As a Minnesota Vikings fan its nice to close out 2011. From the ridiculous lockout to the Donovan McNabb disaster to a three, maybe four, win season to Adrian Peterson's shredded knee. It hasn't been a complete disaster as theVikings may have found their quarterback of the present and future in Christian Ponder. It may not have been a complete disaster but it was pretty bad.
2011 saw the passing of many football greats. The game does no favors to the bodies of the participants so no age is safe. Here's a few that will always be remembered:
Al Davis
Andy Robustelli
John Mackey
Joe Perry
Ollie Matson
John Henry Johnson
Lee Roy Selmon
Pete Pihos
Back to the lighter side. Before we bang in 2012 let's take a look at what we have in the NFL today. There are so many great players in the league. Some of the best we've ever seen. Some are kind of winding down like Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson and New York Jets runningback LaDanian Tomlinson. Others are just getting starting what look like fantastic careers in New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller. The number of great quarterbacks right now is stunning. Hopefully, Peyton Manning will make his return to that group next year.
Here are some of the best to ever play and we're lucky enough to have them now:
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers
Runningbacks: Adrian Peterson, LaDanian Tomlinson
Receivers: Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson
Tight Ends: Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Jason Witten, Dallas Clark
Offensive Linemen: Steve Hutchinson, Joe Thomas
Defensive Linemen: Jared Allen, Dwight Freeney, Julius Peppers, Richard Seymour, Haloti Ngata, Kevin Williams, Vince Wifork
Linebackers: Ray Lewis, DeMarcus Ware, Patrick Willis
Cornerbacks: Darrelle Revis, Nnambi Asomugha
Safeties: Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu
There are so many young players like Arian Foster, Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Jonathan Joseph, Eric Berry, Aldon Smith, Von Miller, Maurkice Pouncey that may soon join those players. If they haven't already. The NFL is just stacked with talent. 2011 had some terrific stuff outside of Minnesota. 2012 will be even better especially in Minnesota.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Who's Ernie Adams?
"I'll give anyone here $10,000 if they can tell me what Ernie Adams does?"
-then Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell
One of the most interesting, certainly least known, individuals in the NFL is Ernie Adams of the New England Patriots. His job title is Football Research Director. He's a bit of a football history-savant. That would explain his uncanny ability to connect a current offensive formation to one from the '50s. That can come in handy but he does much more for Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
Adams' relationship with Belichick goes back to their year together at Phillips Andover. Adams loved football. What he lacked in football ability he more than made up for with football knowledge. He devoured "Football Scouting Methods" by Steve Belichick. The textbook for all football scouts that just happened to be written by Bill's father. When recent Annapolis High School graduate Bill Belichick landed at Phillips Andover for a year of post graduate study, Adams noticed the name. With a similar love of football they quickly became friends.
Each went their separate ways for college and life. The separation wouldn't last. It rarely did. Upon graduation from Northwestern in 1975, Adams started pestering New England Patriots coach Chuck Faribanks for an unpaid position. The Patriots, perhaps to quiet the kid, gave Adams the previous year's playbook. In two days, Adams knew and understood it. They gave him the defensive playbook. Same thing. Adams was hired as an administrative and offensive assistant. Fairbanks said that Adams' scouting reports were some of the most thorough that he'd ever seen. When the New York Giants hired Patriots assistant Ray Perkins as head coach, he immediately hired Adams as an assistant working with quarterbacks and receivers. As much as Adams has gone with Belichick to coaching spots this is where Adams brought Belichick along. The future Super Bowl winning head coach had spent his years since college walking the nomadic early days of a football-lifer. Adams convinced Perkins to hire Belichick as a special teams coach. Adams spent three years coaching before moving into the scouting department as pro personnel director. After ten years of NFL work, Adams decided to move to more lucrative Wall Street in 1985. Again the separation from Belichick didn't last long. When the Cleveland Browns hired Bill Belichick as head coach in 1991, his long time football pal was with him coaching tight ends and runningbacks. The Cleveland years with Belichick were a remarkable time. It was a "football think tank." The processes and system that would create a dynasty in New England a decade later were being formed in Cleveland. They had an incredible collection of coaches and scouts. From Nick Saban to Thomas Dimitroff. They just didn't get enough time. Maybe they just weren't ready. Either way, Art Modell ended it when he fired Belichick and and moved the team to Baltimore. Ernie Adams went back to Wall Street.
