Vikings Message Board.Com

You know, forgive me if you dont agree, but I dont think you guys act any more pessimistic/optimistic or bipolar then many other fanbases around the league.

I think most fans put up fronts to rival fans, that doesn't really reflect consistently amongst themselves, most of my own fanbase is as finnicky and prone to panic as any in the league, though I dont think they wear it on their sleeve.

Jordysghost wrote:You know, forgive me if you dont agree, but I dont think you guys act any more pessimistic/optimistic or bipolar then many other fanbases around the league.

I think most fans put up fronts to rival fans, that doesn't really reflect consistently amongst themselves, most of my own fanbase is as finnicky and prone to panic as any in the league, though I dont think they wear it on their sleeve.

Thanks for that perspective. I think most fan bases are are comprised of a full range of views, from the optimistic to the pessimistic, and including everything between.

Optimism isn't a default setting. It tends to be conditional on what's happening with the team. Ultimately, I think sports fandom is about passion, caring about the team. Sadly, that doesn't always mean feeling good about them, even though it's more fun to be a fan when hopes are high (especially if they're met).

I think this is a good discussion about fandom. Clearly people's opinions and experiences are different and, as mentioned, I think the amount of time being a fan weighs in as well. I grew up in a Vikings family however I didn't really start caring until probably around 2006. I remember growing up around the Vikes and listening to my dad talk about them but I wasn't terribly interested (I was always more of a hockey fan and player growing up). Adding to the fact that I was somewhat of a Bears fan when I was younger but I think that had a lot to do with my contrarian nature and the simple fact that I thought a bear was cooler than a viking when I was a kid:) So in my fan experience my biggest disappointment was that 2009 loss. I was actually mad for a couple of days and then realized this is stupid, its a game, get over it. Funnily enough, I was in New Orleans when they won the Super Bowl that year for a completely unrelated pre planned trip and it was fantastic! I had a phenomenal time and the fans were really great to me when I told them I was a Vikings fan. Although who was going to be in a bad mood that night when they won their first Super Bowl?:)

Regardless, I enjoy watching the Vikes, see almost every game each season and many times will make or adjust plans around watching the games on Sundays. I feel optimistic towards the team now generally but I'm also critical of the Vikes. This also comes from just who I am as a person. I really enjoy lots of activities, art, movies, music, philosophy etc. but part of that enjoyment for me is being able to critique it. Its not to say that I could do better or that my opinion is necessarily right but I feel that it allows me to appreciate something on a deeper level if I'm able to engage with it both emotionally and intellectually. Some things are best enjoyed on the surface level like the Police Academy movies but things that I truly care about and enjoy are things that I want to be able to connect with and assess on a deeper level. This includes the highs and lows as well as the critiques and celebrations.

I think many times the reflection of people's fandom is somewhat of a reflection of their larger personality and how they view the world. So for me, the Vikes provide great entertainment and sometimes aggravation. I enjoy reading about them and understanding things on a deeper level. But all in all, I still recognize the fact that it is a game and it is here for predominantly entertainment. There are many more important things for me in this world to get passionately involved and attached to so I try to put the Vikes in context, where I care what happens and will passionately root for them every Sunday but in the end it is a small drop in the larger bucket.

This is a tough one but I ended up voting they are about where I think they should be. On one hand it's a young team but on the other I did expect more (particularly from the offense) but given the injuries to the O-line, I cut the team some slack.

chazjabo wrote:I'm definitely encouraged by what I've seen so far. Week 1 sucked, but i think it's pretty fair to say that it was clearly an anomaly. In my opinion, we have looked like a playoff team in Weeks 2 3 and 4.

Bridgewater looks good. Not great, good. He still occasionally holds the ball too long and misses throws, but he really does have poise and it's nice seeing him able to step up in the pocket and go through progressions, something He Who Shall Not Be Named could never do for those 3 years he was here. One thing I would like to see is him open it up a little more and throw it downfield, although he is extremely efficient on short throws.

Peterson is clearly still Peterson, and can bust a long run any play. My one complaint about him is his pass-blocking, which has always been a weakness for him. I'm also glad we made the adjustment not to run him out of the shotgun too much, he is absolutely deadly when he hits the line of scrimmage with a full head of steam. And short of his fumbles against Detroit, our offense has actually taken care of the ball quite well so far this year.

