdown. Of the original suites, only Loft and Turf remain.
It's great to see that the seats and suites are selling at a brisk rate. It took a very long time and a lot of work to get legislative approval for this stadium. It would be a real shame if the Vikings failed to fill what will be a beautiful stadium. It has become tremendously expensive to attend an NFL game. No matter the location or comfort of the seat. These new "palaces" that teams are building will only push that price higher. The Minnesota Vikings have to put an appealing football product on that new field to keep people paying those rising prices. With head coach Mike Zimmer and rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater the Vikings should be able to draw in the fans for the immediate future and beyond.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Consultant?
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is bringing in former Washington Redskins and Houston Texans General Manager Charley Casserly for some consulting work. The only conclusion from this development is that about a week from today the Jets will be making some changes at the front of their organization. That should be a safe assumption as it's not often that an organization brings in a consultant to not make changes.
It's been suspected for a while now that Jets head coach Rex Ryan is on his last days with the team. The same might be true for General Manager John Idzik. Ryan was lucky to have survived last season and the Jets were a .500 team. They are 3-12 with a game to play this season. Ryan is one of the best defensive minds in the game. He continued to show that this year despite something of a talent void in the secondary. The responsibility to fill talent voids falls on the general manager. That should put Idzik's job security in jeopardy as well.
Casserly might be best known now for his TV work on NFL Network. Before that he had a solid run as an NFL personnel man. Could this consulting gig with the Jets turn into something more? Who knows? Michael Lombardi jumped from NFL Network analyst to the Cleveland Browns front office a few years ago. He was fired by the Browns new ownership group about a year later. Casserly might want to give doing anything more than consulting a lot of thought. There's much better job security in TV.
It's more likely that this story is nothing more than Woody Johnson getting advice from someone that knows the NFL front office game. Casserly started a team from scratch in Houston. He'll be facing the same sort of thing in New York.
It's been suspected for a while now that Jets head coach Rex Ryan is on his last days with the team. The same might be true for General Manager John Idzik. Ryan was lucky to have survived last season and the Jets were a .500 team. They are 3-12 with a game to play this season. Ryan is one of the best defensive minds in the game. He continued to show that this year despite something of a talent void in the secondary. The responsibility to fill talent voids falls on the general manager. That should put Idzik's job security in jeopardy as well.
Casserly might be best known now for his TV work on NFL Network. Before that he had a solid run as an NFL personnel man. Could this consulting gig with the Jets turn into something more? Who knows? Michael Lombardi jumped from NFL Network analyst to the Cleveland Browns front office a few years ago. He was fired by the Browns new ownership group about a year later. Casserly might want to give doing anything more than consulting a lot of thought. There's much better job security in TV.
It's more likely that this story is nothing more than Woody Johnson getting advice from someone that knows the NFL front office game. Casserly started a team from scratch in Houston. He'll be facing the same sort of thing in New York.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Week 16 Thoughts
The Minnesota Vikings won't have a winning record this season.
The Miami Dolphins defeated the Vikings with a safety scored on a punt blocked out of their own end zone with less than a minute to play. 37-35. The Vikings are now 6-9. The Dolphins are 8-7.
The Dolphins needed to win to stay alive in the playoff chase. They also needed a few other things to go their way. One of which was a Pittsburgh Steelers loss. They didn't get that one. They are now on the outside of the playoffs.
The blocked punt might have produced the deciding points but it was Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake that set it all up. Terrence Fede will get the headlines for the block but Wake took apart Vikings right tackle Mike Harris to force the punt. The Vikings had plenty of time for a game-winning drive. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been terrific at leading critical drives all season. Wake gave him no chance. He forced a high Bridgewater throw on 2nd down. He sacked Bridgewater on 3rd down. Instead of a game-winning drive the Vikings were punting from their own end zone.
Cameron Wake is a beast. It's astonishing that he almost missed an NFL career. He signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He was released before he even had a shot in training camp. He spent 2005 and 2006 waiting for an NFL team to call. None did. He had to play, and dominate, in the CFL with the British Columbia Lions from 2007-08. He finally drew interest from NFL teams, including the Vikings. He chose the Dolphins and has been one of the best pass rushers in the game ever since. He had two sacks yesterday.
One of the biggest plays of the game took place towards the end of the first half. Bridgewater hit tight end Chase Ford with a beautiful, touch pass. Ford caught the ball at about the 2-yard line and stepped into the end zone. The officials ruled that Ford's right foot hit out of bounds before he stepped into the end zone. The call was confirmed by the replay officials in New York despite clear evidence that green grass could be seen between Ford's shoe and the white of the sideline. What those replay officials saw is an absolute mystery. The Vikings took two shots at the end zone but had to settle for a field goal. Those lost four points would have come in handy at the end of the game.
NFL head of officials Dean Blandino seems to take pride in the relatively slight number of calls that have been overturned. Supposedly showing the accuracy of the officials on the field. I always thought that the purpose of replay was to get the call right. Confirming an incorrect call isn't a step in the right direction.
