December 17th,2022 will be a day I will never forget

 

I have been sked by so many people what was being at US Bank Stadium like watching the historical comeback.

Yes it’s been a few days since but the game still is fresh In my mind and may stay like that for quite some time,

I start with offering my pregame thinking as I know the Vikings are 4.5 point favorite and know the Vikings are 9-0 when favored.

I tell you I walked in US Bank with the best feeling as I know a win and I will get to see the NFC North champions and see the hat and T-shirt.

Yes, I was pumped with really no fear of a letdown and I was just plain excited. The excitement pregame was even high for me as I see Tommy Kramer and Ahmad Rashad walking up to the Gjallahorn to sound it and lead the SKOL chant.

The crowd stands as one as the Vikings kick it off and there is the boom as Paul Allen says. I watched in disbelief as the Colt return man just sliced up the Vikings special teams on his way to a long return setting up the Colts in great field position.

It seemed that was the trend the rest of the first half with so many things going right for the Colts and wrong for my favorite team.

I was at the Dallas Cowboy debacle and thought that was horrible but somehow this first half seemed worse. My wife leans over to me and says this is the worst football I have ever seen and you know I couldn’t disagree.

The first half was so much booing by the fans and yet once in a while I heard cheers. I thought what on earth can people be cheering for? Here I find out the paper airplanes people made and tossed the cheers were for the plane making the field. It wasn’t too much longer and I saw security up in the upper levels looking for the offenders.

It was finally halftime and all I could do was shake my head in disbelief. I came in so confident it hurt to see this awful performance. Yes fans let the team know just what they thought by thousands of boos.

The halftime was Mascots vs youth football which was interesting watching mascots stiff arm kids to the ground. I guess I am not too much of a fan of this yearly halftime but that’s only my opinion.

The second half was about to start and I thought if we can get one touchdown not a field goal it would be a good start I guess an obvious statement.

I am thinking to myself the Dallas- Indianapolis game where Dallas scored 33 points in the 4^th quarter so I guess anything is possible.

I really thought seeing the first couple drives the Vikings offense looked like they would not be stopped. The thing is could the 32^nd ranked Vikings defense make not one stop but every Colts drive would have to be a stop.

I really thought the Vikings D looked as good as they have in a long time as I actually saw several blitzes and penetration by the Vikings defensive line.

The Vikings made it 36-21 and I really thought we had a chance but wondered when Vikings Coach KOC would go for two.

I am not going to go into all the missed calls by the refs as that has been beaten into the ground. I will say the one fumble return I jumped out of my seat and yelled watching the Vikings score. My wife grabs my jersey and says um the play was called dead. “WHAT?” You have to be kidding.

I will say one of the missed fumble returns for a TD drew a crowd reaction where I don’t know if I have ever seen. I saw many beer cans thrown onto the west end zone that’s how upset people were. There were no players in that end so security hustled to pick everything up.

I really don’t believe the Colts were trying to not score the Vikings D just finally made plays.

The screen pass from Kirk Cousins to Dalvin Cook was as good as I have ever seen as once again I am out my chair going crazy yelling as if Dalvin could hear me.

I know it’s a little over two minutes and the time is now to go for two to tie, I watch Kirk drop back survey the field and find TJ Hockenson and we are tie. You can only jump so high at your chair but I am sure I jumped max high.

The game goes to OT and win the coin toss. My confidence we were going to win was maxed out but then the disappointment of having to punt.

The Colts just didn’t scare me but somehow we still needed to make a stop and they did. The story goes like this as I have seen this before.

Yes we drive to set up the game winning field goal on the last play of OT. I had my phone turned to video pushed record and stepped back so my phone would not go anywhere except my hands. It was tough as my hands were soaked in sweat as how many times has my heart been broken with a missed kick or the other team kick a field goal to win.

I was at the 1998 NFC Championship game and watched the Falcons break my heart and I was the 2010 NFC Championship game and watched the Saints break my heart.

Yes, Saturday December 17^th, 2022 it was the Vikings turn. Yes. I know it’s not the playoffs but still needed to see a game winner in huge pressure.

What a day seeing the Minnesota Vikings make history with the biggest comeback in NFL history. The Vikings now have 10 wins of 8 points or less which is tied for most in NFL history.

I am 57 going on 58 and hope my heart can keep on taking this because it sure is a fun ride!!!!

SKOL

The Vikings host the New York Giants Christmas Eve in a whiteout. I will not predict a score just know it’s going to be one exciting Saturday afternoon. It’s the last regular season home game so the outcome has to be in favor of the good guys.

Purplestick

 

Observations of early Vikings Training Camp

 

Training Camp 2022 has begun and with it has begun a new attitude with new leadership and it’s apparent when I am seeing players seemingly happier and the energy early on is so fun to take in.

The camp itself sees 2 practices with a walk through from about 12:15-12:45 then back out about 2:20 and they have been going to anywhere from 4:15-4:45.

