Dare I say it, but this 2014 Minnesota Vikings team is slowly starting to become likeable. Particularly when they win games that they aren’t supposed to be winning, but even when they lost against the Saints they had some characters that were redeemable. It’s odd, because for the last several years the Vikings by and large were no fun to cheer for. Sure, you had Adrian Peterson which was awesome, but then you also had Percy Harvin (who their dumb asses traded away) and the enigmatic Chris Kluwe (who they cut because he didn’t hate gay people), and Antoine Winfield, and on and on and on … It became harder and harder to cheer for this team, honestly.
But then Mike Zimmer happened.
OK, Mike Zimmer didn’t draft Cordarrelle Patterson, he was already here. And he didn’t even technically draft Teddy Bridgewater. Rick Spielman probably did that. Zimmer doesn’t even really coach him! That’s probably more the Norv family. BUT! Ever since Zimmer walked through the doors, things have shone bright. Hell, Zimmer has even been able to make insufferable players like Josh Robinson and Robert Blanton enjoyable players to watch! Let that soak in for a bit. That’s pretty epic.
Not that either of those two guys made this week’s “Vikings Players of the Week” list, but that’s just because there is still competition now.
1. Teddy Bridgewater (Previous Week: 3, +2 this week)
My god, it’s full of stars. Teddy Bridgewater deserves top spot this week for basically making millions of grown men feel all squishy inside like they hadn’t in years. If he continues to play like that – maybe even bother to THROW for a touchdown – do we have a franchise quarterback on our hands?!
2. Harrison Smith (Previous Week: 2, +/-0 this week)
Harry the Hitman (I guess that nickname works) showed signs of dominance again this week, and even had an interception that made my left arm tingle. Is he one of the best safeties in the league? What is this feeling I am feeling where I really like Vikings defensive players? I didn’t know that was possible.
3. Cordarrelle Patterson (Previous Week: 1, -2 this week)
Cordarrelle Patterson dropped in my Vikings Rankings this week, and I feel awful about it. It’s not like it was his fault, either. Clearly, Norv and Zimmer decided to use Patterson as a diversion this week, and we saw that Jarius Wright was the benefactor. That’s too bad, because when you take the ball out of the best offensive players hand, you just look stupid. UNTIL YOU GIVE IT TO ASIATA!!
4. Anthony Barr (Previous Week: 4, +/-0 this week)
Anthony Barr continues to do nothing but make people look like assholes. I keep seeing people saying they STILL think Barr was an awful pick, or wondering what he does out on defense. Listen, I wasn’t ecstatic with drafting him, but call a spade a spade. He’s doing well, quarterbacking the defense, is one of the lead in team tackles (one behind Robert Blanton, if you can believe that), and had a sick balls sack late in the game. So shut up already.
5. Xavier Rhodes (Previous Week: Unranked, N/A)
Uh, if Rhodes keeps disrupting top receivers like he did Julio Jones (6 receptions for 82 yards and 0 touchdowns, after going for like 200+ the week before), we may have something.
Did I miss anyone? Let me know in the comments. You’re wrong, but we can talk about it anyway.
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