Vikings lost to Denver Broncos

The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Denver Broncos last night 19-22 in a tough overtime loss. The Vikings offense was pathetic as usual, but they did fight back in the fourth quarter to lead to overtime. The end of the Vikings regular season was fitting for the lackluster team. Tarvaris Jackson fumbled on the second play of overtime and gave the Broncos an easy 30 yard field goal. The Cowboys lost too so it was a sad day for this Vikings Vixen. I guess there is always next year…

Vikings play Broncos

The Minnesota Vikings play the Denver Broncos tomorrow night at Mile High Stadium. If the Vikings can get their offense together hopefully they can beat a defensive weak Bronco team. IF the Vikings win and that’s a big IF and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins the Vikings will secure a Wild Card playoff spot. I have my company party tomorrow night so I will have to miss part of the game…who plans a company party when the Vikings are playing anyway!?!? And it’s the final game of the regular season! Well, you know Vikings Vixen sure didn’t pick the date or time, Vikings games have been blocked off in my Outlook Calendar since August 1st.

Vikings playoff picture

A Washington Redskins victory could have sealed a spot in the NFL playoff race for my beloved Vikings, but last Sundays loss makes it next to impossible. Every Vikings fan knows the playoff equation (unless you have been living under a rock…or a Christmas tree…or a snowbank!) the Vikings must win on the road this Sunday in Denver and the Redskins must lose this Sunday on their home field – it’s actually in Maryland, not Washington, but it doesn’t really matter because I am not sure the football Gods love the Minnesota Vikings that much to send them to the playoffs this season…either way, I will be watching on Sunday with dire interest. Go Minnesota Vikings, Go Dallas Cowboys!

Merry Christmas Vikings Fans

Merry Christmas Minnesota Vikings fans! Merry Christmas! I am hoping for an Adrian Peterson jersey for Christmas and a pair of cute pink and white polka dot Vikings boxer shorts (see my sidebar for picture) – I hope Santa put me on the nice list…even if I am a little naughty!

Vikings lose to Redskins

The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Washington Redskins last night at the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome and it was heartbreaking. The Vikings offense was pathetic and Tarvaris Jackson was back to his early season ways of making bad plays and bad passes. His turnovers deflated any hopes that the Vikings could run over the Redskins like they had done to the Chargers. The Washington Redskins defense was smart and held Adrian Peterson to 27 yards on nine carries and Chester Taylor to 14 yards on six carries effectively shutting down the Vikings offense. The Vikings defense couldn’t come up with any big plays either –such a sad day to be a Vikings fan.

The final Vikings Redskins score was 21-32 and caused me to cry out in misery in front of the extended family that was present thanks to the Christmas holiday. To every one who knows my superstitious plight that Vikings Vixen is a Vikings jinx, I would like to say, for the record, I did not bet the Vikings would win and I hardly watched the game – I just couldn’t bear to.

Vikings face Washington Redskins

Last week I made a cute little Vikings Bear graphic to illustrate the fact that Minnesota Vikings tickets are hot in the Twin Cities right now. I figured I better do the same for Vikings Redskins game because once again Vikings tickets are hot. The Redskins game is not only crucial in the Wild card race, but it is also the Vikings last home game of the season. Vikings tickets are going for $70/each in the upper upper deck, those same tickets were $30 four weeks ago! Wow – the Vikings ticket market has definitely heated up.

Vikings Pro-Bowl

As reported from Vikings.com. The National Football League has announced seven Vikings have earned Pro Bowl honors for their 2007 performances – running back Adrian Peterson, fullback Tony Richardson, guard Steve Hutchinson, center Matt Birk, defensive tackle Kevin Williams, defensive tackle Pat Williams and safety Darren Sharper.

Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson becomes only the second rookie running back in Vikings history and the eighth Vikings running back to be named to the Pro Bowl. Peterson joins only Chuck Foreman in 1973 as rookies to be recognized. Peterson is the first Vikings rookie since Randy Moss in 1998 to go to the Pro Bowl. Peterson leads the NFC in rushing with 1,278 yards and ranks second in the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 12.

Way to go Vikings! I wish I had an Adrian Peterson jersey to wear to support the Vikings end of the season efforts and Pro Bowl appearances, I guess I will be happy to wear my Darren Sharper jersey! S’kol Vikings!

Vikings Win Vikings Win

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 20-13 at the HHH Metrodome in front of a national Monday night football audience. It wasn’t the prettiest game or the most exciting NFL game, but all that matters is that the Minnesota Vikings were victorious and are still in the hunt for the NFC Wildcard playoff spot.

The Vikings defense was, once again, top notch. Linebacker E.J. Henderson led the way with seven tackles, while the front four of Kenechi Udeze, Brian Robison and the Williams wall of Pat and Kevin held the Bears to a measly 32 yards rushing and a 1.9 average a carry, bolstering Minnesota's reputation as the NFL's ultimate run stoppers. The Vikings offense was, once again, rusty. In fact, ten of Chicago's 13 points indirectly came off two Vikings turnovers.

Let’s keep the momentum rolling! Next up for the Minnesota Vikings: Vikings vs Redskins at the Metrodome on Sunday December 23rd.

Vikings control Playoff Destiny

The Minnesota Vikings are in control of their own playoff destiny, the formula is simple, win your games and make the playoffs. There is no win your games and teams x, y and z have to lose, it’s just win your games and make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The Chicago Bears (5-8), Washington Redskins (6-7) and Denver Broncos (6-7) stand between the Vikings and the NFC playoffs, go Vikes!

Vikings Bears game a hot ticket

The Monday night match-up between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears became a hot ticket...fast! Minnesota ticket broker Ticket King is selling Vikings Bears tickets for way over face value. Three weeks ago I could have bought a Vikes Bears ticket for $25, but not any longer – cheapest ticket $80! This game is almost as hot as the Vikings Green Bay game! Go Vikes!

Vikings Rollercoaster season

I am a loyal reader of the Pioneer Press and I think Tom Powers does a great job summing up the Vikings roller coaster season thus far in this article. He talks about the uppercut punch we got from Green Bay in the 34-zip loss, the Troy Williamson funeral debacle and the pivotal Raiders game that we shouldn’t have won, but did and how that win kept us from drowning, well the win and veteran players (he says that, not me). I agree the Raiders game was indeed pivotal and looking back I am not sure how it was that they sucked worse than we did, perhaps the football gods are angrier at them than us.

My favorite line in the story is one I couldn’t have put better myself.
“Now the Vikings have a chance to make the playoffs, which seemed a ludicrous thought just a month ago.”

Vikings beat San Francisco in San Francisco

The Minnesota Vikings looked good in the California sunlight. The Vikings beat the San Francisco 49ers 27-7 and moved to a 7-6 record, sixth in the NFC playoff picture.

Rookie Adrian Peterson was completely shut down by the 49ers, but the Minnesota Vikings used other weapons to destroy the 3-10 Niners. Chester Taylor had 101 yards rushing including an 80 yarder that put six points on the board for the Vikes. Tarvaris Jackson looked stronger than usuall and passed for 163 yards, but it was the Vikings defense that once again stole Vikings Vixen heart. In fact, the Vikings defense struck first when Kevin Williams got his big mitts on the ball for an interception turned touchdown. It’s great to see a 300 plus pound man jogging into the end zone with a big goofy grin on his face.

I have to admit I didn’t watch the entire Vikings game because I was nervous I would jinx the Vikings team – they have won four in a row and I have not watched any of those games in their entirety so I am laying low just in case. I did watch some of the second half, though, and it didn’t look like the same team on the field. The Vikings had a lot more fire in the first half and if they play like they did in the second half against the Bears on Monday night they probably won’t win...oops did I just say that outloud...

Vikings head to San Francisco

Could the Vikes make it four in a row? Could the Vikings really win four games in a row? I have to say skeptic Vikings Vixen may be on board, but odds are that I should bet against the Vikes if I want them to win. Let me explain…

I play the CBS Sports Fantasy picks game and I have been steadily slipping in the rankings – at one time I was 12th nationally – 12th! Mark Rosen from WCCO TV is in the 100’s, but little miss Vikings Vixen (screen name TicketKristy) was 12th. This week I am 37th – I have missed a bunch of picks including the Vikes/Giants match-up two weeks ago and then the Vikings Chargers game at the beginning of November. Perhaps the secret to the Vikings success is that Vikings Vixen has to bet against them. It’s clear the Vikings enjoy being my Achilles heel…well, if that’s what it takes to get a playoff spot, then I say go 49ers! If anyone needs me, I will be on the couch Sunday afternoon.

Happy Vikings Fan

Isn’t this the cutest Vikings fan and he looks so happy! Go Vikes!

