Brett Favre: Five Attributes He Would Bring to the Vikings’ Offense

With all the news and rumors floating around Minnesota and the national media coverage of the Brett Favre fiasco, many are wondering simply if it will happen.

Will Favre be in purple Week One when the Vikings visit the Cleveland Browns?

However, nobody is really analyzing it; they are just trying to pick up on the key news on if he will sign with Minnesota later in the offseason.

So, what will the veteran quarterback bring to the table for a Vikings offense that has the talent, but not the leadership under center?

 

1. Leadership

This is something the Vikings have lacked at the quarterback position since the 2005 season when Daunte Culpepper was leading the offense. Culpepper was later injured for the season after tearing three ligaments in his knee. Quarterback Brad Johnson took over, but really wasn’t the communicative guy with his teammates.

When Johnson was benched in 2006, the Tarvaris Jackson era began. Jackson has been inconsistent to put it simply, and has always been too young to be the leader the Vikings want him to be.

However, teammates and coaches have praised Jackson’s improving leadership qualities in the huddle, which is certainly a relief if he is indeed the future of the Vikings.

Favre has the veteran experience and has the characteristics to be a leader for an offense full of young players with the potential to put together a top scoring offense in the NFL. You rarely will see him hold the ball too long in the pocket, he always knows where he wants to go with the ball.

Favre also would help receivers with his knowledge of different defensive coverages.

 

2. Knowledge

There’s a reason Favre currently holds the record for most touchdown passes in a career. The man knows how to read a defense.

There hardly is a scheme Favre hasn’t seen, and from watching him on film, he is not often confused by what he sees at the line of scrimmage. You can often see him reading a movement or audible from the defense and instantly checking the play to create an advantage for the offense.

Both Jackson and newly acquired Sage Rosenfels have not had the experience, and that has shown. In the NFC Wildcard Playoffs against the Eagles in 2008, Jackson struggled terribly against the blitz. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson had his way with the inexperienced quarterback.

Not only would Favre improve the offense with his knowledge, he would be able to teach all of the younger quarterbacks on the roster on reading a defense.

 

3. Preparation

Not only has Brett Favre seen many schemes and coverages in his career to help him in the case of signing with Minnesota, he knows the scheme that would matter the most: the Vikings’ offense.

Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was Favre’s quarterbacks coach in Green Bay from 2003-2005 and runs  a very similar system now that he did then.

This would make a Brett Favre signing a very easy transition for the veteran signal-caller.

You see, many rookies and free agent quarterbacks struggle with their learning of a new offensive system. However, Favre would come in and only need to learn some of the new terminology. The offense is almost identical to what he and Bevell ran in Green Bay.

Oh, by the way, he might have an idea about what the guys in green and gold run, too.

 

4. Awareness in the Pocket

This is what single-handedly stalled the Vikings offense in their loss to the Eagles in the playoffs. Tarvaris Jackson was blitzed heavily and made some awful throws due to being under pressure. He often would not get his feet set in the pocket and/or would get sacked from a defender because of his eyes being downfield.

Almost the same as his knowledge of different defenses, Favre has the ability to avoid sacks by stepping up in the pocket and buying more time for his receivers to get out of their routes.

Favre also knows how to read where the blitz is coming, or isn’t coming according to Ben Leber in a recent interview while on the Vikings’ “You Made the Team” tour in Marshall, Minn. Leber talked about the veteran when he was facing the purple’s defense.

“He knew we weren’t blitzing, and he knew what we were doing,” Leber said.

Oh, the mismatches that could create for the Vikings offense.

 

5. Management of the Offense

Many losses in the 2008 season came as a result of the offense giving the defense a short field to work with. Jackson and quarterback Gus Frerotte tried too many times to do too much with the ball, and that sometimes resulted in turnovers that set up the opposition in Vikings territory on their next possession.

Although Favre has thrown the most interceptions in NFL history, his main role in the Vikings offense would be to take what the defense gives him while running Adrian Peterson to wear down the defense.

His objective would not be to win games for the Vikings, but help put together an effective offense that would combine with a shut down defense to turn the purple into Super Bowl contenders in ’09.

 

Source: Favre Doesn’t Want Surgery on Throwing Shoulder

After a report today from the St. Paul Pioneer Press that said retired quarterback Brett Favre would be meeting with Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday to discuss surgery that he would undergo to release a tendon in his right arm, we have contradicting news.

