First half of the season positives

The first half of the season is in the books at 5-3 including a 4-1 mark at home. The team has lost 2 of the last 3 and also finds that many fans I have talked to question the play of quarterback Christian Ponder.

The person I am tends to stay up beat and focus on what I have seen in the first 8 games that is positive.

The 5 wins in 2012 have already surpassed the 3 wins of all last season. The 4 games won at home after going 1-7 at home in 2011.

The schedule as you know gets really cranked up after the bye with 2 against the Packers and Bears yet.

The 2012 draft class has really shown up to help. The play of Matt Kalil I believe has already shown improvement over last season. He has pretty much been left alone with very little help by a tight end.

Blair Walsh has really made a splash in the NFL as a rookie. The accuracy of his field goals along with his booming kickoffs has really helped the special teams unit. This young man has found himself in the Vikings record book with 3 games of over 50 yards. He has only missed one field goal thus far. The Vikings have found a keeper late in the draft coming in the 6th round.

Harrison Smith maybe the best safety we have had back there in several years. The physical play he comes with is a true joy to watch. The interception return for a touchdown against the Cardinals was quite a reward for all his hard work. He made a mistake in the Tennessee game in grabbing an official and promptly was ejected may just have come back as that much better of player.

The play of Josh Robinson, who came out of the 2012 combine with the fastest time at his position. The loss of Chris Cook after his injury on Thursday will give Robinson extra playing time and show the coaches just what he has. I am very comfortable with him on the field as he does not seem to shy away from covering big receivers and also is not afraid to take bigger players down.

The veterans I have nothing but praise and to start with Antoine Winfield. This man stands at 5’8” and might just be one of the NFL biggest hitters. The sideline interception he had against Arizona was beautiful.

Jared Allen after getting shut out of sacks in the first couple of games now has one in 6 straight. The bloody nose he suffered in the Tampa Bay game and the next play Allen gets a sack and the calf roping act was once again showing. In going to the game you can pick to watch what you want. I watch Jared quite a bit and I can guarantee one thing I do not see this man give less than 110 percent in any play. I just cannot believe how play after play how much energy this guy brings to the table.

The other defensive end, Brian Robison in the last 2 weeks has really done a great job of making himself shown. He gets 3 sacks against Arizona and in the Tampa Bay game he had 3 knock downs of Tampa Bay’s quarterback Josh Freeman throws. Each one of those was seemingly centimeters away from an interception and not a knock down. The thing about Robison is he seems to match Allen’s intensity and gives the Vikings two great speed rushers making the quarterback’s life hell.

Chad Greenway, Mr Hustle is somebody you never get sick of watching. All he does is either lead the team in tackles for the game or is 2nd or 3rd. What a great 1st round pick out the University of Iowa.

Chris Cook, I believe he was playing his best ball as a Viking until his injury. He was really starting to play physical and was drawing coverage assignments against some of the NFL bests such as Calvin Johnson (Lions), Lary Fitgerald Jr (Cardinals) and Vincent Jackson (Buccaneers). I was quite pleased watching him perform. I wish him a speedy return as there is a chance he could be back for the last game against the Packers and if the team makes the playoffs he could play as well.

Adrian Peterson is a beast. This is a miracle man performing in front of our eyes each NFL week. The man is 3rd in the NFL with rushing yards. He finally broke a long TD after each prior week seemingly a shoe string away from going the distance. His strength and speed can only be marveled at and to think he plays for our favorite team.

The play of Percy Harvin with his kickoff returns, running back, his catching ability and just plain MVP of the Vikings thus far. This man is electric with every time he touches the ball you have the feel he will take it the distance. The best thing of this is he too believes he can go the distance. The man is a human pinball and plays with a heart like no other.

In ending it is easy to find things to criticize in life but to find positives is a lot more fun. Just remember what the word FAN stands for. FOREVER AND NEVER ENDING.
The team is young and in the first 8 games has given us a lot to be happy about. The dome the other night showed the top 5 plays of the first half.

1)Harrison Smith interception return for a TD
2)Marcus Sherels punt return for a TD
3) Percy Harvin kickoff return
4) Blair Walsh field goal to send the game into OT against Jacksonville
5) Percy Harvin’s incredible TD against Tennessee

I cannot disagree with any of those

Please join me in being excited for the next 8 games

Thanks for reading
Purplestick