Minnesota Vikings: Randy Moss Explained

Vikings PhotosFull disclosure: I’ve been a Vikings fan since approximately 1970. I started attending about one home Vikings game per year in 1993. When 1998 came around, I told my then-wife that—if she still wanted to see the NFL on a yearly basis—we would need to buy season tickets.








The reason? No. 84.







Today marks the second day in my life that my favorite team has—and I cannot stress the next word enough—incorrectly decided to take Randy Moss away from Viking Nation.







The first time was after the 2004 season—a year in which an over-hyped QB named Daunte Culpepper would have won the NFL MVP had it not been for some guy named Peyton—and Randy was ignominiously traded to the Oakland Raiders. (Remember this, class. It comes up on the quiz.)







Randy languished in Oakland with no direction, no quarterback and no reason to excel. He considered retirement. (Actually, he considered retirement as soon as the trade was announced.)







Daunte Culpepper went on to…whatever. In his defense, I will say he entered the 2005 season in the best shape of his career. But without his bail-out option, he proved to be what most of us knew him to be—another guy wearing a purple jersey. Nothing special. Not bad, but not a world-beater, either. I hear he looks great in the UFL.







Fast-forward to 2007. After dealing with the loser mentality in Oakland for two years (quiz time!) Randy was traded to the New England Patriots. Under the coaching staff and imaginative game plans of Bill Belichick—which included such great plays as “Randy Go Deep”—the Patriots became the highest-scoring offense in NFL history. And who did they beat? The 1998 Vikings. But I digress…







Randy continued to produce in New England until this year, when he let it be known at the beginning of the season that he was looking for a contract extension. He said at the time that New England wouldn’t offer that because that isn’t the way they do business, which is true. Ask Richard Seymour, Mike Vrabel or a host of others if you’re in doubt.







(Aside: Since 2001 and the Korey Stringer training camp death, the one thing I have said about Randy is, “Keep him away from a microphone unless you want to hear the truth.” Again, keep that in mind for the quiz.)







So here come the Vikings, offering a third-round pick for Randy. The Patriots gladly accept, the Minnesota Vikings fans go crazy—myself included—and Randy takes back No. 84. All is right with the world.







Except this: Randy smells Oakland, not New England. Randy knows this is a contract year. And—gasp!—Randy has access to a microphone!







So what does Randy do? If you’ve been paying attention, you know that Randy told the truth in front of that microphone. He told the world how the Vikings were out-coached by the Patriots. He said that he tried to help, but that it fell on deaf ears. He sensed a commitment to crap.







In a contract year, he needs to be somewhere where they will use him as John Madden once suggested. “You have to throw it deep to him once per quarter or he’ll sulk,” I can still remember the old man saying. And that’s kind of the deal.







The other side is that Randy wants to win. The Vikings are not winners. They don’t act like winners. They don’t smell like winners. And they sure as hell aren’t coached to win.







So, for the second time in my life, my favorite team has given up on my favorite player. And for the second time they fired the wrong guy. I can only wonder if Brad Childress will look great in the UFL. Lord knows I won’t watch him.







But I’ll watch Randy in Seattle, Denver, KC or wherever. And he’ll rise above it. Because he IS that good. And people will wonder, “Why couldn’t he do that as a Viking?”







The answer: We fired the wrong guy. Again.

Sullivan Tries To Keep Positive Outlook

Favre Embraces Sullivan After Touchdown

In reality, Sullivan has missed three consecutive games. He injured his left calf on the first offensive play against Detroit in Week 3. He was inactive against the Jets coming out of the bye. He was active last week against Dallas but he did not play.







Sullivan also missed nearly all of training camp because of an injury to his right calf but was able to start the season opener even though his conditioning was not 100 percent.







Needless to say, Sullivan is disappointed by the start to his second season as the starting center.







"It's been frustrating at times but you've just got to roll with the punches," he said. "Having a negative attitude about it doesn't help anything. I've just been trying to get my treatment in and get better as soon as possible and go out there and help the team win."




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Favre Embraces Sullivan After Touchdown

Vikings coach Brad Childress said last week that Sullivan's injury could bother him all season. Childress said Friday that it's possible Jon Cooper, who started last week, could play a series or two Sunday depending on how Sullivan feels with his conditioning.







