Bears @ Vikings Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 13

[MontVikeFan]

I'm starting to think that NOBODY in the NFL wants the first overall pick!

[CalVike]

I'm starting to think that NOBODY in the NFL wants the first overall pick!

Exactly. They all play to win. Anything else is pure folly, an exercise for myopic fans.


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[Purple bruise]

I will give the Vikings the benefit of the doubt and say they picked the guy who performed better in camp. Cassel was probably not going to start regardless. However, Cassel didn't do enough to lose the job after the Panthers game (see how well they're doing now). The Freeman signing was a total waste. Cassel should have been the QB for the Giants game, and ever since then. He's obviously better than Ponder. Not a great talent, but certainly competent enough to give the Vikings a chance to be competitive in most games.

Whoever the QB on this team is it is very difficult to pull out wins with the worst defense that I have ever seen a Viking team have. And yes Cassel played a great game. I couldn't careless if it is Cassel, Ponder, Freeman or an unknown as long as the team wins that is all that matters to me.

[tnvikesfan]

I am glad we managed to win inspite of ourselves. There were mistakes all around, but in the end we got the W.

BTW, we are holding the #1 spot in one stat...but may have blown that. We averaged, prior to this game, 32 points allowed. That's #1 in the league. Now where's the smilie with it's tongue sticking out?

[tmscr]

Exactly. They all play to win. Anything else is pure folly, an exercise for myopic fans.


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So tired of hearing about the draft. Players aren't going to tank it, ever, because their jobs are constantly being evaluated. Fans who want losses such find other hobbies aside from sports. Makes me irate.

[Lash Man]

I like how Frazier calls them "routine throws," even though Ponder rarely even SEES them, let alone make them.
Wow. I thought Frazier would wait until at least Wednesday to start leaning toward Ponder as the starter.

Blackmail must be in play here. Compromising photos, perhaps?

Yea Frazier is being pretty condescending of the fan base and his players saying Cassels throws were routine , when Ponder couldn't even get the freakin ball off without taking a sack . I have zero respect for LF and hope that he is done here in Minnesota .

[maembe]

Was anyone else a little bit excited to have won for all intents and purposes, but then still end up with an L for better draft position?

[CalVike]

Yea Frazier is being pretty condescending of the fan base and his players saying Cassels throws were routine , when Ponder couldn't even get the freakin ball off without taking a sack . I have zero respect for LF and hope that he is done here in Minnesota .

You may be right, but I think you may be reading to much into the use of the word "routine." Listening to Frazier post game he sounded really happy with Cassel's performance. Speculating now, but I imagine any NFL coach reviewing the tape will recognize Cassel in the 2nd half & OT did far more than Ponder in the 1st half, not just in the tangibles like yardage and third down completion percentage (remembering Ponder was sacked on three third downs early) but also on the types of throws, with Cassel routinely completing the throws Ponder misses or more likely fails to attempt, recognizing Cassel is far from perfect still a big step up today from Ponder. No way Ponder starts next week on merit. But he still may start.


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[tmscr]

The field seems to be wide open when Cassel is at QB. The playbook opens up too. Now, the offensive line was pitiful in the first half, but I've seen enough of Cassel to say he is clearly the better option at QB. I feel for Ponder. He's a gamer and is giving his best. Don't like seeing him get knocked around like he was today.

[soflavike]

The field seems to be wide open when Cassel is at QB. The playbook opens up too. Now, the offensive line was pitiful in the first half, but I've seen enough of Cassel to say he is clearly the better option at QB. I feel for Ponder. He's a gamer and is giving his best. Don't like seeing him get knocked around like he was today.

Receivers seem open, too. Because he has the confidence to fire the ball on slants and midrange routes. Jennings, Wright and Carlson suddenly appeared in the box score where Ponder only had eyes for Simpson.

[yezzir]

If Ponder starts next week, especially considering he sustained a concussion today, I would fully support a player walk out.

[tmscr]

I don't feel bad for him at all. He's had way too many chances to succeed with this team and has let the team down every time. He gets knocked around for a reason.

What's he supposed to do? Ask not to be put in the game? Does he hold on to the ball for too long sometimes? Absolutely. But the offensive line play was terrible during the first half. Couldn't pick up a blitz all half. As I said, I don't believe he should start any more games, but aside from quitting, I'm not sure what else he's supposed to do.

[soflavike]

What's he supposed to do? Ask not to be put in the game? Does he hold on to the ball for too long sometimes? Absolutely. But the offensive line play was terrible during the first half. Couldn't pick up a blitz all half. As I said, I don't believe he should start any more games, but aside from quitting, I'm not sure what else he's supposed to do.

When 9 guys are up on the line, he's supposed to find an open receiver. He kept taking sacks because he can't see the field properly.

[tmscr]

On another note, the officiating was not good today. The taunting penalty against the Bears was utter nonsense. The Bears actually caught a break there. Thankfully, the crew got together and picked up the late hit flag against the Vikings in OT because that probably would have ended it. There are too many officials changing (or almost changing) the outcome of games with totally subjective ticky tack calls. That was a facemask on Ellison on the FG, but how many times is it called? I don't think I've ever seen a facemask on a FG attempt?

[tmscr]

he doesnt use his line. he steps into pressure or runs prematurely, its his fault

Again, I'm not absolving him totally. I just saw Bears blitzing right through the line all half. You see how the Bears handled our pressure? McCown was hardly touched for most of the game.