The Vikings defense was mostly solid in the first half. They had a 17-7 lead. They weren't so solid in the second half. The warmth of Miami might have been a factor. It's more likely that the loss of linebacker Chad Greenway was the reason for the second half slide. Greenway was injured in the first half and didn't play in the second half. The Vikings were already missing terrific rookie linebacker Anthony Barr. He was placed on injured reserve on Friday. Greenway is the veteran leader of the defense. He provides stability and relays the calls from the sideline. He was missed. The middle of the field was routinely open.
Teddy Bridgewater gets better every week. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 259 yards and 2 touchdowns. He had one interception that was as much fumble as interception. He hit running back Matt Asiata on a short pass across the middle. Asiata bobbled the throw and it ended up in the hands of Dolphins linebacker Derrick Shelby. More important than straight stats, Bridgewater is simply leading and playing like a franchise quarterback. The Vikings 2014 season has been disappointing in terms of wins and losses but the development and play of Teddy Bridgewater has been a major step forward.
Bridgewater showed incredible touch on the 21-yard touchdown throw to Greg Jennings and the should-have-been 23-yard touchdown to Chase Ford.
It's amazing that Bridgewater just turned 22 years of age.
This was Bridgewater's 11th start. It broke the franchise record for starts by a rookie quarterback. He'll break the record again next week.
Vikings safety Harrison Smith had a terrific interception of Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the second quarter. On a blitz, Smith deflected Tannehill's pass, caught it, and returned it 11 yards to the Dolphins 23-yard line. It was an incredibly reactive play that set the Vikings offense up for a score. Three plays later, the Vikings had a 14-0 lead.
Tannehill had a very productive day completing 35 of 47 passes for 396 yards and 4 touchdowns. The only blemish was Smith's interception. Tannehill had particular success taking advantage of far too much room over the middle. Dolphins tight end Charles Clay was very destructive. 6 catches for 114 yards. Too often he was running open in the middle of the field. He was an easy find and target for his quarterback.
Tannehill looked good. He did a terrific job of avoiding sacks. He made plays. He moved his team.
The Vikings could really use a mobile, active middle linebacker to take control of the middle of the field. It's one of the biggest needs this offseason.
Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph doesn't get a lot of attention. Eating up blockers isn't a glamorous task but he's played well this season. He tackled Dolphins running back 12 yards down the field. His hustle and tackle kept Miller from gaining another 20 yards.
A couple of years ago the NFL added a rule that prohibited an offensive player from leading with his helmet when he's away from the line of scrimmage. Watching Vikings back Matt Asiata run with the ball makes me wonder if the league actually enforces the rule.
Asiata has been running strong since rookie Jerrick McKinnon's season came to an end due to back surgery. McKinnon added an explosive option to the Vikings backfield. Asiata doesn't but he packs a wallop. He's actually played well since he's been the main back. He picks up tough yardage. He had 58 yards on 16 carries for two touchdowns yesterday. Fairly pedestrian except for the touchdowns. He also added a critical 2-pt conversion that tied the score at 28 with about five minutes to play.
Asiata's 2-pt conversion was packed with thrills. It felt like it took about 15 minutes to complete. The Vikings offense and the Dolphins defense got ready for the play when the replay officials finally decided to take a look at Bridgewater's touchdown throw to Jarius Wright. Every touchdown is reviewed so it's difficult to understand the delay in doing so. With confirmation finally complete, the Vikings offense approached the line again. Offsides Dolphins. The ball was moved to the 1-yard line. The Vikings offense approached the line again. This time a play was actually run and Brdigewater fumbled after being forced to scramble for the conversion. Offsides Dolphins. The ball was moved to the 1/2-yard line. The Vikings offense approached the line again. This time they ran Asiata for the conversion. In summation, the Vikings offense approached the line four times in their attempt to score 2 points. But, it was an important 2 points.
Several supposed experts have been honking about Dolphins coach Joe Philbin being on the hot seat. He gets some media criticism simply because he looks more studious than inspirational. He doesn't provide enough "color" for the media. So what? I think that the Dolphins are moving in the right direction and Philbin is very much a part of it. Dolphins owner said that Philbin is coming back as his coach and his opinion is the only one that really matters.
The Vikings last three losses were by a total of 7 points. That's a very fine line between 6-9 and 9-6. It's tough to lose games like this. Good teams don't. The Vikings, despite playing through a fairly chaotic season, are very close to being a very good team.
The Vikings close out the 2014 NFL season next week at home against the Chicago Bears. They are looking for their first win within their division.
Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson caught his 1000th career pass. He became the 10th player to hit the milestone and the second fastest. It took Johnson 168 games. It took former Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison 167 games. Can't get much closer than that. All-everything Jerry Rice needed 181 games to catch 1000 passes. Congratulations Andre Johnson.
