Quotulatiousness

August 21, 2011

Vikings 20, Seahawks 7 in second preseason game

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , , , , — Nicholas @ 10:28

A much better game for the Vikings than last week, although the score somewhat flatters them. I think the game did provide lots of justification for not re-signing Tarvaris Jackson, who had a less-than-stellar game against his former team.

The Vikings had a long list of players who were inactive for this game, including Percy Harvin, Greg Camarillo, Anthony Herrera, and Visanthe Shiancoe. This provided some opportunities for less experienced players to get extended playing time and — in a few cases — give the coaches reasons to keep them on the roster after mandatory cut-downs.

Cedric Griffin started the game (although he was only on the field for part of the first quarter) and showed that he can still play at a high level. He may be the first pro football player ever to make a recovery from torn ACL injuries in both legs. He got involved in the very first play, breaking up a pass intended for Golden Tate.

Jared Allen had a great opportunity to sack Jackson during the first Seattle series, but somehow couldn’t wrap him up. A rare miss for Allen. The Vikings’ first team defence was getting very good penetration all through the first half, forcing Jackson to dodge and run more than Seattle’s game plan probably called for. He was elusive enough to avoid most of the pressure, however.

The Vikings’ first offensive series was brief, but eventful: Charlie Johnson let Seattle’s Raheem Brock get a clear run at Donovan McNabb’s blind side for a sack. The tight end on that side went immediately into a receiving pattern, and nobody touched Brock. Suddenly the left tackle position is up for grabs again. Jeremy Fowler reported on his Twitter feed: “LT Charlie Johnson on early sack on McNabb: ‘Yeah, I messed up. I own up to it. I went the wrong way'”. Minnesota only managed three offensive plays in the first quarter.

Marcus Sherels had a bad time on a punt return, fumbling the ball and giving Seattle another set of downs. He then more than made up for the error four plays later by catching a deflected pass from Jackson to Tate, and running it 64 yards for the first touchdown of the night.

The Vikings had a nice goal-line stand, keeping Seattle from scoring on four attempts from the 2-yard line. McNabb then led the attack on a nice drive, going 6 of 8 for 81 yards, but couldn’t get into the end zone, so Longwell kicked the field goal to make the score 10-0.

Christian Ponder took over after the next series, completing 4 of 9 attempts for 31 yards (plus some help on penalties) leading to another Longwell field goal.

Seattle finally got on the board early in the second half, with an Anthony McCoy touchdown after a bad snap — the second game that the Vikings’ opponent has scored on a bad snap. I somehow doubt that teams will add it to their playbooks, however.

Joe Webb took over from Ponder early in the fourth quarter, with the score at 13-7. Seattle saved a sure touchdown by Manny Arceneaux by punching the ball out just before Arceneaux could cross the goal line: the ball rolled out the back of the end zone for a touchback. Arceneaux was a stand-out wide receiver for the BC Lions, but is considered a rookie in the NFL. This is a rookie mistake that could keep him from making the team.

Another unknown hoping to make the final roster, Tristan Davis, scored a late touchdown on a nice 35-yard run to put the game out of reach for Seattle.

August 1, 2011

Since 1992, the Vikings have made AARP stand for “Always Available to Retire in Purple”

Filed under: Football, Humour — Tags: , , , — Nicholas @ 11:01

I think it’s safe to say that Jim Souhan has missed football during the lockout. Here he is, discussing the Vikings’ long-term habit of bringing in older quarterbacks:

Our local football franchise has become the Mystic Lake Casino of NFL quarterbacks, bringing you the biggest names of the ’80s and ’90s today.

While other franchises roll the dice on unproven talent, the Vikings would rather comfort you with the football equivalents of Stevie Nicks and Foreigner.

[. . .]

Since Denny Green wrongly benched promising young Rich Gannon in the middle of the 1992 season in favor of the always regrettable Sean Salisbury, the Vikings have made AARP stand for “Always Available to Retire in Purple.”

[. . .]

Randall Cunningham won the Player of the Year that season, taking the Vikings to the NFC title game. That’s when he should have retired, again.

