Wednesday, May 1, 2013

A home schedule featuring opposing teams with newness


The 2013 season will be the last season in the dome with some exciting players coming in with their respective teams.

The Vikings will face new coaches; new players, whether free agents or draft choices. It will be a smorgasbord of fun coming in to be part of the last year in the stadium.

Cleveland is the Vikings home opener opponent. The Browns are coached by Rob Chudzinski who is in his first year on the sidelines. We will get to see Quaterback, Brandon Weeden and running back, Trent Richardson, 2 of last year’s pride of the draft for the Browns. The 2013 draft provided at number 6 pick out of LSU, defensive end Barkevious Mingo for the Browns. Yes, a top 10 pick we shall see how he does against Minnesota’s front line.

Prediction-Vikes win

Carolina is led by Coach Ron Rivera coming into his 3rd season. I can’t wait to see former number one pick overall Cam Newton to see how the Vikes can contain this big athletic quarterback. Carolina in this past draft took at number 14, Star Lotulelei, defensive tackle out of Utah. This will be another good test for Minnesota’s O-Line .

Predication-Vikes win

Green Bay, defending NFC North division champ comes in trying to avoid another devastating loss to the Purple. Aaron Rodgers just got the huge contract just see if he can earn it. The Pack no longer has Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. The team still has I hate to say but honestly they have impressive receivers in James Jones, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb.

 The draft provided them with the 26th pick Datone Jones, defensive end out of UCLA and in 2nd round running back Eddie Lacy from the NCA A Champ, Alabama. I watched Lacy a great deal when he was in college and I will say the Vikes had better be able to wrap this man up because he is one physical running back.

Prediction-Vikes win

Washington, defending NFC East division champ comes in lead by Hall of Fame to be Coach Mike Shanahan. The intriguing in this matchup is the Vikes defense gets another shot at RGIII.

Prediction-Vikes win

Chicago led by Coach Marc Trestman in his first year trying to replace Lovie Smith. Jay Cutller will make or break this team with his attitude. It will be strange no Brian Urlacher in the middle. The Bears many thought would go linebacker with their pick in the first round instead took Kyle Long, offensive guard out of Oregon. Long is the brother of Jake Long, now of the Rams and their father is Hall of Famer, Howie Long. I would love to see Vikes rookie Sharrif Floyd destroy Long over and over.

Prediction-Vikes win

Philadelphia led by Chip Kelly, coaching in his first year coming from the college ranks where he coached at Oregon. He loved to run a fast paced offense so we will see if he can succeed as well in Philadelphia.  He is trying to replace a legend in Philly with Andy Reid leaving for the Chiefs job.

Philadelphia took with the number 3 overall pick Lane Johnson, tackle from Oklahoma. Please welcome him to the NFL, Jared and Brian Robison. The Eagles took quarterback Matt Barkley in the 4th round out of USC. He had been thought to maybe be a first round or potential 2nd round but not 4th.  The Eagles have Michael Vick, Nick Foles and now Barkley.

Prediction- Vikes win

Detroit ends the home schedule and brings with them the number 5 pick overall, Ziggy Ansah, defensive end to try and improve their pass rush. They also added a key free agent in Reggie Bush. The one thing missing that we have seen over 20 years in a row and that is Jason Hanson who retired in the offseason. What a kicker he was all those years and all the losing years.

Prediction-Vikes win

The only game we will not see in the dome is the Pittsburgh game which will be played in London.

Prediction- Vikes win giving a perfect home schedule. 2 wins on the road to tie last year but we will not settle for just 2.

Final prediction: 8-0 at home

We will see 3 first year coaches and 4 top 20 picks play against the Vikes in the home part of the schedule. I am ready for my 14th season of season tickets I hope you can make it to at least one of the games to see these players and coaches.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

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