Vikings Playoff Bound

I haven’t mentioned this yet because I am afraid to jinx it, but the Vikings actually have a shot at a playoff spot! I have to admit 4 weeks ago I would have fallen off my chair laughing if any one had called this Vikings football team playoff worthy, but with three wins in a row, the Vikings are now back in the thick of the NFC playoff race, tied for the final wild-card spot in the NFC. The Viking Age sizes up the rest of the season for our closest competitors for the Wildcard spot . . . read about here.

Vikings stampede takes down Detroit Lions

The Minnesota Vikings took down the Detroit Lions 42-10 at the Metrodome on Sunday in what looked like good old fashioned NFC North black and blue football. Adrian Peterson was back with a knee brace and played pretty well. I thought the Lions unfairly hit him down low a couple of times, but he put up 116 yards and two touchdowns. Tarvaris Jackson looked pretty good and I am actually looking forward to the rest of the Vikings season.

I even sent a few of my friends to Ticket King to buy a couple of cheap Vikings tickets and they had a great time at the Vikings game while I baby-sat, but no worries I taught little Joe the Vikings theme song – afterall we did get to sing a bunch of times! S’kol Vikings, Let’s win this game . . .

Leslie Frazier shines

I was reading over on twincities.com that the Minnesota Vikings defense has plenty of good things to say about defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

"It's coach Frazier's first year here, and he's really learning our personnel," safety Dwight Smith said. "He's finally getting around to knowing what guys' strengths and weaknesses are, and he's putting guys in position to make plays. The past couple weeks, we've been able to make plays, and it feels good."

There’s no question in my mind that Leslie Frazier is a talented coach. The Vikings defense really shined against the Giants, but really they have been strong all season. Hmmm…the strength of coach Leslie Frazier brings me back to that VikesGeek rumor that Frazier will be the new head coach of the Minnesota Vikings...

Vikings beat Giants in New York

Vikings Vixen has a huge crush on the Manning brothers. Although I have deeper affection for big brother Peyton Manning, I would be equally enthralled to be face to face with Eli Manning. My Minnesota Vikings took that opportunity on Sunday and the Vikings defense shut Eli Manning down. My boy Darren Sharper, teammate Dwight Smith and don’t forget Chad Greenway all picked off passes by Manning and returned them for touchdowns. The Vikings beat the Giants in a landslide 41-17 victory.

It’s tough to get a road victory, but the Vikings defense made it look easy. The Vikings even set a team single-game record for interception returns for touchdowns. I have to admit I didn’t think my 5-6 Vikings had a chance against the 7-4 Giants. I even bet against them in my fantasy picks…oh Vikings Vixen can be such a pessimist. Heck, even Tarvaris Jackson didn’t look bad and I didn’t think that was possible in this lifetime.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Vikings fans! Although it doesn’t seem like Minnesota Vikings fans have much to be thankful for, let’s just remember we could be as bad as the Miami Dolphins – I just can’t believe they haven’t won a single game yet – I am so thankful I am not a Dolphins fan. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Vikings Beat Raiders at the Dome

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Oakland Raiders 29-22 at the Metrodome Sunday in true Vikings fashion . . .they almost let it slip away. Culpepper was back on the Metrodome turf in his Raiders uniform and was a reminder to this Vikings Vixen that he was truly a flash in the pan talent…then again Tarvaris Jackson hasn’t flashed at all. The best pass of the game was on the opening drive when Sidney Rice tossed the ball 60 yards to Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Hey Chilly, Perhaps we could move Rice to QB?!?!?

Both the Vikings and the Raiders played pitifully for NFL teams, but I have to agree with Darren Sharper when he says, "You understand how hard it is to get (a win) in this league. And at 3-6, you can't pick and choose how you win," safety Dwight Smith said. "You just take them when they come." Added linebacker Ben Leber: "It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win."

You know what wasn't pretty? the Packers shutting us out last week - I am still scarred.

Childress Out

One of my favorite Vikings blogs www.vikesgeek.com is reporting that Childress will be gone before the season ends – hmmmm…. VG says he has a source - it could be his own imagination, but I hope it's not. My imagination says gone after Sundays loss to the Raiders and Leslie Frazer steps up with Bud Grant as his co-coach while Zigi negoitates with Bill Cowher - just give Cowher a blank check and get it over with. Dr. Phil has got to go.

Vikings Tickets

With a poorly performing team, Minnesota Vikings fans aren’t exactly rushing out to buy Vikings Tickets. In fact, once again, the Vikings game vs. the Raiders is in danger of a TV blackout. WCCO bought out the 700 remaining San Diego Chargers tickets two weeks ago, but WCCO executives say they aren’t able to do it again with out help.

There are over 3,000 tickets remaining and WCCO is frantically looking for a partner to help buy the remaining tickets to avoid the blackout. I don’t see WCCO allowing the blackout, there is a lot of ad revenue at stake especially so close to the holiday, probably around 250,000 dollars or so. Buy Vikings Tickets today!

Vikings Shut Out at Lambeau

34-Zip – Ouch! The Green Bay Packers shut out the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau field. Another Sunday the Packers made me cry or rather the Vikings inability to shut down the Packers made me cry.

The Vikings defense looked weak. The Packers knew the Vikes were going to come out blitzing and they shut the Vikings defense down, but Vikings kept trying the same defense over and over. What’s the old saying, you can’t keep doing the same things over and over and get different results . . . apparently the Vikings thought they could.

The Vikings offense was also off balance and failed to convert 8 third downs - 8!. Adrian Peterson went out with a knee injury and Brooks Bollinger just couldn’t connect with anyone – he’s not worse than Tarvaris Jackson, is he?

The Vikings have officially entered suckville.

Vikings vs. Packers

Big game at Lambeau Field this Sunday November 11th Vikings football fans! Big game! Vikings vs. Packers kick-off at noon. I hope the Vikings defense can shut down Brett Favre and more importantly, I hope Adrian Peterson has another chance to work his magic.

Wouldn’t it be something if AP broke another NFL record in Brett Favre’s stadium (ya know since Brett stuck it to us with his NFL pass record back on September 30th) I was at that game at the Dome and I know a bunch of my fellow Vikings fans are going to the Lambeau game this weekend, but I just couldn’t fit the trip into my schedule so I will be watching the game from my couch this Sunday. No matter what, I will cheer and cheer and cheer! S’kol Vikings! S’kol!

Minnesota Vikings beat San Diego Chargers

The Vikings beat the San Diego Chargers on Sunday at the HHH Metrodome 35-17. I have to admit it, I didn’t think the Vikes had a chance. I even bet against them in my weekly NFL football picks and it cost me several spots in my league. That’s what I get for turning my back on my Vikings football team! Do you think if I bet against them next week, they will win again? This Vikings Vixen is willing to take the hit for her team! Ok, back on track. The Vikings won, the Vikings won. I actually got to sing the Vikings theme song over and over again (I can sing it on command, you know).

The best part of the game was watching “all day” Adrian Peterson run up and down the field. AP logged 296 yards and set an NFL record. Way to go Adrian Peterson. Vikings fans across the nation have been waiting for the day when Dr. Phil (Chilly) would wake-up and give Peterson the ball over and over again so Vikings fans can sing the song over and over again (-:

The Vikings Chargers game also got the record for the longest field goal return (109 yards) and that was an embarrassment to the Vikings special teams! Vikings fans even got to see Dr. Phil get ticked off and throw down his headset. Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson did get to start and he got hurt again,but backup Brooks Bollinger did just fine. This win should help sell Vikings tickets to the Raiders game on November 18th at the Dome!

Way to go Vikings!

Vikings Tickets Need to Sell

The Minnesota Vikings still have almost 2,000 Vikings Tickets to sell before the game on Sunday vs. the San Diego Chargers can be considered a sell-out. The Vikings have until Thursday at noon to sell the tickets. This Minnesota Vikings fan doesn’t think it will be an issue, but the Vikings need all the press they can get since they can’t seem to generate their own fan excitement by winning games.

I see there are Vikings Tickets out there for less than $10 per ticket - that is affordable pro sports entertainment. I will see you at the Dome! It will be the Minnesota Vikings 100th consecutive home sellout!

Vikings Chargers Tickets

Cheap Vikings Tickets

Vikings Quarterback Questions Continue

The big question on many Minnesota Vikings fans is “Who will play quarterback on Sunday November 4th vs the San Diego Chargers?” Will it be “third stringer” Brooks Bollinger or Brad Childress project child Tarvaris Jackson?

"If Tarvaris can play, he'll play," Childress said. "I think he has improved."

