Vikings Off Season Predictions

Below are a few of my off season predictions for the Minnesota Vikings. This could probably be labeled version 1.0 because my predictions are likely to change as the off season unfolds.

The Vikings, first and foremost, need to get the GPS out and right the ship back on course.

I look for Leslie Frazier to have a successful offseason by firing certain coaches and hiring sold NFL-caliber coachers. Coaches like Bill Musgrave will most likely stay, which he should.

The Vikings need to look at free agency and the draft to fit the roster better to the 'Vikings standard'. The Vikings need to figure out whether or not they want to be an offensive or a defensive team. In the past, I would categorize the Vikings as a defensive team. Right now and in the upcoming offseason, I don't think the team can afford to be both.

Whether or not Joe Webb or Christian Ponder is at the helm, the Vikings need to bring some new tools to help the quarterback win. Both quarterbacks appear to be intelligent and possessing the desire to win. Though Joe Webb has performed well in the absence and injury of Ponder, I think Ponder will take on the fulltime quarterback position.

More predictions to come...

Vikings Playoffs... Bummer

I certainly wish the Vikings were in the playoffs. It has been two years now, which is considered a severe drought when it comes to Vikings football - we used to be a dominating team in the NFC North.

I remember being in Hawaii watching the Vikings Saints game two years ago at a local bar. There are tons of Vikings fans in Hawaii - which seems slightly counterintuitive because of the extreme weather differences.

It was such a bummer, seeing Favre and the Packers lose. Remembering Hawaii and the great memories I made almost off-sets that though...

I still wish the Vikings were in the playoffs.

Jared Allen Hits New Orleans on the Nose

"There's two cities like I don't go out to eat or don't do anything. It's Detroit and New Orleans. New Orleans looks like I'm driving through a third-world country every time I get off the plane, I'm like, 'Oh, flak jacket.' I'm trying to get down. I'm like, 'Ah, crap, I can't carry my gun here. This sucks," said Allen of New Orleans.

I found a forum thread discussing Allen's comments from the point of view of New Orleans fans.

"Have you ever visited North Minneapolis, midtown or the Phillips neighborhoods?"
- This guy has a good point. North Minneapolis is like Bucharest at 4am.

"Hey Jared Allen ! How does it feel to play for a Third World Team?"
- Sad.

"Why doesn't he just say, ""I try to avoid black towns"?"
- Ok. Too far.

Jared Allen Not Giving Up

Jared Allen was given a late rest against the Saints on Sunday... and he wasn't happy about it.

"What are we resting me for? The playoffs? Come on. That's not my decision. I guess they want the young guys to play. I don't know," said Allen according to Sports Illustrated.

Allen is currently in pursuit of the single-season sack record for the NFL. Though the Vikings are clearly going to end with a losing record, they are trying to avoid setting a record for the franchise-worst record, set at 3-13. The Vikings are 2-12.

The Vikings play at Washington on Saturday and host the Bears on January 1.

Ragnar, the Minnesota Viking

With another Vikings loss, I thought this blog post should be dedicated to where the Vikings organization went wrong.

Do you remember Ragnar, the mascot Viking that is the first to emerge from the tunnel before every home game? Yes, he is still part of the organization and he still drums up Vikings fans at every home game.

Something has changed though. During every halftime, Ragnar used to 'mock' the cheerleaders by copying their provocative dances with his less-than-eloquent dance moves. This no longer happens. It hasn't happened all year.

Why?

Did the cheerleaders get upset that Vikings fans enjoyed his performance more than theirs? Did the Vikings have to cut his performance because his star-like dance moves were no longer in the budget? Or... what?

All I know is if the Vikings plan on winning a game here and there instead of never, we need to get back to the basics. Bring back Ragnar's performance. Who knows... maybe the Vikings will win a game.

Did You Know? Christian Ponder Edition

Only hours after being drafted by the Vikings in April, Ponder arrived at Winter Park to meet his new coaches. To celebrate the successes Ponder has experienced this year as a Vikings, I've brought together some interesting Ponder facts.

Ponder is only the sixth Vikings rookie quarterback to start a game in team history!

Ponder set a franchise record for rookies with a pair of touchdown passes in his first outing!

Ponder's 72-yard completion to wide receiver Michael Jenkins on 10/23 set a Vikings record for the longest pass play by a rookie, breaking the mark of 71 yards held by Fran Tarkenton.

I can't wait to see what Ponder brings the Vikings next year!

New Vikings Stadium: Funding

Officials will be meeting again today to discuss the new Minnesota Vikings Stadium, this time focussing on funding.

Minneapolis city leaders on Tuesday put their weight behind a proposal to rebuild a new Vikings stadium at the current site of the Metrodome. The site would be $215 million cheaper than the Vikings' preferred plan of $1.1 billion in Arden Hills.

Stay tuned for more.

Christian Ponder Hates Turnovers

Bah. Well that was a hard game to watch for any Vikings fans. When the Vikings were ahead then behind then ahead and ended up behind 35-32 for the final, it is tough to watch. Even harder to watch? Christian Ponder throw two picks for 10 points and a fumble that ended a short field goal attempt.

Christian Ponder agrees. He hates the rollercoaster ride that is being a rookie. He was recently quoted, "It's hard to look Jared Allen in the eyes and tell him I had two picks and a fumble and I cost us the game."

No matter what the circumstance, I would bet its hard to look Allen in the eyes - he is one intimidating guy. However, Allen was actually one of the players to support Ponder saying he would learn from his mistakes and learn to get better.

Right on. We have the rest of the season for that to happen, because next season is Skol Season.

Vikings Stadium Site

The Vikings, without sure means of funding a stadium, will be meeting with Minneapolis city leaders in the next couple of days to narrow their list of potential stadium sites. This happens even though the Vikings continue to assert its preference for Arden Hills.

Until now, the Vikings have religiously avoided talks with Minneapolis policy-makers because of their Arden Hills preference.

This meeting sounds like it will largely accomplish nothing. The likeliness of the two sides narrowing down the list to one or two sites seems very unlikely, especially with the lack of sure-funding collected.

Nonetheless, I'll keep you updated regarding any developments. In the meantime, enjoy the weekend and some Vikings football! SKOL!

Minnesota Vikings Host Tim Tebow

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 is the verse and Tim Tebow is the messenger... after Jesus, of course. This verse, or perhaps another, will be in Minneapolis this weekend as the Minnesota Vikings host the Denver Broncos.

Tim Tebow has swept the nation similar to Twilight and reality cooking shows featuring cupcake bake-offs and restaurant hunters in search of that diamond in the rough. Some hate him. Some love him. One thing is for sure though - Tim Tebow loves Jesus.

It isn't new for athletes to be faithful or to find good luck charms in inanimate objects, but it seems that Tebow's faith is as exceptional as turning water into wine. The Broncos, now 5-1 under Tebow and 6-5 overall, seem to take comfort in Tebow's sermons.

Do you?