Vikings 2012 Season: Gentlemen, We Are Hosed

by **dxmnkd316** » Thu 6/21/12 10:00 pm

rowshkex wrote:Of course it's not about "money" or "contracts"--it's about straight cash, homey.

1,000x this

by **Handyman** » Fri 6/22/12 4:44 am

team22tank wrote:
I still owe you ten bucks from the over under on last year, you never claimed it? I am willing to double down and say they win more than 5 this year. They better win 5 non-divisional games alone with that schedule.

As soon as I won I posted to donate the money to GPL...you must have missed it

Unless Kalil makes the OL 10 times better and they get lucky early on without a #1 receiver and a #1 RB they are gonna be in trouble. I think we win 2 in the division if we are lucky and have a hard time picking more than 3 non division wins. Not sure I want to bet though as it is just the start of minicamp.

by **trixR4kids** » Fri 6/22/12 11:52 am

Seeing as the Packers, Bears and Lions have all improved winning 2 division games might still be really tough. I guess the Lions haven't improved that much (bad draft allegedly).

by **Slap Shot** » Fri 6/22/12 1:35 pm

I'll take the over on 5. It might only be by 1 but it will happen.

by **Chris83** » Fri 6/22/12 1:56 pm

I'll go with 3-13 again. Hey, another high draft pick! :dup:

by **Handyman** » Fri 6/22/12 1:58 pm

Who do you have them beating for 6? Besides the Colts and the Rams I am not confident on them beating anyone and early on they are going to stink.

by **rowshkex** » Fri 6/22/12 2:42 pm

Handyman wrote:Who do you have them beating for 6? Besides the Colts and the Rams I am not confident on them beating anyone and early on they are going to stink.

I could see the Colts winning several more games next year--they lost a lot of close games, if I remember correctly, with a terrible quarterback corps. They still have Wayne, and have added Fleener, who apparently has some "chemistry" with Luck from Stanford (although I've never seen him play)...

by **team22tank** » Fri 6/22/12 2:58 pm

rowshkex wrote:
Handyman wrote:Who do you have them beating for 6? Besides the Colts and the Rams I am not confident on them beating anyone and early on they are going to stink.

I could see the Colts winning several more games next year--they lost a lot of close games, if I remember correctly, with a terrible quarterback corps. They still have Wayne, and have added Fleener, who apparently has some "chemistry" with Luck from Stanford (although I've never seen him play)...

The Vikes also lost 9 of 13 games by less than 6 points. And could have started 4-0 but instead 0-4.

by **team22tank** » Fri 6/22/12 3:20 pm

Handyman wrote:Who do you have them beating for 6? Besides the Colts and the Rams I am not confident on them beating anyone and early on they are going to stink.

Jacksonville @ home
Indy
Tennessee @ home
Washington
Arizona @ home
Tampa Bay @ home
St. Louis
Seattle

Not saying they will win all of these games but these are not stellar opponents. Snag one are two in the division and they will be over 5 wins.

Last years first 4 games literally could have had them starting off 4-0. I don't think I can remember a team ever blowing two leads like that back to back let a lone 4. They lost 9 of their 13 games by 6 or less.

by **Tee09** » Fri 6/22/12 3:22 pm

They'll steal at least 1 and probably 2 in the division.

by **Dances With Gophers** » Fri 6/22/12 3:35 pm

In a QB-driven league, I hate to say it, but I think we goofed on the Ponder pick. He's the modern day version of Tommy Kramer. Which wouldn't be so bad if GB had the modern-day equivalent of Lynn Dickey. But they don't. We'll be lucky to steal 1 Div game this season. 4-5 wins. 6 is pushing it, even with a healthy Peterson in the backfield...

by **Slap Shot** » Fri 6/22/12 3:53 pm

It's dumb to predict W-L based upon the schedule. NFL teams rise and fall more than in any other sport year to year and you often see a schedule that looked brutal/easy going in end up being anything but when it's all over. They upgraded at OL, WR and DB. They are fine at DL, need help at LB and who knows which way special teams will go. I'm not sold on Frasier but I think the OC and DC will be better. They also won't start the season with a QB that doesn't give a s**t, and even if Ponder isn't the answer he'll have a full off-season to prepare unlike last year. And as noted before they lost several close games last year. Before anyone tosses a nutter I'm not predicting playoffs heck not even 8-8 - but I'd put a 12-pack down on 6 wins.

