Oh, boy, this could get ugly. But the sting will go away eventually and people will be able to appreciate a solid season by a young team on the rise. But, yeah, you don't want to hear that right about now. So let's roll ...
I'm not a kicker, but from what I'm told, yeah, it makes a difference. Otherwise they wouldn't work so hard to make sure the laces are out. But I think the belief was it wouldn't matter for a kick this short. That's probably true, but I'm sure it played a role in the miss.
Peterson's pay only becomes an issue if the cap isn't managed well. He's still their best offensive player, he has a nine-year track record of proving everybody wrong year after year. He's not the guy to go saving cap space on. I'd focus more on upgrading his blockers.
I think it impacted the scoring. But it's hard to sit here and say the missed field goal was because of the weather. He made three longer field goals before that one.
I think it won 11 games and the division. It was part of the overall team puzzle. It's not only a running team, it also didn't have the offensive line to throw the ball as much as people wanted. This team was at its best when it pounded up 2, 3 yards, hit a screen and then went play-action. It was more about execution that the fact they didn't trick someone every other play.
It was a great play by the most elusive quarterback in the league. When a play breaks down like that and the QB has the poise, athleticism and vision to do what he did, I think you have to tip the cap to him. Especially when you consider how well this defense played on nearly every other play of the game.
He's 30 years old and played this game since he was probably 7. I don't know if the coaches were saying anything. But this wasn't his first rodeo. I think he knows how it works.
You can't lose Ragnar and expect to win the Super Bowl. Tough, tough holdout.
You run the ball on first down because you pay Adrian Peterson quite handsomely. You run on second down probably because people are thinking pass. I didn't care for the third down play. I thought Teddy should have moved with the pocket or rolled out. But, then again, can they really trust this protection right now?
I don't know about surprised. But I'd have to believe that anything is on the table for an upgrade to the offensive line. They can't move forward without a better offensive line. I don't think it's a surprise, but I also don't see Mike Wallace being brought back.
I think the offense will be similar. It's capable of expanding and letting Teddy take on more. I think there were plenty of examples of that happening. The Denver game, the end of the first Chicago game, the Bears game at home, the Giants game. He's growing. I'm not sure what his ceiling is, but they don't need to be looking for another quarterback.
I think you let that play out in training camp. Zimmer will have a sense of whether Newman can play another year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Newman switch to safety and Waynes start at corner.
I think that has to be determined by what shakes out in the draft and free agency. Like I said, I wouldn't take anything off the table when it comes to making sure this offensive line is better next year. In the meantime, I'd expect T.J. to get significantly stronger and at least compete for the job again.
Well, it did hand the Seahawks a 12-yard scoring drive to go ahead 10-9 in the fourth quarter. But on a level of difficulty, I would say Blair's mistake was much more avoidable.
Improve the offensive line.
As a 50-year-old who grew up a Browns fan, I'm still waiting for my heart to get to a Super Bowl so it can be broken. But, yeah, look around the league. There's a lot of teams that are a mess. This team has the right method and is fine-tuning its direction.
Yes, the offensive line is priority No. 1. I don't think you can say anyone will be gone. Before you get ride of a guy, you have to have a better guy. Left tackles are tough to come by. Matt is a good player. But, like I said, if I'm the Vikings, I'm looking at all options on the O-line.
Punter is another position I'd take a hard look at, yes.
You'd think it would have happened already, but I got out of the doubting-Adrian business a few years ago. Maybe this was the motivation he needed.
Yeah, the trade-Adrian season has begun less than 24 hours after the regular season. I think winning games is more important than studying individual statistics. I think they can work together quite nicely with upgrades on the O-line and an elite receiver.
I don't think Brandon would say he had a consistent season. I think all of this has to shake out. It depends on the draft and free agency. I can't say for sure that this team will go O-line in the top rounds, but I do know it will be looking.
Tough to say. There are 31 other teams making moves at the same time the Vikings are making moves. A team can't turn its roster over in one year or a couple years. The defense has been rebuilt. Now, it's the offense's turn.
