The Creation of  Minnesota
>>Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for six
days,
>>Eventually, Michael the Archangel found him, resting on the seventh
day.
>>
>>He inquired of God,  "Where have you been?"
>>
>>God signed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed
downwards
>>through the clouds, "Look Michael, look what I've made."
>>
>>Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"
>>
>>"It's a planet," replied God, "and I have put Life on it.  I'm
going to
>>call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."
>>
>>"Balance?", inquired Michael, still confused.
>>
>>God explained, pointing to different parts of earth, "For example,
>>northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth
while
>>southern Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East will be a hot
spot.
>>Over there I have placed a continent of white people and over there
is a
>>continent of black people,"  God continued, pointing to different
>>countries.  "This one will be extremely hot and arid while this one
will
>>be very cold and covered in ice.
>>
>>The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a large
land mass
>>and said, "What's that one?"
>>
>>"Ah," said God, "That's  Minnesota , the most glorious place on
earth.
>>There are beautiful lakes, rivers, sunsets and rolling hills...The
people
>>from Minnesota  are going to be modest, intell igent and humorous
and they
>>are going to be found traveling the world.  They will be extremely
>>sociable, hard working and high achieving, and they will be known
>>throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace."
>>
>>Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclamied, "What
about
>>balance, God?  You said there would be balance!"
>>
>>God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I'm putting
around them
>>in  Wisconsin  and Iowa.
>>

--- In novavikes@yahoogroups.com, "Al" <albuddah@...> wrote:
>
> I just want to take the time to wish everyone a very happy holiday
season.  I implore those that have free time to come out and join in
helping support our great home, Stars & Stripes on Sunday.  I know
some of you might be away or too busy planning your New Years Eve.  If
so, then I wish you a Happy New Years as well.  It is the last game of
the season, and after an unsuccessful season some would say why
bother.  I must remind you that without Stars & Stripes we wouldn't
have a place to meet and watch the games.  So even if it is just for a
half, come give your thanks with your support.
>
> I also want to thank Joel for all the work he does in keeping us
together.  Great job once again my Viking Brother.
>
> Also, as a reminder we will be hosting our Annual Draft party in
April, so please look out for emails around draft time.
>
> Happiest of New Years to all of you and may it be filled with love,
success and happiness!
>

Al, I'll be there. We can knock the Lambs out of the playoffs with a win.
> Eternally,
> Al Goldenberg
> Skol Vikes!
>

Thanks to Joel, Al and everyone who continues to keep the purple fire
burning.  A late October wedding and related move precluded my
attending any games this year, though from what I can tell I did not
miss much aside from sticking it to the Redskins (by which I really
mean their loathesome fans).

I will confess that for the first time in memory I am not optimistic
about next year.  Was it really our offense--the one that a half dozen
years ago was criticized for *scoring too quickly*--that managed only
three first downs last week?  It cannot be, yet there it is.  I can
only hope that we find this year's Drew Brees or Tony Romo, otherwise
we'll have to console ourselves with comparisons to the Packers and
Lions. Sigh.

Steve

I just want to take the time to wish everyone a very happy holiday season.  I
implore those that have free time to come out and join in helping support our
great home, Stars & Stripes on Sunday.  I know some of you might be away or too
busy planning your New Years Eve.  If so, then I wish you a Happy New Years as
well.  It is the last game of the season, and after an unsuccessful season some
would say why bother.  I must remind you that without Stars & Stripes we
wouldn't have a place to meet and watch the games.  So even if it is just for a
half, come give your thanks with your support.

I also want to thank Joel for all the work he does in keeping us together. 
Great job once again my Viking Brother.

Also, as a reminder we will be hosting our Annual Draft party in April, so
please look out for emails around draft time.

Happiest of New Years to all of you and may it be filled with love, success and
happiness!

Eternally,
Al Goldenberg
Skol Vikes!

And the Vikes were no Cinderella. Maybe we can think "high draft pick in
07?"


Loss to Packers means Vikings out of time for 2006

By Kevin Seifert

McClatchy Newspapers

(MCT)

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The last glimmers of the Minnesota Vikings' playoff
hopes faded away Thursday night at misty Lambeau Field, where two teams
tripped over each other for most of three hours before officials had no
choice but to declare someone the victor.

Green Bay claimed that honor when Dave Rayner, who had missed two
earlier attempts on a wet field, kicked a 44-yard field goal with 1
minute, 34 seconds remaining. The kick lifted the Packers to an ugly 9-7
victory, eliminating the Vikings from postseason contention while
serving as a sharp reminder that their offensive shortcomings extend far
beyond the identity of their starting quarterback.

In the starting debut of rookie quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, the
Vikings produced their most anemic offensive showing of an
already-insipid season. They managed a team-record three first downs,
finished with 104 total yards and went three-and-out on nine of their 12
possessions.

The Vikings' only points came on Fred Smoot's 47-yard interception
return in the third quarter, marking the sixth game this season the
Vikings have failed to score an offensive touchdown. The play gave the
Vikings an improbable 7-6 lead midway through the third quarter.

But Packers quarterback Brett Favre put his team in range for the
winning field goal by completing a 36-yard pass to receiver Ruvell
Martin with3:24 remaining.

"I thought our defense did plenty to win that football game," said coach
Brad Childress, whose team is now guaranteed of finishing his first
season with a losing record. "But you can't have nine out of (12) series
be three-and-out and expect to beat anybody. We knew with Tarvaris
starting we would have to be able to support him. You have to make plays
when they come to you."

Jackson threw for only 50 yards, completing 10 of 20 passes in an
offensive game plan that seemed unchanged from the season's first 14
games. Jackson threw one interception, had another dropped by Packers
linebacker A.J. Hawk and saw his two best passes go for naught.

Receiver Troy Williamson dropped a deep post pass in the first quarter;
predictably, it bounced off the top of Williamson's shoulder. Meanwhile,
a 42-yard completion to receiver Travis Taylor in the third quarter was
called back for an illegal-shift penalty - one of 10 Vikings penalties
in the game.

"Tarvaris made some great throws," said safety Darren Sharper, who
intercepted one pass from Favre and dropped another. "That deep ball (to
Williamson) should have been caught. If you have a rookie quarterback
that comes into an environment like this, you have to have everybody
step up and make plays. We feel as though defensively we did that; maybe
we didn't do it enough. But we need everybody to step up and make
plays."