Sullivan said he actually feels stronger now than he did against New Orleans in the opener.







"I think I'm in better shape now than I was coming back for the opener," he said. "It shouldn't be as bad as that. Obviously I'm not in as good of shape as I want to be in, but that's just the circumstances."

No fly zone: the Vikings have a pass defense?

Antoine Winfield Disrupts A Pass Thrown By Aaron rodgers Last Year

During recent history, time floated by and members of the Vikings defense changed, but one stinging reality always remained: Minnesota was the toughest team in the League to run on, but they could easily be beat through the air.





How could you expect anything different entering the 2010 season? The front seven stayed the same and the secondary might’ve been even more of a question mark than years before. Antoine Winfield was a year older, Cedric Griffin was recovering from an ACL injury (and then proceeded to injure his other ACL) and the remaining players, Husain Abdullah, Tyrell Johnson, Madieu Williams, Jamarca Sanford, Asher Allen and Chris Cook were either inexperienced or failed to instill confidence in any fan.





But Minnesota has the sixth-best pass defense in the NFL and has allowed less than 200 yards per game for the first time since 1996. Since freaking 1996.





Granted, the season’s not over yet and the pass defense could take a complete nose-dive during the last 11 games. But the Vikings have played Drew Brees and the Saints and Tony Romo and the Cowboys and still have come out relatively unscathed.





How on earth, then, has Minnesota pulled this off?





For one, that invincible rush defense led by the Williams’ Wall has shown a few chinks in its armor through five games. The Vikings uncharacteristically allow 102 yards per game and are No. 11 in the NFL. It used to be weird to see Minnesota outside of the top-three spots in that category.





Running backs have had mixed success on the ground and it changes on a game-by-game basis. Pierre Thomas ran for 71 yards in the season opener and Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams had success in week two — combining for 131 yards. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene also ripped the Vikings for 151 yards. Those are the three games Minnesota has lost this season. When teams get ahead, they haven’t had to throw the ball anymore and can instead rely on the run game.





It’s disturbing how many times some of those backs were able to break past that front seven and get chunks of yards with ease. There wasn’t the feeling that Minnesota had this unstoppable force up front. So teams didn’t have to pass — for once they had a choice.





Another reason for the pass defense’s rise is the fact that the Vikings haven’t been prone to many big plays through the air. They’ll bend all right, but Minnesota won’t break. Every Sunday you’ve probably pulled your hair out with some of the pass plays that cornerbacks allow, but there aren’t giving up any 50-yard bombs.





And when teams reach the red zone, the Vikings aren’t letting teams just walk right in. Minnesota has held opponents to just five touchdowns in 13 red zone trips this season. That’s the best part of the unit, that the Vikings haven’t given up a lot of points — just 17.6 points per game. But if you just account for the touchdowns that the defense has allowed — and not the touchdowns from the offense’s turnovers — Minnesota has allowed 14.8 points per game, which would only trail Pittsburgh’s average of 12 points allowed per game.





It doesn’t matter how many yards the opposing team racks up — it’s who has the most points at the end of the game, no ifs ands or buts about it.





In the past, other teams would just throw in the red zone because of the Vikings’ rush defense. Now it seems that neither is a weakness inside the 20.





Maybe the scheme that Leslie Frazier has in place is working exactly how he wants it. It seems to be working so far, and there hasn’t been a loss that anyone could blame on the defense. That’s encouraging. And despite a lack of talent, on paper, in the secondary the pass defense seems to be getting the job done.









Vikings fans haven’t been able to say that in 15 years.

Vikings Need Convincing Win To Forestall Panic

C'mon Seriously.......Let's Win

Vikings Need To Pummel The Lions

An 0-2 start by the Vikings is no reason to panic. However, a calamity against the Detroit Lions today at the Metrodome and card-carrying members of Purple Nation would be fully justified in jumping off the IDS Tower, throwing themselves on the tracks at the nearest light rail station and/or watching several hours of prime-time network television. The latter, death by boredom, might be the most horrible of all.







First, let's define calamity. Obviously, a loss qualifies. But a squeaker of a victory in which the Vikings luck out? Calamity. A come-from-behind last-minute rally for a victory? Calamity. Anything other than an impressive show of muscle on offense? Calamity.







It won't be enough for the Vikings simply to beat the Lions. They need to look good doing it. They need to look in sync.







