SheetzNGiggles September 12,
2022
Yesterday's
matinee performance in a 23-7 victory over "The Fudgies", our chief
rival, has filled the Viking Nation with overwhelming hope & overconfidence
toward this 2022 season ... but it is time to take stock. Was this Vikings
team that good or were the Fudgies that bad? What is for certain is that
there is definitely going to be a fight in store for us in "THE CITY OF NOT
BROTHERLY LOVE", as this will be this teams first real
test.
Last year Mike Zimmer had a glaring weakness on defense (Breeland) that needed
an immediate confrontation. Instead this problem lingered on well after
the loss of Danielle Hunter & by that time the die had been cast.
Yesterday, The Fudgies took a savage axe to Ed Donatell's defense that exposed
Jordan Hicks in that defensive shell & it was ugly. You could
speculate that Hicks was lost in Donatell's defensive scheme but you'd be
decorating an outhouse with that bit of tribble. Hicks has played 4
seasons in Arizona & 3 in Philadelphia which means that he should be a
finely seasoned athlete well into his prime ... in any defensive scheme ...
which just isn't so. So, you could say that what is more likely is that
the Packers took advantage of Hick prior 7 year history & melded it with his
present weaknesses. Which begs the question, "WHAT IS THE STATUS OF
BRIAN ASAMOAH"? He is without question destined to be your long term
starting linebacker opposite Erik Kendricks where you'd be better served
allowing him to make ... his few rookie mistakes ... rather than to continue on
with a befuddled Hicks. To solidify Asamoah's you have to grant him the
resource of experience rather that to squander it on other futile
resources. What's wrong with the command decision based upon the belief in
ones future where Super aspiration comes from decisions like
these.
If this organization has truly changed its culture, leadership has to
immediately recognize its weakness, then make immediate changes to resolve these
issue for the long term. Zimmer had Cameron Dantzler at his fingertips but
he did not have the leadership skills ... the feel ... for acting in the best
interests of this team. Everything else be damned. If Garrett
Bradbury, now starting his 4th year, had the potential quick hook applied to
him, what does it say if Hicks is allowed to linger unchecked?
The Fudgies once again brilliantly utilized the 1-2 punch of AJ Dillon &
Aaron Jones versus Donatell's defense that just couldn't stop the run.
It's a good thing that A.A. Ron was there to sabotage their incredible effort
but don't expect this organization to make the same mistake on January 1st, 2023
(unless this is flexed). If that 75 yard bomb was caught & they had
stayed with that dominant running game, the Vikings could have easily lost
yesterdays contest.
Now you might be thinking, when did those "Droopy Fudgie Heads"
finally realize that the day was lost? Yes, Dalvin Cook posted 90 yards on
the ground, with a total of 108 yards of production but the slap to the face
turned when this organization turned the book back upon the Fudgies.
Alexander Mattison posted 36 yards on the ground which doesn't sound like allot
but it was a distinct change away from the Zimmer era. Too often, Cook
would be used between the 20's, only to trot off to gain a breather in the red
zone ... gifting the defense. As yesterday clearly demonstrated, it was
timing that exploded upon the Fudgers. Early in yesterday's game, Cook was
spelled for an entire series, putting Mattison in to savagely gash into that
defensive front seven. After that moment, it was clear that there was no
way for that defense to cope. Up to that point, Cook was pounding his head
into a wall. After that series, everything appeared to open up. Head
Coach Mike Zimmer never understood this as he'd never take Dalvin off the field
foolishly thinking he could score on any play rather that to understand the
importance of timing. For Dalvin, to get both longevity & production,
you have to utilize the rhythms within the game. Hats off to Wes Phillips
& O'Connell for imparting that elite mentality.
As CeeDee Lamb can attest, no great player can achieve jack without a solid
supporting cast. Justin Jefferson is being bombarded with an overwhelming
amount of propaganda ... mind games ... that is filled with historic inaccuracies.
If you look around, this Vikings offense is filled with threats absolutely
everywhere, with some being more than others. Even C.J. Ham was pounding
out a 1st down to move those sticks. Tell me, if J.J. ( with all his notoriety)
& Kirk Cousins get all this teams money, what kind of team do you think you
will have? In other words, reality is a choice. Would you rather
have all the money or a unit to build upon that coach O'Connell could continue
to absolutely love. What would Jerry Rice have to say about this choice
& what would he choose? To listen to the gluttony or to be prudent in
your mindset. You will get paid but keep in mind that your agent wants it
all ... but that same agent never has to take a hit or have to generate a single
drop of sweat for his decision. At all costs, stay as humble as you can
because it is the people around you that can help bring you the success that you
deserve whereas evil ... and all those evil words ... lurks behind every
door. Enjoy all your well deserved success but don't succumb to all that
wind blowing in your ears.
The offensive line, now bolstered by the Rookie Ed Ingram at right tackle is
still an unknown. Ingram, for the most part, appeared to play competently
however I do recall one play where he was blown by without even making contact
with that defensive lineman. This was alarming but as the Zen Master might
say ... we'll see. There was one alarming play where it appeared that both
tackles were beat on the same play on the edge. Since it was not frequent
... we certainly can rely on you. So, it still isn't clear how good &
competent this set of lineman might be. We'll definitely find out how good
they are after the Philly contest, as that is a harsh environment. You
might want to play the Rocky theme at practice all week long as you're going to
hear it ad nausea especially when the offense is facing 3rd down. It was a
movie. Remember that it is only a bunch of notes that have no real
significance unless you let it get into your head. Don't buy what they are
trying to sell ... blowing into your ears. Ingram will be best served to
stay at an even keel & to not get excited ... focus on your
objectives.
Keep in mind that your
biggest contest will be on November 13th versus the Bills at Orchard Park (Rich
Stadium). There is a great likelihood that the contest will be epic.
I'll do my best to be there. What followed a prior bout like this resulted
in the Bills playing in 4 consecutive Super Bowls. Your statement here
just might determine more than you think.
So before you buy into
all these SheetzNGiggles you'd be better served to buckle down & clean this
thing up. Your sheets & sails are seriously wagging in the wind ...
the storms coming.
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: September 12, 2022
