Vikings Rant #2

Continued from Viking Rant #1

The Offense: Not much to complain about here, more like constructive criticisms.

Major Problems: None

Problems: Offensive line: Should have been a strength, but injuries to the right side, Birk’s almost season long injury and Kleinsasser’s loss hurt. McKinney played OK, but I expected him to elevate his game this year and he regressed a little. Gave up too many sacks. Running Game: Linked to the above loss of O-Line and especially Kleinsasser, the running game suffered, when it should have been a strength. Much like the O-Line it was a mixed-and-matched bunch, none of the backs ever established a rhythm.

Minor Problem: Randy Moss: Moss is a gifted receiver and a game breaker. As much as I think his attitude stinks we need Randy Moss to get to the Superbowl. Injured for most of the season he still hauled in 13 TDs (one for 82 yards). If he can overcome any residual bitterness in the locker room, everything should be OK. Overall I think Moss is a good guy, doesn’t really care what anyone thinks about him and acts like a spoiled kid.

Minor Strength: Jermaine Wiggins: Where did this guy come from? He grabs 71 balls this year vs. 50 in his previous 4 years, catches 4 TD’s and 9 grabs more than 20 yards. Did Tice sprinkle some magic TE dust on him? I’ll believe it when he puts up good numbers next year when the much better blocker Kleinsasser eats away at his time.

Strengths: None

Major Strengths: Wide Receivers: Nate Burleson had an excellent year. He made several clutch catches on important downs and was just short of spectacular running after the catch. Should be scary good next year. Kelly Campbell fell off a little from last year as he gave way to Burleson and Robinson, but made up for his diminished role with some solid return work. Marcus Robinson was pretty good but also lost playing time as the season wore on. Add Moss to the mix and the Vikings clearly have the top receiver core in the game. Daunte Culpepper: Best season by a Viking QB ever! Top 3 QB in the league, fourth best all time QB rating for a season, 39 TD’s, 4717 yards only 11 INTs all while looking more poised than ever in the pocket. Seemed to get rattled at times and calls too many time-outs. How much of that can be attributed to poor play calling by the coaches is hard to determine, but I imagine it’s a major factor.

Coaching: Well I can’t say I’m sorry about Linehan leaving for the morass of Miami. I think pretty much any decent O-coordinator could run this offense as smoothly as he did. His play calling was out-right stupid at times (Moss should not be passing the ball in a close game during the 4th quarter! EVER!!!) and uninspired the rest. He didn’t seem to know how to run the ball this year. One run play would work well then you wouldn’t see the same play broken out again the rest of the game, but if a running play failed he would try it again and again. Of course Tice could have stepped in but the Vike’s offense was just short of spectacular. How do you approach Linehan?

Guess that’s why I’m not a NFL head coach.

Part 3 on the D will come when I can think more rationally about it.