The separation again didn't last as Belichick brought Adams to their then and still home in 2000. New England. Adams explained his role with the Patriots as "thinking of things that help us win." Tom Brady says that Adams "knows more about football than anyone I've ever met." He's thought of as some kind of secret weapon. His ability to analyze video, statistics and scouting reports and apply his findings to game situations is considered all but unrivaled. On game days, he's in the press box helping with replay challenges. It may be the only time that he's out in public. His profile is so low that Modell never knew what he did despite paying his salary. Some players don't even know who he is. Ernie Adams just lives and loves football. He never wants or takes any of the credit but he's a big reason that the New England Patriots have been great for so long. Every team needs and Ernie Adams but there is only one.
-then Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell
One of the most interesting, certainly least known, individuals in the NFL is Ernie Adams of the New England Patriots. His job title is Football Research Director. He's a bit of a football history-savant. That would explain his uncanny ability to connect a current offensive formation to one from the '50s. That can come in handy but he does much more for Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
Adams' relationship with Belichick goes back to their year together at Phillips Andover. Adams loved football. What he lacked in football ability he more than made up for with football knowledge. He devoured "Football Scouting Methods" by Steve Belichick. The textbook for all football scouts that just happened to be written by Bill's father. When recent Annapolis High School graduate Bill Belichick landed at Phillips Andover for a year of post graduate study, Adams noticed the name. With a similar love of football they quickly became friends.
Each went their separate ways for college and life. The separation wouldn't last. It rarely did. Upon graduation from Northwestern in 1975, Adams started pestering New England Patriots coach Chuck Faribanks for an unpaid position. The Patriots, perhaps to quiet the kid, gave Adams the previous year's playbook. In two days, Adams knew and understood it. They gave him the defensive playbook. Same thing. Adams was hired as an administrative and offensive assistant. Fairbanks said that Adams' scouting reports were some of the most thorough that he'd ever seen. When the New York Giants hired Patriots assistant Ray Perkins as head coach, he immediately hired Adams as an assistant working with quarterbacks and receivers. As much as Adams has gone with Belichick to coaching spots this is where Adams brought Belichick along. The future Super Bowl winning head coach had spent his years since college walking the nomadic early days of a football-lifer. Adams convinced Perkins to hire Belichick as a special teams coach. Adams spent three years coaching before moving into the scouting department as pro personnel director. After ten years of NFL work, Adams decided to move to more lucrative Wall Street in 1985. Again the separation from Belichick didn't last long. When the Cleveland Browns hired Bill Belichick as head coach in 1991, his long time football pal was with him coaching tight ends and runningbacks. The Cleveland years with Belichick were a remarkable time. It was a "football think tank." The processes and system that would create a dynasty in New England a decade later were being formed in Cleveland. They had an incredible collection of coaches and scouts. From Nick Saban to Thomas Dimitroff. They just didn't get enough time. Maybe they just weren't ready. Either way, Art Modell ended it when he fired Belichick and and moved the team to Baltimore. Ernie Adams went back to Wall Street.
The separation again didn't last as Belichick brought Adams to their then and still home in 2000. New England. Adams explained his role with the Patriots as "thinking of things that help us win." Tom Brady says that Adams "knows more about football than anyone I've ever met." He's thought of as some kind of secret weapon. His ability to analyze video, statistics and scouting reports and apply his findings to game situations is considered all but unrivaled. On game days, he's in the press box helping with replay challenges. It may be the only time that he's out in public. His profile is so low that Modell never knew what he did despite paying his salary. Some players don't even know who he is. Ernie Adams just lives and loves football. He never wants or takes any of the credit but he's a big reason that the New England Patriots have been great for so long. Every team needs and Ernie Adams but there is only one.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Throwback Thursday: Pint-Sized Terror
In an era of penalties and fines if you just look at the quarterback wrong, Hardy Brown would have no place in the NFL. In the 1950s he was a little stick of dynamite that raged all out war on the rest of the league. Brown's destruction on the football field may have been fueled by his shattered youth.