by **gopher wes** » Fri 6/22/12 4:23 pm

I agree with Dances. I hate to say it because I know Ponder had no training camp last year and he was a rookie, but I'm not sold on him. He looked like he regressed as the year went on, IMO. Hopefully a (somewhat) better OL can help Ponder but I'm not so sure.

by **Handyman** » Sat 6/23/12 11:32 am

It is too early to decide on Ponder either way. No QB was going to be any good on last years team. (especially with that OL) He should have never seen the field but the team just had to get Donovan McNabb who is the very definition of washed up and it screwed everything up. If they had brought in a QB who could still throw beyond 3 yards Ponder is the #3 all year and everyone wins.

And I still dont see how anyone has us winning a game in the first part of the season. Beyond the fact that our D is not improved at all we will be hurting at RB (massive understatement) and WR with a young QB and an unproven OL. The only reason I had us beating the Colts was I read the schedule wrong and thought it was at home...now that game is a toss up. The offensive upgrades (especially Kalil) probably wont begin to show until 2012-13 with regards to wins. they have an "easier" schedule, but that cuts both ways since those "bad" teams are playing us for the same reason we are playing them. Every game is a toss up (minus the flat out losses to teams like Green Bay) and I dont trust the coaching staff to get the team where it needs to be and I dont see talent in enough places to think if the game is tied in the 4th quarter our team will be the one to make the defensive stop then drive it down the other teams throats for the win.

And sure they could have been 4-0 last year, but they werent. They blew up in epic fashion in those games and guess what, the team isnt demonstrably better now. Unless the D can hold teams to less than 20 points this could be a long ass season and since right now I would take the Gophers d-backs over the Vikings d-backs I am not going to count on that

by **psych** » Sat 6/23/12 1:06 pm

Handyman wrote:It is too early to decide on Ponder either way. No QB was going to be any good on last years team. (especially with that OL) He should have never seen the field but the team just had to get Donovan McNabb who is the very definition of washed up and it screwed everything up. If they had brought in a QB who could still throw beyond 3 yards Ponder is the #3 all year and everyone wins.

And I still dont see how anyone has us winning a game in the first part of the season. Beyond the fact that our D is not improved at all we will be hurting at RB (massive understatement) and WR with a young QB and an unproven OL. The only reason I had us beating the Colts was I read the schedule wrong and thought it was at home...now that game is a toss up. The offensive upgrades (especially Kalil) probably wont begin to show until 2012-13 with regards to wins. they have an "easier" schedule, but that cuts both ways since those "bad" teams are playing us for the same reason we are playing them. Every game is a toss up (minus the flat out losses to teams like Green Bay) and I dont trust the coaching staff to get the team where it needs to be and I dont see talent in enough places to think if the game is tied in the 4th quarter our team will be the one to make the defensive stop then drive it down the other teams throats for the win.

And sure they could have been 4-0 last year, but they werent. They blew up in epic fashion in those games and guess what, the team isnt demonstrably better now. Unless the D can hold teams to less than 20 points this could be a long ass season and since right now I would take the Gophers d-backs over the Vikings d-backs I am not going to count on that

So...this season then? :mrgreen:

by **Slap Shot** » Sat 6/23/12 1:51 pm

How can anyone say with a straight face they're not demonstratively better in talent? The OL, WR and DBs alone are better on paper and a by-product of improved WR and OL should be improved QB play. The schedule is also easier and you can't spin it back that, "well those teams get to play the Vikings". No s**t. :mrgreen:

by **Bushwood Gopher** » Sat 6/23/12 2:47 pm

Slap Shot wrote:How can anyone say with a straight face they're not demonstratively better in talent? The OL, WR and DBs alone are better on paper and a by-product of improved WR and OL should be improved QB play. The schedule is also easier and you can't spin it back that, "well those teams get to play the Vikings". No s**t.

