Hope(lessness) Springs Eternal
Jeff Warner
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Hear that? It’s the sound of hope. If you listen close enough, you can hear something else close behind. The sound of your hopes and dreams being destroyed. Sorry, I suppose that’s just a defense mechanism I’ve created after years of punishing, soul-crushing losses following exciting starts. Last season going into the bye, I was convinced that this time would be different. The defense was actually being compared by some to the ’85 bears and despite losing our flashy franchise running back, the running game was getting it done the last 2 games going into the bye. Sound familiar?
Now…..Heres why I think that this time really will be different.
Our season was literally “sacked” last year given the futility of our O-line. At the beginning, the outlook wasn’t too bad…We made a huge offseason signing in Alex Boone who had recently been outstanding at left guard for the Niners, Matt Kalil was in a “prove it” year, we would be solid with Berger or Sullivan at center and I was ok with the idea of Zimmer attempting to create competition at the other positions. Then Murphy’s law struck. Our competition at right tackle was over before it began as Harris and Loadholt never even made it to training camp. Our 4th rd pick Willie Beavers somehow managed to not even crack the roster. Eventually, Smith and Fusco were thrust into starting roles by default. Kalil and Smith were lost to injury and the Vikings were left to scramble between a revolving door of a hobbled Jake Long, (trying to resurrect his career despite his knees being made of paper mache) Jeremiah Sirles, Rashod Hill, and the dumpster fire that was TJ Clemmings. I’ve watched some players struggle on our teams in years past, but some games last year were nearly unwatchable with Clemmings getting beaten so badly so consistently.
That was last season.
Everyone knew that the #1 priority of this off-season would be to upgrade the offensive line. At this point, you have to give Spielman credit as it looks like he’s done a great job of re-stocking the cupboard for Zimmer and Sparano. I don’t mind saying that Riley Reiff has been nothing short of spectacular at left tackle and our other offseason signing Mike Remmers has done an excellent job at right tackle. Berger has been solid at right guard after being replaced at center by the young, exciting Buckeye import and 2016 Rimington trophy winner Pat Eflein. Finally, Boone (made expendable by Shurmurs shift to a zone blocking scheme) was somewhat shockingly released before the start of the season and replaced by the familiar Nick Easton. This offensive line has remained mostly healthy so far and when injuries have occurred, our depth players have filled in admirably helping to keep the chains moving. I believe that the improvement of our offensive line is the single biggest reason why our team has a real shot this year. They are allowing Shurmur to truly unleash his full playbook and not simply pass the ball 3 yards downfield before our QB is road-graded by the opposing d-end. We currently have the 8th ranked passing offense in terms of yards. That works when you have a kicker who is automatic from 40-50 yards while inexplicably struggling with 33-yard attempts.
But there’s more reason for misplaced optimism. Now, even though they’re injecting Just For Men into Bradford’s knee (or whatever the hell they’re doing) I think he’s done. Based on a gut feeling and my extensive background in sports medicine, I think we’re probably going to roll with Keenum until he gives us a reason to do otherwise. He’s sporting a 7-3 TD:INT ratio, and through more than 5 games he has only been sacked 5 times…or for those of you counting, the same number of times that Bradford was sacked in 5 quarters. I know that the beginning of the past few games have been a bit painful to watch, but Keenum has not really compromised our position to win any game. If we do get into a shootout, can he win a game for us? That’s another discussion. For now, let’s assume that it is Keenum until the wheels fall off. He certainly has some tools at his disposal, starting with RB. Where the hell did this Jerick McKinnon come from? This is the guy we drafted. He’s got to focus more on ball security (and finding another TD routine…widely ours have been awful this year) but between he and Murray, we actually have a very formidable 1-2 punch in our backfield. Add in the always steady Kyle Rudolph and our receiving core…this team could very well be the class of the NFC. On that receiving core, how about Thielen? Gotta love the big yellow gloves, you know he’s going to come down with it when it comes his way. Late fumble in the Lions game notwithstanding, he earns the offensive MVP runner-up in my book as he has truly recognized his full potential. I almost got into a boxing match the other night when I unsuccessfully pleaded my case with a diehard Packers fan that when healthy, Diggs is the best WR in the game today. If you were watching his first two games this year, you might have confused him with #84. Brown or Moss, take your pick…when this kid is healthy, he’s as good as you will find.
We really don’t need to bring much attention to the defense. This version is currently the best Zimmer has put on the field in his tenure as head coach. There are too many STARS on this squad to mention any one by name but you have to recognize the play of Everson Griffen and Harry the Hitman. If we can continue to get development out of Trae Waynes (I believe he is much better this season) I think opposing teams will struggle to find many weaknesses to exploit.
So, our offensive line is allowing our offense to stay on the field, and more importantly, keep our defense from tiring too quickly. Although we are still struggling to score in the Red Zone (currently ranked 23rd) our defense might just be good enough to do the rest. Hell, if the Jaguars can win with a stellar defense and a turd named Blake, surely we can win with a guy named Case and get ourselves into the playoffs?
So, with that being said, here’s my blueprint for getting in.
I think we win next week at Fed-Ex coming off the bye. Our O-line will be pressured as the Skins blitz at one of the highest rates in the league, but they will be rested and ready to go. We can handle Kirk Cousins. We win this one. Then we face the surprising Rams at home. While I would like Gurley to have a career day for selfish reasons which I will not disclose, I don’t think this team and their young, inexperienced QB beats us in a raucous US Bank stadium. 2-0 out of the break. Then it’s Ford Field on Thanksgiving. Give the Lions their due. They’re not the model of ineptitude that they were in so many years past. That mantle has been passed down to the awful Cleveland Browns. But does anyone here really believe that this team will stand for being swept by the Lions for 2 consecutive seasons? Me neither. This is another win.
Then we play the Falcons on the road and even though they haven’t been what everyone expected this year, I could see this being a tough game to win. Obviously, the health of our team will play a large role in what occurs; but for the sake of reality and adjusting for the fact that God seems to have a vendetta against MN sports teams I’m giving us a loss here. Then at Carolina…again, tough one here. We stomped them last year (literally Linval was very hungry and almost destroyed Cams foot last time) and I could see the Panthers coming out strong to avenge last years loss.
Bengals at home, then to Lambeau wrapping up the season at home Vs the Bears. It’s 100% reasonable to expect that our 2nd half record could match our first. Then again, I guess that’s the optimist in me. The realist in me recognizes that only one thing is guaranteed for a diehard Vikings fan. Perennial anticipation and promise inevitably giving way to anguish and heartache. Don’t come looking for me in January. I’ll likely be in mourning.