I think Vikings fans wouldn’t mind seeing Bollinger leading the squad. He seemed to have some fire last Sunday and this Vikings Vixen thinks Brooks Bollinger deserves a starting role. Unfortunately, our head coach is a stubborn blind man and won’t admit that Tarvaris Jackson may not be all the he is hyped up to be. I understand grooming a team for the future, but not at the expense of the present. If you have a soilid head coach, he can do both.

Vikings lose to Philly

The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday 23-16. The Vikings offense continued to sputter and put just one touchdown on the board. With the exception of a few Adrian Peterson bursts (70 yard day), the Vikings offense lacked explosion, especially at key times, and was unable to finish drives with touchdowns. The Vikings entered Eagles territory five times, including three trips inside the red zone, but were forced to settle for Ryan Longwell field goals or Chris Kluwe punts.

Vikings Quarterback Kelly Holcomb started the game and threw for 88 yards before being injured. Back-up Back-up quarterback Brooks Bollinger then came in and tried his best to fire up the offense. Bollinger looked strong and marched the Vikes down field with short completions and a quick-hitting passing game, but it wasn’t enough to score the elusive touchdown.

Bollinger ended the day seven of ten for 94 yards. Comparably, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb had 333 passing yards. The Vikings defense did their part by keeping on top of the Philadelphia offense by sacking Donovan McNabb and stalling drives short of the endzone, but their pass defense still needs to be turned up a notch.

I think my favorite part of the game was when the Vikings succeeded with an onside kick after their first score. It was a surprise play and it was enough to fire up the fans at the Metrodome. Vikings fans need firing up as the team falls to 2-5 on the season.

Tarvaris Injury may keep him out of the game

Vikings Vixen just realized that in all of her ranting about Tarvaris Jackson, I forgot to mention that Jackson injured his right index finger, fractured it really. Jackson said the injury occurred in the second half of Sunday's 24-14 loss at Dallas. Doctors diagnosed an avulsion fracture Monday morning; in essence, a piece of his bone was pulled apart by trauma. The team's medical staff told Jackson that he would not further harm the finger by playing, but on Monday it was too swollen for him to throw even the most basic passes. Jackson also must wear a splint for the next four weeks when not on the field.

Here’s the best quote: (perhaps I will start a Quote of the Week segment here on Vikings Football Home)

"The doctor said I can play with it," Jackson said. "It's just about me and if I can throw the football with it."

Tarvaris Jackson! You can’t throw the football with it when it isn’t fractured! Jackson is completing 45.9 percent of his passes. His 48.7 passer rating qualifies as the NFL's third worst among eligible quarterbacks.

Childress has acknowledged that he and his staff have been discussing the "fine line" between Jackson's continuing on-field development and the team's overall competitiveness. And Vikings Vixen say’s its about time. Come on Dr. Phil – get your head in the game, not your heart.

Tarvaris Jackson rant by a Sports Writer

Ok, I know I am just a girl with Vikings football opinions that may not even be that interesting to most people (I know my mom reads my blog, thanks mom) and sometimes my opinions and game reviews may not be interesting and probably seem rehashed and redundant. . .but I just can’t help myself. I read this Tarvaris Jackson article on pioneerpress.com this morning and I just have to share it with my Vikings blog readers. Tom Powers Tarvaris Jackson rant is better than mine ever was and Vikings fans have to read it. Click here for the story, but I am copying a few of my favorite lines below:

“…you can't flush an entire season down the drain while you try to develop a
quarterback. Period.”

“Had the Vikings, who are well below the salary cap, signed a decent veteran
quarterback during the offseason, they easily could be 4-2 right now.”

“OK, they screwed up. Everybody makes a mistake. But do they have to pretend
they didn't? There's no reason to live with this error week after week. “

“By chasing some long-term goal, they are wasting an opportunity right here in
the present.”

Tarvaris Jackson Rant

If the Vikings hope to salvage anything from this season, they have to pull the plug on Tarvaris Jackson. We have a dynamic offensive weapon in Adrian Peterson, an offensive line that can push other teams around and a top notch defense that just won’t quit, especially against the run. Brad Childress claims to run a west coast offense, but what I see from the Vikings is far from west coast, east coast, far coast, near coast whatever – it’s a nothing offense. Yes, we have AP, but we need a passing game as well just to mix things up. If you never pass the ball, the opposing teams' safeties and tight ends start creeping toward the line of scrimmage and then you have no chance of getting any big runs. You have to keep the safety on his toes and playing mid field or there are just too many bodies at the line for any running back to get through.

Brad Chilldress you have gotten yourself into quite of a pickle. I think you really put all your eggs in one basket (as my grandmother would say) with this Tarvaris Jackson boy and although I don’t think Kelly Holcomb is that much better, let’s at least give him or Brooks Bollinger a shot. Jackson just doesn’t look like NFL material.

Vikings Lose to Dallas Cowboys

The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Dallas Cowboys yesterday 24-14 in Dallas and I have to say Vikings Vixen was not surprised. Not surprised by the loss, but very surprised that our offense continues to look like a train wreck and no changes are made. Just a week after stunning the Bears in Soldier Field, the Vikings offense looked sad and pathetic. Versus the Bears, it was the Adrian Peterson phenom show, but there are no highlight reels for the Dallas Cowboys game (really for either team).

Vikings Vixen blames Tarvaris Jackson (again!). He has not shown the ability to throw the ball down field. As an NFL quarterback, you have to be able to hit your wide receivers in stride and Tarvaris Jackson can’t do that, he can hardly manage the hand offs to AP. His passes are either too far out of bounds for the receivers to catch them (even if they had Inspecter Gadget arms) or he drastically underthrows like he did to Bobby Wade. I am pretty sure I saw Wade give Jackson an earful on the sideline and was that Childress giving his project pupil some disgruntled commentary as well? Childress has to see that Tarvaris Jackson just isn’t it for this Vikings season (Jackson Sunday numbers: 6 for 19, 72 yards, 0 TD)

Next up is the only Vikings home game in October. It's the Vikings vs. the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday October 28th. We will see you at the Metrodome Minneapolis! S’kol Vikings!

Adrian Peterson Shines in Vikings Victory

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears last Sunday at Soldier field 34-31! It was the Adrian Peterson, Ryan Longwell show for sure! Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries and Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell booted a career high 55-yard field goal as time expired to cap the Vikings second victory of the season. The Vikings brought the game down to the wire (no surprise there), but it was great to see the Vikings pull off a victory. The Vikings Vixen family was glued to the TV and more than once I asked myself why I hadn’t bought an AP jersey yet!

Adrian Peterson’s performance was one for the record books, as he set a Vikings franchise record for rushing yards in a game, besting new Vikings Ring of Honor inductee Chuck Foreman 200-yard performance against the Eagles in 1976. Sorry Chuck!

Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson returned to the starting lineup after missing two games and looked OK, he is no Tom Brady, that’s for sure. The Vikings defense played well forcing a couple of turnovers including an interception by Vikings linebacker Ben Leber that led to a Ryan Longwell 48 yard field goal in the nail biting fourth quarter.

The game had plenty of star players, but the GOLD STAR has to go to Adrian Peterson. I still think Brad Childress (Dr. Phil, the Vikings Vixen family calls him) isn’t playing Peterson enough and if we have any chance at all of beating the Cowboys on Sunday in Dallas, Adrian Peterson will need to carry the ball more than 20 times!

Top 10 for Vikings Bye Week

Vikings fans you have to click over to http://thevikingage.com/ and read the 10 Fun Things to Do On Your Bye Week - it is absolutely hilarious! This is one of my favorite Vikings blogs and I encourage you all to check it out, but don't cheat on me! Check back to your favorite Vixen for insight the smarty pants type can't give ya! Hooah!

Vikings 1-3 . . . next up?
Chicago Bears on Sunday 10/14 - I will be glued to the TV!

Gopher Football 1-5...UGH!

Vikings Lose, Favre Sets a Record, I cry

OK, Vikings Vixen has got over her little temper tantrum regarding the Vikings 23-16 loss to the Green Bay Packers. I personally attended the game and got soaked thanks to Mother Nature – even she was upset over the Vikings loss! Do you want to know the good thing about the rain? The Packers fans couldn’t tell I was crying as I was walking to my car. It was a tough game to watch- I had such high hopes and there were plenty of bright spots in the game. Adrian Peterson looked fantastic, Chester Taylor looked good and Chad Greenway made a few plays I could cheer about.

The bad thing besides the play calling, the refs, Kelly Holcomb, the Vikings wide receivers and of course the loss, was that Brett Favre broke his Metrodome curse and came away with a victory and a broke Dan Marino’s touchdown record. Favre danced around like a damn sugar hyped ballerina when he broke the record. He’s a good QB and I am not a Favre hater, but I do hate that he broke the record under my roof, in my hometown. The real question I keep asking myself is “Are the Packers for real?” Well, they finally lost a game last Sunday to the Bears (I was shocked and it hosed my football picks), but the Pack is still looking like they are the front runners of the NFC North. Time will tell...

