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Vikings’ new defense can’t replace
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<blockquote data-quote="IPBprez" data-source="post: 27130" data-attributes="member: 51"><p><span style="font-size: 10px">Posted Oct. 21, 2005 </span></p><p>Chris Havel</p><p></p><p><span style="color: yellow"><span style="font-size: 26px">Vikings’ new defense can’t replace Moss’ quick strikes</span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">The Minnesota Vikings haven’t recovered from their season-opening loss.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Darren Sharper’s interception and 88-yard touchdown return gave the Vikings a 7-0 lead over Tampa Bay and sent the Metrodome’s fans into delirium. In stunning fashion, Sharper’s big play seemed to confirm what many suspected.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">The Vikings’ offseason infusion of defensive talent was going to give coordinator Ted Cottrell the weapons to build a stifling defense. It also was going to more than offset the loss of the league’s most dangerous receiver, Randy Moss.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">One win, four losses and countless humiliation later, the Vikings’ defense has yet to materialize into something salvageable, much less something special.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Sharper’s end zone celebration marks the last time the Vikings’ defense has been heard from. That was 19 quarters ago, time enough for Cottrell to blend cornerback Fred Smoot, linebacker Sam Cowart, nose tackle Pat Williams and Sharper with holdovers such as defensive tackle Kevin Williams and safety Corey Chavous.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><strong>Bunch of blowouts</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">After Tampa Bay responded to Sharper’s touchdown with a 17-point second-quarter barrage, the Vikings have been listless. Minnesota lost to Tampa Bay (24-13), Cincinnati (37-eight), Atlanta (30-10) and Chicago (28-3). The Vikings managed a 33-16 victory over star-crossed New Orleans in Week 3, but otherwise it has been dealt one blow-out loss after another.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">The greatest difference between the Packers (1-4) and the Vikings (1-4) going into Sunday’s game at the Metrodome is this: Green Bay has been competitive in each game while Minnesota has been quick to wave the white flag.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">While everyone focused on Moss’ touchdown-making ability, few discussed his will to win, his competitive fire and his ability to infuse confidence merely by his presence.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Moss’ impact on the offense was underrated, while the significance of the defensive acquisitions was overrated. The Vikings’ problems aren’t limited to a collection of new defensive talent trying to learn one another. Their problem is trying to replace an uncommon talent such as Moss.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><strong>Worth the trouble</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Moss’ boorish behavior was becoming a chronic problem. When the Vikings bungled games, and Moss sulked because of it, the focus was on the sulking rather than the bungling. One was just as bad as the other, but together they gave the Vikings a chance to make postseason play and upset a majority of the field.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">In hindsight, the Packers’ recent success at Minnesota is amazing given Moss’ presence and Green Bay’s defensive deficiencies. When Moss tore apart the Packers in last year’s NFC wild-card game, and then pretended to moon the Lambeau Field crowd, it was his way of blowing a good-bye kiss to Packers fans.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Fans were outraged by the gesture, and understandably so, but they were being shortsighted. They won’t get a piece of Moss any time soon, but with him or without him, they find it great fun when the Packers knock off the Vikings. And it appears to be a lot easier to beat Minnesota without him than it was with him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Perhaps the most surprising thing is that it’s a surprise at all. </span></p><p></p><p>========================================</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="color: orange">As stated in the Fantasy Column article ---- if the rookie, Kyle Orton, could have a pretty decent outing aginst the Vicekings - then Brett Favre should have a <u>field day</u> --- but, I would add one more tidbit ----- as long as Flanagan doesn't play this game... we'll be fine on Offense; if he does play (and he shouldn't....) then the O-Line