Brett Favre Magic

So obviously I'm a little late on the blog post. Sorry, I was at the game and stayed over in Minneapolis on Sunday. Monday consisted of driving home, napping and then winning VIKING/PACKERS TICKETS!!!

I’ve been a quite a few games at Metrodome, but I must say the Vikes 27-24 win over San Fran rates up with the best of them. The place went absolutely NUTS when Brett Favre hit wide receiver, Greg Lewis in the back of the end zone for a 32 yard touchdown with TWO SECONDS left!

The game started out looking like the Vikes might dominate the 49er’s. Frank Gore went out with a high ankle sprain and Favre hit Sidney Rice for a nice 30 yard touchdown to put Minnesota up 7-0 early in the first quarter.

Ryan Longwell kicked a 40 and 52 yard field goal in the first half, but it was the blocked one that ended the half that really took the air out of the stadium. Nate Clements returned in 59 yards to end the first half. San Fran was up 14-13 at the midway point.

In the third quarter Percy Harvin housed a kickoff 101 yards to put the Vikes up 20-17, but Vernon Davis scored his second touchdown of the day to put San Fran back in the lead.

I’m not gonna lie, I had little faith with under 1:30 and ZERO timeouts that the Vikes were going to drive down the field and score, but somehow Lewis went in for Harvin (who was gassed) and Favre stepped up and threw likely the most memorable pass EVER at Metrodome. Unbelievable!

Favre threw for 301 yards on 46 attempts. He completed 24 of them. Favre also had his first interception as a Viking.

Adrian Peterson rushed for 85 yards on 19 carries and really was a non-factor except for a 35 yard run he had. Somehow San Fran does a great job of limiting Purple Jesus.

All in all, an amazing win for the now 3-0 Minnesota Vikings. The Niners are much better then I thought they were, but still the Vikes HAVE TO win those games at home. Obviously the Monday Night game versus Green Bay is HUGE! I’m already pumped, but the Vikes have some issues still.

Bernard Berrian struggled to catch the ball. I swear he dropped three or four that hit him in the hands. The only reason I remember him from the game was that he dropped so many and on one of the four he caught, Favre ran down the field and laid out 49er linebacker, Patrick Willis. Favre shouldn’t be doing that due to his age, but it was great!

Clearly the Vikings Special Teams still has some issues and linebacker Ben Leber struggled covering Vernon Davis on pass plays.

I going with some of my best boys to the game on Monday and honestly can’t wait. If the Vikes are 4-0 a week from today, good things could be in store for the 2009 Minnesota Vikings.

NEWT’S GAME BALLS
Offense - Greg Lewis
Defense - EJ Henderson
Special Teams - Percy Harvin

Random Tuesday Thoughts

The Minnesota Vikings are 2-0 after two road games. That is the good news. The bad news is that the Vikes have been really slow starters in both of their games against teams that frankly aren’t very good. Adrian Peterson still is proving that he is the most dynamic and explosive player in the NFL and the Brett Favre experiment seems to be paying off so far.

Favre has been very consistent, but he hasn’t thrown many long balls (or at least completed many) through two games. Favre seems to be developing some rhythm with Vikes rookie wide receiver, Percy Harvin. Harvin has caught a touchdown pass in both games this season.

Another concern for the Vikes is the offensive line. Once again they seem to be able to maul the defense on runs, but Favre is getting hit and sacked on passes. Favre has been good about taking sacks versus throwing the wild “gunslinger” passes that often end up as a turnover. The Minnesota front five has got to step it up and protect Favre. With a healthy Peterson and Favre, this team has some SERIOUS potential.

The Vikes have looked fairly decent on defense. Teams have had more luck running on Minnesota through two games then I expected. I’m not really sure why that is. Kevin & Pat Williams still seem dominant and middle linebacker, EJ Henderson is all over the place making plays. Although the secondary hasn’t been tested much, they are a little suspect I think.

Minnesota hosts San Francisco on Sunday. Both teams are 2-0 and both teams want to continue to show they are a contender in the NFC. Even after two slow starts for the Vikes, I fully expect the squad to play a dominant game on Sunday. Am I a homer? Of course I am, but the Vikes should be able to stop Frank Gore and force the 49er’s to pass the ball. I think the Vikes look totally legit and beat the Niners 27-10 at Metrodome on Sunday. Oh and by the way, I will be there!