Hardy Brown experienced things that no child should have to experience. He witnessed the murder of his father. Suddenly, Brown and his brothers and sisters were suddenly orphans. They were placed in the Texas Masonic Home in Fort Worth. Hardy Brown found his place on the football field. Author Jim Dent's excellent book "Twelve Mighty Orphans" profiled this incredible team. Brown led his team to the state semifinals his senior year. This is quite an accomplishment for any team in the competitive Texas state tournament let alone a bunch of orphans. Brown continued his underdog journey through Tulsa University and into professional football in 1947.
Brown was one of only two people to play in the All-America Football Conference, the National Football League and the American Football League. His one year in the AFL with the Denver Broncos in 1960 was four years after his last in the NFL. Of his eleven years in the league his best were his five years with the San Francisco 49ers. He earned his one Pro Bowl in 1952. From 1951-55 teams feared the 49ers defense all because of a 6' 193lb linebacker. 49ers quarterback Y.A. Tittle called him "the toughest football player I ever met." Tittle was always thankful that they played on the same team. Brown was known for his numbing shoulder tackle, usually aimed at the head of his opponent. He never used his arms. He got down in a crouch, like a panther waiting to spring on his prey, and when the runner was close enough he would drive his shoulder toward the ball carrier's head. His timing was perfect.
Against the Washington Redskins in 1951 Brown knocked out the entire backfield. Quarterback Harry Gilmer was the only one left in one piece. Brown knocked out 21 players in all that season. Against Detroit he hit a runner so hard that the player bounced off the ground catching Brown under the chin. He required six stitches to close the wound and was back in the game moments later. He once caught Rams halfback Glenn Davis coming through the hole. Brown hit him so hard in the head that the ligaments were torn in his knees. Davis was never the same. Against Pittsburgh, Brown battled extremely tough Steeler back Joe Geri all game. In the fourth quarter Brown decided to end the battle. He hit him so hard that Geri's eyeball popped clean out of the socket. It was hanging down on his cheek.
49ers coach Buck Shaw refused to let Hardy Brown take part in any scrimmages or intrasquad games.
Brown was the perfect middle linebacker in the old 5-3 defenses of the time. His sole job was to plug holes when the guards pulled. Most of his tackles were in the middle of the line at point blank range. In the second half of the '50s the 4-3 became the defense of choice. The middle linebacker had to pursue ball carriers and drop back in coverage. Brown was poor in pursuit and open field tackling. It took him away from his strengths. The new defense essentially ended his career.
The 1950s were such a different time. The football we know is like touch football in comparison. From Hardy Brown's shoulder tackles to Night Train Lane's clothes line hits, it was a brutal time. Brown should not have had a future in the NFL. Certainly not at linebacker. He was too small. His violence kept him in the league. If his game was only a gimmick, he would not have lasted eleven years. His violence made him a dynamite football player.
Hardy Brown experienced things that no child should have to experience. He witnessed the murder of his father. Suddenly, Brown and his brothers and sisters were suddenly orphans. They were placed in the Texas Masonic Home in Fort Worth. Hardy Brown found his place on the football field. Author Jim Dent's excellent book "Twelve Mighty Orphans" profiled this incredible team. Brown led his team to the state semifinals his senior year. This is quite an accomplishment for any team in the competitive Texas state tournament let alone a bunch of orphans. Brown continued his underdog journey through Tulsa University and into professional football in 1947.
Brown was one of only two people to play in the All-America Football Conference, the National Football League and the American Football League. His one year in the AFL with the Denver Broncos in 1960 was four years after his last in the NFL. Of his eleven years in the league his best were his five years with the San Francisco 49ers. He earned his one Pro Bowl in 1952. From 1951-55 teams feared the 49ers defense all because of a 6' 193lb linebacker. 49ers quarterback Y.A. Tittle called him "the toughest football player I ever met." Tittle was always thankful that they played on the same team. Brown was known for his numbing shoulder tackle, usually aimed at the head of his opponent. He never used his arms. He got down in a crouch, like a panther waiting to spring on his prey, and when the runner was close enough he would drive his shoulder toward the ball carrier's head. His timing was perfect.
