Don’t know the whole scoop … but come on, the man is at an MMA fight. Naughty things happen there. Guys are pounding each other senseless … big brother might be coming to the NFL. Maybe they should focus more on Pro Bowler McKinnie and his lameness/disrespect for the fans that voted for him (after constant lobbying on Twitter — seriously, I actually “unfollowed” him because of the desperation)
Anyway — see here for the Rex Ryan bit. We here at BFMV.com actually like the brevity that he brings to the game. Good work and MORE PLEASE. Not everything has to be politically correct (See Childress: Stream of Consciousness)
Today we’ll start our off season review of the Vikings position-by-positions needs (one of our readers tells us there is a little game still to be played on Sunday, but we refuse to recognize it). We’ll leave the big question (aka to be Favre or not to be) for a later date and start with the second most influential position on the offense – running backs. Since the arrival of Chester Taylor from Baltimore, the Vikings have had a solid backfield if not a cup-overfloweth backfield with the addition of AP. So it can be said that it has been a while since the Vikings have had any real questions as to who would be their running backs (post Robert Smith, pre Chester Taylor?). This off season, things are primed to be a little different however with the pending free agency of Taylor and no real proven back after Adrian “Butter Hands” Peterson. Let’s take a look …
2009 SEASON
We loved this season. Even with the last game letdown, the season was full of fun, exceeded expectations and national attention. It truly was a wild ride as the bus driver of the Vikings Bandwagon. The RBs played an integral role in that – remember AP’s stiff arm “get out of my way” vs. Cleveland? How about when (almost every time) Taylor came in to spell Peterson and Mr. Twinkletoes himself sliced and diced through the defense for run after run of seven yards (and we asked ourselves “why can’t AP do that?”) And the knock on AP not being a versatile, pass catching player out of the backfield was put to rest as he had a career high 43 catches for 436 yards to go with an All-Pro running game cranking our nearly 1,400 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns (hello Fantasy Owners!)
On the flip side, fumbles have become a concern with the RB’s (or one RB in particular). But we don’t expect that to be an issue next year as he’ll make that a huge priority in the off season (we have no clue how you make it a priority in the off season other than taking notes from Darnell Jefferson’s tutor in The Program. But he’ll take care of it.
Overall, the Vikings had a very productive season out of the backfield but for some reason everything they did seemed to lack the dominance that fans had come to expect – especially given the best (overrated) offensive lines in the league.
Looking to 2010 Season
AP is a fixture, we know that. And a BEAST. Who will site behind him is the big question. Chester Taylor becomes one of five Vikings to be unrestricted free agents in March. He’s getting up there in age (in running back years) at age 31. So some teams might question his value on the free agent market as a true #1 back. None-the-less expect more than a handful of teams to being vying for his services in the offseason. He’s a proven running who protects the ball. And will still be a better-than-average feature back, especially in an offense that runs a lot of screens. Losing Taylor will be a hit, but not as big of a hit as I would have said one year ago today.
Percy Harvin has solidified his role as the slot receiver for the Vikings. However, he does bring a change of pace to the running game when the coaches opt to use him there. We really liked his explosiveness and speed to the line during the NFC Championship game. He didn’t get a lot of carries last year, but look for his “play making” ability to dictate more touches out of the backfield.
We like Albert Young. He’s been impressive when he gets a chance. He’s a hard runner with a bit of elusiveness. Kind of Mewelde Moore with more muscle. Behind him is perhaps the most famous (or is it most romantic?) practice squad player ever: Ian Johnson.
So, who will Favre be handing the ball off to next year? We’re going out on a limb here and say that Adrian Peterson is the starting back in 2010. I’m going to go out on a less obvious limb and say Chester Taylor will be playing with another team in 2010. The presence of Percy “bowling ball” Harvin would also help to ease the transition.
The running back position – although in transition – is low on the totem poles of “needs” for the Vikings in the off season.
Next Up: Defensive Backs – what to do with our safety’s and without Cedric Griffin
$220 million!!! That could buy like all of Denny Hecker's old dealerships!
With our ears on the ground listening for news coming via the footsteps of the pony express, your loyal writers at BFMV.com have heard from an inside source with the team that the Twins have an agreement to sign your hometown hero Joe Mauer (a.k.a. Baby Jesus) to a 10 year contract worth in the area of $220 million!
If our source ends up correct (our fingers are crossed) an announcement is expected today or tomorrow … you heard it here first folks. Happy day during this snow and we’re welcoming Spring Training with what hopes to be a newly signed Joe Mauer in the near future.
FYI – we’ll also have our ears open to be the first to report news of #4 coming back in 2010!!
FYI part II - I feel like Jay Glazer (if I’m right on this … If I end of being wrong, I’ll feel like Ed Werder, Adam Schefter, Chris Mortensen, Sid Hartman, Sal Paolantonio, etc …).
The Watch is officially on. Brett Favre is doing his now annual retirement song and dance.