ESPN’s Ed Werder is reporting that, according to a source, Favre does not want to undergo surgery and would rather take a non-surgical route to release the tendon.

Such surgical options would be bicep curls and natural movements with cortisone shots to make the tendon in his right arm release on its own.

According to various doctors, the partially torn tendon in his arm is most likely what is causing the pain. However, if the tendon were to tear the whole way, the pain would cease and Favre would still be able to throw the ball.

Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, has denied all reports linking the quarterback to a second unretirement.

Many think that if Favre’s arm can get healthy, he will sign with the Vikings for the 2009 season.

Stay tuned, this story has more twists and turns than a roller coaster.

Vikings: 5-11 Or 15-1? Ten Plays That Shaped the 2008 Season

Last season was one of twists and turns for the Minnesota Vikings, with some fans forgetting that this was a team that won a division title for the first time since 2000.

Minnesota started off 1-3, but behind more steady quarterback managements and some game-changing plays, they reeled off nine wins in their final 12 games and won the NFC North.

Along the way, there were many big plays in crucial moments as well as some plays that seemed to turn the tide for the opposition.

Here are some of the plays of the 2008 Vikings season that might have cost the team some games or pushed the Vikings over the top to get a “W.”

Plays That Stopped the Vikings From Wins

1.Visanthe Shiacoe’s Dropped Touchdown: Week Two vs. Colts

In the first quarter of the Vikings’ home opener, Shiancoe dropped a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

The fans let Shiancoe hear it going back to the bench and Jackson lost his starting job later in the week after the 18-15 loss in which the Vikings could only muster five field goals.

What Could Have Happened: Who knows? With a Shiancoe catch in the end zone, the Vikings put more pressure on Peyton Manning in the second half and get their first win of the season. Jackson probably keeps his job under center. Instead, the team is led by Gus Frerotte to keep the season from falling apart.

 

2. Charles Gordon’s Muffed Punt, Special Teams Touchdown for Bears: Week Seven at Bears

In a shootout in the Windy City in week seven, the Vikings made a couple blunders on special teams that gave Chicago 14 points. The first? Vikings cornerback Charles Gordon was going to let a punt go into the endzone, but the ball bounced up and hit his arm. Bears cornerback Zack Bowman fell on top of it for the touchdown. The Bears won 48-41.

What Could Have Happened: With the recovery in the endzone, the Bears went up 24-17 and led the rest of the way in a much-needed win to stay ahead of the Vikings in the division. If the ball doesn’t take a funny bounce and hit Gordon in the arm, the Vikings go on offense in a tie game. Special teams was the name of the game week seven in Chicago.

 

3. Incompletion on 4th-and-1 in the Second Half: Week 11 at Buccaneers

In the second half at Tampa Bay, the Vikings were tied with the Buccaneers and were lining up on a 4th-and-1 play on their own 49 yard line. Vikings head coach Brad Childress elected to go through the air instead of giving the ball to Adrian Peterson. Quarterback Gus Frerotte rolled to the right and threw a nice ball to Peterson who was running a streak and had a step on Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks. Brooks, who appeared to grab Peterson’s arm before the ball got to him, made the play and turned the ball over to the Tampa Bay offense in a 19-13 Bucs win.

What Could Have Happened: There is no reason to think Peterson wouldn’t have scored had he caught the ball with a step on Brooks. In that case, the Vikings go up by seven and could have won a much-needed game to put them on top of the NFC North by a game.

 

4. Falcons Recover Own Fumble in Endzone for Touchdown: Week 16 vs. Falcons

In the third quarter of a game against the Atlanta Falcons later in the season at the Metrodome, the Vikings were down by seven with the defense looking to make a play and get the offense back on the field. Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan dove toward the goal line and was hit low and the ball popped loose in the endzone. Both cornerback Cedric Griffin and safety Darren Sharper had shots at picking up the loose ball but neither could, as Falcons tackle Justin Blalock fell on top of it and gave the Falcons a 24-7 lead. The Falcons won 24-17.

What Could Have Happened: If the Vikings fall on top of the ball, they give the ball back to the offense only down by 10 with much of the second half to go. And judging by how they finished the game, the Vikings had enough fire power left to come back and win the game to clinch the division title.