Against the Washington Redskins in 1951 Brown knocked out the entire backfield. Quarterback Harry Gilmer was the only one left in one piece. Brown knocked out 21 players in all that season. Against Detroit he hit a runner so hard that the player bounced off the ground catching Brown under the chin. He required six stitches to close the wound and was back in the game moments later. He once caught Rams halfback Glenn Davis coming through the hole. Brown hit him so hard in the head that the ligaments were torn in his knees. Davis was never the same. Against Pittsburgh, Brown battled extremely tough Steeler back Joe Geri all game. In the fourth quarter Brown decided to end the battle. He hit him so hard that Geri's eyeball popped clean out of the socket. It was hanging down on his cheek.
49ers coach Buck Shaw refused to let Hardy Brown take part in any scrimmages or intrasquad games.
Brown was the perfect middle linebacker in the old 5-3 defenses of the time. His sole job was to plug holes when the guards pulled. Most of his tackles were in the middle of the line at point blank range. In the second half of the '50s the 4-3 became the defense of choice. The middle linebacker had to pursue ball carriers and drop back in coverage. Brown was poor in pursuit and open field tackling. It took him away from his strengths. The new defense essentially ended his career.
The 1950s were such a different time. The football we know is like touch football in comparison. From Hardy Brown's shoulder tackles to Night Train Lane's clothes line hits, it was a brutal time. Brown should not have had a future in the NFL. Certainly not at linebacker. He was too small. His violence kept him in the league. If his game was only a gimmick, he would not have lasted eleven years. His violence made him a dynamite football player.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Mid Week Final Week Musings
As bad as the knee injury is to Minnesota Vikings runningback Adrian Peterson, the combination of trainer Eric Sugarman and Peterson's work ethic and drive is comforting. I feel confident of a complete and efficient recovery. If there is a concern its in Peterson pushing too hard. He does everything 100%. Sugarman has frequently shown to be a fantastic trainer. Chad Greennway had an amazing recovery from an ACL tear before his rookie year in 2006. He's played stronger and faster each year since. Cornerback Cedric Griffin did the same in remarkable time in 2009. The recovery of EJ Henderson from a gruesome broken femur was a medical miracle. Next week, Peterson goes under the knife. A successful surgery is the first step. I have complete confidence in Peterson and Sugarman taking the next steps. Peterson will be back!
The fans ripping Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier about playing Peterson are being terribly unrealistic. The runningback was healthy. It was a hit that could have happened at any time. The only sure way for a football player to avoid a football injury is to never play football.
When the Vikings placed Peterson on injured reserve they promoted runningback Caleb King from the practice squad to the active roster. King was a very productive back at Georgia. The Vikings signed him after he went undrafted in the supplemental draft. He showed some promise in a couple preseason games. I hope that he gets some carries in the finale against the Chicago Bears. I can easily see him as the third back behind the 100% recovered Peterson and Toby Gerhart next year. I like that trio.
Tight end Mickey Schuler was also promoted to the active roster. He was originally drafted by the Vikings in 2010. They lost him when they tried to sneak him onto the practice squad after the final cuts that year. He bounced around a bit unitl the Vikings signed him a couple of weeks ago. With Jim Kleinsasser retiring and Visanthe Shiancoe hitting free agency, Schuler might be a factor next year. He has some nice potential. Still, I hope that Shiancoe is re-signed.
Congratulations to New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees and San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers on breaking NFL season records. Plenty of deserving words have been tossed Brees' way. Akers, however, deserves a ton of recognition. He was one of the best free agent signings of this past offseason. If the 49ers have had a weakness this season its scoring touchdowns when in position to do so. Akers has been kicking a bunch and has been automatic. If not for his field goals the 49ers would still be fighting for the playoffs.
Obviously he wouldn't have played in the game but Adrian Peterson not making the Pro Bowl is a joke.
