Vikings @ Packers Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 5

[Purple Reign]

I actually believe this is is all engineered smoke-and-mirrors from the Viking camp. I believe Teddy is playing. He gets 9 days rest after this one, and contrary to other poster's opinions, I believe a slick field is easier for him to play on because it means his footing will give way before his ankle does, which would not be the case on firm turf. Zimmer wants McCarthy & Co. to spend as much time beefing up their gameplan for run defense as possible, so he can surprise them with an aerial attack led by Teddy at the helm.

LEAFMAN THE PURPLE FAN

So you really believe GB isn't going to prepare for Teddy just because of these speculations and he will surprise them if he does start? McCarthy has already stated that they will prepare assuming Teddy will be the starter. Plus I really don't understand the logic of having 9 days rest AFTER the game has any impact on his ability to play today.

[ThePiper]

I just read a tweet from Ian Rapoport, "vikings plan to take QB decision to 90 mins before kickoff. Bridgewater still wants to play, team wants to make sure it limits danger".

[Leafman]

So you really believe GB isn't going to prepare for Teddy just because of these speculations and he will surprise them if he does start? McCarthy has already stated that they will prepare assuming Teddy will be the starter. Plus I really don't understand the logic of having 9 days rest AFTER the game has any impact on his ability to play today.

a) I think he is fine to play today. I think the only reason he is questionable is because the Vikings might want to give him more time to heal properly and not risk aggravating the injury. But with 9 days of rest to follow the game, that is a risk worth taking.

b) I think the reason the Vikings are putting up smoke and mirrors now is because they believe McCarthy HAS prepared for Teddy, meaning he hasn't prepared as much for Ponder, meaning that if the perception that Ponder will likely play is growing, he will need to spend some last-minute energy gameplanning for Ponder instead of refining the gameplan for Teddy.

LEAFMAN THE PURPLE FAN

[mossbutt]

Teddy will play the first quarter after which the score will be Vikes 28-0. Then Ponder will take the field and finish the game with the final score being 30-27 for the win.
Seriously i think all the restless, inspired youth on this team will go along ways in helping the Vikes win this one. A pick 6 here and a fumble there and Barr planting Rodgers face deep into the turf will cause much happiness amongst those who drool purple. Its exciting this new team. Woof.

[Purple Reign]

a) I think he is fine to play today. I think the only reason he is questionable is because the Vikings might want to give him more time to heal properly and not risk aggravating the injury. But with 9 days of rest to follow the game, that is a risk worth taking.

LEAFMAN THE PURPLE FAN

So what are you basing your belief that 'he is fine to play today' on? Do you have some special inside info that non of us are aware of? Otherwise it is just purely speculation on your part (which obviously you are entitled to), but just speculation non the less.

As I mentioned in a prior post, Washington took that risk with RGIII a couple years ago, thinking that this was the playoffs and he had all off season to rest so it was worth the risk and look how that turned out for them - he's never been the same since then. Without having practiced all week except for limited participation yesterday which was just a walk through, I just don't think it's a good idea to put him out there especially with the projected field conditions. I guess we will just have to wait and see since it sounds like they said they won't make a decision until 90 minutes before game time.

[Leafman]

So what are you basing your belief that 'he is fine to play today' on? Do you have some special inside info that non of us are aware of?

Just a mix of deductive and inductive reasoning ... reading between the lines of Teddy's comments, Zimmer's comments and things his teammates and media personalities have said this week. The truth is typically arrived at by assembling the 25% piece of things spoken together with the 75% piece of things left unspoken.

LEAFMAN THE PURPLE FAN

[TeddyB]

So what are you basing your belief that 'he is fine to play today' on? Do you have some special inside info that non of us are aware of? Otherwise it is just purely speculation on your part (which obviously you are entitled to), but just speculation non the less.

