Vikings Message Board.Com

Cliff wrote: It's what coats Wolverines bones man, get your head in the game.

i'm outta my league there

and laser sharks sound formidable too.

The way I see it, this team is basically an Adrian Peterson (marshawn lynch) and stable QB play (Russell Wilson) away from having just a good a shot as anyone else at the big bowl. Well, lucky for us, we are probably getting Peterson back and Teddy looks like he'll give us improved / stable QB play. Obviously those two things are bigger IF's than for Seattle's squad so it could all fall apart but the possibility of it makes it extremely exciting to be a Vikings fan.

When you look back at that 10-6 team of 2012 you see a team that played "good enough" defense and ran the ball like demons. Even if Ponder didn't do all that much it was a winning formula. So I look at this team and I think "can we play that kind of defense now?" and my answer is... most likely, the 2012 defense wasn't super special or anything, just about average. Zimmer's defense in it's first year played alright. With more time in the system I believe across the board we'll see a more comfortable defense making less mistakes in year 2 and improvement as the younger guys develop and more pieces are brought in so eventually this becomes an elite unit like in Cincinnati.

Can AD return to MVP form? My brain says probably not, at least not to that level, but my heart says don't bet against the man when it comes to football. Can he put up a similar or better season than Marshawn Lynch? I'd say that's very likely.

That leaves QB, can Teddy make more of a positive impact than 2012 Ponder did? I'd put that at "likely" as well.

The blue print for success we had in 2012 which is run the ball, play defense, and don't have your QB kill you is definitely there for this team. Will it all play out like it should is another story.

mondry wrote:The way I see it, this team is basically an Adrian Peterson (marshawn lynch) and stable QB play (Russell Wilson) away from having just a good a shot as anyone else at the big bowl. Well, lucky for us, we are probably getting Peterson back and Teddy looks like he'll give us improved / stable QB play. Obviously those two things are bigger IF's than for Seattle's squad so it could all fall apart but the possibility of it makes it extremely exciting to be a Vikings fan.

Seattle also allowed about 90 fewer points and 1200 fewer yards than the Vikes defense last year so I think the Vikes may be more than just a Lynch and a Wilson away from competing for the big prize, assuming they'll have either of the latter in 2015. I agree that the basic blueprint you describe can win quite a few games but to advance in the postseason and be a legitimate contender, the Vikes will have to get quite a bit better in a number of areas.

DP, you have a gift with words.

I'll admit that I'm one of the "unguarded optimists".

Granted, I don't actually expect this team to win the Super Bowl. Hell, I'll be reasonably surprised if they win a playoff game. But the reason I follow the Vikings is for the joy and excitement it brings my life, so if I'm not saying "Why not us?" and watching to see if they can exceed expectations, why am I following it so closely?

And by no means am I trying to offend anybody. I'm not saying that my way of viewing this is the only right way to be a fan. I'm just explaining my perspective on the situation.

I guess the difference for me is that I'm no longer emotionally attaching to any outcome.
I'm more excited and optimistic about this current team and this season than in years....I would not be surprised if they go on a roll and win the division. There are just so many variables in todays game and almost every game hinges on a handful of plays peppered throughout each contest, and that's before injuries and unfortunate acts causing suspensions and stuff.

Dallas was one play from the NCCG.....GB was one play from the Superbowl and Seattle was one play from winning it. The league is nuts that way on a weekly basis. You need more than your share of luck given the parity in the league.

DK Sweets wrote:DP, you have a gift with words.

I'll admit that I'm one of the "unguarded optimists".

Granted, I don't actually expect this team to win the Super Bowl. Hell, I'll be reasonably surprised if they win a playoff game. But the reason I follow the Vikings is for the joy and excitement it brings my life, so if I'm not saying "Why not us?" and watching to see if they can exceed expectations, why am I following it so closely?

And by no means am I trying to offend anybody. I'm not saying that my way of viewing this is the only right way to be a fan. I'm just explaining my perspective on the situation.

Well thanks! I may try and sound realistic now but as the season goes on if they Vikings start winning I know I'm going to start wishing for the impossible purple dream (which sounds like a marijuana blend). It's just unavoidable. And when they fail to reach the Super Bowl this year I'll be just as disappointed as I always am (though, admittedly, less disappointed than '09 and '98). I get just as happy for every win and just as pissed after every loss. It doesn't matter if they're facing Denver and are "supposed" to lose. Each loss still angers me. I know I'm not alone. There'll be dozens of angry posts here. Heck, there are dozens of angry posts when they win! Some from me, too.

Stupid Vikings.

Mothman wrote: Seattle also allowed about 90 fewer points and 1200 fewer yards than the Vikes defense last year so I think the Vikes may be more than just a Lynch and a Wilson away from competing for the big prize, assuming they'll have either of the latter in 2015. I agree that the basic blueprint you describe can win quite a few games but to advance in the postseason and be a legitimate contender, the Vikes will have to get quite a bit better in a number of areas.

Yeah I agree, like in the running game, the passing game, and on defense. If they show significant improvement in those 3 areas we'll be in business.

The Breeze wrote:

Dallas was one play from the NCCG.....GB was one play from the Superbowl and Seattle was one play from winning it. The league is nuts that way on a weekly basis. You need more than your share of luck given the parity in the league.

Great point.

mondry wrote: Yeah I agree, like in the running game, the passing game, and on defense. If they show significant improvement in those 3 areas we'll be in business.

That should do it!

Mothman wrote:

That should do it!

I couldn't resist!

I think better play in the trenches will go a long way to making this team playoff caliber. Pass protection hasn't been good since, I can't even remember when and the run defense was quite bad at times.

S197 wrote:I think better play in the trenches will go a long way to making this team playoff caliber. Pass protection hasn't been good since, I can't even remember when and the run defense was quite bad at times.

If both of those areas improved his year and we got roughly the same output from every other unit, I think we make the playoffs.

I think if they can score at least one more point than their opponent, they'll do very well.

808vikingsfan wrote:I think if they can score at least one more point than their opponent, they'll do very well.

The only reason I know you're not secretly John Madden is because he won't get on an airplane.