I'm not sure what it means, but all four of the Pro Bowl kicking specialists come from San Francisco and Oakland. Kickers Sebastian Janikowski and Akers. Punters Shane Lechler and Andy Lee. Very deserving all. Congratulation bay area folks.
The fans ripping Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier about playing Peterson are being terribly unrealistic. The runningback was healthy. It was a hit that could have happened at any time. The only sure way for a football player to avoid a football injury is to never play football.
When the Vikings placed Peterson on injured reserve they promoted runningback Caleb King from the practice squad to the active roster. King was a very productive back at Georgia. The Vikings signed him after he went undrafted in the supplemental draft. He showed some promise in a couple preseason games. I hope that he gets some carries in the finale against the Chicago Bears. I can easily see him as the third back behind the 100% recovered Peterson and Toby Gerhart next year. I like that trio.
Tight end Mickey Schuler was also promoted to the active roster. He was originally drafted by the Vikings in 2010. They lost him when they tried to sneak him onto the practice squad after the final cuts that year. He bounced around a bit unitl the Vikings signed him a couple of weeks ago. With Jim Kleinsasser retiring and Visanthe Shiancoe hitting free agency, Schuler might be a factor next year. He has some nice potential. Still, I hope that Shiancoe is re-signed.
Congratulations to New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees and San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers on breaking NFL season records. Plenty of deserving words have been tossed Brees' way. Akers, however, deserves a ton of recognition. He was one of the best free agent signings of this past offseason. If the 49ers have had a weakness this season its scoring touchdowns when in position to do so. Akers has been kicking a bunch and has been automatic. If not for his field goals the 49ers would still be fighting for the playoffs.
Obviously he wouldn't have played in the game but Adrian Peterson not making the Pro Bowl is a joke.
I'm not sure what it means, but all four of the Pro Bowl kicking specialists come from San Francisco and Oakland. Kickers Sebastian Janikowski and Akers. Punters Shane Lechler and Andy Lee. Very deserving all. Congratulation bay area folks.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Just Win
Every team in the midst of a bleak season probably experiences this but I'm sick of hearing Minnesota Vikings fans bitching about the team sacrificing draft position for supposedly meaningless wins. No win is meaningless. I doubt that there is a player in the league that cares about draft position during the season. They probably don't really care about the draft at all until the rookies are actually teammates. As professional football players they only care about the game at hand. They only care about winning. Winning and performance is the only thing that translates into success in their business. Draft position means nothing. The players only care about that which they can control.
These fans say that losing now is good for the future of the franchise. I can't really see losing on purpose as anything but a detriment to the future of the franchise. Who wants to play for a team that has such little respect for the game that they'd simply accept a loss? Accept a loss for the crapshoot that is the draft. History has repeatedly shown that the draft is a gamble at best. There are no guarantees. Even Andrew Luck. The Stanford quarterback would likely be less than thrilled to join a team with so little concern for wins. So little respect for the game. Losses suck. Even in a season with a bunch of them, one more sucks. Wins are special no matter the quality of the season.
The 2011 Minnesota Vikings want no part of the title as worst in team history. Understandable. In a season like this they find motivation in that. The 1984 team ended the season at 3-13 so the current version has guaranteed a tie at worst. There was never a comparison between the two teams. I remember that team far too well. Despite the difficulties, this team has always shown effort and heart. That 1984 team was an absolute disaster. 4 wins is far better than 3 even if it means drafting at 6 rather than 3.
These fans say that losing now is good for the future of the franchise. I can't really see losing on purpose as anything but a detriment to the future of the franchise. Who wants to play for a team that has such little respect for the game that they'd simply accept a loss? Accept a loss for the crapshoot that is the draft. History has repeatedly shown that the draft is a gamble at best. There are no guarantees. Even Andrew Luck. The Stanford quarterback would likely be less than thrilled to join a team with so little concern for wins. So little respect for the game. Losses suck. Even in a season with a bunch of them, one more sucks. Wins are special no matter the quality of the season.
