The Minnesota Vikings are OFFICIALLY Scary!!

[Uptown Murf]

Nice article Murf. Are you sure you're not a Vikings fan?

I really felt like last year's finish was made more impressive by the fact that Ponder did have a big stretch of epic struggle at QB at around the same time the that team lost the services of arguably it's 2nd-best offensive weapon when Harvin went out. They could easily have collapsed at that point and most wouldn't have been surprised given the expectations for the team prior to the season. And then they went on the road and got a few impressive wins about the same time Ponder's play appeared to stabilize and some of the younger guys like Jarius Wright emerged on offense. That late-season performance was what made me more optimistic about their chances going forward. The team seems to have a backbone and character about it, and if Ponder continues to build on his late-season performances, they've got as good a chance as anybody by the end of the season.

I'm a fan of all teams to a certain degree - as I study schemes, personnel and coaching staff's, from high school to college to pros. But I write objectively..And I completely agree with your synopsis, the Percy injury was a blessing in disguise. It was widely speculated that with him gone the Vikes were dead. That proved to not be true. So it showed the staff they could win w/o Harvin and made him expendable. it might end up being the best thing to happen to this franchise in recent memory. Were able to see potential in young guys... Think about it, Jenkins was probably the best outside threat - and he's not half the player Jennings is. You can only improve. Simpson will be better this year as well.....Thanks for the compliment..Hook me up with one on the end of the actual article...

[Uptown Murf]

Well said! Of course, that may just be because i agree and have made the same point many times. Successful deep passes require effective deep ball receivers. That isn't to say the Qb isn't a significant factor as well but as you said, sometimes it's more about the player receiving the ball than the guy throwing it.

I enjoyed your take on the Vikes, Uptown. Thanks for alerting us to it!
That #17 ranking is probably due to the ridiculously QB-centric point of view so many at ESPN possess. Ponder's not considered a top QB, therefore the Vikings can't possibly be a playoff team, right?

Not a prob, you guys are very knowledgeable around here. It's cool to see..

[indianation65]

Okay, let me specify by stating I'd like to see proof with down the field passing, qb to wideout, further then 30 or so yards. Remember, I am as big a Vikings fan as anyone here, and have been since the 70s childhood. I, however, want to see Ponder look and hook up deep into the secondary, and not the majority of his completions between the linebackers.

...wisdom through a new WR!

[mondry]

Okay, let me specify by stating I'd like to see proof with down the field passing, qb to wideout, further then 30 or so yards. Remember, I am as big a Vikings fan as anyone here, and have been since the 70s childhood. I, however, want to see Ponder look and hook up deep into the secondary, and not the majority of his completions between the linebackers.

...wisdom through a new WR!

But why? I mean sure down the field passing and 1998 were exciting, but that isn't the only way to play offense. The detroit lions and matthew stafford sure do that a lot, better than anyone in the league practically and it got them a whopping 4 wins and the #5 draft pick.

[dead_poet]

Okay, let me specify by stating I'd like to see proof with down the field passing, qb to wideout, further then 30 or so yards. Remember, I am as big a Vikings fan as anyone here, and have been since the 70s childhood. I, however, want to see Ponder look and hook up deep into the secondary, and not the majority of his completions between the linebackers.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-fantasy/0 ... 65-yd-pass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZspzqeZj6o (first play)

If you're expecting a lot of bombs as evidence of a potent passing game, you're going to be very disappointed. This is not that kind of offense.

[Uptown Murf]

Okay, let me specify by stating I'd like to see proof with down the field passing, qb to wideout, further then 30 or so yards. Remember, I am as big a Vikings fan as anyone here, and have been since the 70s childhood. I, however, want to see Ponder look and hook up deep into the secondary, and not the majority of his completions between the linebackers.

...wisdom through a new WR!

By demanding proof - you would be saying that somebody said that was Ponder's game!?! There are a lot of ways to manufacture explosive plays. He is not a deep ball passer, so it will take the receivers making a play on the ball more times than not for this to be successful. But I've seen Ponder throw the ball down-field and he can get it there. but who can get it? Now you have guys that can if necessary. But they need to stay the course with their style offense.

[Uptown Murf]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-fantasy/0 ... 65-yd-pass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZspzqeZj6o (first play)

If you're expecting a lot of bombs as evidence of a potent passing game, you're going to be very disappointed. This is not that kind of offense.

Hit Wright in stride! If that were Patterson, that would be a house call! Great throw by ponder and should shut that throw the bomb debate up..

