Listening to KFAN

[PurpleKoolaid]

I saw a bus load of older people (maybe 50ish +) that must have went to the game. They were still cheering when they got off the bus. It was 19 degrees here and I would say half were wearing AD jerseys, no coats. That's what football is about. Not tanking and saying the season in meaningless and we will automatically have all these great picks. I want my team to do good, esp. against division rivals, and even more so if we are spoilers. And I thought I was a pessimist.

[tmscr]

I saw a bus load of older people (maybe 50ish +) that must have went to the game. They were still cheering when they got off the bus. It was 19 degrees here and I would say half were wearing AD jerseys, no coats. That's what football is about. Not tanking and saying the season in meaningless and we will automatically have all these great picks. I want my team to do good, esp. against division rivals, and even more so if we are spoilers. And I thought I was a pessimist.

Especially with all the come from ahead losses this year. So nice to have a comeback win.

[PurpleMustReign]

Especially with all the come from ahead losses this year. So nice to have a comeback win.

Amen!
Also, coolpost PurpleKoolaid!

[saint33]

This is a really controversial debate and I think there are merits to both sides.

First of all, I think it should be clearly stated that no one should actually be expecting our team to throw games. I am someone who would prefer to lose and get the #1 overall pick, but I would never expect or even want the Vikings to quit. It's something that simply does not happen. With no chance at the playoffs, these games may seem meaningless to fans, but to the players, coaches and various other football people who are apart of the organization, these games are far from meaningless. They aren't playing or working just for a Superbowl, they have dedicated their livelihoods to football. There are 52 players, dozens of coaches and numerous other "front office" personnel who may or may not lose their jobs based on these "meaningless games" and if they lose those jobs, there are no guarantees they will ever be given another opportunity. So for anyone to actually blame anyone in the organization for winning these games, well they are looking at it from a very narrow perspective. I don't blame Adrian Peterson for giving it his all every game, and I don't blame Frazier or Speilman for trying to do everything they can to win these games, it's their jobs to do so, and at this point, their jobs are on the line.

But with all that said, as a fan, I'm conflicted. I want my team to win, every Sunday that is the case. But more than anything, I want a Superbowl. And in most scenarios, the former contributes to accomplishing the later. But at this point in the season, the Vikings have no chance at winning a Superbowl this year (well not technically, but let's be realistic here). And so for me, I'm looking further down the line for when that Superbowl may be attainable. The team has a lot of holes, there is no doubt about that, but every team has holes, including the teams that win it all, it's just about making up for those holes with great play from other positions. However, in order to win a Superbowl, there is one hole that simply cannot be ignored and that's obviously the QB position. As long as the Vikings continue to field average or below average QBs, we will continue to fall short of that elusive SB win that I want. (Hell, even if we do get a great QB, there's still no guarantee).

And that is why I will continue to want that first overall pick. I understand there is no guarantee, and I understand franchise QBs can be found in other ways. But the fact that Tom Brady was drafted in the 6th round won't make me feel any more comfortable with our team ignoring the QB position in the first round of the upcoming draft. And the fact that there have been 1st round or 1st overall QB busts in the past is not going to make me feel any less comfortable with the prospect of Teddy Bridgewater as our potential franchise QB. He is an elite QB prospect, and the fact of the matter is we are in a situation where we have to take a shot on a young gun sooner or later, I'd much rather see it be on a player of Bridgewater's caliber than to hope and pray that we can evaluate and/or develop another risk/reach such as Ponder or TJack.

And the only way we guarantee getting our hands on Bridgewater is by losing enough to earn the first overall pick. And as a fan, I have every right to cheer for my team as I see fit, as is every other fan out there. If my opinion is that by losing in the short term, we will win more in the long term, I see no reason why it makes me any less of a fan to hope for my team to lose a few games than someone who simply cannot accept the taste of losing and will cheer for a win no matter what. These are just different opinions and perspectives on what is best for the team, and that's fine.

[losperros]

Amen!
Also, coolpost PurpleKoolaid!

I absolutely agree with PurpleKoolaid's post and everything else written above.

I always want the Vikings to play to win. And I'm always pleased when they do.

[yezzir]

I absolutely agree with PurpleKoolaid's post and everything else written above.

I always want the Vikings to play to win. And I'm always pleased when they do.

But then why are they starting Ponder every week?

[mondry]

But then why are they starting Ponder every week?

That's just the level of incompetence we're dealing with, I truly believe Frazier has thought this entire time that Ponder gives us the best chance to win.

But with all that said, as a fan, I'm conflicted. I want my team to win, every Sunday that is the case. But more than anything, I want a Superbowl.

Great post!

[The Breeze]

I agree with Saint.

Fans can root for wins...which are not meaningless, or for a higher draft pick...which is no guarantee. Just a personal preference and no reason to get bent at one another about it. It's a luxury of being a fan.

No one in the organization should be tanking period.

That being said, I'm not convinced that Bridgewater is heads above the other prospects heading into the draft....meaning I think the Vikes will have as good a shot as any of the other top drafting teams to land a good QB....regardless of where they are slotted.

It remains to be seen if they are up to the task...I have my doubts, but I will put my hopes on whoever they pick.