The New York Jets have been more soap opera than football team this year but they sure are able to give the New England Patriots a tough time. Ever since Rex Ryan took over the Jets the team has been a tough out for the always strong Patriots. It was 17-16 Patriots yesterday.
The Indianapolis Colts played like they were on a bye. They slept through a 42-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Andrew Luck was even benched.
New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham is a super fun football player. He might be the best athlete in the NFL. Patrick Peterson might argue that but it's a real tough sell.
The Oakland Raiders shocked another team. The Buffalo Bills this time. 26-24.
St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams didn't learn a damn thing during his one-year suspension. He still coaches his players to be a gang of thugs. Williams had no defense to slow Giants receiver Beckham so he directed his players to go headhunting. That pathetic formula led to Rams safety T.J. McDonald injuring his own teammate. Williams has no business coaching at any level of football.
Detroit Lions piece of shit center Dominic Raiola should be sunning himself with Williams somewhere far from an NFL football field. He intentionally stomped the ankle of Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson. Raiola has stunts like this pretty much weekly.
RIP Alan Greenway.
The Miami Dolphins defeated the Vikings with a safety scored on a punt blocked out of their own end zone with less than a minute to play. 37-35. The Vikings are now 6-9. The Dolphins are 8-7.
The Dolphins needed to win to stay alive in the playoff chase. They also needed a few other things to go their way. One of which was a Pittsburgh Steelers loss. They didn't get that one. They are now on the outside of the playoffs.
The blocked punt might have produced the deciding points but it was Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake that set it all up. Terrence Fede will get the headlines for the block but Wake took apart Vikings right tackle Mike Harris to force the punt. The Vikings had plenty of time for a game-winning drive. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been terrific at leading critical drives all season. Wake gave him no chance. He forced a high Bridgewater throw on 2nd down. He sacked Bridgewater on 3rd down. Instead of a game-winning drive the Vikings were punting from their own end zone.
Cameron Wake is a beast. It's astonishing that he almost missed an NFL career. He signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He was released before he even had a shot in training camp. He spent 2005 and 2006 waiting for an NFL team to call. None did. He had to play, and dominate, in the CFL with the British Columbia Lions from 2007-08. He finally drew interest from NFL teams, including the Vikings. He chose the Dolphins and has been one of the best pass rushers in the game ever since. He had two sacks yesterday.
One of the biggest plays of the game took place towards the end of the first half. Bridgewater hit tight end Chase Ford with a beautiful, touch pass. Ford caught the ball at about the 2-yard line and stepped into the end zone. The officials ruled that Ford's right foot hit out of bounds before he stepped into the end zone. The call was confirmed by the replay officials in New York despite clear evidence that green grass could be seen between Ford's shoe and the white of the sideline. What those replay officials saw is an absolute mystery. The Vikings took two shots at the end zone but had to settle for a field goal. Those lost four points would have come in handy at the end of the game.
NFL head of officials Dean Blandino seems to take pride in the relatively slight number of calls that have been overturned. Supposedly showing the accuracy of the officials on the field. I always thought that the purpose of replay was to get the call right. Confirming an incorrect call isn't a step in the right direction.
The Vikings defense was mostly solid in the first half. They had a 17-7 lead. They weren't so solid in the second half. The warmth of Miami might have been a factor. It's more likely that the loss of linebacker Chad Greenway was the reason for the second half slide. Greenway was injured in the first half and didn't play in the second half. The Vikings were already missing terrific rookie linebacker Anthony Barr. He was placed on injured reserve on Friday. Greenway is the veteran leader of the defense. He provides stability and relays the calls from the sideline. He was missed. The middle of the field was routinely open.
Teddy Bridgewater gets better every week. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 259 yards and 2 touchdowns. He had one interception that was as much fumble as interception. He hit running back Matt Asiata on a short pass across the middle. Asiata bobbled the throw and it ended up in the hands of Dolphins linebacker Derrick Shelby. More important than straight stats, Bridgewater is simply leading and playing like a franchise quarterback. The Vikings 2014 season has been disappointing in terms of wins and losses but the development and play of Teddy Bridgewater has been a major step forward.
Bridgewater showed incredible touch on the 21-yard touchdown throw to Greg Jennings and the should-have-been 23-yard touchdown to Chase Ford.
It's amazing that Bridgewater just turned 22 years of age.
This was Bridgewater's 11th start. It broke the franchise record for starts by a rookie quarterback. He'll break the record again next week.
Vikings safety Harrison Smith had a terrific interception of Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the second quarter. On a blitz, Smith deflected Tannehill's pass, caught it, and returned it 11 yards to the Dolphins 23-yard line. It was an incredibly reactive play that set the Vikings offense up for a score. Three plays later, the Vikings had a 14-0 lead.