[indianation65]

I absolutely cannot believe that I alone, would like to see a triple threat of explosive running, short passing, which Minnesota does, and lots of down the field throwing. What am I missing here forum brothers who question anyone who question Ponder's lack of throwing passes further then 20 yards? The focus of this topic is that a writer espoused that Minnesota is now "scary." That's great, in the running attack yes, they are. The defense, with luck, will get even better, and I'm sure all Vikes fans will want a more explosive throwing attack. Again, what am I missing? A long threat will definitely make them very "scary."

...wisdom through opining

[Mothman]

I absolutely cannot believe that I alone, would like to see a triple threat of explosive running, short passing, which Minnesota does, and lots of down the field throwing. What am I missing here forum brothers who question anyone who question Ponder's lack of throwing passes further then 20 yards? The focus of this topic is that a writer espoused that Minnesota is now "scary." That's great, in the running attack yes, they are. The defense, with luck, will get even better, and I'm sure all Vikes fans will want a more explosive throwing attack. Again, what am I missing? A long threat will definitely make them very "scary."

I'm not sure you're missing anything. However, I think the way you phrased a few things prompted the responses you received. When you write about wanting to see "proof with down the field passing, qb to wideout, further then 30 or so yards", people are naturally going to react because...

a.) We saw the Vikes do that last year so it's not an element wholly missing from their game and
b.) all those passes would prove is that the QB and WR can hit them (see A, we already know that—it's been proven).

I may be wrong but I think what you're really saying is when the threat of the big downfield play becomes a bigger part of the Vikes attack and the offense hits on all cylinders, at all levels of the field, more consistently, that will make the Vikes scary. I agree, it would make them scary.

To me, a scary offense is an offense that's tough to stop. It doesn't matter what they do that makes them tough to stop. A productive offense is a scary offense so the more effective the Vikes get at driving and scoring, the more formidable they will appear. Whether they're moving and scoring using "big strike" passes, by running Peterson off tackle or by dinking and dunking their way down the field doesn't matter as long as they do it exceedingly well and they win.

[Texas Vike]

I'm not sure you're missing anything. However, I think the way you phrased a few things prompted the responses you received. When you write about wanting to see "proof with down the field passing, qb to wideout, further then 30 or so yards", people are naturally going to react because...

a.) We saw the Vikes do that last year so it's not an element wholly missing from their game and
b.) all those passes would prove is that the QB and WR can hit them (see A, we already know that—it's been proven).

I may be wrong but I think what you're really saying is when the threat of the big downfield play becomes a bigger part of the Vikes attack and the offense hits on all cylinders, at all levels of the field, more consistently, that will make the Vikes scary. I agree, it would make them scary.

To me, a scary offense is an offense that's tough to stop. It doesn't matter what they do that makes them tough to stop. A productive offense is a scary offense so the more effective the Vikes get at driving and scoring, the more formidable they will appear. Whether they're moving and scoring using "big strike" passes, by running Peterson off tackle or by dinking and dunking their way down the field doesn't matter as long as they do it exceedingly well and they win.

Jim, you're always such a good diplomat on this board!

[PurpleJarl]

IMO the one single stat that can show if an offense is scary or not is 3rd down conversion rate. A rate of 33% isnt that scary a rate of 75% would be down right terrifying

[allday1991]

Jim, you're always such a good diplomat on this board!

Agreed, I enjoy his opinions/posts as well.

[mondry]

I absolutely cannot believe that I alone, would like to see a triple threat of explosive running, short passing, which Minnesota does, and lots of down the field throwing.

I can't speak for everyone but I bolded and underlined the part that's giving me trouble. Lots of down field passing would be a giant mistake for this team and I'd want Musgrave fired immediately if that was his plan for the future.

[Demi]

I can't speak for everyone but I bolded and underlined the part that's giving me trouble. Lots of down field passing would be a giant mistake for this team and I'd want Musgrave fired immediately if that was his plan for the future.

Huh, I want him fired because it isn't even an *option*. Whether it's because of our terrible QB or not. This dink and dunk horizontal shrink the field offense isn't going to win playoff games, much less a super bowl. (Not that Ponder is good enough to get very far no matter what offense he was in)

[saint33]

IMO the one single stat that can show if an offense is scary or not is 3rd down conversion rate. A rate of 33% isnt that scary a rate of 75% would be down right terrifying

75% would be record breaking I believe.

The best 3rd down percentage in the league year and year out seems to consistently be 49%. Only 4 teams in the last 10 years have broken the 50% barrier. The 04' Vikings (54%), the 06' and 08' Colts (56% and 50% respectively) and the 11' Saints (57%).

The Vikings were tied for 18th last year btw with 37%