Vikes-Bears preview

[PurpleKoolaid]

Cook on Marshall? Cook got torched all last game. Put Rhodes on Marshall

Cook has also kept Megatron from hurting the Vikes too much lately. The little ive seen from Rhodes makes me wonder if hes the best option. Marshall does enough damage to us the added penalty yards.

[The Breeze]

I'm not convinced it wasn't just a money-saving choice. They picked up an option that will make Frazier head coach through 2014 if they do nothing more. It allows them to wait and see how things go but it also means they don't have to deal with the additional expense of a new contract until at least next offseason. It's a win-win for them and it's anybody's guess to what degree Frazier is actually on the hot seat this season.

Well, I like Fraizer and the idea of a ball control offense.

Still not sold on the way they insist on implementing it though. Whoever or whatever controls that philosophy is the thing I want on the hotseat.

It's easy to forget that everyone from Spielman down to the coordinators have the same amount of time at their current positions as Ponder does at QB.....hence there is plenty of room to improve.

[VikingLord]

Well, I like Fraizer and the idea of a ball control offense.

Still not sold on the way they insist on implementing it though. Whoever or whatever controls that philosophy is the thing I want on the hotseat.

How should they implement it differently?

I think in their minds if it worked last year it should work this year, and I think we can all agree it worked pretty well last year despite the poor play at QB for most of the year.

Honestly, I think the difference this year is going to be how defenses play them, not necessarily how the Vikings go about running their plays. As long as the passing game remains ineffective, I think most defensive coordinators will be content with simply flooding the lanes on defense on most downs that aren't obvious passing downs. They'll just play a numbers game the Vikings can't possibly win and even a great back like AD can't escape.

[The Breeze]

How should they implement it differently?

I think in their minds if it worked last year it should work this year, and I think we can all agree it worked pretty well last year despite the poor play at QB for most of the year.

Honestly, I think the difference this year is going to be how defenses play them, not necessarily how the Vikings go about running their plays. As long as the passing game remains ineffective, I think most defensive coordinators will be content with simply flooding the lanes on defense on most downs that aren't obvious passing downs. They'll just play a numbers game the Vikings can't possibly win and even a great back like AD can't escape.

They can implement it differently by varying formations to force defenders out of the box rather than into it..yet still run the ball effctively considering who is running it. Use AD to catch passes, use more option on offense. Stop sending an engraved invitation to bust our running back behind the LOS.....I dunno I'm just a cartoon character on the internet.
A ball control offense does not have to imply run heavy. It implies balance and flexibilty to use all your weapons to keep the chains moving and choosing when you strike a defense rather than dog paddling around til it's 3rd and long hoping to move the chains with a pass short of the marker.

As far as what worked last year....to bank on that kind of season, just from your own guys and not counting what defenses will do to adjust, (especially within the divsion) is naive. Especially when two of your most dynamic players in Harvin and Winfield aren't even on the team.

2 cents and all

[NextQuestion]

If Leslie goes...so does Rick. Rick attached himself to Ponder and that will be his doom if he doesn't improve. Bring in Bill Polian as GM!!

[S197]

It'll help them if the defense can get OFF the field a little more.

Last week it was a perfect storm of circumstances to minimize the number of offensive plays. The defense had trouble stopping Detroit and the offense scored quickly when they scored and then either turned it over or barely did anything the rest of the time.

Another thing they have to do this week: avoid penalties. They sustained Detroit's last TD drive for the Lions by committing penalties at the worst times.

I'll add special teams to the list. Coverage was fine against Detroit but Locke kicking sub-40 yard punts is not acceptable (unless he's pinning the ball of course).

[VikingLord]

As far as what worked last year....to bank on that kind of season, just from your own guys and not counting what defenses will do to adjust, (especially within the divsion) is naive. Especially when two of your most dynamic players in Harvin and Winfield aren't even on the team.

I totally agree. If they are going to run, move the chess pieces away from the queen a bit.

But the biggest thing is the Vikings have to hurt teams when they flood. Have to read it and hurt it and do that consistently.

I think the Vikes should go with their "Big and Tall" set. Get Webb and Patterson out there with either Simpson or Jennings. You have Rudolph as well. Line the big boys up wide (and by wide, I mean well outside). Motion the TE or slot WR. Make the defense show. Then it's up to Ponder to make it happen, but just get it out and make some plays.