Tannehill had a very productive day completing 35 of 47 passes for 396 yards and 4 touchdowns. The only blemish was Smith's interception. Tannehill had particular success taking advantage of far too much room over the middle. Dolphins tight end Charles Clay was very destructive. 6 catches for 114 yards. Too often he was running open in the middle of the field. He was an easy find and target for his quarterback.
Tannehill looked good. He did a terrific job of avoiding sacks. He made plays. He moved his team.
The Vikings could really use a mobile, active middle linebacker to take control of the middle of the field. It's one of the biggest needs this offseason.
Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph doesn't get a lot of attention. Eating up blockers isn't a glamorous task but he's played well this season. He tackled Dolphins running back 12 yards down the field. His hustle and tackle kept Miller from gaining another 20 yards.
A couple of years ago the NFL added a rule that prohibited an offensive player from leading with his helmet when he's away from the line of scrimmage. Watching Vikings back Matt Asiata run with the ball makes me wonder if the league actually enforces the rule.
Asiata has been running strong since rookie Jerrick McKinnon's season came to an end due to back surgery. McKinnon added an explosive option to the Vikings backfield. Asiata doesn't but he packs a wallop. He's actually played well since he's been the main back. He picks up tough yardage. He had 58 yards on 16 carries for two touchdowns yesterday. Fairly pedestrian except for the touchdowns. He also added a critical 2-pt conversion that tied the score at 28 with about five minutes to play.
Asiata's 2-pt conversion was packed with thrills. It felt like it took about 15 minutes to complete. The Vikings offense and the Dolphins defense got ready for the play when the replay officials finally decided to take a look at Bridgewater's touchdown throw to Jarius Wright. Every touchdown is reviewed so it's difficult to understand the delay in doing so. With confirmation finally complete, the Vikings offense approached the line again. Offsides Dolphins. The ball was moved to the 1-yard line. The Vikings offense approached the line again. This time a play was actually run and Brdigewater fumbled after being forced to scramble for the conversion. Offsides Dolphins. The ball was moved to the 1/2-yard line. The Vikings offense approached the line again. This time they ran Asiata for the conversion. In summation, the Vikings offense approached the line four times in their attempt to score 2 points. But, it was an important 2 points.
Several supposed experts have been honking about Dolphins coach Joe Philbin being on the hot seat. He gets some media criticism simply because he looks more studious than inspirational. He doesn't provide enough "color" for the media. So what? I think that the Dolphins are moving in the right direction and Philbin is very much a part of it. Dolphins owner said that Philbin is coming back as his coach and his opinion is the only one that really matters.
The Vikings last three losses were by a total of 7 points. That's a very fine line between 6-9 and 9-6. It's tough to lose games like this. Good teams don't. The Vikings, despite playing through a fairly chaotic season, are very close to being a very good team.
The Vikings close out the 2014 NFL season next week at home against the Chicago Bears. They are looking for their first win within their division.
Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson caught his 1000th career pass. He became the 10th player to hit the milestone and the second fastest. It took Johnson 168 games. It took former Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison 167 games. Can't get much closer than that. All-everything Jerry Rice needed 181 games to catch 1000 passes. Congratulations Andre Johnson.
The New York Jets have been more soap opera than football team this year but they sure are able to give the New England Patriots a tough time. Ever since Rex Ryan took over the Jets the team has been a tough out for the always strong Patriots. It was 17-16 Patriots yesterday.
The Indianapolis Colts played like they were on a bye. They slept through a 42-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Andrew Luck was even benched.
New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham is a super fun football player. He might be the best athlete in the NFL. Patrick Peterson might argue that but it's a real tough sell.
The Oakland Raiders shocked another team. The Buffalo Bills this time. 26-24.
St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams didn't learn a damn thing during his one-year suspension. He still coaches his players to be a gang of thugs. Williams had no defense to slow Giants receiver Beckham so he directed his players to go headhunting. That pathetic formula led to Rams safety T.J. McDonald injuring his own teammate. Williams has no business coaching at any level of football.
Detroit Lions piece of shit center Dominic Raiola should be sunning himself with Williams somewhere far from an NFL football field. He intentionally stomped the ankle of Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson. Raiola has stunts like this pretty much weekly.
RIP Alan Greenway.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Game Day Thoughts
The 6-8 Minnesota Vikings take their last road trip of the season today. They get to play in sunny Miami against the 7-7 Dolphins. It's a rematch of Super VIII.
Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be playing in front of his hometown peeps.
The Vikings have been eliminated from the playoffs. The Dolphins still have a shot. They are 11th in the AFC and only six teams get invited. The Dolphins need several things to break their way.
The Vikings are fighting to end the season with a .500 record. Some might consider that an accomplishment. I don't think that the Vikings coaches and players would be among them. They let too many games slip away. Their last four losses were by a total of 14 points. There isn't much difference between this 6-8 Vikings team on the wrong side of the playoffs and a 10-4 Vikings team in the middle of the playoffs. The game that hurts the most is the one against the Buffalo Bills. The defense allowed the Bills to convert a 4th & 20 on a late, game-winning drive. It was painful to see and still painful to recall. That was the first of the four oh-so-close losses. Good teams win those games. The Vikings are a young team that has to learn how to win those games so that they can become a good team. Maybe a great team.