Vikings Lost to Packers

I am too depressed to talk about it . . .

Vikings fall to Kansas City

Really, I don’t even want to talk about last Sunday’s 10-13 loss. Seriously, the Kansas City Chiefs are the second to worst team in the NFL, the Vikings should have won…should have. The Vikings defense did all it could, but the offense has to learn to change things up when the going gets tough. I think everyone in America has heard the saying “You can’t keep doing the same old thing and expect different results”…well everyone except Brad Childress. Chilly, listen to my shout out! If the run isn’t working and it’s the 5th time you are going 3 and out, do something else! Brett and the Green Bay Packers are in town on Sunday. I will be at the Vikings Packers game…please Vikings don’t make me cry in public.

Vikings Fall to Lions 20-17

Who wanted to lose worse? The Vikings or the Detroit Lions? Oh yeah, it was the Vikings. But just barely. The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions took turns blowing chances to win the game, but Detroit’s 37-yard field goal in overtime lifted Detroit to a 20-17 victory. It was the first time in 10 games that the Lions have beat the Vikings, they were so excited you would have thought they won the Super Bowl. Trust me, despite being 2-0 the Lions won’t win the Super Bowl this year, but at least they have the spirit.

The game could have easily gone either way and both defenses really put their nose to the grindstone forcing a combined nine turnovers in regulation. Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson tied a Vikings team record with four interceptions. He completed just 17 of 33 passes for 166 yards without a score –ouch.

Both offenses looked weak and two missed field goal attempts in the final 35 seconds took all the wind out of the sails. Jackson left the game after he threw an incomplete pass on the first snap of overtime. It’s a reported groin injury and the jury is still out on if he will play this Sunday vs. Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City.

Vikings Vixen had to hang her head on Monday in the office, let’s hope next week the Vikings won’t look so pathetic. My favorite Chiefs blog? www.arrowheadaddict.com

Vikings Win Opener

The Minnesota Vikings managed to sell the necessary Vikings tickets to broadcast the home opener vs. the Atlanta Falcons and it’s a good thing since the Vikings looked fantastic against the dirty birds. The Vikings pulled off a field romping 24-3 season opening win at the Metrodome Minneapolis. The Vikings defense looked tough as ever and scored two touchdowns on their own as well as making six sacks for 30 yards in losses and two interceptions. Both Kevin Williams and Antoine Winfield picked off Falcons quarterback Joey Harrington and scored touchdowns, while middle linebacker E.J. Henderson manned the middle, posting seven tackles and two sacks.

On the offense, the Vikings looked to be in trouble when starting running back Chester Taylor left the game in the first half due to injury. However, rookie running back Adrian Peterson stepped up as he posted 103 rushing yards on 19 carries and tacked on one touchdown reception of 60 yards to complete his impressive first NFL game performance. According to Vikings.com, the win is Minnesota’s 16th home-opening win in the last 21 tries and marks the second straight year Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress opened the season with a victory.

Next up are the Detroit Lions who beat the Oakland Raiders on the road last week. The Lions showed that they are a team that has stamina and the Vikings will definitely be challenged at Ford Field in Detroit. Check back next week to hear what Vikings Vixen thinks about the Vikings Lions match-up! Go Vikes!

Vikings need to sell tickets

The Minnesota Vikings still need to sell 3,500 Vikings tickets by noon on Thursday or else the team’s season opener vs. the Atlanta Falcons will face a blackout. A blackout would keep the game off TV screens in the Twin Cities, Rochester, Mankato, Austin, Alexandria and other areas in the region. The number of available tickets is down from 5,800 remaining last week, but there are only two days left to help keep the Vikings on their run of 96 consecutive sellouts at the Metrodome. The last Vikings blackout was in 1997. The NFL requires the Vikings to sell 62,000 tickets to consider the HHH Metrodome a sell-out so Vikings fans buy Vikings tickets now!

Vikings beat Cowboys

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Dallas Cowboys 23-14 in the preseason finale at the Metrodome. The Vikings defense forced five turnovers and kicker Ryan Longwell was three for three on field goal attempts. The Vikings starters saw minimal action, but the back-ups and bubble players played with great enthusiasm and heart. Vikings Vixen was sad to see Dallas starting quarterback Tony Romo and star receiver Terrell Owens sit out – I was looking forward to seeing them make at least a few plays. Minnesota Twins centerfielder Torii Hunter and Twins catcher Joe Mauer were in attendance and the Metrdome loudspeaker announced that attendance was 62,938 although Vikings Vixen finds that hard to believe since you could clearly see many empty blue stadium chairs.

The win will give the Vikings some victory momentum going into the regular season opener on Sunday September 9th vs. the Atlanta Falcons at the Metrodome. Vikings Vixen is ready for the regular season to start - let’s go Vikings!

Tarvaris Looked Good Under Pressure

The Minnesota Vikings has their third preseason game last Saturday, and thankfully, I got more of an opportunity to check out hot new quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. He had a little hiccup to start the game (he fumbled the first snap), but overall, I was very impressed by his performance. He didn’t throw any touchdowns, but he also didn’t throw for any interceptions. He had some incomplete balls, but the Seattle Seahawks defense was really putting the rush on him. He did a good job at reading blitzes and getting passes out of the pocket quickly. I was encouraged by his performance because what he displayed is what the Vikings will need this year: a cut-down on mistakes and positive yardage wherever they can get it. There are still great Vikings tickets to watch the final preseason game at the Metrodome on Thursday night! Did I mention it’s the Dallas Cowboys who are coming to town? Tony Romo is so yummy!

Vikings “D” Buries the Jets

The Minnesota Vikings pass rush was all over the New York Jets offensive line last Friday night in New York. I don’t know if it was testament to a poor New York Jets squad, but usually the Vikings don’t go on the road and dominate in the trenches, especially outdoors. But my man Ray Edwards was all over Jets quarterback Chad Pennington in the first half of Friday’s game, causing Pennington to throw two interceptions that the Viking returned for touchdowns. I was wishing for a big play from Darren Sharper early in the season, and he gave me my wish Friday, but too bad he couldn’t have saved it for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, but I know Darren can strike with a game-changing play at any time. Vikings tickets are only getting hotter thanks to last Friday’s explosive win! Go Vikes!

Back in Action Vikings a Real Treat

People think preseason games aren’t as exciting as the real thing in the regular season, but I had a great time watching last Friday’s first game vs. the St. Louis Rams. My friends and I watched it from a neighborhood bar and cheered my Minnesota Vikings all the way through. Tarvaris Jackson completed almost every pass he threw and Adrian Peterson got a lot of action. It was great to see the future of the Vikings, both in the starting lineups and in the second-half squads. I was just a little disappointed when it came down to the field goal kickers on both teams. Ryan Longwell missed a field goal to go ahead late in the fourth quarter and then the Rams’ kicker hit one to win the game, but just to the see the Vikings in full action was a treat. This Friday the Vikings take on the New York Jets, but the next chance to see the Vikings at the Metrodome will be August 30 against the Dallas Cowboys. There is some time before that game, so get Vikings tickets now to snag the best seats!

Who doesn’t like touchdowns?

This year I don’t have a huge expectation for the Minnesota Vikings to score a lot of points, but I sure hope they are able to convert more of those red-zone possessions to touchdowns. It feels like whenever the Vikings get off to a good start on their first possession and get into the red zone, they end up settling for a field goal inside the ten yard line. Brad Childress knows how to drive an offense down the field, but more often than not the team stalls before they can punch it in. The Vikings have been reportedly working on goal-line situations a lot during training camp, so let’s see if the Vikings can become more effective in close starting this Friday against the St. Louis Rams at the Metrodome. There are still tickets to see the Vikings at the ‘dome for the first time this year! Buy your Vikings tickets for real cheap from www.vikingstickets.com - they have seats at less than $5 per ticket and you can pick them up on your way into the Metrodome in Minneapolis! I look forward to writing my first 2007 game recap next week - let's go Vikings!

Pre-Season is just around the corner

Darren vs. Tarvaris

So I was looking through some of the Vikings profiles over at vikingstickets.com, and I can’t decide if the cutest Viking on this year’s team is Darren Sharper or Tarvaris Jackson! Both of these guys play some high profile positions on the team, but I’m thinking the quarterback spot makes Tarvaris a little more studly, but I do own a Sharper jersey. Darren is getting a little older, but it doesn’t make him any less of a playmaker though. Let’s hope he can come up big in the early going of this season by taking an interception back for a score. I’ll be watching Tarvaris closely too! I hope he can take over the reins from Brad Johnson and lead my Vikings team to a playoff season. Watch Darren and Tarvaris up close this year by getting your Vikings tickets today!