I'll give it a shot--their best player on offense is coming off reconstructive ACL surgery. Their best WR could become a discontented wildcard because of some unknown problems he has with the organization. And their best safety has left the team for a religious pilgrimage.

Kalil is a massive upgrade to the O line, no doubt. And the schedule is easier. Apart from that, this still looks like a team that will probably win anywhere from 4 to 6 games max.

by **Snowcool08** » Sat 6/23/12 3:16 pm

The NFL is a league of momentum. It's not inconceivable that they beat Jacksonville and Indianapolis in the first two weeks. Week 3 they play San Francisco, who could be 0-2 after losing to Green Bay and Detroit in the first two weeks. Teams that go 3-0 have an excellent chance of making the playoffs. The league is built around lesser teams playing each other and there's always at least one team a year that makes the jump because they can beat the lesser competition.

That said, I still think it's a 6 win team at best. It's just not outside the realm of possibilities that they win 9 games and sneak into the playoffs with their last place schedule.

by **Handyman** » Sat 6/23/12 5:13 pm

psych wrote:
So...this season then?

You know what I meant

And I am not convinced the OL is that much better yet. Adding a tackle doesnt make our guards any better. Then on D we have 1 ok (but over the hill) corner and that is it. Our safeties stink, or nickel backs are nothing and we are basically praying Chris Cook doesnt pimp slap another woman. Yeah I can smell that 3-0 from here. :biggrin2:

by **Slap Shot** » Sat 6/23/12 7:41 pm

The OL is that much better because they move Johnson where he belongs so they've in essence improved two spots on the line, they didn't lose any DB worth a damn and clearly upgraded there and WR via the draft. And again impoved OL and WR should help Ponder quite a bit. But yeah, I can smell that 3-13 from here because they're just the same team as last year. :biggrin2:

by **team22tank** » Sat 6/23/12 8:07 pm

Slap Shot wrote:The OL is that much better because they move Johnson where he belongs so they've in essence improved two spots on the line, they didn't lose any DB worth a damn and clearly upgraded there and WR via the draft. And again impoved OL and WR should help Ponder quite a bit. But yeah, I can smell that 3-13 from here because they're just the same team as last year.

I think the O-line will be much improved from last year, like you mentioned the addition of Kalil and moving Johnson will help. If you break down the O-line into two categories run & pass blocking I think you have to give the line a lot of credit last year for their run blocking and a big F for their pass blocking. We were one of the top rushing teams and yes everyone will say well it was all AP. However Gerhart averaged 4.9 a carry on over 100 carries, Harvin 6.6 YPC, all of this happening when you know every D in the league could careless about our pass game and is doing everything to shut down the run.

That leads to the pass protection, if it can get better this year it should have a huge a effect on the O production.

The D-backs should also be improved, how much we'll see. It will help having Cook back and we'll see if any of the rookies can step in and up.

For a team that was so terrible at 3-13 it is interesting that we had one of the best running games in the league and one of the best pass rushes. If the pass game on O and the pass coverage on D can improve just a bit I think it could mean good things for the Vikes. Whether that happens this year or not we'll see.

by **Bushwood Gopher** » Sat 6/23/12 9:26 pm

Slap Shot wrote: they didn't lose any DB worth a damn

Did they have any to begin with? :poke:

by **Beauner** » Sat 6/23/12 10:05 pm

Handyman wrote:
psych wrote:
So...this season then?

You know what I meant

And I am not convinced the OL is that much better yet. Adding a tackle doesnt make our guards any better. Then on D we have 1 ok (but over the hill) corner and that is it. Our safeties stink, or nickel backs are nothing and we are basically praying Chris Cook doesnt pimp slap another woman. Yeah I can smell that 3-0 from here.