will suffer while the Vikings will go straight for Flanagan to put him out for the remainder of the year.... like any fighter that's injured - bad knee, whatever,... they'll go straight for the injured limb and destroy it... If Mike Sherman has any good sense left in him - he'll sit Flanagan for at least this game and then the next against the Bengals.. I, personally, would rather see Flanagan get totally healthy and wait until after the Steeler game before he starts again... </span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="IPBprez, post: 27130, member: 51"] [size=2]Posted Oct. 21, 2005 [/size] Chris Havel [color=yellow][size=7]Vikings’ new defense can’t replace Moss’ quick strikes[/size][/color] [size=5]The Minnesota Vikings haven’t recovered from their season-opening loss. Darren Sharper’s interception and 88-yard touchdown return gave the Vikings a 7-0 lead over Tampa Bay and sent the Metrodome’s fans into delirium. In stunning fashion, Sharper’s big play seemed to confirm what many suspected. The Vikings’ offseason infusion of defensive talent was going to give coordinator Ted Cottrell the weapons to build a stifling defense. It also was going to more than offset the loss of the league’s most dangerous receiver, Randy Moss. One win, four losses and countless humiliation later, the Vikings’ defense has yet to materialize into something salvageable, much less something special. Sharper’s end zone celebration marks the last time the Vikings’ defense has been heard from. That was 19 quarters ago, time enough for Cottrell to blend cornerback Fred Smoot, linebacker Sam Cowart, nose tackle Pat Williams and Sharper with holdovers such as defensive tackle Kevin Williams and safety Corey Chavous. [b]Bunch of blowouts[/b] After Tampa Bay responded to Sharper’s touchdown with a 17-point second-quarter barrage, the Vikings have been listless. Minnesota lost to Tampa Bay (24-13), Cincinnati (37-eight), Atlanta (30-10) and Chicago (28-3). The Vikings managed a 33-16 victory over star-crossed New Orleans in Week 3, but otherwise it has been dealt one blow-out loss after another. The greatest difference between the Packers (1-4) and the Vikings (1-4) going into Sunday’s game at the Metrodome is this: Green Bay has been competitive in each game while Minnesota has been quick to wave the white flag. While everyone focused on Moss’ touchdown-making ability, few discussed his will to win, his competitive fire and his ability to infuse confidence merely by his presence. Moss’ impact on the offense was underrated, while the significance of the defensive acquisitions was overrated. The Vikings’ problems aren’t limited to a collection of new defensive talent trying to learn one another. Their problem is trying to replace an uncommon talent such as Moss. [b]Worth the trouble[/b] Moss’ boorish behavior was becoming a chronic problem. When the Vikings bungled games, and Moss sulked because of it, the focus was on the sulking rather than the bungling. One was just as bad as the other, but together they gave the Vikings a chance to make postseason play and upset a majority of the field. In hindsight, the Packers’ recent success at Minnesota is amazing given Moss’ presence and Green Bay’s defensive deficiencies. When Moss tore apart the Packers in last year’s NFC wild-card game, and then pretended to moon the Lambeau Field crowd, it was his way of blowing a good-bye kiss to Packers fans. Fans were outraged by the gesture, and understandably so, but they were being shortsighted. They won’t get a piece of Moss any time soon, but with him or without him, they find it great fun when the Packers knock off the Vikings. And it appears to be a lot easier to beat Minnesota without him than it was with him. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that it’s a surprise at all. [/size] ======================================== [size=5][color=orange]As stated in the Fantasy Column article ---- if the rookie, Kyle Orton, could have a pretty decent outing aginst the Vicekings - then Brett Favre should have a [u]field day[/u] --- but, I would add one more tidbit ----- as long as Flanagan doesn't play this game... we'll be fine on Offense; if he does play (and he shouldn't....) then the O-Line will suffer while the Vikings will go straight for Flanagan to put him out for the remainder of the year.... like any fighter that's injured - bad knee, whatever,... they'll go straight for the injured limb and destroy it... If Mike Sherman has any good sense left in him - he'll sit Flanagan for at least this game and then the next against the Bengals.. I, personally, would rather see Flanagan get totally healthy and wait until after the Steeler game before he starts again... [/color][/size] [/QUOTE]
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