Don’t say “Smoot”

I was looking at a Minnesota Vikings ticket today and the Vikings evidently printed a picture of a Vikings team huddle right on the face of the ticket. The huddle was rounded out by Fred Smoot. The weird thing is, if you aren’t a Vikings fan, you will probably never know its Smoot rounding out the huddle because his name is airbrushed off his number 27 jersey! It looks amusingly tacky for an official Vikings game ticket. Smoot has been basically cut off from any relation with the Vikings, and the cheesy Vikings tickets prove it. Couldn’t the team just use another image to print on their tickets? Smoot’s jersey is the only one without a name while surrounding players names are displayed. Look at your Vikings season tickets and then call the Vikings and let them know you think you deserve a higher quality looking product!

Culpepper still makes the Press

It amazes me that Daunte Culpepper still makes the Minnesota newspaper – I realize he is a National Football League quarterback, but seriously I don’t care where he plays or what he does so I wish Minnesota sports columnists would stop writing about him. Apparently, Culpepper met with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yesterday just two days after being released by the Miami Dolphins. If the Bucs front office thinks having Daunte Culpeper wear a Bucs jersey will help sell more Tampa Bay Buccaneers tickets, they may have another thing coming.

Vikings Tickets

Everyone knows the biggest Vikings game of the year is when the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers at the Metrdome. This Vikings season the Vikings / Packer game takes place on Sunday September 30th. It is basically impossible to get tickets to the Packers game from the Minnesota Vikings or Ticketmaster so Vikings Vixen uses local ticket brokers to buy the tickets she wants and deserves. The Vikings ticket office further irritates Vikings Vixen by bundling the hot Green Bay packer game with a snoozer of a St Louis Rams pre-season game. It is frustrating when companies try to sell you something you don’t want just so you can have something you do want. Besides the irritation of bundling, staying on hold with ticketmaster is enough to make me puke and their Internet site is so slow, it’s just not worth my time. I used http://www.vikingstickets.com/ to get my Packer tickets and I have found they have great prices and quick service and the Vikings tickets I want and deserve – Go Vikings! Buy your Vikings Tickets now when the selection is at its best!

VIKINGS TICKETS ON SALE

Vikings tickets go on sale officially on Monday July 9th, but let’s face it if you are a real Vikings fan you probably already have Vikings season tickets or you know that you can get tickets from local ticket brokers like Ticket King that buy and sell tickets to fans. I have been looking over the Vikings ticket inventory on Ticket Kings web site and I see they have a lot to choose from and super cheap prices on the pre-season games. I am totally going to go to the Vikings Cowboys preseason game and hope to get a chance to blow a kiss at heart throb Tony Romo from the Cowboys. You can get tickets from Ticket King cheaper than from the Vikings for that game so it would be silly to buy them anywhere else! Check out their site: http://www.ticketkingonline.com/

I see the Vikings are once again roping fans that just want to see the Packers or the Bears at the Metrodome into buying other game tickets as well. That’s another advantage to buying from Ticket King is that you can buy just one single game and they are so convenient. I rarely can get through to the Vikings ticket office and I get sick of recordings and being put on hold and Vikings Vixen doesn’t really want to see the Rams, but I definitely don’t want to miss the Packers at the Metrodome so I am going to keep an eye on that Ticket King web site and buy tickets soon! Besides, I see that Ticket King is opening a new office right by the Metrodome on the corner of Chicago and Washington. It will be so easy for Vikings fans and Twins fans to pick up game day tickets and then walk over to the Metrodome. I am excited for the Vikings season to start and hope all of the ticket hype is only the beginning of the Vikings hype.

Is Chad Greenway Ready?

I think every one know that Vikings Vixen keeps a pretty close eye on Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway. I posted the Chad Greenway question and answer segment a few months back and despite my hard feelings that he got hurt so early, I have a special fondness for this almost local boy. Greenway is ready to start this year after tearing his ACL early last Vikings season where he never even got to make a play.

Is Greenway back in full force for the 2007 Vikings season? Teammate Darren Sharper said Greenway looks great and Greenway himself says he is healthier than ever before, but I hope Coach Brad Childress has enough sense to keep Greenway off of special teams especially during pre-season and only uses him when needed until we are 100% sure he is ready to be bullied by the big boys in the NFL. I thought about putting Greenway on my fantasy football team, but I am not too sure. Fox Sports.com’s Adam Schein did name Chad Greenway as the breakout star for 2007 – I wonder if Mr. Schein has Greenway on his fantasy team?

Antoine Winfield Change of Heart

Whatever rift existed between ninth-year veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield and the Vikings apparently has been mended. Coach Brad Childress announced today that Winfield would be at Winter Park on Monday for the final two days of organized team activities. Winfield hasn’t shown his face in off-season “optional” programs and he has drawn a lot of press for his obvious absence.

The Vikings front office wouldn't say what prompted the starting cornerback's change of heart, deferring those questions to Winfield and his agent who continues to deny that Winfield’s absence is due to contract issues, instead stating it is due to the Vikings lack of team improvements during the off season.

Childress said the missed voluntary practices shouldn't be a problem for Winfield and that there are no hard feelings on either side. "I'm excited to have his leadership back here," Coach Childress said. "He's a talented veteran. We're all kind of mother hens as coaches," he said. "You'd like to have everybody around you all the time, but that's just not the NFL these days, particularly if someone has personal issues he's working through."

Vikings Vixen hopes we can put the Antoine Winfield controversy to rest and move on with the 2007 Minnesota Vikings Season. But before we move on, I just can’t resist this photo on the internet of Antoine and Brad from http://thevikingage.com/ – scroll down to June 17th - it’s Hysterical!

Vikings Vixen Top 5 Minnesota Vikings 2007 Season Worries:

Quarterback: The Vikings resisted the temptation to draft or pick-up a new Quarterback and instead are putting all of their eggs in one basket, Tarvaris Jackson or maybe a basket in a half if you count Brooks Bollinger.

Receivers: The Vikings have no strong receivers. Rookie Sidney Rice could help, but he’s not enough to scare opposing offenses.

Brad Childress: Does the head coach really have what it takes to win over Minnesota fans and lead a team to a successful season? I believe if he doesn’t show us something in 2007, there will be no 2008 for Mr. Childress.

No Mike Tomlin: Tomlin's energy and charisma made him extremely popular with players (and fans) that now must make a transition to a new coordinator.

No Pass Rush: Kevin and Pat Williams will continue to give the Vikings one of the best defensive-tackle tandems in the league, but Minnesota's pass rush still leaves plenty to be desired. Unless right end Erasmus James makes a full recovery from a serious knee injury, the Vikings don't figure to be a whole lot better in their ability to apply consistent pressure on the quarterback.

Antoine Winfield Buzz

I am so tired of hearing about Antoine Winfield and his Vikings camp dramatics. Can the news not find anything else of interest to report to Minnesota Vikings fans? I was hoping that Winfields attendance record would not be the biggest story coming from the Vikings training field. Although attendance at the offseason team activities is voluntary, Winfield generated a lot of attention because he was the exception to the Vikings' unofficial rule. Speculation about why he wasn't at Winter Park was rampant, and Winfield declined to divulge his reason, but he did say it was not related to his contract. Coach Childress did say that Winfield was in excellent shape so at least we know he’s not sitting on the coach eating ice cream all day. I heard one of the Vikings players compare Antoine to Kansas City Chiefs superstar Priest Holmes (because Holmes prefers to work out on his own, too.) I am sorry but Antoine Winfield is no Priest Holmes and it irritates Vikings Vixen that he thinks he is above practicing and working out with his team. I think his absence sends the wrong message to the younger guys. The Minnesota Vikings need a team effort if they think they are going be above .500 this year and being a team happens all year round, not just on game day.

Vikings Sign Quarterback Thigpen

The Minnesota Vikings signed 7th round choice quarterback Tyler Thigpen from Coastal Carolina last week. He is the 1st player drafted from the Big South Conference and from Coastal. Thigpen was the 1st of the Vikings 8 draft choices in 2007 to sign. "It's a great relief to have the contract done and a weight off my shoulders," Thigpen said. "Playing in the NFL some day is something every kid thinks about when they first pick up a football. It's like a dream come true to actually be in the NFL now and I look forward to getting to work and helping this team."