The 2011 Minnesota Vikings want no part of the title as worst in team history. Understandable. In a season like this they find motivation in that. The 1984 team ended the season at 3-13 so the current version has guaranteed a tie at worst. There was never a comparison between the two teams. I remember that team far too well. Despite the difficulties, this team has always shown effort and heart. That 1984 team was an absolute disaster. 4 wins is far better than 3 even if it means drafting at 6 rather than 3.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Week 16
I'm sick of the bullshit defenses designed solely to take out Minnesota Vikings runningback Adrian Peterson. New Orleans idiot defensive coordinator Gregg Williams does this as a matter of routine rather than actually play defense. He had his defense try to, in every sense of the word, take Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship game. Last week he had his clowns, like cornerback poser Jabari Greer, twisting Peterson's ankle after plays were over. The Washington Redskins had defenders, London Fletcher in particular, going at Peterson's knee with their helmets until they scored a hit in the third quarter. Hopefully, Adrian Peterson attacks his long rehab like he has every run. 100%. This offseason, trainer Eric Sugarman might be the most important Viking.
After the Redskins defensive shenanigans took out Peterson and, only a couple plays later, quarterback Christian Ponder, Toby Gerhart and Joe Webb came in to take care of things. Like the Lions earlier in the season, the Redskins had no clue as to what to do against Webb. Kyle Rudolph and Percy Harvin scored big touchdowns. Vikings win 33-26.
In place of Peterson this season, Gerhart has run like he did when he should have won the Heisman. He went over 100 yards for the first time in his two year career. Nice.
Rookie safety Mistral Raymond's first career interception ended the Vikings 10 game interception drought. 10 games!
Redskins kick returner Brandon Banks doesn't play like he weighs about 100 lbs. Tough, tiny, little man.
My 49ers peeps are going to hate me for this but I loved seeing the Seahawks' Heath Farwell block that punt to get his team back in the game. Farwell was a fantastic special teams player for several years with the Vikings. I was very disappointed when Minnesota released him before this season and I'm glad that he caught on with another team. Farwell has always been one of those high effort, do everything players that every team needs. His play is always far greater than his athletic skills should allow.
I had a hunch that Seahawks runningback Marshawn Lynch would pose a serious threat to the 49ers' no rushing touchdown and no 100-yard rusher streak. He ended both streaks but the 49ers still got the win. Wins are the most important. The rest is just gravy.
Interesting that the New York Jets sent only Plaxico Burress out for the coin toss against the New York Giants. Silly little statement by Rex Ryan, I guess.
I'm still stunned that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing this poorly. They are simply getting taken apart every week. I don't see coach Raheem Morris surviving this.
Tim Tebow magic brought 4 magical interceptions.
They're annoying but congratulations to the Detroit Lions for finally earning a playoff spot.
For the first time all year I saw Aaron Rodgers throw less than accurate passes against the Chicago Bears. Even with apparent inaccuracies he ends the game with 21 completions in 29 attempts. He's playing out of his mind. His incompletions only seem to happen when he wants them to. When he's throwing the ball away to avoid a sack. When he's stopping the clock. The only unintended incompletion is usually due to a receiver dropping a perfectly thrown ball. Rodgers is playing at a level rarely seen.
I'm looking forward to the Falcons-Saints game. I think this rivalry has become the best in the NFL. Their past few battles have been fantastic.
On the Sunday Night Football pregame, Peter King reported that the Minnesota Vikings and the state powers that be will soon be agreeing on the construction of a new stadium. In a frustrating season this is fantastic news. Simply fantastic news. Now, King had better hope that he's not blowing a bunch of hooey.
Next week is bad news for the Bears!
After the Redskins defensive shenanigans took out Peterson and, only a couple plays later, quarterback Christian Ponder, Toby Gerhart and Joe Webb came in to take care of things. Like the Lions earlier in the season, the Redskins had no clue as to what to do against Webb. Kyle Rudolph and Percy Harvin scored big touchdowns. Vikings win 33-26.
In place of Peterson this season, Gerhart has run like he did when he should have won the Heisman. He went over 100 yards for the first time in his two year career. Nice.
Rookie safety Mistral Raymond's first career interception ended the Vikings 10 game interception drought. 10 games!
