Buffster --

I mostly agree with your assessment of the Bear's threat and the Jackson
experiment. I am also almost 95 % in agreement, again, on you condemnation of
Childress (I am the eternal optomist).

The Bear's could challenge for the divison title by being stronger against other
competition and they could be a threat in head to head competition. Let me
explain where there could be doubt, and why it certainly will be interesting to
see the true Cutler impact:
- Bear's lack of WR's
- Bear's weak / old OL
- Inability to improve the above given no #'s 1 and 3 pick in draft
- Bear's aging defense
- Strong Viking pass rush
- On the other hand, when the Vikes and Bears play is important given
possibility of Williams boys missing first 4 games
- Also on other hand, Cutler has a low sack per pass attempt ratio

Thus, we may be in for some interesting viewing.

As to Vikings passing on Cutler ... I am torn. Can agree it may have been a
good move to conserve draft picks to get a starter RT and starter WR playmaker.
But that paty has risks. Also may be wise considering Cutler's poor team
attitude and the high cost of 2+ number one draft picks.

On the other hand, can we keep hoping for Jackson to mature and/or Sage to be a
short term savior, especially with some key players getting old?

More disappointing to me, however, has been missing out on quality OT, WR and CB
free agents -- especially because they have cap room to spare.

We can look back in mid November and judge all this. Guess we'll be forced to
watch this develop in excrutiating weekly increments at the T&H (which, by the
way, are eager for us to come back in force to see the Vikes in 2009).

Here's hoping -- Rusty




--- In novavikes@yahoogroups.com, "mbuffster" <Mbuffster@...> wrote:
>
> Viking Fans,
>
> We must look out for the Bears - they will be the favorites to win the
division. After landing Cutler, a first rate QB with exceptional skills, the
Bears stand out as a team that wants to win now.
>
> Meanwhile, our Vikings continue to stand by and do nothing to improve the
team. The Z-Man has apparently decided to wave the white flag and give up. He
will not spend more cash or make any moves to put a better product on the field.
I can't say that I blame him, since the state of Minnesota has given up on
supporting the team.
>
> Sadly, the Vikings are a team that will quickly miss its window of opportunity
with many players at their prime now and ready to win with a couple other key
pieces. We could not afford to wait and sit on our asses but have apparently
given up. We were only a few quality players away from making a run - a quality
WR, QB, and RT.
>
> Sadly, it looks like this team will give the T-Jack disaster / experiment
another shot. Its a JOKE and time to move on. Hopefully, Chilli and crew will
play Sage from day one and let a guy with good, not great skills, but
intelligence and leadership qualities the opportunity to start from day one.
Putting T-Jack back on the field will only lead to more ineffective play and
little to no chance of making a serious run. T-Jack lacks the confidence,
intelligence and leadership skills to get the job done!
>
> We missed a big one in not making a real run for Cutler. A few high draft
choices would have been worth the risk to have a shot to win now. This was
purely an economic decision - NO STADIUM = NO SPENDING MONEY!!! The Z-Man did
not want to pay the $$$ to put Cutler in Purple, Gold and White and I can't
blame the man.
>
> Buffster
>