That will back things off a bit and should open things up for AD to work his voodoo.

I don't expect that to happen this weekend. Frazier and Musgrave are still in denial based on their quotes. Maybe another 60 minutes of complete ineffectiveness on offense will be enough to jar them to make some substantive changes.

[The Breeze]

I totally agree. If they are going to run, move the chess pieces away from the queen a bit.

But the biggest thing is the Vikings have to hurt teams when they flood. Have to read it and hurt it and do that consistently.

I think the Vikes should go with their "Big and Tall" set. Get Webb and Patterson out there with either Simpson or Jennings. You have Rudolph as well. Line the big boys up wide (and by wide, I mean well outside). Motion the TE or slot WR. Make the defense show. Then it's up to Ponder to make it happen, but just get it out and make some plays.

That will back things off a bit and should open things up for AD to work his voodoo.

I don't expect that to happen this weekend. Frazier and Musgrave are still in denial based on their quotes. Maybe another 60 minutes of complete ineffectiveness on offense will be enough to jar them to make some substantive changes.

Hey, that chess analogy was spot on.
I really can't get a read on these guys (HC n OC). I want them to be more dynamic and stay within their philosophy but I don't want it to be a result of getting beat up.....but that may be the medicine required.

I'm expecting them to come out and play better either way tomorrow. It will be interesting to see the game plan and in game adjustments.

[Hunter Morrow]

Forte is pretty much like Reggie Bush. Good, athletic vet who can catch passes. It wouldn't surprise me if he went like,
130 total yards, 80 rushing 50 receiving.

Frazier and Musgrave SAY they are gonna use Patterson. Now, is that the real deal or is that just lip service?
I'm pretty sure that they got an earful that we only passed to our number 1 draft pick who was touted as a Harvin
replace one stinkin' time.

Is Locke going to suck again? I don't want short kicks to their return teams. The Bears have always been strong on special teams play.

Ponder is a BUM against NFC North teams but especially this Bears team on the road. Would anybody care to see another 40 yard pass and an
interception day from him tomorrow? That is what he did last time at Soldier Field. YIKES.

Everybody talks about Calvin Johnson in this division. The Vikings have shown repeatedly they can slow him down or outright negate him.
But the guy who even back with Denver always killed us? BRANDON MARSHALL. He's gonna get 20 targets tomorrow and I don't think our
secondary can stop it. He's getting at least 120 tomorrow.

[The Breeze]

I really like Forte but seem him more of a chain mover than a break it threat like Bush.
He's got mileage on him too...and he will not be the unknown that Bush was to our defense. Still, he will be plenty effective against our defense IMO.

We miss Winfield for sure. There is a lot of pressure on Robinson and the LBs to make plays.

[allday1991]

Hoping to see some good improvements against a tougher team. Especially want to see the line backer core make some improvement. I believe the bears D-line is very good but believe wont be as tough as the lions the week before so hope to see a better showing by the O-line as well. Hearing Patterson will be given more snaps this game and hope the OFC holds true. Our Defence will be another key area ill be watching. We did a good job last week on Megaton and hopefully can do the same to Marshall. What I find uneasy is Forte, he can be a lot like Bush where he can rush quite well but is also an excellent receiving back, I hope we studied our tape last week and can limit a player with those skills better.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

I don't what is more pathetic - the fact that has been since Peterson's rookie season that we have won at Soldier Field or the fact that Tarvaris Jackson was the last QB to win at Soldier Field.


EDIT: I forgot Tarvaris was not hurt and actually played in the bears game that year - not Brooks Bollinger.

[Mothman]

I'll add special teams to the list. Coverage was fine against Detroit but Locke kicking sub-40 yard punts is not acceptable (unless he's pinning the ball of course).

Good point. That's another area that needs to improve this week. The Bears are just about the last team you want to play subpar special teams against because their special teams are usually very good.

[allday1991]

Good point. That's another area that needs to improve this week. The Bears are just about the last team you want to play subpar special teams against because their special teams are usually very good.

Yup Devin Hester will have a ball returning punts if they where anything like last week against the lions.