Instead, it was Favre who once again led his team to a dramatic victory.
He set a personal record by attempting 33 passes in the first half, but
for the most part the Vikings defense stiffened at the appropriate time
to keep them in the game.

Rayner attempted four field goals in the first half - making two,
bouncing one off the left upright and slipping on another. And after
Smoot's interception, the Vikings seemed to take control of the game.

Sharper intercepted Favre on the Packers' next series, and safety
Antoine Winfield recovered tight end Bubba Franks' fumble at the Vikings
3-yard line - appearing to snuff out what could have been the Packers'
final scoring chance with 8:32 left.

But the Vikings managed only one first down after regaining possession,
and Packers safety Nick Collins tackled Jackson after a 2-yard gain on
third-and-5. The Vikings punted, and Favre went back to work.

Favre finished the game with 26 completions in 50 attempts, and in two
games against the Vikings this season he threw for a total of 632 yards.
On the other hand, the Packers managed only 46 rushing yards on 24
carries.

"It was just the same old thing as always," nose tackle Pat Williams
said. "Nobody beats us. We kill our own self. We beat ourselves, and it
ends up in a loss. We outplayed them. They got that one pass play on us
(to Martin). That hurt us, put them in field goal range and they won the
game."

See all next seasn. Thanks to Al, Joel, et al. Needless to say, T Jack
and Chili are works in "progress".

that would be WWE champ Brock Lesnar.

two years ago.

WWE Releases Wrestler, Vikings Coach Says Lesnar Has A Long Way to Go
August 5, 2004 - 2:51pm.

-brad


Stanley Stewart wrote:

> Al, quick question.  Who was the wrestler that tried to play for the
> Vikes last yr.?
>
> Stan
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Brock Lesner 2 years ago.


--- In novavikes@yahoogroups.com, "Stanley Stewart" <sstewart@...>
wrote:
>
> Al, quick question.  Who was the wrestler that tried to play for the
> Vikes last yr.?
>
> Stan
>

Al, quick question.  Who was the wrestler that tried to play for the
Vikes last yr.?

Stan

I will be Hosting a Live Game Time Chat! Minnesota Vikings (6-8) at
Green Bay Packers (6-8) Since this Game is on the NFL Network & some
people won't get to Watch it at all, we have decided to Get a Live Game
Chat going!! This will be a Viking Heavy Crowd, however All are welcome!

Thursday Dec. 21st @ 8PM EST we'll get things rolling!

Here is the Link:

http://www.viking-insiders.com/interactive_chat.shtml

I play fantasy football with this guy we know as Cheesefree, some of
you know him as the guy you see on TV from watching games.  His name
is Syd and he is perhaps the biggest Vikings' fan you will ever
meet.  Here is the USA Today article with a picture of him if you
don't know whom I am referring to:

www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/vikings/2006-12-20-devoted-
fan_x.htm

'Cheese-Free' — a Vikings fan loyal to the extreme


By Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY
MINNEAPOLIS — Syd Davy is vanishing in full view.
One of the NFL's most fanatical fans has already donned purple
camouflage pants and a purple muscle shirt that bears the nickname of
the team he lives for, the Minnesota Vikings. Next comes face paint,
a yellow mustache and eyebrows against a backdrop of Vikings purple.

He adds six rings, three on each hand, and then straps on a
championship belt that reads VWO: "Vikings World Order." Each
wristband bears the same abbreviation.

Then he drapes chain mail around his massive chest and shoulders
before he reaches for a horned helmet that has yellow braids
descending from each side.

Davy, a train engineer who lives an otherwise unremarkable life as a
Canadian citizen in Winnipeg with his wife, Susan, and their cat,
Angel, is gone.

Meet "100 percent Cheese-Free," a Nordic hero with such fervor for
the Vikings and such enmity for the archrival Green Bay Packers and
their "cheesehead" followers that he enjoys rock-star status here as
he leaves a downtown hotel for a recent game against the struggling
Arizona Cardinals.

"One hundred percent Cheese-Free and me are two different people,"
says Davy, 48. "Cheese-Free is what they refer to here as an 'icon,'
like a cult-status figure in Minnesota. Myself, I'm a regular guy
outside of this. I drive trains, and I work out."

Somehow, the combination of a mediocre team that is winless in four
Super Bowls and an alter ego that teems with optimism leads Davy and
his purple-wigged wife to drive eight hours each way and cover 1,004
miles round-trip to every home game. They have missed a handful of
contests since their Sunday devotion began in September 1986, a
little less than a year after they were married.

A therapist might be hard-pressed to explain such passion. Davy can
only say how it started. He was 6 years old when he watched Minnesota
play at San Francisco on Oct. 25, 1964. He watched in disbelief as
Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall scooped up a fumble only to lose
his bearings before he rumbled toward the end zone.

"You're running the wrong way," the boy shouted at the
television. "You're running the wrong way!" Marshall's safety is long
remembered after Minnesota's 27-22 victory was forgotten.

Davy contented himself with following the hometown Winnipeg Blue
Bombers of the CFL until their coach, Bud Grant, left to take over
Minnesota in 1967. The highly respected Grant would earn his place in
the Pro Football Hall of Fame by leading the Vikings to the NFL title
in 1969 as well as to unsuccessful appearances in Super Bowls IV,
VIII, IX and XI.

It was almost as if each agonizing setback made Davy more eager to
help. Face paint went on for the first time at the end of the 1980s
as part of a Halloween celebration. It was the start of something big.

The 5-10, 225-pound Davy had been dedicated to rigorous conditioning
since he was a teenager and continues to maintain bulging biceps with
regular two-hour workouts. He used to take a swipe at steroid users
by wearing a muscle shirt that read, "100 percent drug-free." By the
end of 1993, "One hundred percent Cheese-Free" was created with a
wife's blessing.

"He's such a great guy, a hard worker and dedicated," Susan
says. "But he needed that confidence. He needed to know he's a good
guy and people like him. He is something special."

She often feels as though she married two different men. There is
Davy, who walks their white Himalayan cat on a leash when she
accompanies them on the road and who yearns for the tranquility of an
ocean cruise.

Then there is the beer-totin', cigar-smokin' Cheese-Free, who
delights tailgaters by stopping by before he and Susan occupy their
front-row seats in the Metrodome's south end zone.

"I definitely say he's a different person," Susan says. "Where Syd is
a quiet person who internalizes things, not Cheese-Free. He's about
expressing himself."

Perhaps it is about escaping, too. According to Davy, his mother,
Sheila, committed suicide in 1988 when she overdosed on painkillers.