Two more games in head coach Mike Zimmer's first year as the Vikings head coach. The team is in good hands. It's still stunning that no team was smart enough to hire this guy in the last decade. The Vikings were very, very lucky that no team was that smart.
We had Saturday games! I've always enjoyed the late season Saturday games.
The San Francisco 49ers scored more points (28) in the first half last night against the San Diego Chargers than they had scored in the previous three games (23). The 49ers still found a way lose. This time it took overtime. They had the Chargers on the ropes but allowed them to get back in the game.
The Philadelphia Eagles took a very big step toward playoff elimination with their surprising 27-24 loss to the dramatic Washington Redskins.
Two games left and only five teams have clinched playoff spots. The New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and Denver Broncos have clinched their divisions. The Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions have clinched a playoff spot. More will join them today.
Today's morning games:
Minnesota at Miami
Atlanta at New Orleans
Kansas City at Pittsburgh
Baltimore at Houston
Green Bay at Tampa Bay
Detroit at Chicago
Cleveland at Carolina
New England at New York Jets
Afternoon games:
New York Giants at St. Louis
Buffalo at Oakland
Indianapolis at Dallas
Tonight's game:
Seattle at Arizona
So, there are four games that involve both teams fighting for the playoffs. Sort of pre-playoff playoff games.
We have the 6-8 Saints battling the 5-9 Falcons for the very sad NFC South. The records don't show it but this is a very important game. Baltimore at Houston is a little better. The Ravens could be a real Super Bowl threat in the AFC. The Texans, like the Dolphins, are 7-7. They need a lot of help. The playoff battles get more tense in the PM. Colts-Cowboys (Super Bowl V rematch!) could be a lot of fun. Seahawks-Cardinals could provide a defensive classic.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2014 California State Bowl Championships
Open Division: De La Salle 63 Centennial 42
Division I: Folsom 68 Oceanside 7
Division II: Redlands E.V. 34 Clayton Valley 33
Division III: Camoplindo 35 El Capitan 28
Division IV: Central Catholic 31 St. Margaret's 19
Northern California takes it this year 4-1.
Centennial receiver Javon McKinley is going to make whatever college he picks very happy. That won't happen until 2016. Unbelievable.
De La Salle won their sixth State Bowl Championship game.
Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be playing in front of his hometown peeps.
The Vikings have been eliminated from the playoffs. The Dolphins still have a shot. They are 11th in the AFC and only six teams get invited. The Dolphins need several things to break their way.
The Vikings are fighting to end the season with a .500 record. Some might consider that an accomplishment. I don't think that the Vikings coaches and players would be among them. They let too many games slip away. Their last four losses were by a total of 14 points. There isn't much difference between this 6-8 Vikings team on the wrong side of the playoffs and a 10-4 Vikings team in the middle of the playoffs. The game that hurts the most is the one against the Buffalo Bills. The defense allowed the Bills to convert a 4th & 20 on a late, game-winning drive. It was painful to see and still painful to recall. That was the first of the four oh-so-close losses. Good teams win those games. The Vikings are a young team that has to learn how to win those games so that they can become a good team. Maybe a great team.
Two more games in head coach Mike Zimmer's first year as the Vikings head coach. The team is in good hands. It's still stunning that no team was smart enough to hire this guy in the last decade. The Vikings were very, very lucky that no team was that smart.
We had Saturday games! I've always enjoyed the late season Saturday games.
The San Francisco 49ers scored more points (28) in the first half last night against the San Diego Chargers than they had scored in the previous three games (23). The 49ers still found a way lose. This time it took overtime. They had the Chargers on the ropes but allowed them to get back in the game.
The Philadelphia Eagles took a very big step toward playoff elimination with their surprising 27-24 loss to the dramatic Washington Redskins.
Two games left and only five teams have clinched playoff spots. The New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and Denver Broncos have clinched their divisions. The Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions have clinched a playoff spot. More will join them today.
Today's morning games:
Minnesota at Miami
Atlanta at New Orleans
Kansas City at Pittsburgh
Baltimore at Houston
Green Bay at Tampa Bay
Detroit at Chicago
Cleveland at Carolina
New England at New York Jets
Afternoon games:
New York Giants at St. Louis
Buffalo at Oakland
Indianapolis at Dallas
Tonight's game:
Seattle at Arizona
So, there are four games that involve both teams fighting for the playoffs. Sort of pre-playoff playoff games.