Recievers look pretty good, and I'm trying to contain myself about Stephon Diggs. I'm so excited about him, he has superstar ability. Obviously it was only one game, but wow he looked explosive. Thielen looked strong as well, as did Wallace, depth is definitely a strength at reciever.

The offensive line has been pretty good up until the Denver game, and Denver probably has the best pass rush in the league. MATT KALIL IS PLAYING WELL. You can't understate the importance of that. He has looked very solid in four games, and with the injuries we've had I think our offensive line has overachieved. I'm not overreacting about the 7 sacks allowed against Denver, although I think we left Clemmings isolated with Von Miller more than we should have.

Defense looks unbelievable. Especially Griffen, Barr, and Smith. Robert Blanton is really the only weakness on our defense, I like Sandejo much better, I hope he gets healthy. Blanton makes a lot of stupid plays. But anyway, our defense continues to make plays and create turnovers. Absolutely love the way they play, it's a classic Zimmer defense. Physical and tough. Really looking forward to watching them progress as the season goes on.

We may need a new kicker, I think I've seen enough of Blair Walsh. Kickers are easy to replace, we need one we can count on.

Anyways, I'm definitely encouraged by the first four weeks and I think we'll only get better from here. I love what Zimmer has done with this team so far and I hope we can go on a little winning streak right now before we reach the brutal part of our schedule.

SKOL VIKES

Charles

Hey... I think I know you.

DK Sweets wrote:I am getting sick of the "I'm a lifelong Vikings fan and I'm just used to bad things" mindset. The negative vibes are getting to me, man.

I assume that you are speaking to me directly/indirectly. Please do not tell me how to feel or to root for my Vikings. I have put my time in. Invested plenty of time and money in my fandom.
I am not going to get too excited over a team that still has work to do and over the years it has been tough to get too excited over what I can see as mediocrity again and again. The team is slowly on the rise but I have sung that song over and over as well.
I understand your frustration of the negativity that I personally have and others but it is what it is and after all these years it is all that I can muster.
Putting this season in my perspective so far, out of four winnable games, there are two wins. If that is not mediocrity I do not know what is. I've broken several pairs of the purple colored glasses.

CbusVikesFan wrote:Please do not tell me how to feel or to root for my Vikings.

Just Me wrote:

Good one. I hear you loud and clear.

CbusVikesFan wrote: I assume that you are speaking to me directly/indirectly. Please do not tell me how to feel or to root for my Vikings. I have put my time in. Invested plenty of time and money in my fandom.
I am not going to get too excited over a team that still has work to do and over the years it has been tough to get too excited over what I can see as mediocrity again and again. The team is slowly on the rise but I have sung that song over and over as well.
I understand your frustration of the negativity that I personally have and others but it is what it is and after all these years it is all that I can muster.
Putting this season in my perspective so far, out of four winnable games, there are two wins. If that is not mediocrity I do not know what is. I've broken several pairs of the purple colored glasses.

1) At no point did I tell anybody how to feel. I expressed my feelings. To quote: "Please do not tell me how to feel or to root for my Vikings."

2) I was not targeting you. I am frustrated with the negativity surrounding the Broncos loss, but you were not targeted in any sense other than part of the group. Please do not assume.

3) Ironically, you ended up being a good example of what I spoke to in my longer post. What do your past experiences with purple shades have to do with this year?

The 49ers loss was despicable. Everyone should be upset with that loss, but since then they've played well. Excuse me for thinking two decisive wins and going to the wire against one of the best teams in the league at their place isn't indicative of mediocrity.

DK Sweets wrote:

That's true. You simply expressed your own view and thats appreciated.

To everyone: please, let's not allow this to become contentious. If this discussion is going to continue (and it has merit) our goal should be to gain a better understanding of why we have such varying perspectives on the same team, same games, etc.

2) I was not targeting you. I am frustrated with the negativity surrounding the Broncos loss, but you were not targeted in any sense other than part of the group. Please do not assume.

3) Ironically, you ended up being a good example of what I spoke to in my longer post. What do your past experiences with purple shades have to do with this year?