He also says he was part of a horrific incident while working for
Canadian Pacific Railway when a man attempted to take his life by
lying on the tracks. The man survived, but his legs were severed by
the time Davy could stop his train.

Cheese-Free has no such cares. He knows he is as huge as the Vikings
ship on his back that required almost two days for the tattoo artist
to complete. He poses for pictures and signs autographs. He is a
guest at numerous pregame tailgates, where he encounters other
fanatics such as Patrick Olsen of Fridley, Minn., known as "Spiking
Viking" for his purple spiked hair.

Olsen's admiration for Davy borders on reverence. "He is a true
Vikings fan," he says. "He drives from Canada. I drive 20 minutes."

Cheese-Free's last stop is typically at a party a couple of blocks
from the Metrodome, behind Bobby and Steve's Service Station. There
are grilled meats of all kinds, and alcohol flows as easily as
conversation.

Talk sometimes drifts to Randy Moss, an enigmatic but explosive wide
receiver who became so enamored with Cheese-Free that he began
leaping into his arms after touchdowns from November 1998 until he
was shipped to Oakland in 2004.

"We jumped one time," Moss says, "and we didn't stop jumping until it
was time for me to leave Minnesota."

Moss never feared making the 9-foot leap because he felt secure in
Cheese-Free's bulging arms. "He let me know whenever he was going to
let me down," Moss says. "He looked out for my safety."

They learned to avoid helmet-to-helmet contact after Moss' face mask
inadvertently split open Cheese-Free's nose. Susan was once left with
a black eye when the receiver caught her with an elbow.

Although lack of interest in the Arizona game has sCalpers scrambling
to sell tickets at half of their face value, Davy treats the contest
as if it were of great magnitude. He delights the crowd with his
glowering game face. Fans young and old emulate his muscle-flexing
routine when it is shown on the scoreboard, no matter how scrawny
their arms.

It is all so much fun. Davy wishes the game would never end, even
though Minnesota losses 31-26.

"I'd love to be Cheese-Free all the time," he says wistfully. "But
you can't."

Posted 12/20/2006 11:45 PM ET

For those that can't make the game tonight at Stars & Stripes.  Happy
Holidays to you and your family.  SKOL VIKES!

Al

--- In novavikes@yahoogroups.com, vze243bi <vze243bi@...> wrote:
>
> It's just year 1 of the 3 year plan. I don't buy into the idea that
> Childress is a bad coach at all. He's had to clean up the Boat Cruize
> mess and restock the team. We have a heckuva run defense. If we can rush
> the passer next year, that will improve. And I think poor brad has seen
> his last season. Too bad. I like him a lot.
>
> Let's hope for 8-8!
>
>
>
> Vikings Outclassed by Jets
> By Associated Press
> Monday, December 18, 2006 - Updated: 12:33 AM EST
>
> MINNEAPOLIS - Chad Pennington and the New York Jets bounced back from a
> bad game, staying in the playoff chase for at least one more week and
> smiling from start to finish.
>
> The Minnesota Vikings are nearly out of the running, their shaky
> quarterback situation about the only bit of intrigue remaining.
> Pennington completed 29-of-39 passes for a career-high 339 yards, one
> touchdown and one interception, leading the Jets past the Vikings 26-13
> for their third straight road victory yesterday.
>
> "This was a big game for us - and an even bigger game as far as our
> mentality and our attitude after you suffer a setback like we did last
> week," said Pennington, referring to a 31-13 loss to Buffalo.
>
> Brad Johnson was benched for the third time this season, but a late
> surge by rookie Tarvaris Jackson was too little, too late for the
> reeling Vikings (6-8), who have lost six of eight.
>
> "We have too many good players to be in the position we're in," safety
> Darren Sharper said. "That's the most disappointing thing."
>
> Laveranues Coles had 12 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown for the
> Jets (8-6). Mike Nugent kicked four field goals to stretch his streak of
> makes to 13, and New York improved to 5-2 on the road and two games
> behind the Patriots [team stats] in the AFC East.
>
> First-year coach Eric Mangini, whose club has far exceeded most
> expectations, was just as pleased by the overall performance and week of
> preparation as he was the victory.
>
> "This is a fun time of year to play football," said Mangini, who grinned
> several times during his postgame news conference.
>
> The Vikings had a chance to thrust themselves into the wide-open NFC
> wild-card race. Instead, it was the same old story for a team that has
> wiped out the old standby of stopping the run and running the ball well
> leading to success.
>
> "Mathematically, we're still in it," coach Brad Childress said.
>
> Depends on the perspective.
>
> "Mathematically, that's a miracle," said receiver Travis Taylor, who
> caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Johnson barely two minutes into the
> game following a jarring, blind-side sack of Pennington by Napoleon
> Harris that caused a fumble.
>
> After that, Minnesota was completely outschemed. The Jets didn't bother
> running the ball much until the stretch, as most opponents have
> approached the league's best rushing defense. But Pennington took what
> he was given, faking a handoff nearly every time and favoring soft,
> short throws.
>

Yeah man but the one year and three year plans are turning into the 46
  year plans, which you would know if you were not so young. Skol Vikings

It's just year 1 of the 3 year plan. I don't buy into the idea that
Childress is a bad coach at all. He's had to clean up the Boat Cruize
mess and restock the team. We have a heckuva run defense. If we can rush
the passer next year, that will improve. And I think poor brad has seen
his last season. Too bad. I like him a lot.

Let's hope for 8-8!



Vikings Outclassed by Jets
By Associated Press
Monday, December 18, 2006 - Updated: 12:33 AM EST

MINNEAPOLIS - Chad Pennington and the New York Jets bounced back from a
bad game, staying in the playoff chase for at least one more week and
smiling from start to finish.

The Minnesota Vikings are nearly out of the running, their shaky
quarterback situation about the only bit of intrigue remaining.
Pennington completed 29-of-39 passes for a career-high 339 yards, one
touchdown and one interception, leading the Jets past the Vikings 26-13
for their third straight road victory yesterday.

“This was a big game for us - and an even bigger game as far as our
mentality and our attitude after you suffer a setback like we did last
week,” said Pennington, referring to a 31-13 loss to Buffalo.

Brad Johnson was benched for the third time this season, but a late
surge by rookie Tarvaris Jackson was too little, too late for the
reeling Vikings (6-8), who have lost six of eight.