I think the OL will be better. Adding Kalil does help our guards because we now have Charlie Johnson at guard where he belongs, Sullivan is one of the better Cs in the league, Loadholt should be playing his ass off for a new contract and the right guard spot should be improved hopefully. It can't get much worse than it was last year right? :lol:

I like the draft of Harrison Smith at safety. He'll step in and take over one of the starting jobs right away. I think they are basically holding an open competition for the other safety spot, with the other rookie being one of the ones fighting for it, Mistral Raymond being another, and a couple of the other holdovers fighting for it too. Competition for a spot usually breeds a better player so I'm cautiously optimistic that our safety play will be improved.
As far as Chris Cook goes, I'm not sold on him as a good CB yet, but he's at least not as bad as some of the other options we ran out there. Josh Robinson is a good athlete and will hopefully make an impact on the nickel corner spot, along with Winfield if he stays healthy.

I'm not saying we'll start 3-0, but we could have a legitimate chance at it, especially if Ponder is as improved as they say he is and Cheech gets his head on straight.

by **Handyman** » Sun 6/24/12 10:52 am

Wow...a man could get rich around here if he wanted to. Someone spiked the kool aid with vodka and some sort of memory eraser because that is the only explanation for what I am reading. I mean it is one thing when guys like Wobschall and PA talk like this but people not paid to talk up the team...ugh why do I have a conscience

BTW I agree competition breeds better play...but when it is rookies facing off against each other that is far from a guarantee. To be honest, neither of them have to play that well to win the job since my cat could be a safety on the team.

And while I think Kalil will be a stud OL I dont think next year he is going to be dominant. He is an improvement over Johnson, but again pick a random fat guy walking down Nicollet Mall and that could be true. And I love this new talking point about how Johnson will be better being moved to guard "where he belongs" like he was playing out of position or something. He has played the vast majority of his career as a tackle only playing guard for one season in 2008. (Link ) There is no guarantee he "belongs" at tackle and will suddenly be proficient at it, he might stink at that position as much as he did at tackle. Maybe he is just an average player...

I would pay money to be wrong but I think the team is a year away from significant improvement.

by **gopherguy13** » Sun 6/24/12 11:26 am

Handy, don't kid yourself.....

I've seen your cat play football, he's terrible!

by **psych** » Sun 6/24/12 1:18 pm

Handyman wrote:Wow...a man could get rich around here if he wanted to. Someone spiked the kool aid with vodka and some sort of memory eraser because that is the only explanation for what I am reading. I mean it is one thing when guys like Wobschall and PA talk like this but people not paid to talk up the team...ugh why do I have a conscience

BTW I agree competition breeds better play...but when it is rookies facing off against each other that is far from a guarantee. To be honest, neither of them have to play that well to win the job since my cat could be a safety on the team.

And while I think Kalil will be a stud OL I dont think next year he is going to be dominant. He is an improvement over Johnson, but again pick a random fat guy walking down Nicollet Mall and that could be true. And I love this new talking point about how Johnson will be better being moved to guard "where he belongs" like he was playing out of position or something. He has played the vast majority of his career as a tackle only playing guard for one season in 2008. (Link ) There is no guarantee he "belongs" at tackle and will suddenly be proficient at it, he might stink at that position as much as he did at tackle. Maybe he is just an average player...

I would pay money to be wrong but I think the team is a year away from significant improvement.

Why not just pick one off GPL instead? A better (smarter?) selection, of that I am certain.

by **Slap Shot** » Sun 6/24/12 4:20 pm

Handyman wrote:Wow...a man could get rich around here if he wanted to. Someone spiked the kool aid with vodka and some sort of memory eraser because that is the only explanation for what I am reading.

What are you reading that is so OMGICANTBELIEVEWHATHESAIDOMG!? :wink:

I'm seeing some predictions of improved play and a few more wins. Maybe even as many as 6? That sounds more like warm sugar-free tea than kook aid with vodka.

by **Iceburg** » Sun 6/24/12 4:34 pm

gopherguy13 wrote:Handy, don't kid yourself.....

I've seen your cat play football, he's terrible!

Well, he is as quick as a..........oh, never mind :oops:

by **Handyman** » Sun 6/24/12 8:23 pm

gopherguy13 wrote:Handy, don't kid yourself.....

I've seen your cat play football, he's terrible!

