Predictions for Vikings Season.

[LMITOUT]

Throw the ball more than 11 or 12 yards downfield once in a while.

Every time they do, McNabb throws it five yards out of bounds.

[goblueM]

Play calling has everything to do with it. T-Jack was 25-38 for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns. I always wondered what he could do with an actual opportunity with some actual NFL-caliber play calling (something he never got with the Vikings).

Open up the playbook. Throw the ball on first down once in a while. Throw the ball more than 11 or 12 yards downfield once in a while. If you do that, both McNabb and T-Jack are better QBs. And if you don't, Ponder will look bad, too, and everyone will be ready to throw him under the bus by next season along with T-Jack and McNabb.

you do realize Tjack has the same OC as he did in MN, right?

[LoonASea]

I say we build them "half a stadium" and see if they get the hint

[FISHINGURU]

We will all be Packer fans once the Vikings are gone.

I Dunno, the Lions aren't that bad either!

Vikes are beyond disappointing this year, I'm at the point where I'm starting to hope they don't pull a win out at the end so we can get a better pick lol.

[Northlander]

Man is it ever hard being a Vikings Fan living in Superior Wisconsin these days. Dont get me wrong I have always appreciated the Cheeseheads and Packers but why do they have to be such poor winners? I mean they should have gotten the hang of it by now dont ya think.

[goblueM]

I Dunno, the Lions aren't that bad either!

and to think, some folks in here were ridiculing me for picking the Lions to challenge the Pack for the division title...and for picking the Vikes to finish dead last in the NFC North

[LMITOUT]

Since the beginning of the 2010 season, the Vikings are 6-14. There are 32 teams in the NFL. Only two have won fewer games than the Vikings in this time: the Broncos (five) and the Panthers (three).

[mrklean]

This is not a rebuilding year

[SkunkedAgain]

First win of the season might be against the Cardinals in Week 5 but both teams will have a 50/50 shot at winning. Just being a realist. Now, my gut tells me that the Vikings will get a win before going 0-4 but there's no logic that one could use to back up that statement.

I'll keep tooting my own horn here.

Although I still think that the Vikings are better than their record shows. Their first halves speak for themselves but so do the second halves. They have the ability, they just aren't making full use of it.

[LMITOUT]

Did anybody notice the lack of motivation or emotion during the game yesterday by both teams? It was almost as if they've resigned to the notion that the season is already over...even though it was still early in the first half when neither was out of the game at that point and both teams were still "only" 0-3 with a lot of season left. They seemed like they were just going through the motions and couldn't wait for the game to be over. It was a terrible game to watch.

Leslie said today they were on the verge of turning this thing around. Yeah, IALTO.

He better light a fire under his own butt, because the soft-spoken "player's coach" is getting no results from his team. Maybe it's time for some tough love...if he can even manage to do that.

Bye week is coming up soon and if they haven't shown any signs of "turning this thing around" Leslie needs to go, or at the very least a QB change happens and Ponder goes in for the remainder of the season to get some playing time. He surely isn't learning anything from that stiff McNabb, and if I were banking on Ponder being the franchise QB I would hope that he doesn't.

[flipper]

I listened to the game while painting a fence. They just aren't very entertaining these days. At least Favre was entertaining.

[JIvers]

Start Webb soon, and work Ponder in to the starting role as the season goes on.

Whether LF will admit or not, the season is lost, as only one team in NFL history (the '92 Chargers) has ever overcome an 0-4 start to make the playoffs. Nothing I've seen from this Minnesota team suggests they could pull that off.

McNabb is washed up, and will not be here next year, so there is no reason to keep playing him. Webb showed some potential last year, and deserves another look. Ponder was touted as "NFL-ready", but I see no need to rush him, especially with the offensive line playing like it is.

I'm OK with keeping LF around until the end of the season, but if things don't improve he needs to go the way of Les Steckel.

[schmitty3]

They have the 31st ranked passing offense. Averaging a little of 200 yards a game. I'd say it's time for a change. Who cares if the line is garbage, put Ponder in and give him some experience. No better way of learrning than trial and error. I'm hoping for that 1st pick in the draft next yr, although i don't see it happening. There are far worse teams than the Vikings, and I think they'll start winning a some games towards the end of the season.

[MuleShack]

Did anybody notice the lack of motivation or emotion during the game yesterday by both teams? It was almost as if they've resigned to the notion that the season is already over...even though it was still early in the first half when neither was out of the game at that point and both teams were still "only" 0-3 with a lot of season left. They seemed like they were just going through the motions and couldn't wait for the game to be over. It was a terrible game to watch.

Funny the team is taking on McNubbs personality. I have thought of him as a passive, no intensity, no heart QB for the last few years and didn't think he would bring anything new to MN.

[MuleShack]

By chance, did anybody count the number of passes that DJack either over threw or under threw or made the reciever catch the ball behind his back yesterday?