Vikings Vixen likes Thigpen’s record and could see Thigpen as a future poster child for Minnesota Vikings football. He helped lead Coastal to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 2006 and is the most decorated player in school history. He was a consensus All-America choice as a senior and finished 7th in the balloting for the Walter Payton Award, honoring the I-AA offensive player of the year. Thigpen posted a 30-8 record as a starter for the Chanticleers and led the team to a national ranking of #13 during his senior season. He ended his collegiate career with 53 touchdowns through the air and added another 13 on the ground. He passed for 6,598 yards and had a career completion mark of 55.3%. Let’s hope this young quarterback will be able to contribute to the Vikings offense soon!

Chad Greenway is Back

Word on the street is that Chad Greenway is FINALLY ready to go. Vikings Vixen has been spending more time than she should worrying about the Vikings players health and injury status. If the Vikings would just draft healthy players, I wouldn’t have to worry so much. Anyway, there is no brace on Chad Greenway's left knee and he has no pain in the surgically repaired joint and no limp left over from the months of rehab. Greenway said he is still working on strengthening the leg, but all signs point to him being 100 percent for training camp, which opens in late July. So the word is that Greenway is back on the field with his teammates and has been penciled in on the starting lineup of the Minnesota Vikings!

Last year was agonizing for Greenway and Vikings fans. Everyone was so anxious for Greenway to make his debut with the NFL team he grew up rooting for as a kid in tiny Mt. Vernon, South Dakota. After starring at Iowa, Greenway's dream came true when the Vikings picked him Number 17 overall in the 2006 draft. He signed a big contract, got married and couldn't wait for his friends and relatives to see him in action in the Metrodome, but it all ended before it really started. He was injured while busting a wedge on the kickoff against Oakland on August 14, and just like that, his season was lost. Vikings Vixen is ready to put that behind her and see Mr. Greenway run onto the field with all of the cheering that a star quarterback would get. I want to hear as many fans cheering for Greenway as cheer for Joe Mauer at a Minnesota Twins game – Greenway is almost as lovable and local as that Mauer kid, anyway.

No Surgery for Adrian Peterson

Well it looks like Vikings draft pick Adrian Peterson has been cleared for takeoff. It was announced that Peterson will not need surgery to repair a collarbone that was broken twice last season, an injury that may have caused him to slip to the seventh pick in April's NFL draft. The Vikings said Wednesday that the injury was healing fine on its own and they will not have to insert a protective plate to prevent further injury, a procedure that would have kept the former Oklahoma running back out of action for three to six months.

The team said Peterson will be ready for contact drills when training camp opens. Vikings Vixen sincerely hopes Adrian Peterson can hold up and that all of my ill feelings towards the Vikings picking a potential lame duck will be dismissed. Vikings Vixen is excited to see the new backfield formation of Peterson and Chester Taylor. Let’s hope those two can add the fuel to the burnt out offense of the Minnesota Vikings.

Is Adrian Peterson just another pretty face?

Rookie Running Back Adrian Peterson made his first stop at Minnesota Vikings camp during last weeks mini rookie camp. Vikings.com caught up with Peterson and asked him a few questions – I am posting a few questions and answers below as an opportunity for us Vikings fans to get to know our newest man.

Q: Well has it hit you that this is your first practice as a pro?
A: Yeah, it's all sinking in. Just being out here and having that purple helmet on, representing the Vikings, it's tangible. It's finally here.

Q: Is there something you can take away from this rookie mini-camp?
A: Yeah, the relationships you build with the guys and just the whole rookie class...just coming out here and working hard and competing.

Q: Does your collarbone feel okay?
A: Yeah, I felt good out there running hard and just being there, just getting it done.

Q: Have you made any progress this week on the decision surrounding your collarbone?
A: Actually I'm feeling good right now, so I'm just focused on learning my playbook, getting my playbook in and just coming out here and making guys better and working hard.

Q: Is there some point during the offseason where you will decide one way or the other to have surgery or not?
A: I'm pretty sure eventually. Like I said, right now I'm just focusing on me. Right now I'm just focusing on getting these plays in. It's something you really have to study and put time in for to get these plays and the different terminology, the language. That's really my main focus right now. I've been out here practicing. It hasn't given me any problems so I'm just going to push right ahead.

Q: Have you gotten an appreciation for the fan buzz around here?
A: Oh yeah, definitely. As soon as I got off the plane, or on the plane on the way to Dallas, Vikings fans were congratulating me and just welcoming me to Minneapolis. Like I said, I'm excited. I'm just here to try to help turn things around.

Q: Did people recognize you on the plane?
A: Oh yes, coming from Dallas, flying in.

Q: Did you wear a Vikings hat or shirt ?
A: I had a Vikings shirt on.

Q: Is this something you're prepared for, being what some may call the face of this franchise?
A: Yeah, I'm definitely prepared for it. It's on a totally different level being in the NFL, but (college) kind of helped me work my way to being able to handle it. I feel like I've been prepared well, and I'm just looking forward to the experience.


Well, I am sure Adrian Peterson could be the face of our Minnesota Viking franchise as long as he stays healthy! You can see by all the questions surrounding Peterson’s collarbone and health issues Vikings Vixen isn’t the only one who has doubts about this players’ ability to perform well, soon. Did the Vikings really need to pick up an injured player that will spend more time in rehab than on the field? I don’t think so and I hope Peterson won’t be another rookie let down because the Vikings could really use some young talent to beef up the excitement at the Metrodome. Everyone was so excited about Chad Greenway last year and then we never even saw him play – another let down due to injury would just plain suck for the Minnesota team and fans.

Vikings take Adrian Peterson in Draft

Vikings Vixen breathed a sigh of relief when the Minnesota Vikings selected Adrian Peterson in the first round of the NFL draft. Peterson, drafted 7th overall, could have been taken earlier and I was so worried that the Vikings would make a stupid move and select a Defensive back or something other than an offensive stronghold that we so desperately need. Vikings.com stated that the Vikings were decisive and savvy in their ways draft weekend, trading up to grab a coveted player, Brian Robison, and trading back to land a third-round pick in next year's draft.

I like Adrian Peterson because he has big play potential. He is very competitive and if he can stay healthy, he should be able to contribute to the Vikings offense early in his career. He is 6’2” and listed at 217 pounds and is regarded as one of the best prep running backs to ever come out of Texas. By adding Peterson to the lineup, the Minnesota Vikings have a one-two punch in the backfield. With Peterson and incumbent Chester Taylor, opposing defenses have two tough runners to worry about each week. Now I am not sure the Vikings filled a need (we did just get Taylor!) but at least they didn’t make a stupid move, either.

VIKINGS CRIME SPREE

Is anyone else besides Vikings Vixen concerned about the Minnesota Vikings Football players’ regular encounters with our local law enforcement? Last week, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Ronyell Whitaker was arrested for driving while intoxicated. A DWI for crying out loud! According to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Ronyell Whitaker, 28, was also cited for careless driving. He was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 2nd.

Whitaker is now the seventh Viking to be arrested in the past year! I should start my own “Vikings Crime” blog! Earlier this week, cornerback Cedric Griffin was arrested in downtown Minneapolis and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He was accused of engaging in an altercation with the staff of a nightclub over his alleged violation of their dress code. How crazy is that? He caused a fist fight over his clothes!

I think coach Brad Childress may need to have a little pre-camp meeting with the Vikings players to explain how important it is to keep their noses clean and stay out of trouble. Instead of hanging out at the clubs getting drunk and getting into fights, let’s get the players into a 24 hour gym where they can lift weights and work on their stamina and get ready to play in the National Football League.

Vikings 2007 Schedule Observations

I was reading some interesting observations regarding the 2007 Minnesota Vikings Schedule on Vikings.com and I thought I would summarize the points and post them on my own Vikings Vixen blog. The facts are rather unimportant, but fun to read any way as Vikings fans start to ponder the upcoming season.

7 observations on the 2007 Vikings schedule:

1. Primetime game

The Vikings have just one scheduled primetime game in 2007. The Vikings will host the Chicago Bears on Monday night, December 17. The Vikings and Bears haven't played each other on Monday Night Football since 1996.

2. Common non-divisional opponents from 2006

Of non-divisional games, the Vikings have two rematches scheduled with teams from the 2006 season. The Vikings will have a chance to avenge last season's 9-3 loss at San Francisco when the team returns to Monster Park on December 9th. The Washington Redskins will try to even the score when they come to the Metrodome on December 23rd.
The Vikings opened the season last year in Washington and defeated the Washington Redskins by a score of 19-16, giving Brad Childress his first victory as an NFL head coach.

3. Early division games

The Vikings play all three divisional opponents early in the season, including three games in the first five games of the season, with two of those contests coming on the road. The results of the games will definitely set the mood for the entire year.


4. AFC West opponents on the schedule

The NFL scheduling formula dictates that each division plays another division in the other conference on a rotating basis. In 2007, the NFC North teams are scheduled to play the AFC West teams. Consequently, the Vikings host the Chargers on November 4 and the Oakland Raiders on November 18 and travel to Kansas City on September 23 and Denver to close out the season on December 30.