“We have too many good players to be in the position we’re in,” safety
Darren Sharper said. “That’s the most disappointing thing.”

Laveranues Coles had 12 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown for the
Jets (8-6). Mike Nugent kicked four field goals to stretch his streak of
makes to 13, and New York improved to 5-2 on the road and two games
behind the Patriots [team stats] in the AFC East.

First-year coach Eric Mangini, whose club has far exceeded most
expectations, was just as pleased by the overall performance and week of
preparation as he was the victory.

“This is a fun time of year to play football,” said Mangini, who grinned
several times during his postgame news conference.
    
The Vikings had a chance to thrust themselves into the wide-open NFC
wild-card race. Instead, it was the same old story for a team that has
wiped out the old standby of stopping the run and running the ball well
leading to success.

“Mathematically, we’re still in it,” coach Brad Childress said.
    
Depends on the perspective.

“Mathematically, that’s a miracle,” said receiver Travis Taylor, who
caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Johnson barely two minutes into the
game following a jarring, blind-side sack of Pennington by Napoleon
Harris that caused a fumble.

After that, Minnesota was completely outschemed. The Jets didn’t bother
running the ball much until the stretch, as most opponents have
approached the league’s best rushing defense. But Pennington took what
he was given, faking a handoff nearly every time and favoring soft,
short throws.

In the Star-Tribune this morning:

"The Vikings are expected to be $32.4 million under the 2007 salary
cap, and if they want to win, they are going to have to sign some
good free agents."

The team has underwhelmed this year, hasn't it?  We had hopes that a
caretaker quarterback would be able to muddle through by holding
turnovers to a minimum and letting the defense take the lead in
building a playoff season.  Well, neither part occured.  The
turnovers and penalties destroyed the offense all year long.

The offense might as well have been designed and executed here in DC
by Ol' Joe Gobbs.  Speaking of coaches, the onus for 2006 Vikings
mediocrity falls squarely on Brad Childress' shoulders.  He's got to
buckle down and commit to being a leader, not just a manager.  He
needs to be actively engaging his players on our expectations.  Zero
tolerance for penalties...zero tolerance for off-field criminal
bahavior...sharp definition of the player's role...building a hunger
for the Red Zone.  This failure to make the playoffs had everything
to do with the coach failing to extract superior performance from an
adequate player pool.  It's all about maximising each individual's
contribution to the team and then planning a framework of plays and
schemes that align all those contributions toward one goal...the END
ZONE.

I can advocate for another offseason, or even two, supporting the
current Vikings organization as long as they move aggressively and
smartly toward a championship team.  It would be nice to have them
actually execute well next year and actually appear in the playoffs
again.  Even better, for them to make as much improvement in pass
defense, offense and special teams as they have in the run defense
from last year to next.  Signing free agents will definitely help and
we have the money to do this.  But leadership is WAY more effective
at improving the win total in coming years, and that's not as simple
as stroking a check to some drug-sucking prima donna of a player.

Here's hoping the Wilf-inator can tear his attention away from
stadium-building and figure out a way to re-train his coach to be a
winner.  If I see some figurative butt-kicking show up in the
offseason, I'll feel pretty positive about 2007.  If not, I'll just
avoid the games so I don't get so bent out of shape.

In the meantime, by all means play Jackson and any other young player
who looks promising.  See if you can beat the hope out of Green Bay,
because if you don't, they'll beat it out of you.  Close out the
season with vigor and turn to the future with a vengeance.

Skol Vikes!
Rich

Huge game tomorrow. I like our chances. And then on to Lambeau for a
little pre-Christmas Packer bashing. Win out and we're in.

i get the irony.

but compaining about the vikes (or any team for that matter) is about
1/2 the fun. criticizing play calls, player choices, draft picks --
that's what it is all about.

and the vikes having a double digit lead in any 4th quarter is no
guarantee since the days of the purple people eaters.

my role is not to simply shake the pom poms for the vikes, no matter
what.

btw -i was in detroit for the game. the detroit fans are one angry,
grumbling bunch. they want millen to go and want their lions to win
again.

and ford field is a really amazing facility. makes fedex field look like
a warehouse.  beautiful place.

-brad







Mark Z wrote:

> While watching my fellow fans, I came up with some ideas for the
> future.  I hope I can get some agreement on the following suggestions
> for future games.
>
> 1)  If at any point in the game (or the hour before the game) you
> make the statement that the QB is washed up, as has been, or can not
> throw a pass more that 3 yards, You are not allowed to complain about
> any run play.
>
> 2)  If the Vikes have a double digit lead in the 4th quarter against
> a team known to fall apart in the 4th quarter and the one
> interseption in the game resulted in a touchdown for the other team,
> You are not allowed to complain about any run play.  When you have
> the lead late in the game, you are supposed to be conservative.
>
> 3)  Culpepper and Moss are long gone.  Get used to the short plays.
>
> 4)  Any time the Vikes have a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter, YOU
> ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPY!!!!!  This last week, I had to keep checking
> the score to make sure I was seeing it right.  I have never heard so
> much complaining about the Vikings winning.
>
> I don't mind when people express a opinion.  However, in the future,
> please be consistent in your opinions.
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

While watching my fellow fans, I came up with some ideas for the
future.  I hope I can get some agreement on the following suggestions
for future games.

1)  If at any point in the game (or the hour before the game) you
make the statement that the QB is washed up, as has been, or can not
throw a pass more that 3 yards, You are not allowed to complain about
any run play.

2)  If the Vikes have a double digit lead in the 4th quarter against
a team known to fall apart in the 4th quarter and the one
interseption in the game resulted in a touchdown for the other team,
You are not allowed to complain about any run play.  When you have
the lead late in the game, you are supposed to be conservative.

3)  Culpepper and Moss are long gone.  Get used to the short plays.

4)  Any time the Vikes have a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter, YOU
ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPY!!!!!  This last week, I had to keep checking
the score to make sure I was seeing it right.  I have never heard so
much complaining about the Vikings winning.

I don't mind when people express a opinion.  However, in the future,
please be consistent in your opinions.

--- Childress will play Brad Johnson this week.  Put simply, his ultra
conservative style will not allow for a change until the Vikings are
flat out eliminated from the playoffs.  At this stage, the best thing
to do is to play Jackson and realize the season is over.  Use this time
to develop the new talent and see what he can do but won't happen for
at least two more games.

johnson is done..how can a coach keep this has been? Its time to move
on with the future..bench him now!!!

on the bright side, we held the bears to under 100 yeard rushing.

well, we can be looking forward to a high draft pick.......
-brad



Chicago clinches NFC North with sloppy win over Vikings

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Devin Hester's 45-yard punt return broke
a scoreless deadlock, providing a catalyst in the Chicago Bears' 23-13
win over the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.

