Everyone seems to have amnesia when they talk about Daunte. While he may be able to tho the ball real far, and run from time to time, the man is not a winner. Look at the record the Vikings have had since Daunte became the QB. (see below) A total and steady decline from 11-5 in 2000 to the mediocre results in the past 5 years (nothing better than 9-7).

After 6 years in the league, Daunte still hasn't learned how to throw the ball away when he is about to be sacked or if all receivers are covered. How long will it take to learn that elemental skill? 10 years? 15? And his fumbles and interceptions are legendary.

But mostly, Daunte is not a player who can raise his game and win when it counts. Big players, have big games in big situations. Between the 20s, Daunte can throw and run as good as anyone. But cross that 20 and he falls apart, either with a fumble, interception or failure to complete a pass. And yes, I put the blame squarely on his shoulders. In those situations, it is the QB that can make or break a team.

The only time I ever saw Daunte raise his game to that Tom Brady-like level was the Jan 05 playoff game vs. Green Bay. But then, Daunte had the AFROS and Randy Moss to save his skin. Instead, there were way too many games like the 2000  41-0 loss to the Giants in the NFC championship game. Where was his $6million dollar effort for that game? He apparently had no problem giving his all on the Love Boat Cruise on Lake Minnetonka.

Frankly, Daunte is the last vestige of the nightmare of Denny Green -- all offense and no defense. This is Brad Childress's team now. I say good riddance to Daunte and his whining about being unappreciated. He would have been appreciated if he had won more than 50 percent of his games. Perhaps he will be rejuvenated in Miami and lead them to the Super Bowl. If he does, good for him.

But I'm anxious to see what the new Vikings have to offer this fall.
 
 

2005 NFL Minnesota Vikings 9-7-0 Tice Johnson Moore
2004 NFL Minnesota Vikings 8-8-0 Tice Culpepper Smith Burleson
2003 NFL Minnesota Vikings 9-7-0 Tice Culpepper Williams Moss
2002 NFL Minnesota Vikings 6-10-0 Tice Culpepper Bennett Moss
2001 NFL Minnesota Vikings 5-11-0 Green, Tice Culpepper Bennett Moss
2000 NFL Minnesota Vikings 11-5-0 Green Culpepper Smith Moss
 
 
 
 

Al wrote:

 Vikings | Team changing uniforms
Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:46:00 -0800

Sean Jensen, of the Pioneer Press, reports the Minnesota Vikings will
be wearing new uniforms for the 2006 season. Steve LaCroix, Vikings
vice president of sales and marketing, confirmed the uniform change,
although he declined to say to what extent. "We are working with the
NFL and Reebok on some exciting changes for the 2006 season. The
process is still continuing, but we'll look to have an unveiling
later in the offseason for our fans," he said.
 

Then after we trade Culpepper, and change our uniforms we can fully
embrace the idea that we are rebuilding like an expansion team...
 
 

Vikings | Childress does not rule out trading up in the NFL Draft
Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:59:12 -0800

Kevin Seifert, of the Star Tribune, reports Minnesota Vikings head
coach Brad Childress did not rule out packaging several draft picks,
they now own the 17th, 48th and 51st picks, to move up in the first
round and select one of the draft's three premier quarterbacks: USC's
Matt Leinart, Texas' Vince Young and Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler. "You
look at all those eventualities and see if you feel like there is
something," Childress said.

What do you think of all these new developments?   My stomach is
churning.  I thought with that huge cap space we were a few players
and with the new coaching system we were so close to going to the
Super Bowl.  Now?  Who knows?