Like we try and do every week on Buffalowins.com, we ask the enemy,which would be Vikings blogger, Purple Jesus Diaries (Hmm, never thought I’d say Jesus was the enemy), about the state of the Vikings. How are the fans handling Brett Favre? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Vikings? How do the fans like Antoine Winfield and Pat Williams? And much more! Of course, you can check out my responces to his questions about the state of the Bills on his website.
Q1: How happy are Vikings fans about the firing of Brad Childress? Do you think he got too much of the blame? Especially since the team was in the NFC Championship game last year.
A1: Oooooooooooggggoood so happy. Yes, he got too much of the blame for what happened with the Vikings in 2010, but the reason fans are so happy with him getting canned goes back way further than just our current 4-7 record. It’s the 12th man on the field in the NFC Championship game. It’s how he treated players for years. It’s his questionable play calling. All of it over four and a half years just culminated in his firing this season, and it was necessary.
Q2: I know the bigger story about the Vikings decline seems to be Brett Favre’s play. However, the defense has really surprised me with their struggles, ranking 20th in the NFL. You guys have pro bowlers everywhere on that side of the ball, what has happened?
A2: Yeah, Brett Favre is clearly the main reason the Vikings are so terrible this year. I think this is like his worst season as a pro, and that’s saying something. The defense has been riddled withinjuries in the defensive backfield, which really looked like a position of strength and youth going into the season. The injury to Cedric Griffin was the back breaker and left the Vikings nose hair thin at cornerback. Their second round pick, Chris Cook, showed a lot of potential early in the year but has had knee injuries all season too, setting his development back and hurting his confidence. Also, because the defense has had to play close games or from behind most of the season, they haven’t been able to rush the quarterback effectively with their front four like they could last year. That’s how the defense is built, and they’ve had to play it too honest to play to their strengths. Last week against the Redskins was a fair outing, but the defense is going to struggle all season.
Q3: The Vikings have two players that are actually very near and dear to most Bills fans’ hearts, and they are Pat Williams and Antoine Winfield (Former Bills). How have those two players been embraced by Vikings fans?
A3: Great. They are easily in my top five of favorite Vikings in probably the past five years. I’ll never forget the coup when the Vikings swooped in on the Jets and picked Winfield up to sign with Minnesota. For years, Winfield was the only competent piece of the entire Vikings defense. Pat Williams is just as critical and just as embraced by fans. I never understand what he’s saying, but when you pick it apart he’s just awesome. He always has some bulletin board material and will shoot straight on all the players in the league. Minnesota people really appreciate that. I have a feeling we’re not so different, Minnesota and Buffalo-ties.
Q4: I guess I should ask a Brett Favre question. What seems to be the mindset of Vikings fans about this guy? Are they sick and tired of his act? Do you think Favre should get benched for Jackson, in order to see if the kid can play?
A4: I’ve never been a Favre fan, and always knew he was going to screw us with a Dracula spike to the heart interception like he did in the NFC Championship game. Vikings fans are kind of weird on this. For 17 years he was the absolute bane of our existence, but as soon as he put purple on there was a huge contingency of fans that would kill their own mother for him. It weirds me out. There is no way I could do that. It’d be like if Brady played for the Bills for two years, I guess? At this point too, with Childress being fired and Tarvaris being a Childress draft pick, it’s almost pointless to see what he’s got. He’s had some chances and he’s always looked terrible. His contract is up after this season and I see him going the JP Losman route in the NFL, or out, rather.
Q5: What is going on with the stadium situation in Minnesota? As a Bills fan, I’m very concerned about what will happen to the team when Ralph Wilson (Owner) dies. It seems like the NFL wants to get a team in LA ASAP and the Vikings seem to always get brought up (We have also been thrown into the mix for relocation). What is the deal? Are Vikings fans worried about the team possibly moving?
A5: They are, and I think 2011 is the last season for the Metrodome lease. The team won’t re-sign a lease there, even short term, and the government here is full of liberals who love social services and education. I mean, come on! Kids, learning?! In public schools?? Good luck! But there is constant talk about sites in or near Minneapolis, potential seasons in the new Golden Gophers stadium, and where the funding comes from. News came out this week in fact that groups from LA have contacted the Vikings about moving. I’m pretty sure it’s just a weak threat, though. As hard as it is to find and justify spending money on a billion dollar stadium for a rich owner in this economic client, I think it will get done, as both the state, the fans, the owner, and I really think the NFL wants the Vikings to stay here. There’s just a lot of good history. If anything, even before the Bills, I think it’ll be the Jags or the Panthers that move to LA first, so we’ll see what happens.
Q6: What are the Vikings biggest strengths and weaknesses?
A6: Offensively, the Vikings have a piss poor offensive line that’s even worse after starting right guard Anthony Herrera went down with an ACL injury. The team has also been prone to turn overs this season, mainly through Favre interceptions. If you can put pressure on the Vikings, you can force them into mistakes.
Defensively, it has to be the secondary. The Vikings’ safeties are HORRID. I mean, the worst. They take poor angles and are always out of position. The cornerbacks, outside of Winfield of course, are poor too. Cook was out last week with knee swelling and it’s uncertain if he’ll play this week. Second year player, Asher Allen, has been getting beat worse than a zombie in The Walking Dead. The other options are Lito Sheppard (ugh), and Frank Walker (gross). If the Bills offensive line can hold up against a shaky Vikings defensive rush, any quarterback, even a surging Fitzpatrick, can roast the Vikes for a couple of TDs.
Q7: Final score for Sunday?
A7: I’m really not sure on this one. I’m assuming the Vikings win, but that’s contingent on several things. Will Adrian Peterson be healthy? Will the Vikings continue their inspired play after the Childress firing? Will the crowd support the home team again now that the coach is gone? Can they all fight back if they face any adversity? I think it’s going to be close. I’ve been impressed withhow the Bills have played since their back to back OT losses, and if the Vikings sleep on them FOR A MINUTE, they’ll lose. With it being a home game though, I have to give the edge to the Vikings for one more gam
e after a firing, but it’ll be close.
I’ll say 23-21, Vikings in a nail biter.
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