It was a sloppy NFC North smash-mouth battle in the bitter cold and
swirling winds along Lake Michigan, featuring an NFL single-game record
ten turnovers as both teams battled both the elements and themselves.

Cedric Benson rushed nine times for 60 yards and one touchdown, Ricky
Manning returned an interception for another score, while Bernard
Berrian caught four balls for 21 yards for the Bears (10-2), who
clinched their second straight NFC North Division crown.

Rex Grossman had a dismal outing, throwing for only 34 yards on 6-of-19
passing to go with three interceptions.

"I'm extremely proud of this team, I'm proud of what we accomplished
this season," said Grossman. "Today just showed why we have the best
defense in the league and the best special teams in the league, and
there's a lot of great things about our offense. Right now the passing
game is not one of them, but it was great earlier in the year."

Chester Taylor gained 99 yards on 17 carries before leaving the game in
the third quarter with a rib problem. Ciatrick Fason rushed for 75 yards
on 11 carries and one touchdown and Mewelde Moore had five receptions
for 51 yards for the Vikings (5-7), who have dropped five of their last
six games.

Ryan Longwell added two field goals in the loss and Brad Johnson
completed only 11-of-26 passes for 73 yards, no touchdowns and four
interceptions.

Backup quarterback Brooks Bollinger completed 7-of-9 passes for 70 yards
and third-stringer Tarvaris Jackson hit on 3-of-4 passing attempts for
35 yards and one fumble.

Each team did little in the first quarter but trade turnovers, and the
trend continued into the second.

Grossman made a crucial drive-killing mistake on the first play of the
quarter, throwing up a ball that was intended for Berrian at the
Minnesota three, but the vicious cross-wind knocked it right into the
hands of Antoine Winfield.

After that Minnesota drive failed deep in their own territory, Hester
scooped up a bouncing punt, shook off three would-be tacklers, and raced
down the right side for his 45-yard score, giving the Bears a 7-0 lead
with 2:40 played in the second.

The Vikings responded on their ensuing possession, marching 57 yards in
six plays to get on the board. On the drive, Taylor rumbled off tackle
for a 38- yard gain to the Bears' 20, and Brian Urlacher was penalized
for roughing the passer, but Chicago held on 3rd-and-goal from the five,
and Longwell was called upon to hit from 23 yards, making it a 7-3 game.

On Minnesota's first drive of the third quarter, they marched 69 yards
in 11 plays, culminating with Longwell's 30-yard make, bringing the
Vikes within 7-6 with 4:53 played.

Following another series where the teams traded interceptions, the Bears
finally capitalized when Manning stepped in front of Johnson's sideline
pass intended for Marcus Robinson, and returned it 54 yards to push the
lead to 14-6 with 4:33 left in the third.

Johnson afforded the Bears another chance to score on the next play from
scrimmage when he dumped off a ball under pressure right into Urlacher's
hands at the Vikings' 33. Benson dove and hit the pylon four plays later
on a 24- yard touchdown run that gave the Bears a 21-6 lead with just
over three minutes remaining.

After that costly error, Johnson's was done, replaced by Bollinger.

Chicago's defense added insult to injury 61 seconds into the fourth
quarter, swarming Fason in the end zone for a safety, bringing the score
to 23-6.

Under Bollinger, the Vikings finally moved the ball more fluidly, taking
more than 6 1/2 minutes to go 89 yards on 11 plays. Fason capped the
drive by going up the middle for a four-yard score, cutting the deficit
to 10, 23-13, with 5:40 to go.

The Vikings then recovered Longwell's onsides kick at their own 44, but
could not move the ball past midfield due to a killer combination of
penalties and Chicago's defensive domination. Things got worse for
Minnesota, as Bollinger came out of the game after being dumped on his
right side while taking a sack on that drive's final play.

Jackson was brought in to replace Bollinger, and on the Vikings' final
series, his lost fumble deep in Bears territory salted away Chicago's
win.

"It's very frustrating," said Vikings tight end Jermaine Wiggins. "Early
in the game we were able to get some really great field positionoff
turnovers and we weren't able to do anything. As an offense, we had way
too many penalties and we can't have turnovers. It's about turnovers in
this league. If you have more turnovers than the other team, nine times
out of ten, you're going to lose."

Game Notes

Chicago has won four of the last five meetings, and the last six at
Soldier Field...Coming into the game, the Vikings gave up just 57
rushing yards per game, and held the Bears to 83 yards on the
ground...Manning's INT return was the first of his career...The Bears'
safety, credited to Tank Johnson, was their first since December,
2004...Minnesota lost despite racking up 348 yards of total offense and
21 first downs.

Thanks for the help you gave me last year over at O'Malleys.  It was a
shame it didn't work out, but we got a fine group at S & S either
way.  I wish you the very best.  If you ever go and sign up with the
Vikingsupdate.com messageboard contact a guy with the ID name of
desertvike.  Sarah who goes by the name of Sassy over there said he
would know more about gatherings than anyone else in your area.  She
told me he hasn't caught him online in a few weeks so its been
difficult getting the info from him.  It is a very good and active
messageboard, the most active of any NFL messageboard on the
internet.  You will see 2 messageboards: Purple Thoughts and Old School
he most likely will be on the Old School side.  You will often see me
post there under my albuddah name so if for anything we can stay in
touch there.

I wish you the very best for you and your new missus.  Stay well and
much success to you over there.  SKOL VIKES!

Vikes win?! Hey, we'll take it anyway we can. Then again, it was the
cards...
-brad



Land o' mistakes

Turnovers doom Cards in Minnesota despite two 99-yard TDs

By Jon Krawczynski
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MINNEAPOLIS — Arizona coach Dennis Green expected to see a bumbling,
mistake-prone Vikings offense upon his return to Minnesota.
Instead, the unit welcomed Green back Sunday with the kind of prolific
performance that fans took for granted when he was the coach here,
finally giving the Vikings defense the help it has so desperately
needed.

Brad Johnson threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns, Chester Taylor
rushed for 136 yards and a score and Minnesota snapped a four-game
losing streak with a 31-26 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

The win was as long overdue as the touchdowns.