The Vikings vs Broncos matchup on December 30th will send the Vikes to INVESCO Field at Mile High. The game is assured to be in cold weather and probably snowy!

5. Star players will be in the Metrodome

The Vikings will host an exciting lineup of visiting players this year. A part of a home team fan's gameday experience is seeing the opposing team and it's star players. In 2007, the Vikings welcome players such as Terrell Owens, Michael Vick, Brett Favre, Brian Urlacher, and LaDainian Tomlinson.


6. For the sixth time in ten seasons, the Vikings open at home

Last season the Vikings opened at Washington, but 2007 will see the team open at home for the sixth time since 1998.

7. Vikings play seven games against 2006 playoff participants

In playing Chicago Bears (twice), Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, the New York Giants, San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, the Vikings have seven games in 2007 against teams that made the 2006 playoffs. Four of those seven games (Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, New York) come on the road and the Vikings have a stretch from Week 6 through Week 9 where they play four straight 2006 playoff teams, including three division winners and the team with last season's best regular season record (the 14-2 Chargers). The schedule is definitely tough for a Vikings team that may not have what it takes to shine.

Minnesota Vikings 2007 Schedule

The Vikings schedule is out. The Vikings Schedule it out. The Vikings Schedule it out. I read over on Vikingstickets.com that the Minnesota Vikings Football Schedule has been announced. It looks like our Vikes will play a tough season. The Vikings will have to rub up against seven 2006 playoff teams – ouch. I just don’t have that much faith in the 2007 Minnesota Vikings Football team, but looking over the schedule I predict the Vikings will go 6 and 10. Anyone care to counter my prediction? Wouldn’t it be nice if the Vikings surprised me and won 8 games instead of 6? I guess we will have to wait and see how smart Vikings Vixen really is!

Here’s the 2007 Minnesota Vikings Schedule:

Preseason
Friday August 10 St. Louis Rams 7:00 P.M.
Friday August 17 At New York Jets 7:00 P.M.
Saturday August 25 At Seattle Seahawks 8:00 P.M.
Thursday August 30 Dallas Cowboys 7:00 P.M.

Regular Season
Sunday September 9 Atlanta Falcons Noon
Sunday September 16 At Detroit Lions 3:05 P.M.
Sunday September 23 At Kansas City Chiefs Noon
Sunday September 30 Green Bay Packers Noon
Sunday October 7 Bye
Sunday October 14 At Chicago Bears Noon
Sunday October 21 At Dallas Cowboys Noon
Sunday October 28 Philadelphia Eagles Noon
Sunday November 4 San Diego Chargers Noon
Sunday November 11 At Green Bay Packers Noon
Sunday November 18 Oakland Raiders Noon
Sunday November 25 At New York Giants Noon
Sunday December 2 Detroit Lions Noon
Sunday December 9 At San Francisco 49ers 3:05 P.M

Vikings Work Hard in Off Season

Many Minnesota Vikings players are part of a 14 week intense conditioning program that began in the middle of March. The program is aimed at increasing the players' speed, strength, power and stamina. Safety Darren Sharper said, "We're working on our cardiovascular endurance. A lot of the workouts that we're doing are high-repetition or longer distance stuff, so that we get that base conditioning strong and build up endurance. It's a lot of stuff to get you back into the movement of football."

Let’s hope the intense conditioning and the upcoming camps will be enough to let the Minnesota Vikings take the field and actually score a few points this year. Minnesota Vikings fans won’t be rushing into the Metrodome any time soon if the Vikes don’t prove themselves early on.

Vikings Off-Season Goals

The off-season in the NFL is always a time for reflection of last years’ success and heartache. For the Minnesota Vikings, that reflection includes a pat on the back to a solid defense team and a hole in the head for the stagnant offense. As the 2007 season continues to approach, the Minnesota Vikings need to decide what they can do to keep the defense at a top performing level and reignite the pathetic offense.

One significant change for the offense will be the change in the quarterback position. Brad Johnson has moved on and several young guns including Tarvaris Jackson and Brooks Bollinger will be battling for the starting spot. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikes don’t acquire one more QB just to make sure that next years starter earns his spot.

I am looking forward to the Vikings moving and shaking things up in the offense, because let’s face it – if they don’t do something this year, the meager fan base that remains will be lost for sure and that new stadium ? it may end up in another state.

Grand Marshall Matt Birk

This past Saturday was the annual drink green beer day or some refer to the day as St Patrick’s Day. After each beer, I kept sticking my tongue out and asking my beermates if it was green . . . it wasn’t, so I had to drink more beer! Everyone knows that our capitol city of St. Paul celebrates St. Patrick's Day in grand fashion and this year the man leading the parade was none other than Minnesota Viking, Matt Birk. As a native of St Paul and a local restaurant owner, Matt thought the job was a perfect fit. In fact, the original idea for the St. Patrick's Day Parade was formulated at Gallivan's restaurant and bar in 1967, which is where Matty B's Supper Club is currently located…coincidence? I think not.

I didn’t personally see Matt Birk in his Irish costume, but word on the street was that he looked pretty funny – definitely not ready to hold off any 300 pound linebackers. Maybe we should change it to the Minnesota O’Vikings team – they could use the luck!

Chad Greenway gives advice to Draft hopefuls

Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway took a few minutes and sat down with vikings.com for a chat to catch up on what's going with his offseason, plans for next season and advice for NFL draft hopefuls. I love Greenway since he is a lovable local Midwestern boy. I thought I would post some of the Q&A’s on my blog:

Where have you spent most of the offseason?
I've been here, in Eden Prairie, at the house and working out. I've been in the facility daily, working out four days a week. I'm just trying to get the knee stronger. My wife, Jenny, and I spent two weeks in Hawaii for our Honeymoon, so that was a great time. It was nice to get away for a little bit. But this is where I know I need to be right now, getting ready for next season. Then maybe next offseason we can take a longer break.

You got married two months after being drafted. Describe that period of your life.
It was exciting. We were actually apart for most of that time because I was up here at minicamps and she was down in Iowa City working. So it was hard at first, but we were just excited to have an opportunity here to be drafted and being close to both families. Her family is from Chicago and I'm from South Dakota, so we're right in the middle. Plus, we're part of a great community up here. It was exciting and now we're expecting our first child in August, so the excitement keeps going and going.

As a player on injured reserve, what was your football routine last year?
During the season, obviously Sunday is a game day. But I would rehab four days a week. Monday would be a rehab day for me and then Tuesday would be a day off. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday would all be the same - I would come in and lift, rehab, get stronger and keep going all the way through.

What were some other activities you could do last season that were afforded to you because of the injury?
I did the radio show with PA and Dubay on KFAN, which was great because that's what I eventually want to do once I am finished with a long career. That was great experience for me to do that weekly. Other than that, I tried to stay involved with what's going on at the facility, with defensive play-calling and defensive schemes. I tried to learn how NFL defenses operate week-to-week and how they adjust.

Are you anxious for minicamp and the offseason program to begin?
I'm very excited. I've never looked forward to football as much in my life as I have these past six months. The minicamps are going to be a great experience for me because we are going to be putting some different defenses in. Some of it will be the same but there will also be some differences. It will be a great chance to go out there and learn and a great chance to go out there and learn that my knee is strong and stable. I'm just so excited to play football. It's been a long six months for me, a hard six months. I know I'll be ready.

As the draft approaches, what's going through the mind of a typical NFL prospect right now?
It's a very nerve-racking experience. You may have done well at the Combine, you may have done well at your pro day, so these guys are nervous. There are expectations of where they might be drafted, they've heard that they could be a third-round pick, or whatever, but they don't really know what to expect. They might have another pro day coming up, so the thinking is to keep the foot on the gas pedal and keep working hard because they still have more opportunities to improve in the next couple weeks to increase their draft status. Then it goes into the interview process, which means you just want to put your best step forward. You want to look nice and present yourself well and show the team what you have to offer them as far as work ethic and things that they can't control. They want to know that you won't get in trouble and that you'll maintain a clean slate.

What would be a piece of advice to one of them?
My advice would be to stay out of trouble, first and foremost, because that's the thing that is going to kill you. Stay out of the bars, stay away from situations that are going to get you in trouble. Just keep working hard and stay in shape because you're going to have pro days but then you'll get a month or so off before minicamps. So you really need to work on your shape and condition so you can enter minicamps in a position to compete and earn a spot.