We have the 6-8 Saints battling the 5-9 Falcons for the very sad NFC South. The records don't show it but this is a very important game. Baltimore at Houston is a little better. The Ravens could be a real Super Bowl threat in the AFC. The Texans, like the Dolphins, are 7-7. They need a lot of help. The playoff battles get more tense in the PM. Colts-Cowboys (Super Bowl V rematch!) could be a lot of fun. Seahawks-Cardinals could provide a defensive classic.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2014 California State Bowl Championships
Open Division: De La Salle 63 Centennial 42
Division I: Folsom 68 Oceanside 7
Division II: Redlands E.V. 34 Clayton Valley 33
Division III: Camoplindo 35 El Capitan 28
Division IV: Central Catholic 31 St. Margaret's 19
Northern California takes it this year 4-1.
Centennial receiver Javon McKinley is going to make whatever college he picks very happy. That won't happen until 2016. Unbelievable.
De La Salle won their sixth State Bowl Championship game.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
A Good Trade
The NFL is the most popular professional sport in the country. It's so far ahead of the rest that a regular season NFL game draws more viewers than a World Series game. That would have been inconceivable a couple of decades ago. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was paid over $100 million from 2008-12. With that sort of compensation from the NFL owners one would think that he's the reason for this wild popularity. He isn't. Far from it. The popularity of the NFL is at such a high in spite of the commissioner. It's a shame really. The NFL is at the top of the professional sports food chain in this country and it's being led by perhaps the worst executive in professional sports. The NFL should have the best commissioner. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver should be NFL Commissioner. The NFL should trade Goodell for Silver. That would be a good trade. For the NFL. It would be a terrible trade for the NBA. The NFL would probably have to throw in Harold Henderson(Roger will need a friend), Adolpho Birch, Greg Aiello, a bunch of cash, and a few more executives to be named later to make it happen. The NFL usually gets what it wants so they can make this work.
The NFL has been blessed with tremendous leadership throughout it's history. Joe Carr, Bert Bell, Pete Rozelle, and Paul Tagliabue all seemed to have the qualities that the league needed most during their times. Carr had football and administrative experience before the NFL was even a thing. His stability and passion guided the new league through the pot-hole riddled 1920s and '30s. Bell was a football man first. His passion for and knowledge of the game set the league up for the popularity explosion that was to come. No Carr and Bell and we probably have no NFL. Rozelle was a public relations savant. He was the perfect man to package and market the NFL. If Taglaibue did anything right it was the respect he showed and had with the players and their union. Now we have Goodell. Great. The players will always be the draw of sports but the rocky ground that the NFL is walking now is a good indication that the leadership at the top can makes the whole picture better. A little honesty and consistency goes a long way and Goodell has provided no honesty and very little consistency. He is currently making everything worse. Neither the public nor the players trust him. Initially, I thought that Roger Goodell was a fine choice as NFL Commissioner. He struck me as a commissioner that would view the game through the eyes of a fan. He often admitted as much. In every speaking opportunity he throws in a few "it's what the fans want." I believed those words for most of his eight years running the league. Perhaps I believed him simply because I wanted to believe him. I've come to realize that Roger Goodell doesn't give a shit about the fans. He certainly doesn't give a shit about the players. It's a shame really as those two groups are probably the two groups that he really should be working the hardest to keep happy. Instead, he's only concerned with making the owners more money. I suppose that's what the owners expect and he's greatly overpaid to do but how much is enough? The NFL gains new fans every day. There are more fantasy football participants each year. Each season the excitement for the league is at an all-time high. Interest in the NFL will grow every year if Goodell did nothing at all. With his current moves in mind, the NFL might grow even more if Goodell did nothing at all. If he took a real long nap. A decades long nap. He wants an 18-game season. He says that the fans want it. An 18-game season isn't for the fans. It absolutely isn't for the players. An 18-game season would put 32 more game receipts into the owners' coffers. Goodell says that most of what he does is for the fans. It's not. A team in London? For the owners. Expanded playoffs? For the owners. Thursday games? Owners. Goodell talks of a quest to make the game safer for the players. Few of his actions back those words. The players are too replaceable to truly worry about their welfare. None of this should really come as a surprise. None of the men that built the NFL and led the NFL really cared too much about the players. They were a disposable commodity. They used them until they couldn't use them anymore. There were always more players to take their place. At least we could feel fairly confident that the words spoken by Carr, Bell, Rozelle, and Tagliabue were the truth. They were as honest as they could be with the players and the public. I no longer believe a single word spoken by Roger Goodell. His disciplinary actions with the players are arbitrary and random. It's is as if he has a dart board in his office and flings a dart to determine a punishment. He consults "experts" to come up with a comprehensive Player Conduct Policy yet doesn't think to consult the NFLPA. Simple common courtesy would prompt a fair man to involve the people impacted by a decision. The NFLPA deserved that courtesy. I miss the days when I could trust the person that is guiding the league that I love. I never would have imagined that the NFL could be in danger. I have that fear now. The USFL's lawsuit in the 1980s threw a serious scare into the NFL. The labor issues of the 1970s and '80s were more annoying than anything else. The labor discussions that will take place at the end of the current CBA may turn into a war. Something far worse than the five-month battle that took place in 2011. The players do not trust Goodell and I don't blame them. The NFL might not survive another round of labor negotiations that involves Roger Goodell. Adam Silver has been the NBA Commissioner for less than a year. In that time he's spoken with honesty more often than Goodell has in eight years. Silver for Goodell? That would be a very good trade.