I know but I am his agent...I need my 15%

Slap Shot has a great misspelling in his post if you re-read it

And yes I think 6 wins is kool aid drinking...that is 100% improvement on last year with a 1 legged RB and no defense.

by **Bushwood Gopher** » Sun 6/24/12 8:52 pm

Here's a fascinating article on the deal Mike Lynn put together for himself with the luxury suite revenue when the Metrodome was originally built. Too bad he wasn't nearly as shrewd when it came to making blockbuster trades....

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_20 ... source=rss

by **Five-HoleFrenzy** » Mon 6/25/12 9:17 am

"Mr. Lynn is the most complex human being I have ever met in my life," former team lawyer Sam Kaplan testified in 1986. "He was unpredictable, and I thought that an insecure Michael Lynn was not in the best interest of the Minnesota Vikings."

The lawyer at the time did not know how much of an understatement that was in 1986. Dallas still has giggle parties thinking about the fleecing it gave this franchise and Lynn in particular.

by **sunbone** » Mon 6/25/12 10:28 am

This team still has a lot of question marks. I'm not sold on the O-line being that great. Kalil is going to be a good one, but he is only one guy. And I think people are kidding themselves that Johnson is going to be an all-pro guard. He was an awful left tackle and most likely will be an average guard. I've pretty much given up on Loadholt, he is so inconsistent that he is basically worthless. And the Vikings see something in Sullivan that I am not. He just isn't physical enough. Obviously the jury is out on Ponder, and the WR's aren't going to scare anyone. The defense has holes everywhere too. Winfield and Kevin Williams are another year older. The linebackers are either unproven, or in the case of Greenway, over rated. The d-backs may be better, but only because last year they were historically awful. And the kicker they are rolling with was about 50/50 in college last year. They may win a couple more games than last year, just because in a league filled with mediocrity it is hard to lose 13 times. I'd peg them as about a 5-11 team at this point.

by **Orion** » Sat 7/07/12 1:01 pm

AP arrested in Texas.
http://kstp.com/news/stories/S2681250.shtml?cat=1

How can one be arrested for resisting arrest? Isn't that a chicken and the egg thing?

by **trixR4kids** » Sat 7/07/12 1:14 pm

If I had to guess they just put him in the drunk tank for the night or something.

by **dryfly** » Sat 7/07/12 2:37 pm

Dances With Gophers wrote:In a QB-driven league, I hate to say it, but I think we goofed on the Ponder pick. He's the modern day version of Tommy Kramer. Which wouldn't be so bad if GB had the modern-day equivalent of Lynn Dickey. But they don't. We'll be lucky to steal 1 Div game this season. 4-5 wins. 6 is pushing it, even with a healthy Peterson in the backfield...

Sounds about right. Bad but not bad enough to have a great draft pick.

by **team22tank** » Sat 7/07/12 2:44 pm

Orion wrote:AP arrested in Texas.
http://kstp.com/news/stories/S2681250.shtml?cat=1

How can one be arrested for resisting arrest? Isn't that a chicken and the egg thing?

Resisting arrest can be as little as moving while the cop tries to cuff you which they will also sometimes even charge you with assault to an officer. It is pretty pathetic actually, we'll see how this one plays out.

by **kmd** » Sat 7/07/12 6:12 pm

Orion wrote:How can one be arrested for resisting arrest? Isn't that a chicken and the egg thing?

Even though people primarily use the word to describe when a potential criminal is taken in for booking, it's really a more general term that applies to any situation where the police are asking for your cooperation. You're technically in a "state of arrest" even when they're just questioning you, or running a background check, and things like that.