As I mentioned in a prior post, Washington took that risk with RGIII a couple years ago, thinking that this was the playoffs and he had all off season to rest so it was worth the risk and look how that turned out for them - he's never been the same since then. Without having practiced all week except for limited participation yesterday which was just a walk through, I just don't think it's a good idea to put him out there especially with the projected field conditions. I guess we will just have to wait and see since it sounds like they said they won't make a decision until 90 minutes before game time.

You're basing your belief on a totally different quarterback with an entirely different injury, so...

I respect everyones views in this as nobody really knows, just don't think anyone should really be questioned for their specualtion at this point as we don't really know. if you want to look at how teams mask injuries, see what Andy Reid did last 2 weeks with JC, it does happen.

[Just Me]

I'm thinking they should sit Teddy.... We will suffer through another Ponder start. Ugh... Let's hope we don't need MBT, or BLT, or McDLT.

I'm thinking we have a shot with McDLT! (Who doesn't love a good McDLT?)

[PurpleHalo]

I think if Teddy does play tonight, we won't see much of McKinnon. He hasn't excelled at pass protection, and the Vikings might be taking protection very serious tonight. And Asiata seems like he would be better for the messy conditions we may see tonight. I bet we would also see more TEs in the game for a good number of plays, which would mean less 3 WR sets and maybe less Wright, or maybe when we do see him he subs for CP84.

[Mothman]

I think if Teddy does play tonight, we won't see much of McKinnon. He hasn't excelled at pass protection, and the Vikings might be taking protection very serious tonight.

Speaking of McKinnon: there's been so much focus on Bridgewater's ankle injury that McKinnon's ankle injury has been all but overlooked. He's listed as probably for the game so I assume it's not severe but he was limited in practice this week. Hopefully, it won't affect his game too much.

And Asiata seems like he would be better for the messy conditions we may see tonight. I bet we would also see more TEs in the game for a good number of plays, which would mean less 3 WR sets and maybe less Wright, or maybe when we do see him he subs for CP84.

You may be right about that. Considering the game Wright had last week, I have to believe they're going to try to keep him involved in the game plan and I'm hoping they find some more ways to get the ball in Patterson's hands too.

That said, if the OL can get the job done, I like the idea of giving GB a heavy dose of power football on a sloppy field. A series of long, demoralizing, time-consuming TD drives that keep the GB offense on the bench sounds good to me!

I don't care how they do it, I just want them to win. I'm sick of the Packers taking this division. CARPE DIEM!

[Leafman]

I don't care how they do it, I just want them to win. I'm sick of the Packers taking this division. CARPE DIEM!

Ditto. Vikings are 1-11-1 in last 13 road games against NFC North opponents, and 1-8-1 overall since start of last season. This is a function of bad personnel in predictable offensive and defensive schemes.

Time for the new coaching staff to turn this Viking ship around ... in previous stretches of mediocrity, the Vikings were always competitive in the division. The Childress/Frazier ineptitude against divisional opponents was very un-Viking-like, and very unacceptable.

LEAFMAN THE PURPLE FAN

[dead_poet]

@christomasson -- Signs seem to be pointing toward Teddy Bridgewater playing.

[dead_poet]

@AdamSchefter -- Vikings promoted QB Chandler Harnish from practice squad to active roster, a sign Teddy Bridgewater will not start tonight.

[TSonn]

I'm going to be really excited for the game tonight if TB plays. I might not even watch it if CP7 plays.

[Purple Reign]

You're basing your belief on a totally different quarterback with an entirely different injury, so...

I respect everyones views in this as nobody really knows, just don't think anyone should really be questioned for their specualtion at this point as we don't really know. if you want to look at how teams mask injuries, see what Andy Reid did last 2 weeks with JC, it does happen.

Right - nobody knows for sure and based on the facts of Teddy not participating in almost no practice, the fact that the Vikings are saying he is questionable and also it looks like they activated another qb for tonight, I just don't see how anyone can deduce that he is fine to play tonight.