FanPost

Some general thoughts on the Vikings



Theres a few reasons I don't see the Vikings as much of a threat. At the top of that list is not having any real threats in the reciver corp. Sure Harvin is a fine compliment peice but with no Sidney Rice or any true number one threat I do see them as serious contender in the NFC anymore. Peterson is without question the most elite back in the NFC. They not only rely on him to take pressure off the QB and put up points they need to now lean on him more than ever. We have had issues with Peterson before but to tell the truth we have never been owned by him in any game. Before we always played the Vikings very well until halftime. We are a much more complete team though now and can play 4 quarters. The Vikings have a chance in this game but all do respect they have nothing that scares me.

Peterson will be the X factor of this up comming game. If we can contain him for 60 minutes this game will never get out of hand for us. Tulloch and Durant have been great additions to the linebacking corp we need them to play at a high level this weekend if we hope to keep AP to under 5 yards a carry. Kevin Williams is finally back but one has to imagine not in the greatest shape. With no Edwards Jared Allen has to bring most the pressure by himself. The defense as a whole is solid but again nothing that should scare you anymore. Now for the most important part of the Vikings team. Quarterback Donovan Mcnabb there is no way all of will see eye to eye on this matter but these are my thoughts. Not excuses just watching tape what I have seen and heard from professionals that cover football. Mcnabb is being reigned in and thats not his style of ball. They need to free him up let him move around the pocket more and throw the deep balls. Mcnabb isn't you regular 3 step drop QB. In ways alot like Favre he makes things happen but you need to give him more freedom so he can do that. First and formost though his widerecivers are not getting seperation. He constantly throws into coverage because he has to. Were a guy like Rice could cause problems in the secondary and could get open constantly. None of the guys on the Vikings current roster seems to have the abillity to get into space. Thus the constant incomplete passes this isn't all on Mac5 he isn't getting much help out there. Shaincoe has been almost invisible either the Vikings are not using him when they call plays or Shaincoe is simply not making himself a viable target either. As the best member of the reciver corp IMO they need to look at the TE much more often right now. Like Brent Celek Mcnabb has proven he can do some good things with an athletic TE.

This game means more than just the Lions trying to win in Minnesota. The first divison game of the year for us sets up an run we might have at greenbay who is still tops in the NFC north. Mcnabb has to show in the next 2 weeks I belive that he can improve the play of the offense or Ponder will be throwin to the dogs so to speak. I don't in anyway expecta replay of the Redskins game last year. We caught number 5 at his lowest of lows but it Minnesota can't protect him and give him good play at the reciver position. This game could get ugly by halftime. Expect to see plenty of AP and TG early on but if we can contain them and make them trow the ball. I just don't know if the Vikings have the weapons to match up with Stafford , Calvin and company. We beat Tampa Bay in Tampa they lost to the Bucs up north. They did ok against Mike Williams they could take him out of the game though. Calvin Johnson is no Mike Williams. I am not sure they have anything in the secodary to contain Calvin and still keep Nate under wraths. We need Keiland Williams to step in and bring the power game in this matchup. Best has been spectacular but we can't rely on him to be the only back this season.

This Lions and Vikings matchup seems to be the most favoring for us in more than 10 years. A victory is surely not out of the question. I have to give the Vikings there do they have a chance. Where there is Peterson and Mcnabb there is a will to win and the leadership to do so. I am just not sure that all the neccesary tools are there to make it happen. I am not a fan of the Vikings but on the outside I see a situation that Brad Childress has created that dosen't bouge well for them in the coming seasons. They are still in the mode of winning a championship NOW. When I feel they need to be in a complete rebuilding stage and let the youth movement take over. They have a good QB prospect, AP and Harvin it's gonna take alot more than that to compete in this divison now. It's the perfect time to rebuild while you still have vetran leaders around to help in the process. Just one mans opinion I am a Lions fan so the more they lose the better off we are. No offense to anyone on the Vikings team ( Other than Jared Allen) but I think the windows closed...It's time to find another way out. I like the coaching staff and I think Ponder fits the west coast system very well. He has an great tutor in Mcnabb and it is time for them to start looking to the future. Continue grooming Ponder under #5 but I think the expectations for this team need to be pulled in and kept in check. They are no longer super bowl bound. I think they will battle Chicago for last place in the NFC north.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Of Detroit or its writers.