In ’99, Cunningham quickly lost his job to Jeff George, who coined the term “Slappy” for backstabbing backups, rallied the Vikings to the playoffs, and then was banished by Green.

In 2000, For the second time since Gannon’s benching, the Vikings gave the starting job to one of their own, Daunte Culpepper, who took them to the NFC title game and might have won it if not for the New York Giants stealing the Vikings’ plays and asking nicely that Wasswa Serwanga not cover their receivers.

[. . .]

Brad Johnson bridged the gap to another Vikings draftee, Tarvaris Jackson, who, understanding the Vikings’ role as a nursing home for decrepit quarterbacks, helped find playing time for Kelly Holcombe, Brooks Bollinger, Gus Frerotte (again!), and finally Lord Favre, King Of The Undead.

Since Brett Favre started his first game, Green Bay has used three starting quarterbacks (including Matt Flynn’s cameo). The Vikings have used 16, with the likes of Johnson and Frerotte serving multiple tours.

December 17, 2010

Like everyone else, the Two Scotts go for Chicago to win

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , , , , — Nicholas @ 00:06

They’re both so positive, I don’t think they’d change their minds even if Scarlett Johansson was playing quarterback:

Chicago (minus 3) at Minnesota, Monday night

Reid: After 297 consecutive starts, Brett Favre stood on the sideline last week for the first time since 1992. Tarvaris Jackson, a bit more modestly, will see his most recent streak end at exactly…one game. He’ll be back on the sideline for the first time since December 5th. Who will start? Creaky old Favre? Third string quarterback Joe Webb (of Dragnet fame) would be an interesting choice. He’s played a total of one series in the NFL but, on the upside, he is able to operate his body. Did we mention this game will be played outside at the University of Minnesota? Pick: Chicago.

Feschuk: Quite a debut for Tarvaris Jackson last week. I really admired how he would drop back in the pocket, look left, look right, look terrified and then scamper about the backfield in manic slapstick desperation. Had the Giants been dressed as British bobbies, Jackson would have been immediately sued for copyright infringement by the estate of Benny Hill. Pick: Chicago.

December 16, 2010

Vikings sign Patrick Ramsey, but Webb still likely to start against Bears

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , , , — Nicholas @ 08:49

With injuries to Brett Favre and Tarvaris Jackson, Joe Webb was the only remotely healthy quarterback on the roster (and he has been working through a hamstring injury), so the Vikings had to scour the free agent market for a bit of additional insurance. As a result of their search, they’ve signed Patrick Ramsey to back up Webb:

The Vikings unsettled quarterback situation took a new twist Wednesday as the team signed veteran free agent Patrick Ramsey.

Ramsey, joining his eighth team, has not played in a game since 2008 or started one since 2005. It’s unlikely that he will start Monday night against the Chicago Bears, according to coach Leslie Frazier.

The starter likely will be rookie Joe Webb, who has served as the No. 3 quarterback all season until Monday and even played wide receiver two weeks ago. Last week’s starter, Tarvaris Jackson, won’t be able to play because of a turf toe injury, Frazier indicated.

The game promises to be no picnic for the rookie, as the Metrodome has suffered yet another panel tear in the roof, so it’s impossible to get it repaired and back into use by Monday night. It will be the first outdoor home game for the Vikings since 1981, and the Chicago Bears are probably eager to prove that last week’s embarassment was an anomaly. He’s been used to running the scout team, which means every week he’s running a different offence — he hasn’t had many chances to run Vikings plays.

The game will probably be hosted by the University of Minnesota at their new outdoor stadium, which has a few downsides:

  • Open air means that they’ve got over 100 casual labourers currently working to clear accumulated snow from the stands and the field (and more snow is anticipated over the next few days).
  • The field itself isn’t equipped with heating coils, so under that 16 inches of snow, it’s frozen solid (as one player remarked, it’d be like playing on concrete).
  • The stadium has 13,000 fewer seats and far fewer luxury suites than the Metrodome (and the University’s suite owners have the right of first refusal on any event held at the stadium).
  • Perhaps the toughest thing for the fans: no beer. The university doesn’t have beer sales for their home games, so the concession areas are not equipped (and may not be licensed) to serve beer.