And speaking of games, last night I won tickets to the Vikings vs Packers at Metrodome on Monday Night. I was rockin’ the Purple Jesus shirt by the way for luck. Besides the birth of my son, possibly the second best thing that has ever happened to me. The next two weeks should be fun for the Vikes and if they can win both games, like they should, things will be looking bright for the Super Bowl bound Minnesota Vikings!

SKOL VIKES!

Vikes Beat the Lions

Thanks to another big second half, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Lions 27-13 in Detroit. On the day that Vikings’ quarterback, Brett Favre started his record setting 271st straight game in the regular season, Minnesota struggled early. Adrian Peterson fumbled a Favre handoff on the first series that led to a Lion field goal. It was 10-0 Detroit before Favre hooked up with Visanthe Shiancoe on a onee yard touchdown to make it 10-7 shortly before the first half ended.

To start the second half Minnesota sacked rookie quarterback, Matt Stafford twice in the first three plays. Jared Allen forced a fumble/had a sack and Ray Edwards had one on third down. Minnesota got the ball back drove down and Ryan Longwell hit on a 26 yard field goal to make it 10-10.

After Chad Greenway forced a fumble, Peterson scored on a 27 yard run to put the Vikes up for good. After another Longwell field goal (46 yards) and a Favre to Percy Harvin three yard touchdown, Minnesota scored 27 unanswered on the Lions. Detroit kicked a junk field goal late, but Greenway recovered the onside kick and that was basically the ball game.

Favre was 23 of 27 for 155 yards and two touchdowns.

Peterson had 92 yards on 15 carries including a touchdown. He also had 24 yards receiving.

Greenway had two interceptions, recovered a fumble and even caught the Lions onside as a member of the “hands team”.

All in all it turned out to be another good game for the Vikes thanks to a big second half for the second week in a row. I’m not sure why the Vikes are slow starters, but they need to start out looking good next week when they host the surprisingly also 2-0 San Francisco 49ers. By the way, I scored tickets to the game and I will be there!

Frank Gore will prove to be a test for the Vikes because for some reason so far this year that super stingy Vikes rush defense is looking a little shaky. Kevin Smith of the Lions ran for 83 yards on them today.

Thanks to the Cincinatti Bengals beating the Packers at Lambeau, Minnesota sits atop the NFC North solo in first place.

NEWT’S GAME BALLS
Offense – Brett Favre
Defense – Chad Greenway
Special Teams – Ryan Longwell

AD Leads the Purple to Victory

Not only is Adrian Peterson a man, he is THE MAN. Adrian “All Day” Peterson rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns including an amazing 64 yard burst in the second half. Peterson was dehydrated and had to have an IV put in his arm to get him better. He went on to score a one yard touchdown with blood gushing out of his arm. If Peterson remains healthy, he will go down as the GREATEST running back ever. No doubt. Kid is amazing!

Minnesota started the game off with a bad onside kick by Ryan Longwell. The Browns recovered and kicked a field goal to take the early lead. Thanks to a good Coaches Challenge by Brad Childress changed a Cleveland touchdown to a field goal. By the way, the only call should have been an Offensive interference. Anyways, the Vikes gave up a 67 yard punt return from Josh Cribbs shortly before the half and went into the locker room down 13-10.

In the second half Minnesota outscored Cleveland 24-7. The Browns touchdown was a late junk td. Brett Favre was 14 of 21 for 110 yards including a six yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin. It was Favre’s first as a Vikes and Harvin’s first as a professional football player. How cool for Harvin? First touchdown caught was thrown by Brett Favre.

RANDOM NOTES
Kevin Williams recovered a fumble and Cedric Griffin had an interception.

Jared Allen was basically a no show today as Browns’ offensive tackle, Joe Thomas dominated him all day. The Browns selected Thomas over Peterson in the 2007 NFL Draft.

I hate Brian Billick as an announcer. Get a clue buddy! No idea on fumbles, challenges or basically anything!