 

5. Jackson’s Interception That Was Returned For a Touchdown: Wild Card Playoffs vs. Eagles

In the first round of the playoffs, the Vikings were playing a Philadelphia Eagles team that was not supposed to be there in the first place, but got help the previous week along with blowing out the Dallas Cowboys to win an NFC Wild Card spot.

In the second quarter with the Eagles holding a two-point edge, Tarvaris Jackson threw a terrible pass to the right that was intercepted by Asante Samuel and returned for a touchdown to put the Eagles up 16-7. The Eagles won 26-14 to end the Vikings’ season.

What Could Have Happened: If Jackson simply holds the ball and takes a sack, the Vikings can punt the ball away and give quarterback Donovan McNabb and company a longer field. That would have given the Vikings defense an advantage and with a turnover or two, put them in a position to score points and move on to the NFC Divisional Playoffs.

 

Plays That Helped the Vikings Win the NFC North

1. Peterson’s Touchdown Run to Beat Green Bay: Week 10 vs. Packers

With both the Vikings and Packers sitting at 4-4 in a week 10 border battle, quarterback Gus Frerotte had already thrown three interceptions, one for a touchdown, and the offense was not getting much done.

With less than five minutes, Adrian Peterson provided the spark that the offense needed. With just over two minutes left in the game, Peterson took a handoff to the right and with some good blocking, scampered 29 yards for the tying touchdown. Ryan Longwell kicked the extra point to give the Vikings the lead 28-27 and Minnesota won to move up a game over Green Bay in the NFC North.

What Could Have Happened: The Vikings offense could have been stopped or turned the ball over, which would have resulted in a devastating loss for the purple. Minnesota would have dropped to 4-5, making their road to the NFC North title an uphill battle the rest of the season.

 

2. Antoine Winfield’s Sack, Scoop, and Score against Carolina: Week Three vs. Panthers

With the Vikings 0-2 and down 10-3 at home against the Carolina Panthers in week three, the smallest guy on the field might have made the biggest play of the game.

With a little over a minute left in the first half, Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme dropped back to pass. Winfield came on a delayed blitz and smacked Delhomme to force the ball out. He had great awareness to see the ball, pick it up, and run 19 yards to tie the game at 10 going into halftime.

What Could Have Happened: If the Panthers get down the field and kick a field goal or even go into halftime with a seven-point lead and momentum, the Vikings have an uphill battle to avoid an 0-3 start to the season.

 

3.Winfield’s Blocked Field Goal Return for a Touchdown: Week Five at Saints

In the first quarter, Saints quarterback Drew Brees had be tearing apart the Vikings secondary already up 7-0 and was moving the ball into Minnesota territory when the drive stalled and the field goal unit came on the field for New Orleans. The Vikings blocked the kick and the ball fell perfectly in cornerback Antoine Winfield’s hands behind the play and he took it back 59 yards for the touchdown to tie the game. Minnesota won 30-27.

What Could Have Happened: If the Vikings don’t block the field goal and kicker Martin Gramatica converts, the Saints go up 10-0. That hole would not be impossible to overcome, but difficult with the way the secondary was playing against Brees and the Saints’ passing attack.

 

4. Tarvaris Jackson’s Touchdown Pass to Visanthe Shiancoe: Week 14 at Detroit

With a trip to Detroit after a huge win against Chicago in week 13, the game against the winless Lions seemed like the ideal trap game.

Well, it started out that way, with quarterback Gus Frerotte throwing two interceptions and being knocked out of the game in the first half. Enter Tarvaris Jackson, who struggled badly in the first two games of the season and lost his job. Jackson came in and managed the game well.

With the Vikings down by four with a little over 11 minutes left and the ball at the Lions’ 11, Jackson ran a bootleg to the right and hit tight end Visanthe Shiancoe for the go-ahead touchdown. The Vikings won 20-16 to keep their lead on the NFC North heading into week 15.

What Could Have Happened: The Vikings’ offense could have settled for a field goal at that moment to come within one of Detroit, but at that point all bets are off. Getting that lead took some pressure off of Jackson to score more points and the Vikes held on.

 

5. Vikings Goal Line Stand against Chicago on Sunday Night: Week 13 vs. Bears

With the top spot in the NFC North on the line in a nationally televised game in week 13, the Bears were at the Vikings’ one yard line with a 7-3 lead.