Update: Tarvaris Jackson has been put on injured reserve, ending his season. His roster spot will be taken by Patrick Ramsey. That makes it all but certain that Webb will start his first NFL game on Monday Night Football.

December 14, 2010

Jackson fails to impress in relief of Favre

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , , — Nicholas @ 07:16

It may have been Tarvaris Jackson’s best chance to prove his value to the Vikings, but he was unable to generate much of a passing game:

It would be nice to say that the transition from Brett Favre to Tarvaris Jackson was smooth and seamless. It also would be untrue.

Finally getting his chance to lay claim to the quarterback position, Jackson played poorly against the New York Giants on Monday night. Save for an early first-quarter drive that resulted in the Vikings’ lone three points, Jackson was terribly erratic, and the offense seemed helpless virtually all night. There were fumbled snaps, trip-ups in the backfield and the usual ghastly interception.

Overall, Jackson completed 15 of 30 passes for 118 yards. He was sacked four times and finished with a 46.2 quarterback rating. The worst part of it was that the Giants were daring him to throw. They were putting eight men up front in an effort to stop Minnesota’s running game. That often left single coverage on the wide receivers.

“We all would have liked for him to play better,” coach Leslie Frazier said gingerly.

It would be unfair to put all the blame on Jackson, however, as the Minnesota run defence allowed two running backs to gain more than 100 yards (after allowing only two 100 yard rushing games since 2006). Between no rush (Adrian Peterson was held to 26 yards on 14 carries), no passing game, and no run defence, the game wasn’t much of a challenge for the Giants.

The roof of the Metrodome turns out to have been a harbinger of the whole Vikings 2010 season: caving in.

December 9, 2010

The Two Scotts say thumbs down on the Vikings

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , , , — Nicholas @ 12:51

Not surprisingly, the two Scotts think that the Giants are going to win their matchup with Minnesota on Sunday:

New York Giants (minus 2.5) at Minnesota

Reid: Favre is listed as questionable for Sunday after being knocked out of last week’s game on his first passing attempt. Of course, no one really expects the Vikings to bring Brett’s crusade for 300 straight starts to an end — so Tarvaris Jackson has, once again, been sent out to pick up smokes. In a sad effort to convince the coaches he was ready, Jackson even pretended last week to be Favre by tossing three interceptions. No luck. This streak ends at season’s end or with Jenn Sterger moving into Favre’s bungalow. Pick: New York.

Feschuk: Brett Favre is having an annus way more horribilis than that one the Queen had. With Dong-gate now in the hands of the Commissioner, it’s worth reflecting on the details of the poorly understood NFL Code of Conduct policy. Exactly what does it demand of players like Favre? Here are a few excerpts of note:

     * Players are expected to report ON TIME for all meetings, scrimmages and police lineups.
     * Mandatory snickering in the huddle when the quarterback calls for a “two-minute drill.”
     * If you’re buying prostitutes, make sure you bring enough for the whole team.
     * When getting dressed for a public appearance, players are asked to remember that the penis goes on the inside.

Pick: New York.

December 6, 2010

Vikings win in Turnover Bowl

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , , , , , , — Nicholas @ 08:26

Yesterday’s game in Minneapolis wasn’t expected to be very entertaining: a 2-9 team visiting an out-of-conference 4-7 team isn’t quite ratings gold. The turnovers started early in the game, as Brett Favre went down to a backside hit while throwing, putting the ball up for grabs. Buffalo got the ball and, at least for a few minutes, the momentum.

Favre was injured and Tarvaris Jackson came in to start the next series. Jackson threw an interception that Buffalo ran back for the first score of the game.

After that, it got entertaining — if you were a Vikings fan, anyway.

A month ago, the play that transpired with 4 minutes, 43 seconds left in the first quarter Sunday would have led to the Vikings’ undoing.

