johnpf12345 wrote:
1) Maybe i'm being overly critical but I feel Ponder is a wimp. He finished the game last week after he dinged his elbow. So you couldnt go this game? There is NO tomorrow, have all offseason to recuperate. I guess I would have liked to be at Lambeau to see him throw early (as I heard he did) to see how bad it was. If the throws were effective but it was that he just had some pain, bite the bullet for the team or take a shot for pain klike Winfield did. Lord knows when the next time you will get a chance to be in the playoffs. Get some inspiration from some of the other veterans like Winfield.
Do you really think the Vikes had a much better chance with Ponder at QB? I don't.
Had Musgrave called an offensive game designed to leverage Webb's strengths they would have stood a better chance. Of course, the late call to keep Ponder out probably made that harder, but given the knowledge that Ponder was hurt I think Musgrave should have prepared for that possibility.
Oh well, they live and they learn. As far as I'm concerned QB is still a major area of concern on this team and Spielman (and Frazier) really need to make sure they have a viable vet who can challenge for the starting job next year. If they can snag a younger guy who could be legit competition as well, all the better, but this team's QB situation is without a doubt the #1 priority for the offseason regardless of Ponder's injury.
johnpf12345 wrote:
4) Love Jerad Allen but I saw two or three plays in the first half where the ball was snapped and he seemed to still stay in his stance for almost a full second. Whats up with that? Somehow trying to bait the OT?
Tough to get a jump on the snap on the road with the crowd noise.
Allen didn't have a monster year by any objective measure, but that's not surprising coming off a year where he nearly set the sack record. I expect him to bounce back next year, especially considering it's a contract year for him (IIRC).
johnpf12345 wrote:
5) Nice going Jasper, give them the touchdown instead of the field goal (not that it mattered in the end). I hate how the rule has been changed, with the penalty being called before the offense even snaps the ball. That is s crock to me, I've seen in other games also. Whatever happened to an extra player trying to sprint off the field before the snap.
I agree it's a crock, and more importantly, I hate that Brinkley got blamed for it as I doubt it was his fault. I think Frazier said as much and that the Vikes had 2 DE's in the same spot on that kick. Brinkley was supposed to do the count and when he did and found 12, he tried to get off.
johnpf12345 wrote:
6) I dont know why they dont line up and then run AP from three or four receiver sets at times to free up the congestion at the line some. If the safties are going to cheat, work some more play action in there from those sets.
7) Obviously this team needs more legitimate recievers that can get some seperation. Dont understand what was up with Harvin. Did he really need to go in IR or was this a mistake move by management, its been over two months since the sprain, he couldnt have helped by now?
Packers just lined up and stayed in their gaps. It was extremely effective against the run and prevented AD from breaking off big gainers, but all the same it left the Packers woefully exposed for big hitters down the field and the Vikes just couldn't take advantage of it. If I'm Spielman watching this game I know exactly what needs to be done this offseason. Vikes have to find a legit QB who can hit targets down the field, and he needs at least one other legit deep threat in addition to Harvin and Wright who can stretch the field. Against anyone else the Packers would have paid dearly for the way they played defense on Saturday night. Spielman has to make sure the Vikings field an offense next season that will make them pay for it if they try that again.
johnpf12345 wrote:
Its gonna be a long few years with ARod around, he is a complete Viking (and North division) killer.
Bah. I have all the respect in the world for Rodgers, but he and the Packers were not that great most of this year and the Vikes finally overcame them in that last game at the Metrodome. As good as Rodgers is, the sun is starting to set for the Packers. They really struggled this season and with the right moves this offseason I see the Vikings being very stiff competition for them next year.
johnpf12345 wrote:
On the positive side, it was a good run the final four weeks, they played well. lets look forward to a good draft, sprinkle in some free agents (use any available cap room), hope ponder improves so we dont have to start over again, and have a successful 2013 season. This helped a bit to get some things off my chest so thanks for that, what a disappointing day, knew it was going to be awful tough, if not impossible, when it was announced Ponder wouldnt play. Also a great draft getting Harrison Smith and Kalil. Couple of good anchors for years to come.
It was a great season. The Vikes far exceeded my expectations and honestly, Frazier impressed the heck out of me by getting this group to the playoffs during a very tough stretch of games in December.
With that said, Vikes have serious problems at QB, guard, WR, LB, and in the defensive backfield yet. They don't have anyone who can replace Winfield. Their younger guys have been inconsistent. Smith looks like a keeper and I'm hopeful Robinson is too, but Cook is all over the play as is Raymond. This group is still up in the air.
