Vikings Killer Instinct
UPDATE: I've moved this blog. Visit the new Vikings section at my new TwinCitiesMinnesotaBlog.com. Patrick Reusse's column today talks about a Vikings fan named Albert Belle and how he's skeptical about the Vikings ability to win the big game. And why shouldn't he be? What evidence is there that the Purple have what it takes to win in the clutch? Well, you've got to go back a ways. Like, to the seventies. And that's just what Reusse does, though Belle, whom he doesn't reveal is the baseall player Albert Belle until the nineth paragaph. Apparently, the former Indian, White Sox and Orioles slugger became a Vikings fan as a kid in Louisiana because he was fascinated by the fact that the team played many of their games in the snow. (And, let's face it, if your hometown team is the Saints, you're more likely than not to start casting about looking for another team for which to root.) Belle's childhood football hero was Fran Tarkenton. So Belle and I have two things in common: Our childhood football hero was Tarkenton and we both recall a time when it was expected that the Vikings would win big games, their Super Bowl losses notwithstanding. I don't know what it is or why, but the Vikings have not been able to win crucial games decisively since Jerry Burns' 1987 team blew away the Saints and the 49ers and came within a Darrin Nelson dropped pass of overtime with and momentum against the Redskins in the NFC Championship game. I suspect that coaching is usually the culprit. But with the Vikings circa 2004, it'd be fair to point the finger of blame at the defense. Even so, one of the main problems with this team is the absence of a collective knowledge of winning big games. The Vikings of the seventies expected to win because a lot of them had experienced it many times before. That lack of experience is also what sets apart fans like myself and Belle and younger fans who grew up watching the team in the Denny Green era. Belle and I have more hope--however ridiculous it may be--because we recall a time... Remember, the '87 squad that came so close to a Super Bowl berth was a wildcard team.
3 Comments:
You can't blame the Vikings losing key games on lack of experience. That is a problem we can't overcome. Obviously, it is a curse! A curse that will be broken when some fan does just the right thing at just the right time. I, for my part, intent to kill a goat at midnight as sacrifice to the football gods.
I agree that this season's difficulties are due to a defense that's been porous, weak, and, at times, seemingly non-existent. The question of blame falls on either the coaches or the players. Are the defensive players really that bad? Or has the coaching staff failed by not finding a way to use the players in a way that takes advantage of whatever talent they have? Ultimately, the questions becomes, for this team (which I've also watched since I was kid and liked to watch and hear about the exploits of #10) to improve defensively will it take more quality players or yet more changes in the defensive coaching staff?
My thoughts on the Vikings. I heard some xplayer last week say that its not the coaches fault. That ultimately what happens on the field is the player's fault. I would disagree. The Coaches need to prepare the players to do the right things and be able to convey adjustments when necessary. Now if a player can't do the right things or impliment those adjustments, then it is the coaches responsibility to make that player a benchwarmer. Too many benchwarmers you say, gotta start somebody. Maybe if you had better coaches your personnell might know what they're doing I say. Starting strong in the season and in a game , then fizzling out is a sign of week coaching. Likable or not Tice isn't getting it done. The Packer in me loves it, the compassionite side in me hates it. Here's the kicker, you're stuck. You knew that. In order to turn this franchise around you'll need new owners. Owners that care about coaching. The franchise needs to be fixed at the top. With good coaching all your players get better, with mediocre coaching only the stars stand out.
Delicious
Post a Comment
<< Home