"We could care less about looking like we're in sync," guard Anthony Herrera said. "Football isn't about looking pretty. It's about winning."







But Anthony, there's a panic brewing. Vikings fans are the new Red Sox fans, anyway. They are convinced that terrible events are inevitable. There is fatalism at work here. The locals believe in predetermined misery. It's as if free will has become a nonfactor. Am I getting too technical?







Put it this way, the overriding feeling appears to be: "What will be, will be. And it will be bad." An impressive, sharp-looking victory at least might put a smile on people's faces for a little while.







"We aren't here to please anybody," Herrera said. "We're here to win. People think that stuff's got to be pretty. That's Pop Warner. It's about winning football games."



He's right, of course. But so am I. If the Vikings look lousy against Detroit, win or lose, just imagine how interminably long the upcoming bye week will seem.







Obviously, it's all about the offense. Specifically, it's all about the passing game. Adrian Peterson ran hard and gained 145 yards against the Dolphins. Unfortunately, it was the one yard he didn't get — on fourth and goal from the 1 — that was the most important. Still, he's not the problem. What we have to figure out is if the wide receiver corps is underachieving or under-talented.







Big difference there. Under-talented can't do it. Underachievers might do it.







I'm undecided as to the answer. Bernard Berrian is playing like he's never been a primary target in his life. He's like a hockey player who suddenly is skating against the other team's top checkers. Or a mop-up relief pitcher who suddenly has been called on in a close, important game.







Greg Camarillo simply hasn't been used. Either he's running the wrong routes or not getting open. One of his primary strengths always has been his route running. And he never really gets open. At least, not wide open. He has made a career out of hanging on to the ball in traffic. So I don't know what the deal is.







Greg Lewis always seems like an afterthought. Once in a great while, a ball will be thrown in his general direction and we'll all say: "Oh, Greg Lewis. I forgot about him." Other than his last-second catch against San Francisco early last season, he's done virtually nothing.







Percy Harvin can't get healthy enough to be a factor. Normally, getting the ball in his hands is a very good thing. Right now, though, he's struggling and is as out of sync with Brett Favre as anybody.







Newcomer Hank Baskett at least can run fast downfield. Maybe he will be a significant upgrade to the receiving corps. What we do know for sure is that the wives' section of the Metrodome received an upgrade with the arrival of Baskett's wife, former Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson.







I just don't know what to make of that group. Two (Baskett and Camarillo) are newcomers, one (Harvin) is banged up, one (Lewis) is an afterthought and the other (Berrian) simply isn't getting the job done. Somebody needs to step up and be a hero.







The Detroit game is the perfect opportunity. The Lions are 0-2 — they're always 0-2 — and aren't going anywhere. They perhaps are better than in recent years but remain a team the Vikings should steamroll. This ought to be the game in which the receivers build their confidence. It should be the game that puts the Vikings back on track.







Most likely, it will be. Because if it isn't, well, the alternative is too depressing to think about.

Frazier’s Focus: Stopping The Run

Frazier Looking To Neutralize The Run Sunday Vs Dolphins

Throughout his 5-year NFL career, WR Brandon Marshall has developed into an elite WR capable of changing games and deserving of special attention from opposing defenses. His ability to dominate the competition manifests itself in his imposing size (6-4, 230 pound) and far above-average speed.



The Miami Dolphins, perceived as a run-happy offense, stepped out of the box a bit this past offseason to acquire Marshall in a move designed to bolster the aerial attack, which is led by 2nd-year starter Chad Henne. But there’s a funny thing about the Dolphins acquisition of Marshall; it might actually aide Miami’s run game as much as it improves the passing attack.



“Yeah, he will probably open up the run game even more,” Vikings assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said on Thursday. “It’s hard to play a lot of single coverage now with Brandon Marshall out there. He is a prolific receiver, well accomplished and he’s been to some Pro Bowls so you have to pay attention to him. It will be a challenge for our corners and we’ll have to rise to the occasion. He’s an outstanding receiver and he’ll probably help their run game.