Redskins kick returner Brandon Banks doesn't play like he weighs about 100 lbs. Tough, tiny, little man.
My 49ers peeps are going to hate me for this but I loved seeing the Seahawks' Heath Farwell block that punt to get his team back in the game. Farwell was a fantastic special teams player for several years with the Vikings. I was very disappointed when Minnesota released him before this season and I'm glad that he caught on with another team. Farwell has always been one of those high effort, do everything players that every team needs. His play is always far greater than his athletic skills should allow.
I had a hunch that Seahawks runningback Marshawn Lynch would pose a serious threat to the 49ers' no rushing touchdown and no 100-yard rusher streak. He ended both streaks but the 49ers still got the win. Wins are the most important. The rest is just gravy.
Interesting that the New York Jets sent only Plaxico Burress out for the coin toss against the New York Giants. Silly little statement by Rex Ryan, I guess.
I'm still stunned that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing this poorly. They are simply getting taken apart every week. I don't see coach Raheem Morris surviving this.
Tim Tebow magic brought 4 magical interceptions.
They're annoying but congratulations to the Detroit Lions for finally earning a playoff spot.
For the first time all year I saw Aaron Rodgers throw less than accurate passes against the Chicago Bears. Even with apparent inaccuracies he ends the game with 21 completions in 29 attempts. He's playing out of his mind. His incompletions only seem to happen when he wants them to. When he's throwing the ball away to avoid a sack. When he's stopping the clock. The only unintended incompletion is usually due to a receiver dropping a perfectly thrown ball. Rodgers is playing at a level rarely seen.
I'm looking forward to the Falcons-Saints game. I think this rivalry has become the best in the NFL. Their past few battles have been fantastic.
On the Sunday Night Football pregame, Peter King reported that the Minnesota Vikings and the state powers that be will soon be agreeing on the construction of a new stadium. In a frustrating season this is fantastic news. Simply fantastic news. Now, King had better hope that he's not blowing a bunch of hooey.
Next week is bad news for the Bears!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
All I Want For Christmas
2012 Minnesota Vikings Wish List
First of all I wish Adrian Peterson a quick and total recovery from a torn ACL. May he lose none of his unique speed and power.
Resign:
LB Erin Henderson
TE Visanthe Shiancoe
Free Agent Additions:
WR Pierre Garcon
S LaRon Landry/Michael Griffen/Tyvon Branch
CB Cortland Finnegan/Terrell Thomas
G Carl Nicks
Draft:
Rd 1 T Matt Kalil USC
2 S Mark Barron Alabama
3 WR Marvin McNutt Iowa
The rest of the draft has to concentrate on the secondary, linebacker and a defensive tackle. More offensive line help would help too. The team will likely get compensatory picks for losing Ray Edwards, Sidney Rice and Tarvaris Jackson, maybe Ryan Cook too, in free agency this past offseason. They could have a nice pile of picks come draft day.
I should mention that this changes often during the offseason. Although considering the Vikings severe needs in the secondary and on the line this likely won't change much. The needs are too glaring to vary much.
Merry Christmas everyone!
First of all I wish Adrian Peterson a quick and total recovery from a torn ACL. May he lose none of his unique speed and power.
Resign:
LB Erin Henderson
TE Visanthe Shiancoe
Free Agent Additions:
WR Pierre Garcon
S LaRon Landry/Michael Griffen/Tyvon Branch
CB Cortland Finnegan/Terrell Thomas
G Carl Nicks
Draft:
Rd 1 T Matt Kalil USC
2 S Mark Barron Alabama
3 WR Marvin McNutt Iowa
The rest of the draft has to concentrate on the secondary, linebacker and a defensive tackle. More offensive line help would help too. The team will likely get compensatory picks for losing Ray Edwards, Sidney Rice and Tarvaris Jackson, maybe Ryan Cook too, in free agency this past offseason. They could have a nice pile of picks come draft day.
I should mention that this changes often during the offseason. Although considering the Vikings severe needs in the secondary and on the line this likely won't change much. The needs are too glaring to vary much.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)