Imagine if somebody matched the description of a potential suspect, but they ran when the police tried to question them. That person is likely going to get hit with "resisting/fleeing arrest", even if they aren't the person the police were originally looking for. It's basically the same thing here.

by **Slap Shot** » Sat 7/07/12 9:12 pm

by **sec 16 row16 seat 16 17** » Sat 7/07/12 10:00 pm

i suppose Mr smug p.a will defend ap to the hilt.dont see the hockey players getting in trouble.

by **sec 16 row16 seat 16 17** » Sat 7/07/12 10:03 pm

the new cincy bengals of crime.

by **jallengarry** » Sun 7/08/12 8:04 am

Young, dumb mistake by a guy who sounds like he was being a buzzed d-bag. At least he's not in major trouble I guess but definitely not the best position to put yourself in.

by **Beauner** » Sun 7/08/12 9:40 am

The story Mike Florio told on Pro Football Talk was that AP was at the club with his girlfriend and family. When the club was getting ready to close AP wanted to go grab a bottle of water for the road, but the bouncer (an off-duty policeman) wouldn't let AP go get more water, insisting that he had to leave and escorting him to the door. AP then tried to shove off of the guy to get the bouncer's hands off of him, and the guy overreacted and told him he was under arrest and to put his hands behind his back. AP refused to put his hands behind his back, so the bouncer called over his 3 other off-duty policeman/bouncers and arrested AP.

Seems like a gigantic overreaction by everybody involved. He was with his girlfriend and family which makes me think he probably wasn't out of control drunk.

by **Handyman** » Sun 7/08/12 11:19 am

There supposedly video of the incident. If Florio's story is true I am not going to be too upset with AP.

And since when dont hockey players get in trouble? I must have missed the boat when they all became choir angels and never do anything illegal...

by **jallengarry** » Sun 7/08/12 8:55 pm

You left out the fact that Florio cited a manager at the club who said A.P. was wasted and difficult to deal with all night. I also have a hard time framing being out at a club until 2:30 AM as a sweet family outing. Obviously this is all speculation at this point no matter who it comes from. Anyhow...the whole thing is hopefully much ado about nothing and sounds like a minor incident. Whether the cop acts over-zealous or not...if you want to make your life easier as a high-profile athlete you handle it differently and you don't get arrested.

by **Hobey Baker** » Sun 7/08/12 11:09 pm

Any news on AP's shortness of breath?

by **Six Hole** » Sun 7/08/12 11:24 pm

Due process is a son of a gun...

by **rowshkex** » Mon 7/09/12 12:08 am

Hobey Baker wrote:Any news on AP's shortness of breath?

"Given the patient's age and lack of other risk factors, I do not suspect acute coronary syndrome or other cardiac etiology for the patient's symptoms."

by **frozen4champs** » Sat 7/21/12 4:52 pm

Former Vikings GM Mike Lynn has passed away.

http://www.kare11.com/news/article/9840 ... -Lynn-dies

by **gopher6** » Thu 7/26/12 2:55 pm

# 1 draft choice signed!!

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 83066.html

by **Jaykay3** » Thu 8/02/12 2:20 pm

Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Kluwe-

http://deadspin.com/5930992/minnesota-vikings-punter-chris-kluwe-is-here-to-take-your-questions

by **gopherguy13** » Thu 8/02/12 6:25 pm

Jaykay3 wrote:Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Kluwe-

http://deadspin.com/5930992/minnesota-vikings-punter-chris-kluwe-is-here-to-take-your-questions

Kluwe is awesome.

Does Adrian Peterson know your name?

Yes. I'm "Chris the Equipment Guy", and I fetch him water and tape with regularity.

by **Beauner** » Thu 8/02/12 10:45 pm

Jaykay3 wrote:Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Kluwe-

http://deadspin.com/5930992/minnesota-vikings-punter-chris-kluwe-is-here-to-take-your-questions

This just has so much win to it.

by **dxmnkd316** » Thu 8/02/12 10:54 pm

Beauner wrote:
Jaykay3 wrote:Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Kluwe-

http://deadspin.com/5930992/minnesota-vikings-punter-chris-kluwe-is-here-to-take-your-questions

This just has so much win to it.

Especially this:

f*** you you F'n f***. I never get mad and I hope you get molested by a herpes infested goat.

The defensive line. It smells like a baby seal died in the middle of the Sahara and then contracted AIDS.

by **The Rube** » Thu 8/02/12 11:17 pm

Kluwe is pretty much the sole reason I joined the Tweeter Machine. That means something.

by **Dances With Gophers** » Fri 8/03/12 1:05 am

The Rube wrote:Kluwe is pretty much the sole reason I joined the Tweeter Machine. That means something.