Tarvaris Jackson, in place of injured Brett Favre, threw a pass that Buffalo cornerback Drayton Florence stepped in front of and returned 40 yards for a touchdown and a seven-point lead. Under Brad Childress, that would have been a “here we go again” moment.

But under interim coach Leslie Frazier, Florence’s touchdown ended up as a footnote following the Vikings’ 38-14 demolition of a Bills team that looked every bit a bad as its 2-10 record at Mall of America Field.

Favre’s injury was reported as a sprained sternoclavicular joint and he’ll undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the damage. Interim head coach Leslie Frazier said that if Favre could play next week, he’d play — that is, there’s no quarterback controversy here.

Rookie Chris DeGeare made his first start, replacing Steve Hutchinson, and only got mentioned for a false start penalty. That’s good: when you don’t hear the names of your offensive linemen, that usually means that they’re doing a good job. Also on the injury list were Percy Harvin and Ray Edwards. Adrian Peterson was a game-time decision with his sprained ankle from last week (he played, gained 107 yards and scored 3 touchdowns).

Sidney Rice played a great game — he’s finally back in 2009 form, going over 100 yards receiving and scoring two TDs. He clearly was the missing element in the first half of the season.

Joe Webb, the Vikings’ third string quarterback was on the active roster for the first time this season, as a receiver/kick returner, but injured his hamstring and left the game. Running back Toby Gerhart was the replacement KR (replacing Webb, who was playing in place of Harvin). This might have created a problem if Jackson had been injured, as neither Favre nor Webb could go back into the game. Luckily, the issue didn’t arise.

It seemed like a good idea, but Webb’s day ended in the first quarter when he suffered a pulled right hamstring while playing on a punt return.

“I was expecting a lot” of action at receiver, Webb said. “The coaches told me during the week. We had a couple of banged-up guys and they were going to need me to lineup there. I just had my chance to do a couple of things. My [hamstring] just gave out on me but it’ll be all right.”

Frazier acknowledged the Vikings had a “package” of plays for Webb.

Webb’s athletic ability is such that the Vikings decided to give him his first-ever reps on kickoff returns Friday and then trusted him enough to have him return Sunday’s first kick. Webb took the ball 30 yards to the Vikings 35.

“I was trying to pop it out,” he said. “That was my first time ever running a kickoff return. Now that I’ve got a chance to see it and know how I can read it up, I’m sure the next one will be a lot different.”

October 3, 2010

Interesting speculation for the 2011 NFL season

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , , , , , — Nicholas @ 10:57

In a post advising Vikings fans which games this weekend will be of particular interest (our boys having the week off due to an early bye), this item was quite interesting:

After beating Dallas in Week 1, a loss today will be the ‘Skins’ third straight. There will be fingers pointed, which, from the Vikings’ perspective is good. Those who know their history know that the Vikings offense is a glove fit for certain quarterbacks. One was Brett Favre. When his time ran out in Green Bay, the Packers knew that he could kick butt running the same offense with the Vikings. They shipped him off to the Jets, where he was in a foreign offense for the first time in his career. He posted an 8-4 record before injuring his biceps tendon, but, in the end, failed with the Jets. The next year, he ended up with the Vikings. McNabb is being asked to adjust to a Redskins offense that Mike Shanahan has devised — not a West Coast Offense he has spent his entire career running. McNabb hasn’t signed a contract extension — which many insiders thought was a prerequisite to the Redskins making a trade to get him. Unless the Redskins franchise McNabb next year, he will become a free agent. Déjà vu? Let us be among those to throw out the possibility of McNabb replacing Favre as the Vikings QB in 2011. Just sayin’.

I think that might be a worthwhile scenario . . . if Tarvaris Jackson isn’t re-signed next year, it leaves only rookie Joe Webb on the roster at QB. What little I’ve seen of Webb gives me hope for the future, but I’d be astounded if he was ready to start next season (assuming there will be a 2011 season, of course). Bringing in another aging veteran might make a lot of sense in that situation.