The 49ers loss was despicable. Everyone should be upset with that loss, but since then they've played well. Excuse me for thinking two decisive wins and going to the wire against one of the best teams in the league at their place isn't indicative of mediocrity.

Regarding your last point, I see it as a simple difference of opinion based on subjective differences in how people perceive the games, the opponents, etc. One way of looking at the Broncos game is that the Vikings gave a great effort and went to the wire against one of the league's best teams (after all, the Broncos are 4-0 and have the league's top-ranked defense). Another is they lost to a team with the 27th-ranked offense and allowed 144 yards rushing to one of the league's least productive running games. The Vikes forced turnovers. They missed a make-able field goal. They went on the road and came close in a tough place to win. They were out-coached because they failed to adjust to the blitz, didn't sufficiently commit to the run, etc. The Broncos have been nearly unbeatable at home in recent years and were 3-0 but the Broncos were also far from dominant in their first 3 games and so far. Manning looks like a shadow of the QB he was just two seasons ago, when he threw 55 TDs. There's no shortage of ways to view that game. How each fan reacts depends in no small part on where they focus and how they felt about the teams in the first place.

Regarding point #3: The past experiences of fans inevitably inform their current views. That's as true in sports fandom as it is in life. We're all products of our experiences (a point Mike touched on above). There are always varying degrees of continuity from one season to the next: the same ownership, the same coaches, many of the same players, etc. There are always differences too and every season, every game, presents a new opportunity but connections to the past remain so that past has some relevance. Once a fan loses confidence in the team and they don't see enough change or progress to renew that confidence, it becomes harder to remain optimistic from game to game and season to season.

I think it will benefit us as a community if we all try to understand these differences in perception and be as tolerant of them as possible. We're going to have disagreements, sometimes passionate, emotional disagreements because we're fans and we care about the Vikings. That's what connects us and it's why we're here but that fandom is as individual as every other aspect of us. We all approach it in our own way and sometimes that way gets under the skin of others.

The Vikings can solve this problem for us. If they get really good, start dominating teams and winning much more than losing, there will be far less talk of mediocrity and disappointment and far more talk about how far they can go, how much better than they can become, etc.

When the team has one winning season in 5 years, there's going to be some unrest among the fan base.

The opening game was a major disappointment, but the team has looked much better since then. The defense is very solid and Adrian Peterson has been too. The patchwork o-line has struggled, and our inability to establish a midrange passing game (let alone a deep passing game). These are areas of concern. Teddy has handled the pressure well, avoiding turnovers and making some good plays. So, it's really a mixed bag.

Reasonably optimistic that we can make the playoffs, and really hoping we can beat the snot out of the Pukers at least at home.

DK Sweets wrote:1) At no point did I tell anybody how to feel. I expressed my feelings. To quote: "Please do not tell me how to feel or to root for my Vikings."

2) I was not targeting you. I am frustrated with the negativity surrounding the Broncos loss, but you were not targeted in any sense other than part of the group. Please do not assume.

3) Ironically, you ended up being a good example of what I spoke to in my longer post. What do your past experiences with purple shades have to do with this year?

The 49ers loss was despicable. Everyone should be upset with that loss, but since then they've played well. Excuse me for thinking two decisive wins and going to the wire against one of the best teams in the league at their place isn't indicative of mediocrity.

I did feel like you were singling me out because your post was right after mine and felt it was passive aggressive remark intended to invoke a response from me.
My past experiences: the teams play, the crappy drafts, dumb moves, etc are indicative of what I know and what I see over and over and this year is until proven otherwise will remain that way. I used to share the view that every year is a new year and get so excited for my team only to be let down in the worst of ways by the end of the season. I see no difference in years ago and years now. I do not see my point of view as negative, I see it as being pragmatic. What is to come can not be seen yet.

Found this comment in another forum. This sums up the lifelong Vikings fan mentality to a T.

vita10gy wrote:If the Lions are still winless I'd say it's a foregone conclusion we'll be their first win, just because it would figure.

808vikingsfan wrote:Found this comment in another forum. This sums up the lifelong Vikings fan mentality to a T.

Yes, I'd say that hits the mark for many, many fans.