Kluwe is also pretty much the punter responsible for 25% of Hester's career punt return TD's. That means something, too.

Can him already, witty diatribes be durned. Vicitmized by Hester once? OK, sucks to be you - not a surprise. Twice? Stop it already, kick it out-of-bounds forever whenever you see him lining up to receive. THRICE? WTF ARE YOU DOING AND WHY ARE WE PAYING YOU!?!?! :chainsaw:

by **gopherhockeyfan7** » Fri 8/03/12 6:56 am

I need to get a Kluwe jersey

by **Tee09** » Fri 8/03/12 7:36 am

Dances With Gophers wrote:
The Rube wrote:Kluwe is pretty much the sole reason I joined the Tweeter Machine. That means something.

Kluwe is also pretty much the punter responsible for 25% of Hester's career punt return TD's. That means something, too.

Can him already, witty diatribes be durned. Vicitmized by Hester once? OK, sucks to be you - not a surprise. Twice? Stop it already, kick it out-of-bounds forever whenever you see him lining up to receive. THRICE? WTF ARE YOU DOING AND WHY ARE WE PAYING YOU!?!?!

I think they should keep him in perpetuity for the same reason. :mrgreen:

He talks too much, especially for a punter.

by **Armadillo** » Fri 8/03/12 1:41 pm

Dances With Gophers wrote:
The Rube wrote:Kluwe is pretty much the sole reason I joined the Tweeter Machine. That means something.

Kluwe is also pretty much the punter responsible for 25% of Hester's career punt return TD's. That means something, too.

Can him already, witty diatribes be durned. Vicitmized by Hester once? OK, sucks to be you - not a surprise. Twice? Stop it already, kick it out-of-bounds forever whenever you see him lining up to receive. THRICE? WTF ARE YOU DOING AND WHY ARE WE PAYING YOU!?!?!

This is possibly the worst reason ever to fire a player. Seems to me there are 10 other players out there for the Vikings that could have done something about it.

by **Dances With Gophers** » Sat 8/04/12 2:27 am

Armadillo wrote:
Dances With Gophers wrote:
The Rube wrote:Kluwe is pretty much the sole reason I joined the Tweeter Machine. That means something.

Kluwe is also pretty much the punter responsible for 25% of Hester's career punt return TD's. That means something, too.

Can him already, witty diatribes be durned. Vicitmized by Hester once? OK, sucks to be you - not a surprise. Twice? Stop it already, kick it out-of-bounds forever whenever you see him lining up to receive. THRICE? WTF ARE YOU DOING AND WHY ARE WE PAYING YOU!?!?!

This is possibly the worst reason ever to fire a player. Seems to me there are 10 other players out there for the Vikings that could have done something about it.

Worst reason = failing to do your one and only job? :confused2:

Kick the ball out of bounds if Hester is back there so there is zero chance of a punt return/TD.

Ok, here's another stat: based on % of attempted punts that wind up inside the 20 yard line (translates into helping out your team re: field position), he ranks #25 in the league. You don't need 10 other people to help you punt a ball into the coffin corner/out of bounds inside the 20.

But...I guess eviscerating people on Twitter makes up for that. :ahhh:

On a purely subjective level, I can recall many more times his on-field performance made me scream at the TV vs. the number of times I thought, "Nice job, Kluwe!" Also, I wouldn't sign punters to long-term contracts as a general rule. Spend the $ on place kickers perhaps, or better yet on other skill positions. I imagine it wouldn't be too difficult to bring in a slew of rookie punters each season for open try-outs?

by **gopherguy13** » Sat 8/04/12 9:48 am

I didn't think Hester has burned us very often. How many TD's (on punt returns) has he scouted against us?

by **Slap Shot** » Sat 8/04/12 12:50 pm

Kluwe can be witty but I think he tries too hard and every once in a while should just say nothing.

by **Slap Shot** » Sat 8/04/12 11:55 pm

Peckers fans so love beer they'll go after it even at a training camp for the Vikings:

by **Armadillo** » Sun 8/05/12 12:05 am

Why...I...how...bluh...