The Vikes offensive line struggled against the blitz. Clearly Bryant McKinnie will NEVER become a pass blocker. He can maul on the run, but he is so slow out of his stance.

NEWT’S GAME BALLS
Offense – Adrian Peterson
Defense – Kevin Williams
Special Teams – Darius Reynaud

If healthy, the Minnesota Vikings are LEGIT. Peterson is a horse and Favre is a leader. If the defense can stop the run and apply pressure, look for good things from the 2009 Minnesota Vikings.

Oh yeah, you’re welcome for telling you to bet the farm on Minnesota!

Feelin’ Kinda Sunday

The NFL Season for the Minnesota Vikings and their fans is only two days away. I can’t wait.

In the past couple days a few things have happened. Most notably, the Vikes cut wide receiver Bobby Wade and signed receiver Greg Lewis. You will be SHOCKED to know that Lewis is a former Eagle. Wade’s time seemed to be coming to an end since the Vikes drafted Percy Harvin. Harvin will be the Viking slot guy. Bernard Berrian, who is still nursing a hamstring, and Sidney Rice will be the Vikes starting receivers.

In the case hat never seems to die, Kevin and Pat Williams got another WIN as they both will likely be able to play the entire 2009 season without a suspension for their use of Starcaps, a weight reduction pill. Starcaps carried something banned by the NFL so the league continues to try and get them suspended for four games each. Let it go NFL!

Although Cleveland Head Coach won’t admit it, the Browns are going to start Brady Quinn at quarterback. I know it’s a road game and Favre is still very “new” to the Vikings, but I expect the Vikes to ROLL big in this game. I’m thinking Minnesota 31, Cleveland 10. Blowout city baby! If you want to make a few bucks, bet the Vikes big!

JDB Among Viking Cuts

After unsuccessfully trying to shop quarterback, Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota cut quarterback John David Booty. Booty was later added to the Vikes Practice Squad. Ian Johnson (RB), Garrett Mills (TE), Drew Radovich (OT), Colt Anderson (DB), Chris Clark (OT), Tremaine Johnson and Nick Moore (WR) round out the rest of the Practice Squad.

Other notables cut by Minnesota were: Marcus McCauley (CB), David Herron (LB) and Otis Grigsby (DE). McCauley was picked up by Detroit.

AD Steals the Show

On a night where Brett Favre was going to be the story, Adrian “Purple Jesus” Peterson stole the show. On the first play from scrimmage Peterson took a Favre handoff and went 75 yards for a touchdown. AD is the MAN! Peterson finished the game with 117 yards on 11 carries.

Minnesota beat the Houston Texans 17-10 to improve to 3-0 on the Preseason. Clearly a Preseason record doesn’t matter, but it’s good to win. The major plus was that Favre looked more in sync with his receivers and the Vikings suffered no major injuries.

Favre played into the third quarter and was 13 of 18 for 142 yards including a 28 yard touchdown pass to Chester Taylor (pictured). Favre also hit Percy Harvin in the HANDS in the end zone, but P-Harv dropped it. Overall Favre looked more comfortable at quarterback and even threw a block (granted a dirty one at a guy’s knees) on a Harvin run that was out of the Wildcat. Harvin was quarterback, Peterson was tailback and Favre was at receiver. What a fun formation!

The Vikes offensive line struggled a little bit against the pass as blitzes seem to confuse the team some.

The Vikes starting defense played solid again as Ray Edwards, Jared Allen and Antoine Winfield really stood out. Ben Leber and Madieu Williams both had interceptions.

I’m not gonna lie, I’m pumped for the regular season. If the Vikes stay healthy, they are a legit contender. The defense is solid and Peterson is clearly the best back in the NFL. With Favre’s leadership and the playmaking ability of Harvin, Sidney Rice and once dog, now stud, Vinsanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota will be in the playoffs and they will be dangerous.

The Vikes final Preseason game is this Friday against Dallas. Not many of the starters are expected to play.

NEWT’S GAME BALLS
Offense – Adrian Peterson
Defense – Antoine Winfield
Special Teams – Ryan Longwell