Drafted Vikings players will receive this hat when they are drafted in 2007. Fans can buy the hat as well for around $25. Personally, Vikings Vixen, likes the hat. The Norseman logo is on the front, Reebok symbol on the side and NFL Equipment Tag on the back. It is a micro mesh hat similar to the one that sold out so quickly last year so you better buy them fast or get ready to bid on ebay for them!

Vikings start the Free Agency madness

The free agency madness of the National Football League has just begun. They don’t call it March Madness just because of basketball season, ya know! The Minnesota Vikings have been active in the market and have already signed a pair of free agents and let a few other bodies go.

The Vikings team added tight end Visanthe Shiancoe from the New York Giants and line backer Vinny Ciurciu from the Carolina Panthers. Has anyone ever seen two last names with so many vowels??? Oh my goodness – Vanna!

Despite the funky names, both players are solid and know what it feels like to win. Shiancoe has not missed a game in his 4 seasons and is a proven blocker and pass catcher. Shiancoe definitely helped pave the way for Tiki Barber to rush for over 1,200 yards in each of the past 4 seasons. Ciurciu has been a key part of the Panthers special teams units. He led the team in special teams tackles in 2006 and was 2nd on the team in 2005. Let’s hope the addition of these two players is just one step of many to get the Vikings a solid competitive team for 2007.

The Minnesota Vikings have also let go of three players that just weren’t putting up the numbers last year. The released players were #75 Mike Rosenthal (I personally liked him and was sad to see his name on the list), Fred Smoot (no love lost there) and Jermaine Wiggins (mediocre with the Vikes, but I see him doing alright somewhere else).

I am excited to see more moves! Let’s build this Vikings ship into the solid boat that it needs to be in order to navigate the rough waters of the NFL!!!!

Vikings say buh-bye to Johnson

The Minnesota Vikings released veteran quarterback Brad Johnson. I was surprised by the Vikings move. Brad Johnson is an outstanding guy and Coach Childress always says how important class act players are to the organization. I thought the Vikings would keep Johnson as a back-up or a mentor, but then again Johnson has no fan base left in Minnesota anyway. When the Vikings pulled Brad Johnson and put Tavaris Jackson in during the Cardinals game last year at the dome, the crowd went wild. I have to say I am not a Johnson hater and I was dumfounded by the crowds idiotic response. If the Vikings fans think Tavaris Jackson is going to solve our problems, they are sorely mistaken. TJ is not the answer to the Minnesota Vikings Quarterback problems – WAKE UP VIKINGS OFFENSE – you need a solid quarterback to win some games and to keep the fans interested. I hope the Vikings don’t sit around too long waiting for Jackson to develop or for the right quarterback to fall into their laps, we need a QB and we need one, soon. I hope the Vikings didn't let the wrong Brad go.

Vikings fans left out in the cold

I wish the Minnesota Vikings would host a Vikings Fest like the Minnesota Twins do. I know the Vikes have the Arctic Blast, but that just isn't an opportunity to drag my kids out to meet "the guys." Even the Green Bay Packers have a fan meet and greet. Ms. pacman mentions it in her blog that Packers Fan Fest will take place in the Lambeau Field Atrium on March 9 and 10, 2007. I would love to go…although my heckling of certain players would certainly be dangerous to my health in Packerland! Besides that is the Minnesota State High School Boys Hockey Tournament weekend and Lord knows I don’t miss that, not even for a chance to kiss Brett Favre.

What could the Vikings call their little fan get together? Vikings Fan Fest ? That seems to be a well liked name. Come on Vikings Fans, let’s start an effort to get the men in purple out in the community shaking hands and kissing babies!

VIKINGS HIRE FRAZIER

I think my love affair with the Vikings is a tumultuous affair. One day I love the team and the next day I lament the team. Since Valentines Day is a traditional love day, I will write a positive post for my Minnesota Vikings. One of the best moves the Vikes have made during the off season so far was hiring Leslie Frazier as the defensive coordinator. It was such a shame to lose Tomlin and the Vikes were complete morons to lose him – oops this is a love post, no name calling. Anyway, Frazier will replace Tomlin in 2007 and let's hope he has the same spirit and knowledge Tomlin had to lead one of the best defenses' in the NFL

Frazier comes to the Vikings after helping Indianapolis win Super Bowl XLI, the 2nd Super Bowl title he has been associated with as a player and coach. Frazier was a starter on the 1985 Bears that won Super Bowl XX over New England. In his 8 NFL seasons Frazier has been a part of teams that have gone 81-47 and has been a part of 7 straight campaigns with a .500 record or better and played in 3 conference championship games. Frazier is reuniting with Childress as they both have Eagles blood in them. Frazier sounds pretty solid and I welcome him aboard my Vikings love ship – now let’s win some games!

2007 Pro Bowl

While flipping through the channels on Saturday I ran into the 2007 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. I must admit I hardly watched it. I love football, but I just don't get into the whole AFC vs NFC thing. That's probably why I only played fantasy football for one year. I bleed purple and I only have a lot of passion for the Minnesota Vikings, not the NFC as a whole or various players scattered throughout the NFL.

The Minnesota Vikings sent 5 players to the Pro Bowl this year including Matt Birk. Matt is a definite fan favorite and the Vikings coaxed him into writing a Pro Bowl blog on their website. Matts Blog. I actually enjoyed reading it more than I enjoyed watching the snippets of the game on Saturday. Hawaii sounds great and Matt sounds like he is having a great time. I am totally jealous.

FINAL SCORE: AFC 31, NFC 28 - - - Tiki Barber and Tony Romo were the stars for the NFC, no big surprise, and Carson Palmer ended up being the show stealer for the AFC.

Hey Vikings, maybe next year we could have a few show stealers?!?!?!

VIKINGS TICKET PRICES

Well, the Vikings have finally made a smart move to keep their fans/their income source happy. The Vikings have announced that they are NOT making across the board price increases for Vikings Tickets for the 2007-08 season! Hallalujah! In fact, two-thirds of all season ticket locations will have the same or lower prices - wow! I was shocked that the Vikings would have the insight to make that sort of decision. Twin Cities Ticket Guy mentioned that he hoped the Vikings would make a smart move when they announced the 2007 prices - hey, maybe the Vikes are reading his blog?!?

Here are some snipets from Vikings.com:
For the first time since 1998, there will not be a general price increase for all seats. Two-thirds of all season ticket locations will have the same or lower price than this past season, with virtually all remaining locations increasing by 1.8% to 4.5%."We greatly value our loyal Season Ticket Owners and have worked very hard throughout this decision-making process to maintain affordable options for our fans while balancing our business challenges," said Steve LaCroix, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

In 2007, the Vikings will have 11 pricing options for season tickets (up from 8 in the 2006 season), ranging from $99 (limited view), $196.10, $380, $490, $670, $710, $730, $960, $990, $1,130 to $1,160 for a 10-game season package. These ticket prices include a 10% admissions tax paid to the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, as well as appropriate sales taxes. New in 2007, as a tribute to the Vikings' inaugural season of 1961, there will be over 4,000 upper level season tickets offered for $19.61 per seat per game."We are excited about creating a wider variety of choices for our fans," said LaCroix. "Our $196.10 season ticket will be one of the lowest-priced season tickets in the NFL."

Yeah Vikings! I love the energy and the excitement of watching a Minnesota Vikings home game and I look forward to buying more tickets in 2007 than I did in 2006!

2007 Vikings Schedule

I am anxiously waiting for the Minnesota Vikings to announce their 2007 schedule. I realize that the Super Bowl ended just a few hours ago, but I am ready for a new season already! My friend writes a Twin Cities Tickets blog and he said it best when he said there were two things that totally sucked on Super Bowl Sunday: #1 The Vikings weren't on the field and #2 it was 100 degrees warmer in Miami than Minnesota! Now, I can't change the weather (although, the global warming doomsayers say that I do), but I would love to change the fact that the Minnesota Vikings have been absent from the Super Bowl games for far too long.

In order to be in the Super Bowl next year, the Minnesota Vikings will have to really turn it up and win some games. In 2007, the Vikings have a pretty fun schedule . . . they have regular season home games with:

Green Bay
Chicago
Detroit
Philadelphia
Washington
Oakland
San Diego
Atlanta

Now, the division games against the Packers, the Bears, and the Lions are a no brainer, but I was pleased to see the Vikings get to host the Raiders again (Randy Moss back at the dome is always a crap shoot) and I am a huge Redskins fan (I think many Minnesotans are - I am a big Joe Gibbs believer and I will definitely be at that game). Both Philly and San Diego crushed their respective divisions so those should be competitive games and I think the Vikes always have a little bit of an ax to grind with Atlanta.

The official 2007 schedule is released mid-April. I guess I will have to wait until then to start requesting my vacation days and looking for Vikings Tickets!

Fact: The Vikings have sold out 94 consecutive home games