After three consecutive tries, the Bears were still at the one. Head coach Lovie Smith decided to keep the offense on the field. Quarterback Kyle Orton handed the ball off to Matt Forte, who was smacked on the right side of the line by many Viking defenders, led by defensive tackle Pat Williams.

On the next play, Frerotte threw a 99-yard touchdown to former Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian and the Vikings took a 10-7 lead. Minnesota went on to win 34-14 and take sole possession of first place in the NFC North.

What Could Have Happened: The Bears take a 14-3 lead if they put the ball into the end zone with Forte. This puts pressure on Frerotte and the Vikings’ passing game to make plays, something that wasn’t a strength last season. The game could have very well been put away early without this momentum-changing play and the Bears go on to take the lead in the division.

Vikings’ Stopgaps or Starters? Players Who Need To Improve in ’09

The Vikings had a number of players in 2008 that carried the team to their first division title since 2000.

However, there were high expectations for a Vikings team than an early first-round exit in the playoffs.

All the free agents Zygi Wilf brought in via his private jet proved dividends (minus Thomas Tapeh), each contributing to a struggling pass offense as well as pass defense.

The reason for optimism? Many players that looked promising in 2007 seemed to underachieve in ’08.

Here is a list of the players that need to produce this season in order to keep their jobs and help the Vikings make a championship run.

 

1. Center/Right Tackle Ryan Cook

Vikings fans and media have been pretty lenient with the play of Ryan Cook his first three seasons in the league. Cook started 14 games, being benched before Week 12 due to his penalties and inconsistent play.

That wasn’t the first time Cook had played off and on in his career, struggling most with his pass blocking earlier in his career.

Cook was drafted in the second round of the 2006 draft, the pick the Vikings received from the Dolphins for shipping quarterback Daunte Culpepper to Miami.

This summer, Cook’s best bet is to move back into his natural position at center and compete with second-year player John Sullivan. With the selection of right tackle Phil Loadholt in April’s draft, he can probably see the writing on the wall. If Cook wants to be in purple in 2010, he needs to show he can be a consistent offensive linemen and provide stable relief if he is in a backup position in ’09.

 

2. Wide Receiver Sidney Rice

In his rookie season of 2007, Rice looked to be a young and promising receiver for the Vikings, as well as a mediocre deep threat. That season, Rice caught 31 balls for 396 yards and four touchdowns.

Last season, Vikings VP of Player Personnel Rick Speilman wanted a receiver who could stretch the field and brought in the former Chicago Bear Bernard Berrian.

In 2008, Berrian proved to be a receiver who could make big plays on third downs as well as keep the safeties honest. It’s just too bad no one was on the other side.

Rice injured his knee in week two in a home game against the Colts that seemed to affect his play the rest of the season.

He did match his touchdown total from 2007 but only had about half the receptions (15) and less than half in yardage receiving (141).

If Rice wants to be a solid No. 3 receiver for the Vikings, he must remain healthy as well as come up with big plays between the 20’s in 2009.

 

3. Cornerback Benny Sapp

While Sapp played decently in the nickel spot when cornerback Charles Gordon went down with an ankle injury in week ten, he committed many mental errors in 2008 that made the coaching staff cringe.

In Week 13 in a Sunday night game against the Chicago Bears with first place in the NFC North on the line, Sapp made a crucial error in the first half. After a key third down stop that would have forced the Bears to either punt or kick a long field goal, Sapp got into an altercation with receiver Rashied Davis in which he swung and hit Davis in the helmet.

He was flagged for unnecessary roughness and gave the Bears a first down. Luckily for Sapp, the Vikings made a goal line stand and went on to win 34-14.

Sapp will compete for the nickel corner spot in training camp. If the Vikings want to improve on defending the pass when offenses spread out, they will need Sapp to be a factor and not commit any penalties that keep the defense on the field in 2009.

 

4. Fullback Naufahu Tahi

This is a bit harder for me to say because I actually was impressed with Tahi’s lead blocking for running back Adrian Peterson in 2008. He was thrust into the starting role when the team held out Thomas Tapeh and later released him and Tahi seemed to adjust well.

However, I would have liked to see Tapeh do more when catching the football out of the backfield. Numerous times I saw him catch a pass out in the flat and get tackled by one defender or simply drop the football.