The NFL has been blessed with tremendous leadership throughout it's history. Joe Carr, Bert Bell, Pete Rozelle, and Paul Tagliabue all seemed to have the qualities that the league needed most during their times. Carr had football and administrative experience before the NFL was even a thing. His stability and passion guided the new league through the pot-hole riddled 1920s and '30s. Bell was a football man first. His passion for and knowledge of the game set the league up for the popularity explosion that was to come. No Carr and Bell and we probably have no NFL. Rozelle was a public relations savant. He was the perfect man to package and market the NFL. If Taglaibue did anything right it was the respect he showed and had with the players and their union. Now we have Goodell. Great. The players will always be the draw of sports but the rocky ground that the NFL is walking now is a good indication that the leadership at the top can makes the whole picture better. A little honesty and consistency goes a long way and Goodell has provided no honesty and very little consistency. He is currently making everything worse. Neither the public nor the players trust him. Initially, I thought that Roger Goodell was a fine choice as NFL Commissioner. He struck me as a commissioner that would view the game through the eyes of a fan. He often admitted as much. In every speaking opportunity he throws in a few "it's what the fans want." I believed those words for most of his eight years running the league. Perhaps I believed him simply because I wanted to believe him. I've come to realize that Roger Goodell doesn't give a shit about the fans. He certainly doesn't give a shit about the players. It's a shame really as those two groups are probably the two groups that he really should be working the hardest to keep happy. Instead, he's only concerned with making the owners more money. I suppose that's what the owners expect and he's greatly overpaid to do but how much is enough? The NFL gains new fans every day. There are more fantasy football participants each year. Each season the excitement for the league is at an all-time high. Interest in the NFL will grow every year if Goodell did nothing at all. With his current moves in mind, the NFL might grow even more if Goodell did nothing at all. If he took a real long nap. A decades long nap. He wants an 18-game season. He says that the fans want it. An 18-game season isn't for the fans. It absolutely isn't for the players. An 18-game season would put 32 more game receipts into the owners' coffers. Goodell says that most of what he does is for the fans. It's not. A team in London? For the owners. Expanded playoffs? For the owners. Thursday games? Owners. Goodell talks of a quest to make the game safer for the players. Few of his actions back those words. The players are too replaceable to truly worry about their welfare. None of this should really come as a surprise. None of the men that built the NFL and led the NFL really cared too much about the players. They were a disposable commodity. They used them until they couldn't use them anymore. There were always more players to take their place. At least we could feel fairly confident that the words spoken by Carr, Bell, Rozelle, and Tagliabue were the truth. They were as honest as they could be with the players and the public. I no longer believe a single word spoken by Roger Goodell. His disciplinary actions with the players are arbitrary and random. It's is as if he has a dart board in his office and flings a dart to determine a punishment. He consults "experts" to come up with a comprehensive Player Conduct Policy yet doesn't think to consult the NFLPA. Simple common courtesy would prompt a fair man to involve the people impacted by a decision. The NFLPA deserved that courtesy. I miss the days when I could trust the person that is guiding the league that I love. I never would have imagined that the NFL could be in danger. I have that fear now. The USFL's lawsuit in the 1980s threw a serious scare into the NFL. The labor issues of the 1970s and '80s were more annoying than anything else. The labor discussions that will take place at the end of the current CBA may turn into a war. Something far worse than the five-month battle that took place in 2011. The players do not trust Goodell and I don't blame them. The NFL might not survive another round of labor negotiations that involves Roger Goodell. Adam Silver has been the NBA Commissioner for less than a year. In that time he's spoken with honesty more often than Goodell has in eight years. Silver for Goodell? That would be a very good trade.
Friday, December 19, 2014
All-Americans
Maybe, it's just me but I don't think that the announcement of the AP All-America team gets the attention that it once did. They used to be presented on television. They used to be paraded around a bit. Now, the teams are just listed under an NHL box score on the back page of the sports section. It's bigger news if one of the underclassmen named to the team has decided to skip their remaining college days and get paid for playing football. Anyway, here's a little bit of attention for the All-America team.
The Associated Press All-America team.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Marcus Mariota, junior, 6-foot-4, 219 pounds, Oregon
Running backs — Melvin Gordon, junior, 6-1, 213, Wisconsin; Tevin Coleman, junior, 6-1, 210, Indiana.
Tackles — Brandon Scherff, senior, 6-5, 320, Iowa; Spencer Drango, junior, 6-6, 310, Baylor.