Favre, who spent the NFC Championship game getting pounded into the turf courtesy of the Super Bowl-bound New Orleans Saints, tells ESPN’s Ed Werder he’s leaning toward ending his career. Again. For now.
In fact, the 40-year-old, who said after his valiant, but losing effort in the Louisiana Superdome Sunday night that he felt more like 49, said he’s “highly unlikely” to come back. If true – and until the middle of training camp, nothing is certain – Favre will end a brilliant career on an interception at the end of regulation.
Of course, the man’s probably too beat up to get into his Wranglers by himself, so this declaration may end up meaning very little, as Favre retirement announcements often do. So Vikings owner Zygi Wilf would be well-advised to keep the corporate jet available and coach Brad Childress should have his Escalade gassed up for the trip to the airport.
And all NFL fans need to come to grips with the beginning of the Favre Watch season, which runs through mid-summer. Maybe we can make a drinking game out of it or something.
Enjoyed this video from last night’s game. Marian Gaborik – yes, that Marian Gaborik … got into a fight last night. An no, it wasn’t a fight for the last dollop of salve to rub on his tender groin. It was a hockey fight. Ok, not so much a fight as it was a beat-down – don’t blink or you might miss it. Gabby goes down pretty quick – no wonder we had to keep Boogard on the Wild this year … have to have at least one enforcer after Rocky Gabby left.
Damn, I look good in purple...and you could too! Hey You! Yeah, I'm pointing at you - be my friend on Facebook!!!
Announcing the BFMV.com Refer-a-friend and win bonanza! To all you BFMV.com loyal readers and avid Vikings fans, it’s time to fill up the bandwagon with all of the fans who are now coming out of the woodwork leading up to the NFC Championship game against the Saints. For every friend that you refer that becomes a fan of BMFV.com on Facebook, you will be entered in a drawing for a brand new Brett Favre #4 Vikings Jersey to wear on Super Bowl Sunday!!! Let’s get 1,000 fans before the game on Sunday. So start now and refer all of your friends. And remember, WHO DAT? WE DAT!!! SKOL Vikings.
From Access Vikings: Cornerback Antoine Winfield was named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster on Tuesday, according to the team’s website. That will give the Vikings 10 players in the Pro Bowl.
Winfield was an alternate when the final Pro Bowl voting was announced near the end of the season but he will take the place of an injured player. The Cardinals’ Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie hurt his left leg in Arizona’s playoff loss at New Orleans on Saturday. This will be Winfield’s second consecutive Pro Bowl.
Winfield missed six games this season because of an injury to his right foot and has struggled at times since his return. Winfield, however, was effective in the regular-season finale playing exclusively inside in the nickel defense.
Despite missing time, Winfield still tied for the team lead with nine passes broken up. He also had 58 tackles. Winfield becomes the first Vikings cornerback to earn consecutive Pro Bowl berths since Carl Lee in 1989-90.
The 10 Vikings on the Pro Bowl roster are the most the team has had since 1998. If the Vikings beat the Saints on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game, however, none of the Vikings elected will play in the game because it will be held a week before the Super Bowl. The players on the Super Bowl teams will not participate in the all-star game.
We have conflicting emotions regarding this news. On the positive side it looks like out Vikings will retain Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier for a while longer as he’s been passed over for another head coaching position. Be we also feel for the man — he’s certainly a top the “tier 2″ of coaching candidates (Tier 1 being Cowher, Dungey, Gruden aka “chucky”, etc). He’s interviewed for numerous positions over the last three years only to be passed up each season — especially the questionable “Rooney Rule” interview for Seattle even though reports surfaced that Pete Carroll was already awarded the position. It’s a discussion for another time, but we think that rule is becoming counterproductive to the goal set by the NFL …
Anyway, reports are out that Chan Gailey will be the Bill head coach. Buffalo Bills loyalists (aren’t you glad you’re a Vikings fan?) hoping the team would bring in a big-name coach to help the team break a decade-long playoff drought may be disappointed to hear that the hiring of Chan Gailey seems imminent.
The former Dallas Cowboys and Georgia Tech coach will reportedly be named as the new guy in Buffalo, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Gailey led the Cowboys to the playoffs in both 1998 and 1999, but failed to win a game. He comes with a high recommendation from former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, who planned to name Gailey his assistant head coach if he had returned.
Welcome to Buffalo, Chan. Talk to Denny Green about weather forecasts …
Big day for Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. Biiiiiiiiig day.
First, they dismantled the Dallas Cowboys 34-3 to advance to the NFC Championship. Then, and perhaps more importantly, they got to sing the song that’s sweeping the nation.
That’s right, we’re talking about “Pants on the Ground.”
Comfortably leading 27-3 with less than two minutes to play, the Vikings opted to go for it on fourth down from the Cowboys’ 11-yard line.
They could have kicked the field goal. The game was effectively over.