September 3, 2010

Fox reports that Sage Rosenfels has been traded to the Giants

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , , , — Nicholas @ 21:30

Fox Sports has a report up saying that the Giants have traded for Minnesota’s Sage Rosenfels:

The Giants had searched for a new backup since Jim Sorgi suffered a season-ending shoulder injury earlier in the preseason. Third-stringer Rhett Bomar, a 2009 fifth-round pick, proved incapable of handling the role when starting in place of the injured Manning (laceration).

A 10-year NFL veteran with 12 career starts, Rosenfels will provide New York with a veteran presence. Rosenfels was acquired by Minnesota via trade with Houston in 2009 and signed to a three-year, $9 million contract extension. But any chance of competing for a starting spot was derailed when Minnesota signed Brett Favre.

Rosenfels has remained mired in a third-string role in Minneapolis behind backup Tarvaris Jackson despite an outstanding preseason statistically. Rosenfels completed 60.8 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions compared with Jackson, who posted a 46.2 completion percentage.

I’m sorry to see Sage go (I thought it would be Tarvaris Jackson who’d be leaving), but hopefully he’s got a good situation in New York. Still, that means it’s pretty much certain that the Vikings will be keeping Joe Webb on the roster, rather than trying to get him past waivers and onto the practice squad.

Update: Judd Zulgad reports that the deal included running back/returner Darius Reynaud and that the Vikings will receive draft picks in the 2011 and 2012 drafts:

Sage Rosenfels apparently was being showcased after all.

The Vikings traded the veteran quarterback and running back Darius Reynaud to the New York Giants on Friday evening for an undisclosed draft choice in the 2011 NFL Draft and a conditional draft choice in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Vikings announced the trade on their website.
The deal is contingent upon both Rosenfels and Reynaud passing physical examinations with the Giants. The trade leaves the Vikings with 73 players, meaning they must cut 20 more by 5 p.m. Saturday.

The trade ends a frustrating season-plus stint in Minnesota for Rosenfels, who arrived in a trade with Houston in February 2009 expecting to compete with Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job but ended up being the No. 3 quarterback last season behind Brett Favre and Jackson.

Is Tarvaris Jackson on the bubble?

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , , — Nicholas @ 07:32

Jeremy Fowler seems to think so:

Jackson swears he’s playing well in practice, where coach Brad Childress says he’s seen “an evolution” in Brett Favre’s backup.

But the work simply hasn’t translated in four preseason games, fueling an already intriguing Vikings quarterback situation.

Jackson is still No. 2 ahead of Sage Rosenfels and Joe Webb, Childress said. Through four preseason games, that No. 2 spot has produced 60 yards on 12-of-26 passing, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions.

That’s 2.3 yards per completion after Thursday’s 2-of-8 passing performance for 2 yards. His two completions were screens of 4 and -2 yards to running back Albert Young.

When the athletic, electric Webb keeps inspiring the crowd with 40-plus-yard runs and improving accuracy, the juxtaposition is hard to ignore.

When asked Thursday night whether Jackson is still the No. 2, Childress said “as it stands right now.” Rosenfels, after all, might be the odd man out despite a solid preseason. The Vikings likely won’t carry four quarterbacks into the season, and Webb, a rookie out of Alabama-Birmingham, might have too much potential to throw to waivers.

With Joe Webb having an impressive preseason, there’s no chance he could slip through waivers and get signed to the practice squad. Many other teams in the conference would probably be willing to snap him up. Sage Rosenfels is under contract for another year, while Jackson and Favre both are out of contract at the end of this season. I’ve always liked Jackson, but his inconsistent play may force Brad Childress to go with Rosenfels and Webb as the second and third quarterbacks. I still doubt it, as Childress has been very loyal to Jackson through all the criticisms, but it’s a stronger possibility now than it was just a week ago.

Fowler also likes what he’s seen from Joe Webb:

Tarvaris Jackson might have played poorly, but Joe Webb took over the second half with 5-of-9 passing for 100 yards, a touchdown, an interception and 48 rushing yards.