Guards — Tre Jackson, senior, 6-4, 330, Florida State; Laken Tomlinson, senior, 6-3, 320, Duke.
Center — Reese Dismukes, senior, 6-3, 296, Auburn.
Tight End — Nick O'Leary, senior, 6-3, 247, Florida State.
Wide receivers — Amari Cooper, junior, 6-1, 210, Alabama; Rashard Higgins, sophomore, 6-2, 188, Colorado State.
Kicker — Roberto Aguayo, sophomore, 6-1, 203, Florida State.
All-purpose player — Shaq Thompson, junior, 6-1, 228, Washington.
DEFENSE
Ends — Joey Bosa, sophomore, 6-5, 278, Ohio State; Vic Beasley, senior, 6-3, 235, Clemson.
Tackles — Malcom Brown, junior, 6-2, 320, Texas; Danny Shelton, junior, 6-2, 339, Washington.
Linebackers — Scooby Wright III, sophomore, 6-1, 246, Arizona; Hau'oli Kikaha, senior, 6-3, 246, Washington; Paul Dawson, senior, 6-2, 230, TCU.
Cornerbacks — Senquez Golson, senior, 5-9, 176, Mississippi; Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, senior, 5-10, 195, Oregon.
Safeties — Landon Collins, junior, 6-0, 222, Alabama; Gerod Holliman, sophomore, 6-2, 213, Louisville.
Punter — Tom Hackett, junior, 5-11, 187, Utah.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Trevone Boykin, junior, TCU
Running backs — James Conner, sophomore, Pittsburgh; Ameer Abdullah, senior, Nebraska.
Tackles — La'el Collins, senior, LSU; Andrus Peat, junior, Stanford.
Guards — Arie Kouandjio, senior, Alabama; A.J. Cann, senior, South Carolina.
Center — Hroniss Grasu, senior, Oregon.
Tight End — Maxx Williams, sophomore, Minnesota.
Wide receivers — Kevin White, senior, West Virginia; Rashad Greene, senior, Florida State.
Kicker — Brad Craddock, junior, Maryland.
All-purpose player — Tyler Lockett, senior, Kansas State.
DEFENSE
Ends — Shane Ray, junior, Missouri; Nate Orchard, senior, Utah.
Tackles — Leonard Williams, junior, Southern California; Robert Nkemdiche, sophomore, Mississippi.
Linebackers — Eric Kendricks, senior, UCLA; Benardrick McKinney, junior, Mississippi State; Jaylon Smith, sophomore, Notre Dame.
Cornerbacks — Vernon Hargreaves III, sophomore, Florida; Jacoby Glenn, sophomore, Central Florida.
Safeties — Jalen Ramsey, sophomore, Florida State; Cody Prewitt, senior, Mississippi.
Punter — JK Scott, freshman, Alabama.
THIRD TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback — J.T. Barrett, redshirt freshman, Ohio State.
Running backs — Jay Ajayi, junior, Boise State; Samaje Perine, freshman, Oklahoma.
Tackles — Cedric Ogbuehi, senior, Texas A&M; Jake Fisher, senior, Oregon.
Guards — Shaquille Mason, senior, Georgia Tech; Ben Beckwith, senior, Mississippi State.
Center — Jack Allen, junior, Michigan State.
Tight End — Clive Walford, senior, Miami.
Wide receivers — Justin Hardy, senior, East Carolina; Nelson Agholor, junior, Southern California.
Kicker — Josh Lambert, sophomore, West Virginia.
All-purpose player — J.J. Nelson, senior, UAB.
DEFENSE
Ends — Shawn Oakman, junior, Baylor; Randy Gregory, junior, Nebraska.
Tackles — Michael Bennett, senior, Ohio State; Eddie Goldman, junior, Florida State.
Linebackers — Denzel Perryman, senior, Miami; Mike Hull, senior, Penn State; Eric Striker, junior, Oklahoma.
Cornerbacks — Trae Waynes, junior, Michigan State; Kendall Fuller, sophomore, Virginia Tech.
Safeties — Kurtis Drummond, senior, Michigan State; Su'a Cravens, sophomore, Southern California.
Punter — Austin Rehkow, sophomore, Idaho.
Congratulations to all those named All-American. It's a tradition going back to Walter Camp.
I wouldn't mind seeing some combination of Trae Waynes, Benardrick McKinney, Landon Collins, Amari Cooper, Tre jackson, Denzel Perryman, Eric Kendricks, and Kevin White playing for the Minnesota Vikings next year.
Maybe Scooby Wright and/or Jaylon Smith in 2016.
Congratulations to all those named All-American. It's a tradition going back to Walter Camp.
I wouldn't mind seeing some combination of Trae Waynes, Benardrick McKinney, Landon Collins, Amari Cooper, Tre jackson, Denzel Perryman, Eric Kendricks, and Kevin White playing for the Minnesota Vikings next year.
Maybe Scooby Wright and/or Jaylon Smith in 2016.
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