"It's been a month. Really, it's been a long time," Vikings coach Brad
Childress said. "Those guys are elated to get it."

The Minnesota defense delivered its usual solid performance, forcing
five turnovers and allowing just 17 yards rushing.

"The defense did a great job again," Taylor said. "We knew we had to
start getting points for them. … They created turnovers and this time we
capitalized with touchdowns and points off them."

The Cardinals (2-9) got a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by J.J.
Arrington on the opening play of the game and a 99-yard fumble return
for a score by Adrian Wilson in the fourth, but couldn't overcome the
turnovers, penalties and a suddenly productive Vikings (5-6) offense.

"This is the first time we've played pretty well on the road and had a
chance to win at the end," rookie quarterback Matt Leinart said. "I
thought we showed a lot of fight as an offense and as a defense, and
special teams contributed. All around, I thought it was a great effort.
We just ran out of time."

Leinart threw for a career-high 405 yards with two interceptions yet
managed only one TD — a 9-yard pass to Anquan Boldin with 39 seconds to
play — but it was too little, too late.

The Vikings sure know how that feels.

Minnesota had scored just four offensive touchdowns during the four-game
losing streak, and some of the defensive players were growing
increasingly impatient with a unit that constantly came up short in the
red zone.

Johnson was drawing much of the criticism, having thrown nine
interceptions and just one touchdown during the streak.

But he came back Sunday against his former coach, throwing TDs to Marcus
Robinson, Billy McMullen and Jeff Dugan, a tight end who was converted
to fullback when Tony Richardson was lost for the season.

"Two weeks ago, Jeff Dugan was holding the clipboard and this week he's
scoring a touchdown," center Matt Birk said. "That's what we need."

The Cardinals made things interesting after Leinart hit Boldin for the
late score. Darryl Blackstock recovered an onside kick, but Leinart's
desperation heave into the end zone as time expired was intercepted.

All Green could do was stare blankly at the field as he watched his
young team give away another game.

In 10 years as the Vikings coach, Green racked up an impressive 97-62
record, but lost both times they appeared in the NFC championship. Green
was curt after the game, saying this game was no different than any
other he's coached in a career that spans three decades.

"Just a game that we hoped to win that we didn't win," he said.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr., who starred in high school at Richfield, Minn.,
and was a Vikings ball boy under Green, had 11 catches for 172 yards,
and Boldin had nine catches for 140 yards for the Cardinals.

Will the real Minnesota Vikings please stand up? Try as he might to
at times revert to the unimaginative play calling coach Childress
actually showed that he can make adjustments. Did he allow Brad
Johnson to leave the pocket or did the vet do it on his own running
for two first downs. Speaking of running...all day to the right side
and with Rosenthal over there. He didn't even have one motion call!
Sorry, I'm getting a little excited. Had it not been for the refs bad
call of Chesters fumble at the goal line we wouldn't have been
wondering if we were gonna give another one away. Whew! The boys just
looked more relaxed and comfortable for whatever reason. Let's carry
it over to Da bears and start the march to the playoffs!
On a personal note: Sunday was my last game at S&S with you all as I
am relocating to Denny Greenland...Yes I'm moving to Phoenix to waste
away in the desert by having to listen to Denny blame it all on some
one else AGAIN! Seriously I've enjoyed being part of the NOVAVIKES
and I would like to thank all of you for that. Especially guys like
Joel and Al that keep the wheels turning on the machine. I located
the Vikes fan club in AZ but their website hasn't been updated
since '03...not a good sign. Maybe I'll go show them what a real
Vikes fan club should be like. Strike up the band and SKOL VIKES!!!
Thanks for everything,
Perry Putnam

When the coach finally gets around to getting us a starting QB who
can keep the defenses honest, we can open up the field and see the
way the West Coast is supposed to work.  Under Brad Johnson's
leadership, we see the box loaded with defensive players begging Brad
to beat them.  It doesn't help that we have mediocre WRs, but most of
the time Brad can't open it up because the defense brings too many
players, eliminating the dump off and screenplays that is the staple
of the West Coast.  We can't run the ball successfully and the O-Line
can't hold back all those defenders because of it.  A QB has to keep
defenses back, but Brad can't do this.  So once we start the offense,
defenses think we are predictable.  We are, but things can change
with a QB who can come out of the box when the pocket closes or
running the option which McNabb can do and has been successful with.
Steve Young was such a great QB when he was able to confuse the
defense this way.  Throw, run or hand off?

So, maybe Childress doesn't want Jackson now because he isn't ready,
even if every fan is.  I respect his decision, but that is just
delaying the inevitable if Jackson is going to be the future.  Maybe
Childress doesn't see more than a Drew Henson and his draft pick was
a waste?  Let's hope that isn't the reason he isn't playing yet.
Either way, if Jackson isn't going to start next year, they better be
in the sweep stakes for someone who can throw next year.  Maybe
Schaub, the backup in Atlanta who has tools, but not the
opportunity.  Maybe Simms from Tampa Bay who had shown up to this
year a glimmer of talent.  Not sure who it is, it better not be Brad
Johnson, because if he is the choice, there might be an awful lot of
empty seats watching next years games.

I believe in letting people have second chances.  Childress has been
loyal to his system and his QB, but he has to learn what works and
what doesn't next year.  If he doesn't he might be looking for new
residency in 2008.  I do believe with a new QB, we will have a
remarkably better offense and Childress will be proven right.  The
West Coast Offense can work.

First off let me say this isn't Spam & I didn't join just to post
this message.

Secondly, This will be the ONLY Time I post this.

If you're as nuts as I am about your team (College, MLB, NHL, NBA,
NFL) please send me your email. I'm part of new Sports version of
MySpace & would like to have you sign up, it's a Great Sports
community!! All of my Viking Friends on Myspace (Heck any Sports Fan)
send me your email address & I'll send you a personal invite, then we
can get you signed up.

You can set up your site very similar to Myspace with your team
favorites! I'm having a Blast on there, like being on the ground
floor when MySpace broke out!

Yes, I know I know (Wait for it)
.
.
.
.
.
.
(Wait for it)
.
.
.
.
.
(Wait for it)
.
.
.
.
......................................................................
I'm totally Pimping this site!!

I am totally a Vikings Fan, I have the Ink to prove it!!


- Viking Ken

Look on the bright side, dude. The Vikes set an NFL record y'day. Only
team to hold an opponent to minus rushing yardage and still lose.