The Vikings must cut the roster from 75 to 53 players on Saturday, and Webb says he’s still confident in his chances to stick.

The Metrodome erupted the moment Webb entered the game. Webb’s only disappointment was an interception by the sideline, but even his touchdown-saving tackle was impressive athletically.

The last time the Vikings tried to sneak a promising rookie quarterback onto their practice squad, Kansas City signed him (Tyler Thigpen). Within the first half of the season, Thigpen was starting for KC. Hopefully, Minnesota learned that lesson.

August 4, 2010

Favre retirement story switches again

Filed under: Football, Media — Tags: , , , — Nicholas @ 13:15

Yesterday, the sports news was full of the “Brett Favre is retiring” meme. Today, we’re back to “Of course he’s going to play”. Favre denies having sent any text messages announcing his decision:

Brett Favre told ESPN’s Ed Werder in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Wednesday that he has not made any decision about returning to play for the Minnesota Vikings this season and says he will play if healthy.

Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, said in a statement to the NFL Network on Wednesday that the quarterback has an appointment with Dr. James Andrews next week and will know more at that time. Andrews performed surgery on Favre’s ankle in May.

Favre denied sending text messages to Vikings teammates and club officials that might have indicated he had decided to retire.

Favre told ESPN that he has decided to play for Minnesota in 2010 if his surgically repaired ankle heals but said the fact he has not been able to decide his future reflects his level of concern about regaining his health.

Tarvaris Jackson isn’t the happiest man in Minnesota today (but then again, he probably didn’t take the story seriously yesterday either).

August 3, 2010

Brett Favre announces his retirement

Filed under: Football, Media — Tags: , , , — Nicholas @ 11:13

Either he’s really worried about that ankle, or he’s upset that his intentions are being taken for granted . . . and this will certainly shake things up in the NFC North. Bleacher Report has a quick summary:

Brett Favre began to inform Vikings officials Monday night he will not return for his 20th season, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and Jay Glazer of FOX.

Favre reportedly told teammates and coaches that his ankle has not responded and he doesn’t plan to play this year. Favre is expected to issue a press release later Tuesday and the team hopes he changes his mind.

If the retired-then-unretired-then-re-retired Favre doesn’t change his mind again, the happiest man in Minnesota today is Tarvaris Jackson.

Update: ESPN report:

Update, the second: Of course, for some people this news means that the sad-sack Vikings will be lucky to beat anyone this season. Apparently the only thing that matters for success in the NFL is your quarterback: running backs, wide receivers, offensive line, defence, they’re all immaterial compared to the quality of your quarterback.

September 3, 2009

Tarvaris Jackson on the trade block?

Filed under: Football — Tags: , , — Nicholas @ 09:19

Last month I wrote,

Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson try to avoid saying anything newsworthy to the media. Hard to blame them . . . they’ve each just had their best chance for professional success kicked out from underneath them. I’m sure each is thinking “it’s only a one-year deal . . .”

Of course, there’s the other aspect: most NFL teams only carry three quarterbacks into the regular season — who’ll be the odd man out? Rosenfels played well in the pre-season opener, and was brought in for a 4th round draft choice. Jackson was a 2nd round pick, but still hasn’t shown that he’s able to be consistent. Booty is still the total unknown. Who will be given their walking papers?

The answer is apparently Tarvaris Jackson:

The Vikings have called teams to see what they would be willing to offer in exchange for backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, according to a league source.

The Vikings have four quarterbacks on their roster, which must be trimmed to 53 players by Saturday. Coach Brad Childress said recently the team possibly could keep four quarterbacks, but it seems more likely that it will trade or release one.

Jackson has been the subject of trade rumors since Brett Favre arrived. However, it remains unclear which direction the Vikings will go if they are unable to trade Jackson.

I’m not surprised, but I am disappointed. Jackson has the potential to be very, very good, as he demonstrated in the second pre-season game. Unfortunately, he’s not been as consistent as he needed to be. It’s likely he’ll be picked up by another team, but not many teams are looking at adding players right now: mandatory roster cuts are looming (teams must be down to 53 players by Saturday).

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