The weather early on has been awesome with a little on the hot side but at least for now Tuesday and Wednesday every fan is given a water and there are plenty of refill stations. You are allowed to bring your own water bottle but it must be empty before you enter camp. The gates open at 11:45 and close around 5:15pm.

The players themselves I really want to watch extra especially with a new coaching staff. I really enjoy watching Coach O’Connell interact with the offensive side of the ball. I notice he carries a little walky talky to call the plays in. He stands back and watches the plays develops then approaches different players. I am noticing he will go to receivers after a route and point the way he would like to see the routes run. He is very good at communication from where I sit. He spends so much time with quarterbacks and his offense as they are designing a new system.

The offensive line has been a concern for so long so coming into the season a chance to get five guys to work together. It was last season left tackle, Christian Darrisaw dealt with post-surgery getting back into the swing of it. I was excited to see him out there working the line and getting everyday reps. I am seeing thus far from left to right: Darrisaw (71), Cleveland (72) Bradbury (56), Jesse Davis (73) and O’Neil (75) to complete the line. Jesse Davis is the newcomer and looks solid from what I have seen thus far.

The concern last season of center, Garrett Bradbury being beat at times by bigger guys is still a concern so time will tell. He is undersized and that is a fact, but can he be quicker than the big men he faces.

The defensive side of the ball is so intriguing with the potential of using both the 3-4 and the traditional 4-3.

The Vikings have added some great veteran defensive players with Harrison Phillips (DT), Jordan Hicks (LB) and Z’Darius Smith (DE).

It’s so exciting to see these new ads inserted into the lineup for now. I am seeing Danielle Hunter, Harrison Phillips, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Z’Darius Smith on the defensive line.

Eric Kendricks is looking solid as ever and now as the Vikings let Anthony Barr go we now see Veteran Jordan Hicks next to Kendricks. It’s strange to not see Barr (55) next to Kendricks (54) but as they say life goes on. The new 55 belongs to Z’Darius Smith.

In speaking about (55) Smith it was awesome to see him come out of the locker room along with Patrick Peterson as they came to the fans in the stands to leads the SKOL chant. What a great start for Smith coming over from the Packers.

I see Hunter and Smith together much of practice and it reminds me of the Williams Wall with Pat and Kevin always being together. Yes I know Smith and Hunter are both Defensive Linemen but its’s just something I see.

I wish I understood football just a little more as I watch the defense lineup I see Smith and Hunter standing as if linebackers but then the next play I see Hunter and Smith play the tackle spot. One player to keep an eye on in preseason is (91) Patrick Jones II as he is as quick as it gets especially standing up as a defensive lineman.

I watch practice, read twitter and always listen to KFAN as I watch but can’t watch everything. If I reads or hear about a player I like to play especial attention to that player and I truly enjoy people’s opinions.

The secondary is going to be one of the best in recent history with Patrick Peterson, left corner and across from him is Cam Dantzler who changed his jersey to # 3, The safeties are All Pro, Harrison Smith and his partner for now is Cam Bynum who really looks the part early on.

There are two guys who really are looking hungry and both 2022 draft choices with Andrew Booth Jr (23) and Akayleb Evans (21). These two have no fear of anyone and are so physical.

It is right now Evans, Booth Jr and rookie safety, Lewis Cine are getting a majority reps with the 2^nd group of defense. It’s going to be an exciting preseason to watch the battles.

The quarterbacks as we know Kirk Cousins is the starter but for backup I am pulling hard for Kellen Mond to be the backup. I really think he really got treated unfairly by Coach Zimmer. I loved Mond in college and he may or not make the stride to the NFL but I believe he deserves a chance. I have seen Mond look so good and is getting more reps with the 2^nd offense then Shawn Mannion for now.

The receiving corp looks as they took no time off from last season and are catching everything. I speak specifically of Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and KJ Osborne. There is a ton of youth battling but no one sticks above the other one in my opinion. They are all catching a majority of balls which is a great problem to figure who stays.

The running backs lead by Davin Cook and Alexander Maddison but then the fight begins as Kene Nwangu who looked sharp last season  is currently sitting out so who will take the advantage? I really like # 32 Ty Chandler rookie draft choice who looks like a real deal catching balls out of the backfield and his quickness after a handoff.

The tight ends with Irv Smith having thumb surgetry after missing all of last year who will step up. I am liking many but two who stick out is veteran wearing # 86 Johnny Mundt and came from the Rams system. I am also intrigued by #40 Zach Davison a 2021 draft choice is having a very nice camp. He is 6’6” and catches everything especially down the middle.

This camp also has seen the return of the player’s autographs after practice with different position groups taking turns. It is for kids 17 and under so I am happy these kids get the chance after a 2 year wait.

That’s all for now as I return to Eagan Friday.

SKOL

Purplestick