We have no deep threat though. Zero. None. Hopefully Simpson changes that.

GO VIKES!
Hated the first quarter and our 3-and-out drive (mostly playcalling) with 1 minute to go, but other than that, I loved the game!

Anyone see this in the research notes at ESPN?

"Adrian Peterson gained 71 of his 84 rushing yards up the middle on Sunday. It was his highest percentage of yards gained up the middle (min 10 rushes) in a game since the start of 2008. Peterson averaged 4.6 yards before first contact when rushing up the middle on Sunday; he averaged 1.6 yards before contact up the middle from 2009-2011 "

That seems to bode well for our new OL and our running game - especially when AD gets back to getting the bulk of the carries.

The few plays I focused on Fusco (and some of the long AD runs repeated on SC) he seems to more than handle his own. Fusco played a very solid game. Same goes for Loadholt. I think the middle and right side of our line is our new left side. I'd be curious if Schwartz was 100% if he wouldn't give Charlie Johnson a run for his money at LG. After yesterday, it seems as though CJ is the weakest link on the line.

Pelissero mentioned this in a tweet and I think he's right on the money. Very refreshing. I totally agree.

Best FB we had since T-Rich.

That was a nice surprise.

After finally seeing the game, I found a lot to be encouraged about. Greenway had a great game, as did Robison.

Allen was robbed of a sack after getting a jump so spectacular he was called offsides for it.

The blitz that led to a sack for Chris Cook was a nice touch by Alan Williams.

Between Harvin and Rudolph, the Vikings appear to have two pass catchers that pose serious matchup problems for a defense. If Simpson, Carlson or one of the other receivers can emerge as a third dangerous target, the Vikes offense might be greatly improved this season.

Without question, Charlie Johnson is the weakest on the line. To hear the coaching staff, it sounded like he had the left guard position handed to him from the day Kalil was drafted. Hopefully they'll be looking at some tape this week and considering someone else for the spot.

Harrison Smith will get better. I think he'll be a solid, if unspectacular, safety for the Vikings. Not sure he warranted a first round pick, but the Vikings desperately needed defensive back.

"Solid" in our secondary means he is spectacular (apologies to Winfield).

I would say that's a good way to describe most offsides penalties...

I thought Allen was clearly offsides on the play. He was anticipating the snap count and he got caught. I was surprised the refs didn't blow it dead faster as Gabbert took a pretty hard blindside hit.

The slow-motion replay I saw showed that Allen timed it perfectly and the official got fooled. Even the CBS announcers thought the officials blew that call.

That's how I saw it too. It looked like he took off as the ball as was snapped.

You have to remember, they are using replacement refs, the NFL game has slowed down for they yet.

The guys in the booth called it offsides at first, actually. They only properly called it after they watched the slow motion replay.

Offsides can't be challenged can it?

I don't think so and I can cut the refs a break on the call because in real time, it probably looked like he was offsides. Even in slow motion it was very, very close.

It looked like he actualy started before the ball was snapped, but didn't cross the LOS until the ball was snapped (and it was RIGHT at the point it was snapped). It was close enough that I "thought" he got a very good jump (in real time) but when the refs called offsides, I didn't get upset about it until I saw the replay. In fairness though, I agree, I think even the "real" referees might have missed that one...

I don't think he was offsides either but what can ya do! It's one of those things like Jim first said, he was so fast off the ball and destroyed gabbert so quickly that you kinda have to think, in the heat of the moment as a ref, that the logical reason that happens is the guy jumps early. It's safer in a sense to call the penalty then to have a teams QB' get wrecked and "miss" it so that might have played a role as well.

They need to get those laser thingys they use in tennis!

That's actually a really good idea ... lol

Funny part is, Gabbert got wrecked on the play anyway...

Allen is moving before the ball is snapped. Whether he's offsides, I can see how someone can say he's not, but I still think he left early on that play.

Remember, he can leave early as long as he doesn't cross the line of scrimmage or enter the "neutral zone" before the ball is snapped.

It doesn't matter now anyway.