2012 Vikings: Keeping it in Perspective

[pikestabber]

On May 25th, ESPN released an article on the NFC North suggesting both the best and worst-case scenarios for the 2012 season and what would contribute to that (posted below). While the truth lies somewhere in-between and exists as a combination of good and bad that can be swapped around from each prediction, we have to keep things in perspective. By all accounts, outside of state lines we were expected to tread water or perhaps be slightly better than last year (most predictions ranging from 3-5 wins). I will watch the next three games...cautiously and perhaps blindly optimistic that we still have a shot at the post-season...with a sense of hope for the future of this team. Are we missing pieces? Sure. But let's not forget how much of a leap we have made in other areas. We have a ways to go, but for the first time in a long time I think we are (mostly) heading in the right direction. The May 2012 predictions:

Nightmare scenario (3-13): The Vikings show no improvement from 2011, giving them a three-year record of 12-36. Ponder's inconsistency raises questions about his future with the franchise. Peterson returns but isn't a dominant runner any longer. The defense implodes because of its inexperience and lack of playmakers in the back end. It's clear the franchise has another year or more to go before matching the rest of the division.

Dream scenario (9-7): Quarterback Christian Ponder makes a big leap in his second season, spurred in part by confidence in his new offensive line. Ponder makes good use of his two pass-catching tight ends, Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson, and either Jerome Simpson or Greg Childs provides a legitimate downfield threat. Tailback Adrian Peterson (knee) is back to full strength early in the season, if not in Week 1. The Vikings get a big return on overhauling the middle of their defense and aren't hindered by starting one rookie safety (Harrison Smith) and perhaps two (with Robert Blanton). In a tough division, they're thrilled to finish with a winning record.

[thatoneguy]

Lol @ the "dream scenario." 9-7 is a real possibility, but it won't have anything to do with a leap forward from Ponder or making good use of John Carlson!

The better-than-expected success is (in my fevered mind) attributable to:

1) Adrian Peterson

2) Matt Kalil (whose presence at LT also allowed Johnson to slide to his natural guard spot, fixing two spots at once)

3) Much better defense in general, particularly defensive backfield play

[ted4887]

Lol @ the "dream scenario." 9-7 is a real possibility, but it won't have anything to do with a leap forward from Ponder or making good use of John Carlson!

The better-than-expected success is (in my fevered mind) attributable to:

1) Adrian Peterson

All you needed to do was list Adrian Peterson as the reason for our success. Can you imagine how lowly the Vikings would be without him? Even with our defense playing well and our O-line seeming to improve a bit they would be lucky to have a win.

[pikestabber]

As I said, you have to mix, match, and even cut out the real parts from both predictions...namely, cutting Carlson, Simpson, Childs, etc. The point isn't to take the predictions seriously, for me at least, but rather to realize that in many ways we have exceeded expectations, and while you can't argue Peterson is is the primary reason, there are some other nice pieces we put in place this year. Special teams have been better than usual, Blair Walsh might be a 20 year kicker, Harrison Smith was better then billed, Kalil is the real deal, Wright has shown flashes, Rudolph continues to get better, our DBs are MUCH improved, and for a brief while when Ponder was playing well, we got to see how good this team could be with a legit QB (and think if we had any receivers to go with a legit QB how dangerous this O could be). Overall, I have enjoyed watching this team this year.

[JackPineGuy]

Quarterback Christian Ponder makes a big leap in his second season, spurred in part by confidence in his new offensive line. Ponder makes good use of his two pass-catching tight ends, Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson, and either Jerome Simpson or Greg Childs provides a legitimate downfield threat.

jerome simpson is not any sort of threat. and ponder made a step backward in my opinion. he started out hot for like 5 weeks and then tanked worse as ive ever seen. i agree for a season we made much progress and finish with a better record then i thought we would at any rate. 10 and 6 baby.

[zepman]

No one could have predicted what the impact of the draft brought to this team. Combine that with AP's excellence and there you have it....

I've tried to keep it in perspective all season long with this squad but the team, as a whole, is much further along than our QB will allow them to go. Just AVERAGE QB play this year and the Vikes have 9 wins right now...easily.

The Vikes don't have a bad team...they have a bad QB.

They have certainly exceeded most peoples expectations of them this year...it's just sooo frustrating to watch the dog-pile we have as a QB hold this team back.

[grizrunner]

No talk of Percy...without him they have maybe 3 wins.

The actual "dream scenario" would have been written

"Ponder and Musgrave leave for Green Bay".

[pikestabber]

No talk of Percy...without him they have maybe 3 wins.

The actual "dream scenario" would have been written

"Ponder and Musgrave leave for Green Bay".

Agree and agree. I think Musgrave has done as much to hurt this team as Ponder has. And yes, I think Percy is/was as important as AP this year (considering all he can do on STs in addition to running/catching the ball).