[mondry]

You think one pick should hang a GM?

Even at QB, it shouldn't be enough to get fired. Ozzie Newsome drafted Kyle Boller once upon a time

Nah not one pick, but if the scenario we're talking about played out it would be the second time he's reached on a QB and busted.

[radar55]

This is a really controversial debate and I think there are merits to both sides.

First of all, I think it should be clearly stated that no one should actually be expecting our team to throw games. I am someone who would prefer to lose and get the #1 overall pick, but I would never expect or even want the Vikings to quit. It's something that simply does not happen. With no chance at the playoffs, these games may seem meaningless to fans, but to the players, coaches and various other football people who are apart of the organization, these games are far from meaningless. They aren't playing or working just for a Superbowl, they have dedicated their livelihoods to football. There are 52 players, dozens of coaches and numerous other "front office" personnel who may or may not lose their jobs based on these "meaningless games" and if they lose those jobs, there are no guarantees they will ever be given another opportunity. So for anyone to actually blame anyone in the organization for winning these games, well they are looking at it from a very narrow perspective. I don't blame Adrian Peterson for giving it his all every game, and I don't blame Frazier or Speilman for trying to do everything they can to win these games, it's their jobs to do so, and at this point, their jobs are on the line.

But with all that said, as a fan, I'm conflicted. I want my team to win, every Sunday that is the case. But more than anything, I want a Superbowl. And in most scenarios, the former contributes to accomplishing the later. But at this point in the season, the Vikings have no chance at winning a Superbowl this year (well not technically, but let's be realistic here). And so for me, I'm looking further down the line for when that Superbowl may be attainable. The team has a lot of holes, there is no doubt about that, but every team has holes, including the teams that win it all, it's just about making up for those holes with great play from other positions. However, in order to win a Superbowl, there is one hole that simply cannot be ignored and that's obviously the QB position. As long as the Vikings continue to field average or below average QBs, we will continue to fall short of that elusive SB win that I want. (Hell, even if we do get a great QB, there's still no guarantee).

And that is why I will continue to want that first overall pick. I understand there is no guarantee, and I understand franchise QBs can be found in other ways. But the fact that Tom Brady was drafted in the 6th round won't make me feel any more comfortable with our team ignoring the QB position in the first round of the upcoming draft. And the fact that there have been 1st round or 1st overall QB busts in the past is not going to make me feel any less comfortable with the prospect of Teddy Bridgewater as our potential franchise QB. He is an elite QB prospect, and the fact of the matter is we are in a situation where we have to take a shot on a young gun sooner or later, I'd much rather see it be on a player of Bridgewater's caliber than to hope and pray that we can evaluate and/or develop another risk/reach such as Ponder or TJack.

And the only way we guarantee getting our hands on Bridgewater is by losing enough to earn the first overall pick. And as a fan, I have every right to cheer for my team as I see fit, as is every other fan out there. If my opinion is that by losing in the short term, we will win more in the long term, I see no reason why it makes me any less of a fan to hope for my team to lose a few games than someone who simply cannot accept the taste of losing and will cheer for a win no matter what. These are just different opinions and perspectives on what is best for the team, and that's fine.

nice post and I think it explains the perspective of both sides well.......now if they will just cooperate and play well but lose the rest of their games we might still have a chance at Bridgewater and finally have a franchise QB.

[saint33]

Nah not one pick, but if the scenario we're talking about played out it would be the second time he's reached on a QB and busted.

oh sorry I misunderstood what you were saying. Thought you were referring to the Ponder pick being what hangs him, but you were talking about the hypothetical scenario that we take Manziel. Gotcha, and ya, then I'd agree, reaching on another bust QB would mean death for Spielman

[PurpleKoolaid]

But then why are they starting Ponder every week?

Because our former DC, hired by Childress, who is now our HC, is an utter idiot. His job is on the line and he seriously believes Ponder is the answer (when he is actually a large part of the problem). And Apparently Spielman wants Fraizer to be the fall guy. I just don't know who they think will be the starting QB next year, and who is on the line for the 3 million spent on Freeman. I doubt they think a rookie will start. But maybe mediocrity is all the Wilf's are after.

[Mothman]

I saw a bus load of older people (maybe 50ish +) that must have went to the game. They were still cheering when they got off the bus. It was 19 degrees here and I would say half were wearing AD jerseys, no coats. That's what football is about. Not tanking and saying the season in meaningless and we will automatically have all these great picks. I want my team to do good, esp. against division rivals, and even more so if we are spoilers. And I thought I was a pessimist.

[Delaqure]

Even though I desperately want a franchise QB I also want my team to play their guts out every week. I don't want them throwing in the towel and rolling over. I want their very best effort. If they lose while doing their best so be it. I will cheer and shout them to win because that's why they play the game. I do understand the other side that roots for a loss. They are just as big a fans as I am. We all want a Super Bowl. But I personally don't want us tanking on purpose in "hopes" that we "might" get our QB in the draft. But who knows the season isn't over yet. We still may move up in the draft. And in draft day we do have the ability to trade up too if needs be.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

I always listen to KFAN after I attend a home game because it is the only time I get to listen to it. Let me tell you, the whole overall quality of the programs on there has gone way down hill in the past couple of years.