--- In novavikes@yahoogroups.com, vze243bi@... wrote:
>
> All of this kinda makes you long for the ole Culpepper-Moss crazy time,
> doesn't it?
>
> -brad
>
>
>
> Summary Back to top
> Dolphins 24, Vikings 20
>
> MIAMI (AP) - Jason Taylor zigzagged through the open field, waved the
> ball in his left hand and leaped across the goal line to finish with a
> flourish.
>
> Looking more like breakaway runners than defensive players, Taylor and
> cornerback Renaldo Hill were the best ball carriers the Miami Dolphins
> had Sunday.
>
> Taylor and Hill returned turnovers for touchdowns in the fourth quarter,
> and Miami overcame another sputtering offensive performance to beat the
> Minnesota Vikings 24-20.
>
> The Vikings, ranked first in the NFL in run defense, lost despite
> setting a team record by limiting the Dolphins to minus 3 yards rushing
> in 14 carries. Running back Ronnie Brown netted 2 yards in 12 attempts.
>
> The last time a team won with such a poor rushing total was on Oct. 29,
> 1961, when Philadelphia beat Washington 27-24 with minus 12 yards.
>
> ''They shut down one half of our offense,'' quarterback Joey Harrington
> said. ''We threw well enough to win. And yeah, we got some help from
> J.T. and Renaldo.''
>
> Hill returned a fumble 48 yards for Miami's go-ahead score, and Taylor
> scored on a 51-yard interception return with 3:25 left to tie George
> Martin's NFL record for linemen with his seventh career touchdown.
>
> The Dolphins (4-6), who had the league's worst record less than a month
> ago, won their third consecutive game.
>
> ''When we were sitting there at 1-6, nobody gave us a chance to win
> another game,'' Harrington said.
>
> The Vikings (4-6) lost their fourth game in a row, committing three
> turnovers in the final period.
>
> ''We had the game in hand until we self-destructed in the fourth
> quarter,'' quarterback Brad Johnson said.
>
> Minnesota was nursing a 13-10 lead with 10 minutes left when Chester
> Taylor lost a fumble for the second consecutive series. Hill picked the
> ball up, found himself in the clear and sprinted to the end zone.
>
> ''I'm just glad I was able to scoop and score,'' Hill said.
>
> The Vikings were again at midfield when Jason Taylor sealed the victory,
> peeling off a blocker to step in front of a screen pass by Johnson and
> sprinting untouched for the score.
>
> ''He's unbelievable,'' Johnson said. ''I asked him, and he said he read
> the scheme. I felt we had him blocked. I never saw him until after he
> made the play.''
>
> Taylor has had a hand in seven turnovers this season and has scored
> twice.
>
> ''He might replace Barry Sanders as my all-time favorite player,''
> teammate Andre Goodman said. ''It's amazing the type of year he's
> having.''
>
> Taylor said he sensed a big play coming.
>
> ''I hadn't been feeling good all game,'' he said. ''I didn't feel like I
> was in a groove. Before that play I told the official, 'I'm about to do
> something outrageous.'''
>
> Chester Taylor scored on a 1-yard run as time expired.
>
> The Dolphins won even though they lost a fumble after reaching the 1,
> had a 58-yard touchdown pass negated by a penalty and trailed in time of
> possession by 12 minutes. Their rushing yardage was a franchise low, and
> a team record for the Vikings defense.
>
> Harrington went 26-for-42 for 254 yards with one score. He improved to
> 1-6 starting against the Vikings, with the losses coming when he played
> for Detroit.
>
> ''There has been a bit of a something against those guys,'' Harrington
> said. ''It's nice to beat them.''
>
> His lone interception almost cost Miami the game. Antoine Winfield
> returned the interception 26 yards to the 3, setting up Ryan Longwell's
> 19-yard field goal three plays later to put Minnesota ahead 13-10.
>
> Harrington went 7-for-8 on the Dolphins' first possession to help them
> drive 72 yards to the 1, but Brown lost a fumble and Minnesota's Dwight
> Smith recovered.
>
> After dodging that threat, the Vikings mounted their longest scoring
> drive of the season - 96 yards in 12 plays - with Chester Taylor
> vaulting into the end zone from the 1.
>
> But the Vikings struggled to move the ball the rest of the day, and
> Winfield acknowledged frustration with his offense.
>
> ''The guys need to be more accountable and go out there to do what we
> need to do,'' he said.
>
> Notes: The Dolphins came away with their longest injury list of the
> season: LB Channing Crowder (hip), CB Will Allen (groin), S Travares
> Tillman (hand), DE David Bowens (knee), WR Wes Welker (ankle) and CB
> Michael Lehan (nose). Bowens, Welker and Lehan returned to the game
> after being hurt. ... Sidelined for Minnesota were CB Cedric Griffin
> (neck stinger), G Artis Hicks (ankle sprain) and T Marcus Johnson. ...
> Former Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper (knee) was inactive for the sixth
> game in a row.
>

All of this kinda makes you long for the ole Culpepper-Moss crazy time,
doesn't it?

-brad



Summary Back to top
Dolphins 24, Vikings 20

MIAMI (AP) - Jason Taylor zigzagged through the open field, waved the
ball in his left hand and leaped across the goal line to finish with a
flourish.

Looking more like breakaway runners than defensive players, Taylor and
cornerback Renaldo Hill were the best ball carriers the Miami Dolphins
had Sunday.

Taylor and Hill returned turnovers for touchdowns in the fourth quarter,
and Miami overcame another sputtering offensive performance to beat the
Minnesota Vikings 24-20.

The Vikings, ranked first in the NFL in run defense, lost despite
setting a team record by limiting the Dolphins to minus 3 yards rushing
in 14 carries. Running back Ronnie Brown netted 2 yards in 12 attempts.

The last time a team won with such a poor rushing total was on Oct. 29,
1961, when Philadelphia beat Washington 27-24 with minus 12 yards.

''They shut down one half of our offense,'' quarterback Joey Harrington
said. ''We threw well enough to win. And yeah, we got some help from
J.T. and Renaldo.''

Hill returned a fumble 48 yards for Miami's go-ahead score, and Taylor
scored on a 51-yard interception return with 3:25 left to tie George
Martin's NFL record for linemen with his seventh career touchdown.

The Dolphins (4-6), who had the league's worst record less than a month
ago, won their third consecutive game.

''When we were sitting there at 1-6, nobody gave us a chance to win
another game,'' Harrington said.

