Favre isn't back. Griffin is injured and Henderson is injured as well. Everyone turned a year older and Winfield has had some injury issues as well.
-Everyone knows Favre will be back.
-Henderson said he's ready to go. (Although he still has to be cleared)
-Griffin probably won't be 100% until late October/early November.
-Winfield had some injury issues but I'm pretty sure he's 100% heading into the season.
-Hutch said he feels good after surgery. (He played through a shoulder injury for most of the year)
-Both Sullivan and Loadholt now have a year of experience.
-The secondary will be a lot better if everyone is healthy.
-Percy should get a lot more plays called for him this year.
We(Vikings) got the division, not even worried about that. Yes, this Avs fan is also a big Vikings fan.
-Everyone knows Favre will be back.
-Henderson said he's ready to go. (Although he still has to be cleared)
-Griffin probably won't be 100% until late October/early November.
-Winfield had some injury issues but I'm pretty sure he's 100% heading into the season.
-Hutch said he feels good after surgery. (He played through a shoulder injury for most of the year)
-Both Sullivan and Loadholt now have a year of experience.
-The secondary will be a lot better if everyone is healthy.
-Percy should get a lot more plays called for him this year.
We(Vikings) got the division, not even worried about that. Yes, this Avs fan is also a big Vikings fan.
Good to hear, good to hear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thespeckledkiwi
At work but I think the Vikings will be a strong team this year.
No worries.
__________________
Blog: First Round Bust: A Cast of Thousands celebrating a rather dodgy track record of Minnesota Wild Drafting.
"Will beats skill when skill doesn't have enough will."
-Doug Woog
I personally think the safeties get a worse reputation than what they really are.
In this cover-two, the Vikings just don't have the coverage ability from their linebackers that really makes the scheme successful. Given the backer's deficiencies in the pass game, it leave seams open in the zone and that is often directed at the safeties. But more often than not, it's because the linebackers can not get deep enough in their drops. However, there's really no excuse for some of the missed tackles last season.
One of my only real beefs with this team/coaching staff is that I feel they're running two schemes that just do not fit their roster. Those being the cover-two and zone blocking that the offensive line utilizes.
Exactly, it's June... training camp starts in July... it's almost here already!
I agree that our Safeties aren't as bad as some let on. They are solid in coverage. Our corner depth after the draft and signing Sheppard is unreal... especially if Griffin gets healthy. Asher Allen and Benny Sapp played very well in Winfield's absense, I'm sure Sheppard, Sapp, Allen and Cook will handle the work load just fine.
As for Henderson, I don't expect he'll be full go by the regular season, but Leber played very well in the Nickel package, and Brinkley played solid in the base. with Brinkley having another year experience, he will only improve.
Exactly, it's June... training camp starts in July... it's almost here already!
I agree that our Safeties aren't as bad as some let on. They are solid in coverage. Our corner depth after the draft and signing Sheppard is unreal... especially if Griffin gets healthy. Asher Allen and Benny Sapp played very well in Winfield's absense, I'm sure Sheppard, Sapp, Allen and Cook will handle the work load just fine.
As for Henderson, I don't expect he'll be full go by the regular season, but Leber played very well in the Nickel package, and Brinkley played solid in the base. with Brinkley having another year experience, he will only improve.
Our coverage is soft. We gave up a lot of plays around the middle to tight ends, but our safety and our corner backs are soft.
Good news: I was listening to Mike and Mike this morning and while they were discussing the Stanley Cup and the end of the Blackhawks' streak (which should be on its own good news for spending an entire hour talking hockey), they said that the Vikings were looking like the next team to break their drought (defined as not winning in as many years as there are teams in the league).
Bad news: This probably means another heartbreak or two is in order. Also Greeny said he felt bad for the fans of Minnesota after starting to go through the cities with four sports teams (he was comparing them to Chicago which has now won a title in all four sports since 1986).
The Twins and Vikes are our best shots at titles, the Vikes I thought were the best team in the league last year, and had we not fumbled 8 million times in the Championship game, we would have won, but that's life. I think we'll still be super strong next year. We'll win 12-14 games.
Also, since Childress was hired, we have went 6-10 to 8-8 to 10-6 to 12-4, so that means that this year we're destined to go 14-2?
Also, I was disappointed that we didn't take a QB in the draft, but I can't argue with how the Vikes have drafted lately. Cook and Gerhart should help, but I can't help but feel underwhelmed at the draft. What did everyone else think?
Vikings, not the Twins. The problem with the Twinkies are they are built for the division but not the playoffs.
True, but if they added a true #1 starter would you think differently? It will be tough since we will most likely draw the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs, but the Twinkies are a pretty good team if they are healthy.
There are millions of people in this state what would say the same thing!
I'd believe it given how many times the Vikings have found a new way to break my heart - and I can't even count the four Super Bowls or Whiskey Bottle game.
Our coverage is soft. We gave up a lot of plays around the middle to tight ends, but our safety and our corner backs are soft.
I think the CBs are fine. They're not soft and they can tackle. Winfield is one of the most physical and one of the best tackling CBs in the league. Both Asher Allen and Chris Cook play a simliar style as well. Griffin isn't that physical but he has definitely improved his tackling. Lito Sheppard used to be pretty good but I haven't watched him closely the last couple seasons so I can't really comment on him.
I do agree about the safeties. Soft and can't tackle worth ****. Williams loves to put his head down and charge at the guy but that usually results in a missed tackle. I don't even know what to say about Johnson and Sanford. I was excited about Johnson when we drafted him but he was pretty bad last season.
True, but if they added a true #1 starter would you think differently? It will be tough since we will most likely draw the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs, but the Twinkies are a pretty good team if they are healthy.
Hard to say. We don't have the depth in the bullpen and a good second or third starter.
Healthy yes but bench goes a long ways. We have some tremendous starters but I question the bench and sometimes the coaching as well.