If Naufahu Tahi can prove to be more of a threat catching the football in Brad Childress’ west coast offense and continue doing a good job when lead blocking for Peterson, it will provide relief for whoever is under center in 2009 for the Vikings.

 

5. Defensive End Ray Edwards

Before the ’08 season, Edwards claimed he would break Michael Strahan’s record of 22.5 sacks in a season after the Vikings acquired Jared Allen in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Okay, that didn’t happen, and that’s an understatement.

Edwards underachieved in 2008, recording only five sacks and not bringing consistent pressure up front.

If Edwards continues to underachieve, his starting spot could become up-for-grabs. Defensive end Brian Robison seems to be a promising young player for the Vikings and at this pace, he could become the next starter at left end.

 

Adrian Peterson Speaks Out on Brett Favre Situation

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been very quiet about quarterback Brett Favre and his possibility unretiring for a second time to sign with the Vikings.

Until now.

Peterson, in a recent interview with ESPN, talked about the possibility of Favre coming to Minnesota and how he admires his passion.

”I know it’s a possibility, so just him coming in, just the leadership he would definitely bring,” Peterson said. “A guy that’s well respected, been around the league a long time. I’m a big fan of him. I grew up watching him and just loving the passion he played with. That would be something he would definitely bring to the locker room.”

When it comes to Favre, Peterson admits that even he can’t get away from the media frenzy.

”I really haven’t been trying to focus too much on it. I love watching the sports channels, so it’s always on there. But other than that I’ve really just been focused on getting my body right and doing the things I need to do to be able to contribute to the team this year,” said Peterson.

Even if Favre doesn’t return as a Viking, Peterson said he has confidence in Tarvaris Jackson to be the starting quarterback this season.

”I’m so confident in Tarvaris,” said Peterson. “Really haven’t seen too much of Sage but Tarvaris has got all the talent. He’s got everything. He’s got a good arm, is talented. He’s got everything it takes to make it in this league. So, I know he’s been doing a lot this offseason to get his body right, his mind right. Most importantly to be able to come out and get the starting job.”

It sounds like Peterson would be happy to have a veteran leader like Brett Favre under center but also thinks Jackson can be an effective starter for the Vikings.

Either way, Peterson will look to repeat as the NFL’s leading rusher in 2009 and guide Minnesota to it’s first Super Bowl appearance since 1977.

 

Visanthe Shiancoe: Vikings’ Tight End Knocked Down, But Back Up

Last season it appeared the wheels were coming off for Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe.

After a disappointing 2007 season in which he only caught 27 passes for 323 yards and a touchdown, the Vikings were expecting more production out of the tight end they signed from the New York Giants in March of ’07.

In 2008, Shiancoe hit what might have been the rock bottom of his career in weeks one and two.

After catching a measly three passes at Green Bay in week one, Shiancoe dropped a sure touchdown pass from Tarvaris Jackson in week two at home against Indianapolis.

In the game, Shiancoe caught one pass for 23 yards, but hardly anyone remembered that play.

The play that stuck out in fan’s minds was the drop in the back corner of the end zone, mostly because the Vikings ended up losing a game in which they kicked five field goals and lost 18-15 to drop to 0-2 on the season.  

Now I know players do drop balls every once in awhile, but when you are a struggling tight end who signed an $18 million contract before the previous season, everyone expects you to come up with the big play.

After much talk around the Twin Cities about the team possibly cutting Shiancoe to give backup tight end Garrett Mills a shot, the six-year tight end proved to get back on track in week three with a change at the quarterback position.

With Gus Frerotte inserted in week three, Shiancoe caught two passes for 38 yards, and a touchdown that put the game out of reach for the Panthers.

He picked up the next week at Tennessee, catching four passes for 47 yards. The offense had seen the tight end come up in big situation, giving Frerotte the confidence to look Shiancoe’s way when the team needed a big play.

In the Vikings next four games, Shiancoe caught three touchdown passes as well as becoming a go-to third down receiver over the middle.

Finally, Shiancoe had become the pass-catching tight end he knew he could be.

Down the stretch, the quarterback play for the Vikings took a turn for more inconsistency, and Tarvaris Jackson was put into action in a week 14 game at the Detroit Lions after Frerotte left the game with a back injury. With first place in the NFC North on the line, Shiancoe caught a crucial touchdown pass from Jackson on a roll out play that helped the Vikings come back and win 20-16.