By keeping their offensive unit on the field, it seemed to imply they were content to run the ball, either to pick up the game’s final first down or turn the ball over to Dallas in poor field position.
Instead, Brett Favre executed a play-action pass to perfection, hooking up with a diving Visanthe Shiancoe in the end zone to extend the lead to 30 points. A jubilant Favre jumped for joy and the Minnesota faithful went crazy.
But Dallas Cowboys crybaby/linebacker Keith Brooking took umbrage, racing over to Favre and the Vikings sideline to share his opinion of what he thought of his perceived lack of sportsmanship (when it’s against his team … unlike the ‘Boys stomping the Eagles two weeks in a row. Whine a little more please).
“I thought it was totally classless and disrespectful,” Brooking said. “This is the NFL, that’s not what this is about. I don’t think there’s a place for that … I was looking for [Vikings coach Brad] Childress. I didn’t think it was right, but they’ve got to see us next year. They’ve got to see us. You better believe I’ll have that one circled on the calendar, but I say that, we get paid to stop them. I don’t care what’s called, but sometimes I don’t think there was much class in that decision to do what he did.”
Does Brooking have a point here? Should Minnesota kept it on the ground or does he need to be mad at his own unit for not making the play?
As we’ve said before here at BFMV.com — you’re professional athletes, you get paid to play a game. Stop crying and do your job. This isn’t youth or high school sports where coaches are told to be wary of running up the score.
P.S. The Cowboys blitzed on that play … so if they’re still coming full speed at our quarterback … why shouldn’t the Vikes go full speed back at them?
We’ll leave you with this from Shiancoe after hearing Brooking’s comments. “OK, we apologize. I’m sorry. Better?”
– Peter King of Sports Illustrated tweeted this morning that the average margin of victory in the six playoff games entering today has been 17.2 points. The only really entertaining game for a fan just tuning in to watch was Arizona’s 51-45 overtime victory over Green Bay last weekend. On Saturday, the Saints beat the Cardinals by 31 and the Colts beat the Ravens by 17. Hopefully, we see a far more competitive game today at the Metrodome. We sure don’t expect a one-sided contest.
– The plan remains for veteran corner Antoine Winfield to play both at the left corner and inside in the nickel today. It sounds like it’s going to come down to matchups for Winfield. Winfield made it clear Friday that if he feels any pain in his injured right foot he won’t hesitate to take himself out. No matter what happens, I expect to see a healthy dose of corner Benny Sapp. Sapp is a free agent after the season and his performance in place of Winfield in the second half of the season likely has helped him improve his stock.
– We expect Tyrell Johnson to start at strong safety for the Vikings, but rookie Jamarca Sanford will see playing time. If nothing else, this sets up as a real training-camp battle next season with Sanford pushing Johnson for the job.
The Vikings might make it to the NFC Championship Game — they will have to beat Dallas on Sunday to do so — but they won’t be playing host to the game.
That became certain today when the Saints beat Arizona, 45-14, in an NFC divisional playoff game at the Superdome. New Orleans is the top seed in the conference and thus will play host to the title game at 5:40 p.m. a week from Sunday.
Our Vikings haven’t even played a game yet since dismantling the New York Giants in week 17 and they already losing respect among the so-called “experts” on the ESPN NFL team during their divisional playoff picks.
I think each of the “experts” would be well served to read one of BFMV.com’s readers email about the match-up versus the Cowboys — and how the home/road match-up isn’t as close as everyone thinks.
Deuce McAllister is back with the New Orleans Saints for the the team’s playoff run, according to coach Sean Payton.
The 31-year-old running back practiced at the team’s headquarters and could be activated for tomorrow’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
McAllister was waived by the Saints after last season, but has been working out and rehabbing a knee injury.
His 55 total touchdowns make him the franchise’s all-time leader … although we don’t see him having ANY impact in the game versus the Cardinals for obvious reasons. There are three dynamic backs that sit in front of him named Thomas, Bush and Bell …
We totally agree with Adam Warwas at Vikingsgab.com abotu THIS WEEK DRAGGING ON. — and he’s got some fun and valid points in his preview of the Viking/Cowboy match-up here, including the importance the run game, controlling the clock and the Adrian Peterson factor — which is huge — and how Benny Sapp will play into the defensive game plan.
Can't wait to power up the snow blower. +/- is nine inches by 5pm ... I say PLUS! More snow please!!about 16 hours agofrom web
#Twins GM Bill Smith:Gardy told [Hudson] We’re not trying to contend. We’re already doing that. We’re trying to get to the World Series.01:15:44 PM February 05, 2010from web
The online population of China & population of Facebook are roughly equal in size, both at over 350mln users in late 200901:30:28 PM February 04, 2010from web
"RT @mnwildtimes:Eliminate Oct & Nov, Wild Win % is .692, so its certainly obtainable." How about we break the 0-8-3 records in Dallas 2nite05:02:00 PM February 02, 2010from web