Injuries to Chris Cook and Cedric Griffin along with a trade that sent Benny Sapp to Miami have left the Vikings a bit thin at CB in the early part of the 2010 season. But the Vikings secondary, including 2nd-year CB Asher Allen and 9-year veteran Lito Sheppard, stepped up to play well against the New Orleans Saints pass-happy attack last weekend. Based on the fact that Frazier’s defense held Drew Brees and Co. in check fairly well, it’s reasonable to think Allen, Sheppard and Winfield can do the same to Miami’s air attack.



With all of that said, Sunday’s contest between the Vikings and Dolphins will still come down to the ground game. Even with Marshall in the fold, Miami will try to establish the run first, through both traditional methods and also via the Wildcat offense. Regardless of what formation the Dolphins use to run the ball, they will employ a tandem of talented RBs to try and get the job done – Ronnie Brown and Rickey Williams.



“They are very good backs,” Frazier acknowledged. “Their offensive line does a very good job as well and they present a lot of problems for defensives the way they can run the ball. It will be a big challenge for our run defense. We will have to stand tall in this ball game in order for our team to be successful.”



The Saints ability to pick up key yardage on the ground last week led to their season-opening victory over the Vikings. It was a rather uncharacteristic development for Frazier’s run defense – giving up yardage late in the game and allowing the opposing team to run out the clock. With the New Orleans game serving as a reminder of how important it is for the Vikings defense to remain stout against the run, Frazier and his guys are looking forward to the challenge that Miami will bring on Sunday.



“We’ve played one game and this game will be a good barometer for us,” Frazier explained. “We need to play well in this ball game against the run, without question. It will tell a lot about our run defense going forward but it’s one game at a time and we need to play [well] from a run defensive standpoint this weekend.”

Sidney Rice's Hip Is Improving, But When We Returns To The Vikings Is Still Uncertain

Sidney Rice's hip is improving, but when he returns to the Vikings is still uncertain

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Sidney Rice Will Miss The First 6 Games Of The Season

While Childress was offensive coordinator there.
Asked about his comfort level with receivers Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin, Greg Camarillo and Greg Lewis, Childress said he's "completely comfortable."
Injury update: Left tackle Bryant McKinnie says the dislocated finger he suffered against the Saints is fine and he will play this week. The gory photographs of his treatment that he posted on his Twitter account last weekend were not for the squeamish.
McKinnie was injured early in the fourth quarter against New Orleans. He said he would have been able to return, but the Vikings never got the ball back.
Baby steps: Though his knee is feeling "strong" after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in late January, cornerback Cedric Griffin says he's not rushing his return.
The Vikings considered playing Griffin against the Saints but ultimately placed him on the inactive list.
"This is something I'm doing for my career, more than just the first game or second game," Griffin said. "I'm looking out for my interests as well. We're taking our time."
Last year's starter said the process is day to day, and he believes he will play "whenever the coaches feel I'm good and whenever I go express my feelings (that I'm ready)."
Quote of note: "If you go to the ground, you have to come up with the football. Period." — Childress, on Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson's apparent touchdown catch with 24 seconds left at Chicago on Sunday that was ruled incomplete despite clear possession of the ball. Johnson left the ball on the ground as he popped up, giving the Bears a 19-14 victory.
Brian Murphy contributed to this report.

Toby Gerhart Minnesota vikings 3rd Down Back

A week after arthroscopic hip surgery, Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice has been placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
This means Rice will miss the first six games of the season, after which the team will have three weeks to activate him for practices or place him on injured reserve. The latter would risk losing Rice for the entire year.
Coach Brad Childress said last week he expected at least eight weeks before realistic discussions of Rice's return.
Rice said on Twitter that he would return to the Vikings' Winter Park facility on Monday.
Rice's move to PUP came in light of the Vikings' efforts to trim the roster to 75 players for Tuesday's deadline.
The team waived tackle Bill Noethlich, receiver Marko Mitchell and linebacker J Leman. The Vikings have to cut to 53 players by Saturday.
Injury update: Running back Toby Gerhart, a second-round pick out of Stanford, returned to practice after missing Monday because of a knee injury.
Also missing in action were cornerback Chris Cook (knee), center John Sullivan (calf), defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, wide receiver Logan Payne, safety Jamarca Sanford and tight end Garrett Mills.
Percy Harvin strolled into practice a couple of minutes late. At this point, his everyday attendance is a victory for the Vikings after he missed most of the preseason with migraine headaches.
'Big game' for Webb: Rookie quarterback Joe Webb said he's confident in his place