OK, then.

by **Dances With Gophers** » Sun 8/05/12 6:09 am

gopherguy13 wrote:I didn't think Hester has burned us very often. How many TD's (on punt returns) has he scouted against us?

If you meant 'scored', 3 of his 12 punt return TDs came against us,as well as one of his kickoff returns.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/943048-chicago-bears-football-every-return-touchdown-of-devin-hesters-career#/articles/943048-chicago-bears-football-every-return-touchdown-of-devin-hesters-career/page/5

Date: 12/3/2006
Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
Type of return: Punt
Distance: 45 yards
Significance: The first of many returns for scores against Minnesota. You would think Minnesota punter Chris Kluwe would have figured out the danger earlier in the game when Hester nearly broke one for a score...

Date: 10/14/2007
Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
Type of return: Punt
Distance: 89 yards
Significance: The Bears romped in this one, and Hester started off the scoring with this electric return

Date: 12/20/2010
Opponent: at Minnesota Vikings
Type of return: Punt
Distance: 64 yards
Significance: This return gave Hester the record for most kick return touchdowns in NFL history

Date: 10/16/11
Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
Type of Return: Kickoff
Distance: 98 yards
Significance: In a blowout of the NFC North rival, Hester torched the Vikes for yet another return TD

by **Slap Shot** » Sun 8/05/12 10:13 am

What was your favorite Greg Childs moment? His career might be over before it starts. :anger:

by **Hammy** » Sun 8/05/12 11:26 am

Slap Shot wrote:What was your favorite Greg Childs moment? His career might be over before it starts.

Vikes gamble and lose. Seriously, I understand the boom/bust type of pick on occasion but I'm not sure I'd do it when you are in rebuilding phase. Yeah, it was only a 4th rounder but still...

by **Hobey Baker** » Mon 8/06/12 12:08 am

Slap Shot wrote:What was your favorite Greg Childs moment? His career might be over before it starts.

Both knees???

by **gopher wes** » Mon 8/06/12 7:59 am

No comment on that pic, SlapShot, other that that it doesn't surprise me.

by **sec 16 row16 seat 16 17** » Sat 8/11/12 12:13 pm

80 yard QB td run you have problems Frazier.

by **gator** » Wed 8/22/12 4:16 pm

I going out on a limb and saying 8-8 for the Vikings this year...

WINS:
vs. Jacksonville
@ Indy.
vs. Tennesse
@ Washington
vs. Phoenix
vs. Tampa Bay
@ Seattle
@ St. Louis

LOSSES:
vs. San Fran.
@ Houston
Detroit x 2
Green Bay x 2
Chicago x 2

by **gopherguy13** » Wed 8/22/12 4:21 pm

Dances With Gophers wrote:
gopherguy13 wrote:I didn't think Hester has burned us very often. How many TD's (on punt returns) has he scouted against us?

If you meant 'scored', 3 of his 12 punt return TDs came against us,as well as one of his kickoff returns.

Auto-correct claims another post :lol:

by **Armadillo** » Wed 8/22/12 4:22 pm

8-8 for the Vikings, and 6-6 for the Gophers? I think most people would be happy with those results.

by **Tee09** » Wed 8/22/12 5:07 pm

Armadillo wrote:8-8 for the Vikings, and 6-6 for the Gophers? I think most people would be happy with those results.

We're known for our optimism around here.

by **sunbone** » Wed 8/22/12 5:16 pm

Armadillo wrote:8-8 for the Vikings, and 6-6 for the Gophers? I think most people would be happy with those results.

I could see the Gophers going 6-6 considering the creampuff nonconference schedule should only require 2 Big Ten wins to get there. 8-8 for the Vikes? I'm thinking more like 6-10.

by **Tee09** » Wed 8/22/12 5:42 pm

Meh. 5-7 for the Gophers and last place for the Vikes sounds about right. Could be anywhere from 5 to 7 wins.

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