However, the best was yet to come.

In a week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Visanthe Shiancoe proved he could be an offensive threat, maybe even a top five tight end in the game.

He had season highs in receptions (7), receiving yards (136), and touchdowns (2).

Instead of fans and media talking about his release, they were talking about the maturity that this 28-year-old tight end had shown.

Next year, when the Vikings are moving the ball with running back Adrian Peterson and wide receivers Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin, don’t forget about big #81 in the middle of the field.

Even if Shiancoe gets knocked down early on, expect him to get right back up and catch the football.

Analyzing the First Half of the Vikings’ 2009 Season

In 2009, the Vikings will look to repeat at NFC North Division Champions, something much easier said than done with the improvements that have come about in the division this past offseason.

The Vikings will start off on the road the first two weeks of the season, the first time that has happened since 1997 when they went to Buffalo and Chicago.

This year, they will go to Cleveland and Detroit in weeks one and two, respectively, then come home to face the first round pick wide receiver Michael Crabtree and the San Francisco 49ers.

The Vikings will stay at home for a Monday night game against Green Bay, which could be very intriguing if quarterback Brett Favre does sign to play in purple. In week five, the Vikings will return to the road and try to slow down running back Steven Jackson and the St. Louis Rams.

Former Vikings center Matt Birk and the Baltimore Ravens will come to the Metrodome in week six. The Vikings will round out the first half of the season on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in week seven and a game at Lambeau Field against quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in week eight.

The 2004 Minnesota Vikings: My Favorite Team of All-Time

Many Minnesota Vikings fans would easily single out the 1998 team as their favorite of all-time.

How can you blame them after establishing a 15-1 record and hosting the NFC Championship?

However, the reason I didn’t pick that team was because I was just learning the NFL at about that time in my life. By the way, I did cry after the 1998 NFC Championship Game.

When I first started grasping the NFL, the Vikings had the likes of quarterback Daunte Culpepper and wide receiver Randy Moss. So, 2004 was a year I will never forget.

Let me give you the reasons why:

 

1. Daunte Culpepper Throwing 39 Touchdown Passes

In my life, I had never seen a Vikings quarterback play as well as Culpepper did in 2004. Yes, I know Randall Cunningham had a spectacular season in 1998 with a 106.0 quarterback rating in the regular season. But what amazed me was the mobility Culpepper had while still being able to throw with accuracy.

I specifically remember him in a game at Green Bay in which defensive tackle Cletidus Hunt broke through the line of scrimmage and wrapped Culpepper up in the pocket.

However, Daunte was able to spin out of the tackle, roll to his left, and hit tight end Jermaine Wiggins on a perfect strike to pick up a big first down.

If Peyton Manning had not thrown 49 touchdown passes that season, Culpepper might have been the league’s MVP.

 

2. Spoiling Bill Parcells’ Debut as Cowboys Head Coach

In a week one home game, the Vikings obliterated the Dallas Cowboys in Bill Parcells first game as head coach.

Daunte Culpepper threw his first touchdown to second-year running back Onterrio Smith and that’s all they needed for the offense to blow up.

Culpepper threw five touchdowns in the game—two to Randy Moss—and the Vikings easily won 35-17.

 

3. A 5-1 Start to the Season

The Vikes started off hot in the first six games of the season, only losing to the eventual NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles 27-16 on a Monday night game in week two.

After the loss, the Vikings reeled off four straight beginning with division rival Chicago 27-22 at home in week three.

Culpepper again threw five touchdown passes in a week five shoot-out. The most important was a 50-yard strike to wide receiver Marcus Robinson in overtime to give Minnesota a 3-1 start.

The Vikings then went in to New Orleans in week six and beat the Saints 38-31 as Culpepper threw five touchdowns for the second straight week. Minnesota rounded off their first six games with a home win against the Tennessee Titans 20-3.

 

4. Kevin Williams’ Scoop-and-Score in Week 12

In week 12, with the Vikings 6-4 and in need of a win against Jacksonville, the defense came up big when it had to.

Second-year defensive tackle Kevin Williams took a Byron Leftwich fumble, forced by defensive end Kenechi Udeze, 77 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.

On the play, first-year Viking cornerback Antoine Winfield threw himself into an offensive tackle to allow Williams to run untouched.