Lots of people are saying our receivers are not that good. Yea, if they cant get open or get separation, that is one thing. But as far as i'm concerned, the QB hasn't demonstrated that it is the receivers fault yet...he has yet to get them the ball "Consistently".

[MuleShack]

There are far worse teams than the Vikings, and I think they'll start winning a some games towards the end of the season.

I suppose it boils down to injuries...

Both on our team and other teams. If we can stay healthy this year and other teams have the issues we had last year then yea we could win a few by default.

[zepman]

They have the 31st ranked passing offense. Averaging a little of 200 yards a game. I'd say it's time for a change. Who cares if the line is garbage, put Ponder in and give him some experience. No better way of learrning than trial and error. I'm hoping for that 1st pick in the draft next yr, although i don't see it happening. There are far worse teams than the Vikings, and I think they'll start winning a some games towards the end of the season.

LMIT...I agree with everything your last post had to say although this is my position on when to put Ponder in. He'll be at home, playing against a "not so good" opponent and each snap McNabb takes from him going forward is a mistake.

At 4 games behind both the Lions and Packers, this season is done. Time to build for the future...we have to see whether or not Ponder can handle himself in the big leagues.

Luck, Jones, and the kid from USC are legitamate 1st rounders next year...and I guarantee you we will have a shot of at least two of them the way the season is going. 1st things 1st...can Ponder live up to the expectations of his draft spot?

It's a question that NEEDS to be answered before going into next years draft with a top 5 pick.

[SkunkedAgain]

Frazier already stated that McNabb will start against the Cardinals, so all of you Ponder fans will likely have to wait until AT LEAST Week 11 to see the kid play. There is no way he would let Ponder start against Chicago or Green Bay's defenses.

The only opportunity that I could see prior to that is to start him against Carolina. At that point the Vikings will be either 0-7 or 1-6. He'll have to go into the game knowing that he's got to out-duel Cam Newton, who has average 400 yards/game so far. However, put the offense on Adrian and Toby's shoulders to keep Cam off of the field and Ponder would have a chance, and then the Bye week to prepare for the Packers.

I'm not in favor of that scenario, but it's the only way that I see him starting before the Oakland game in Week 11.

[reinhard1]

you may be right. i'm just an armchair viking fan and have been since day one. at this stage i just dont see the rational in playing someone who will be gone next year and not seeing what ponder and webb can do before next years draft. cut McNabb, grab another player and move on. good luck.

[Born2Fish]

I think our WR's are plenty good enough...expect for Berrian. I like Aromashodu and he made a GREAT play early in the game, not quite sure why they don't use him that much. Jenkins has pretty much been a non factor in games, once again, not quite sure why he doesn't get more passes thrown his way. I have had a thought about why not spread out the offense and get 4 wr's in there at times? Is it that Fraizer just does not think McNabb can complete a pass? Sure feels that way. I also would like to see Rudolph in there a LOT more. That boy can catch the ball.

I guess I now have to admit that I am also on the "Get Ponder Starting" bandwagon. What can it hurt when your team is 0-4 and your starting QB is stinking up the league? I know Skunked made the statement that they wouldn't let him start against Chicago or Green Bays defense. Well Green Bays defense has not been all that stellar this year and I am not really all that sold on Chicago's defense either. Either way, what better test than getting him in against division rivals. Like I said, it sure can't make it any worse then they are right now.

[SkunkedAgain]

My only counter that what is good for the team and what is good for the QB might be two different things. While Chicago and Green Bay may be allowing more yardage and points this season (as is the entire league), they are both still causing a lot of turnovers and generating sacks. Those are the two things that will hurt a young psyche more than just whether he throws for 200 yards or 300 yards.

[LMITOUT]

Funny the team is taking on McNubbs personality. I have thought of him as a passive, no intensity, no heart QB for the last few years and didn't think he would bring anything new to MN.

Exactly the reason why I've never liked the guy, but I think he's been like that his whole career. When the game is on the line and throws one in the dirt as he's wont to do, his reaction is to laugh and smile as if he was just playing a game in the back yard and that drives me absolutely nuts. Poor leader. Park his dead rear end on the bench, effectively ending his career, and lets see him smile then.

[creepworm]

I guess I am starting to think that we should start Ponder as well. If he is bad, we lose out and get Luck. If he is good, we win a couple and do not necessarily need Luck. Either way, at least we will know what we got.

[flipper]

Park his dead rear end on the bench, effectively ending his career, and lets see him smile then.

He would, all the way to the bank. What the Vikes did was expand his career earnings by over 5 million.

[PurpleFloyd]

Funny how I got hammered for not wanting McChunky when so many of the other Vikings fans were clammering to get him and now in week 4 it seems they are all ready to bench him for exactly the reasons I didn't want him on the team for in the first place.