That’s what this team was about on offense, defense, and special teams: excitement.

 

5. Winning in the NFC Wildcard Playoffs at Lambeau Field

This is my favorite Vikings game of all-time.

After losing to the Packers in week 16 on Christmas Eve and losing the NFC North along with it, the Vikings went into Lambeau Field having “backed in” to the playoffs—as many media members put it.

The Vikings forced Packers quarterback Brett Favre into four interceptions as Daunte Culpepper threw four touchdowns—two to Moss—and steam-rolled Green Bay 31-17.

 

Those are my five reasons why the 2004 Vikings are my all-time favorite team so far. Recent? Yes.

But I am young so cut me some slack. I have a feeling one of the Vikings’ future teams will replace this team as my favorite of all-time.

 

Antoine Winfield Contract Talks Stall with Minnesota Vikings

According to Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield’s agent, Ashanti Webb, talks between the two sides regarding a new contract have been put off.

“There are no active negotiations and there are no further talks planned,” Ashanti Webb said in a text message to the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Sunday.

Winfield is going into the final year of his contract after a season in which he was selected to his first Pro Bowl.

He also had 95 tackles and two interceptions last season along with being a leader on and off the field.

If the Vikings were to not get a deal done with Winfield, the team would be looking at a few young corners on the roster to replace him in 2010.

These include cornerback Charles Gordon, Asher Allen, Benny Sapp, and newly acquired Karl Paymah.

With the impact Winfield makes on the field for the Vikings, look for the team to do everything it can to strike a deal and keep him in Minnesota for the rest of his career.

If I Had Some Time with Minnesota Vikings Cornerback Antoine Winfield

Since signing with the Vikings in 2004, I have been impressed with everything cornerback Antoine Winfield has done in purple.

He has been a leader on and off the field, as well as a guy who isn’t afraid to stick his neck in the action regardless of his size (5’9″, 180 lbs.).

If I had the chance to sit down with the veteran leader of the Vikings’ secondary, these are some of the questions I would ask him:

1. What skill that you have right now is the most important in your opinion?

This is something I would be dying to know, because Antoine is one of the smartest players on the field. I’d be anxious to see if he thought it was his coverage skills, his ability against the run, or maybe his leadership with the younger corners on the team.

2. Why is defensive coordinator Leslie Fraizer’s defensive scheme so successful?

Since leaving Indianapolis for the Vikings’ defensive coordinator spot in the 2007 season after Mike Tomlin left to become the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Frazier has built off the Tampa two defense.

Tomlin also used that defense when he was the defensive backs coach in Tampa Bay, the same position Frazier was working in Indianapolis.

The idea behind this defense is letting every defender have an idea of where the offense is going with the ball. A lot of defenses use different forms of this defense and my question to Antoine would be what makes this work so well?

3. What do you help the younger corners such as Cedric Griffin and Charles Gordon with in practice during the week?

Cedric Griffin appears to be a younger Winfield with his hard hitting ability. I would ask Antoine what he does with these younger corners during the week to prepare for each offense.

While attending training camp practices every year, I have observed Antoine being a leader amongst the secondary unit and I would love to know the advice he has to the younger players.

4. What does second-year safety Tyrell Johnson bring to the table with your defense in 2009?

Johnson got a surprising start to the season last year when Madieu Williams was injured in training camp with a severe neck injury. He played well in place of Williams and was also a solid player on special teams units. Now that he has one year of experience in the NFL, I would ask Antoine about what Johnson does best and what he can improve on.

5. How much does it help to have a great defensive line putting pressure on the quarterback in regards to how you play the pass?

With the addition of Jared Allen on the end last year, the Vikings’ defensive line consistently put pressure on the opposing quarterbacks last year, helping the secondary not have to stay in coverage as long.

I would be interested in exactly how much that helps the secondary and would ask Antoine how having good pressure up front can change what they like to do on defense.

6. How much does it hurt your secondary to lose a veteran guy like Darren Sharper?

Sharper has been one of the league’s best safeties over the past decade and also a very smart leader. When losing somebody like that, I would be interested in what ways that hurts a defense.

I would ask Antoine about a veteran’s presence on the field as well as in the locker room.

Being able to sit down with Antoine Winfield would be a great experience, one in which I could virtually not get enough information to be satisfied.

Winfield has always been a smart player in this league and having some time with him would make my day.

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