The Vikings (4-6) lost their fourth game in a row, committing three
turnovers in the final period.

''We had the game in hand until we self-destructed in the fourth
quarter,'' quarterback Brad Johnson said.

Minnesota was nursing a 13-10 lead with 10 minutes left when Chester
Taylor lost a fumble for the second consecutive series. Hill picked the
ball up, found himself in the clear and sprinted to the end zone.

''I'm just glad I was able to scoop and score,'' Hill said.

The Vikings were again at midfield when Jason Taylor sealed the victory,
peeling off a blocker to step in front of a screen pass by Johnson and
sprinting untouched for the score.

''He's unbelievable,'' Johnson said. ''I asked him, and he said he read
the scheme. I felt we had him blocked. I never saw him until after he
made the play.''

Taylor has had a hand in seven turnovers this season and has scored
twice.

''He might replace Barry Sanders as my all-time favorite player,''
teammate Andre Goodman said. ''It's amazing the type of year he's
having.''

Taylor said he sensed a big play coming.

''I hadn't been feeling good all game,'' he said. ''I didn't feel like I
was in a groove. Before that play I told the official, 'I'm about to do
something outrageous.'''

Chester Taylor scored on a 1-yard run as time expired.

The Dolphins won even though they lost a fumble after reaching the 1,
had a 58-yard touchdown pass negated by a penalty and trailed in time of
possession by 12 minutes. Their rushing yardage was a franchise low, and
a team record for the Vikings defense.

Harrington went 26-for-42 for 254 yards with one score. He improved to
1-6 starting against the Vikings, with the losses coming when he played
for Detroit.

''There has been a bit of a something against those guys,'' Harrington
said. ''It's nice to beat them.''

His lone interception almost cost Miami the game. Antoine Winfield
returned the interception 26 yards to the 3, setting up Ryan Longwell's
19-yard field goal three plays later to put Minnesota ahead 13-10.

Harrington went 7-for-8 on the Dolphins' first possession to help them
drive 72 yards to the 1, but Brown lost a fumble and Minnesota's Dwight
Smith recovered.

After dodging that threat, the Vikings mounted their longest scoring
drive of the season - 96 yards in 12 plays - with Chester Taylor
vaulting into the end zone from the 1.

But the Vikings struggled to move the ball the rest of the day, and
Winfield acknowledged frustration with his offense.

''The guys need to be more accountable and go out there to do what we
need to do,'' he said.

Notes: The Dolphins came away with their longest injury list of the
season: LB Channing Crowder (hip), CB Will Allen (groin), S Travares
Tillman (hand), DE David Bowens (knee), WR Wes Welker (ankle) and CB
Michael Lehan (nose). Bowens, Welker and Lehan returned to the game
after being hurt. ... Sidelined for Minnesota were CB Cedric Griffin
(neck stinger), G Artis Hicks (ankle sprain) and T Marcus Johnson. ...
Former Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper (knee) was inactive for the sixth
game in a row.

--- In novavikes@yahoogroups.com, vze243bi@... wrote:
>
> I just keep saying: rebuilding year, rebuilding year.......
>
>
>
> Packers beat Vikings 23-17
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> November 12, 2006
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Brett Favre avoided those infamously big mistakes


Yeah, but you have to admit that those two Childress impersonators wer
e pretty funny y'day. This team's done for the year.
> at the Metrodome, and Green Bay emerged with a victory over Minnesota.
>
> Favre threw two touchdown passes without a turnover and Donald Driver
> had 191 yards receiving, leading the Packers past the Vikings 23-17 on
> Sunday.
>
> Green Bay (4-5) was boosted by a strong pass rush, and Favre completed
> 24 of 42 passes for 347 yards and no interceptions.
>
> Brad Johnson went 18-for-30 for 257 yards, one touchdown and two
> turnovers for Minnesota, which lost its third straight game.
>
> Dave Rayner made three field goals, more than former Green Bay kicker
> Ryan Longwell, who only got a chance to kick one - a 34-yarder with 58
> seconds left.
>
> The Vikings (4-5) had three first downs on their last desperation drive,
>
> the only time they were able to move the chains after halftime without
> the help of a penalty. They recovered the onside kick, but Artose Pinner
>
> was penalized for being offside.
>
> Johnson - who was sacked four times - briefly sparked the offense with
> consecutive first-half drives that ended in touchdowns by Billy
> McMullen, but after the break it was more of the same. Bethel Johnson's
> kickoff return for a touchdown was called back by an illegal-block
> penalty on Pinner, a bad start to the second half.
>
> After one failed possession in the fourth quarter, coach Brad Childress
> screamed at guard Steve Hutchinson and tackle Bryant McKinnie, the
> multi-million-dollar left side of the line. Johnson was better than he
> had been, but he lost a fumble on a blind-side sack and his overthrow on
>
> second-and-1 at his own 30 was intercepted by Patrick Dendy with less
> than eight minutes left.
>
> Opening the second quarter, Billy McMullen was as open as any Minnesota
> receiver has been all season. Johnson's throw barely arrived in time,
> but the little-used McMullen - who spent three years buried on
> Philadelphia's depth chart - caught it for his team's first offensive
> touchdown in 10 quarters.
>
> That sparked the Vikings, who forced a three-and-out and surged right
> back by covering 82 yards on their next possession to take a 14-10 lead.
>
> They even scored in the red zone, where a 4-for-18 touchdown conversion
> rate, 22.2 percent, is the worst in the league.
>
> Johnson threw short on third-and-10 at the 16 to Taylor, who wiggled
> through the defense but lost the ball at the goal line after a jarring
> hit by rookie A.J. Hawk. McMullen was in perfect position, though, and
> pounced on it for just his third career score.
>
> Though Minnesota's league-best rushing defense frequently stuffed Ahman
> Green and Herron at the line or in the backfield in key short-yardage
> situations, Green Bay mixed plays well and for the most part kept Favre
> away from the temptation of forcing passes into risky places - avoiding
> the costly interceptions that have often led to his losses throughout
> his career the Metrodome.
>
> Favre was clearly having fun, as the television analysts remind viewers
> so many times. After his third-and-goal pass was turned into a 5-yard
> score for Herron, Favre leaped into his receiver's arms and patted him
> hard on the shoulder.
>
> Driver has consistently hurt the Vikings over the years with his speed
> over the middle, especially on the artificial grass here. He burned
> Dontarrious Thomas on a crossing pattern right before halftime, racing
> 82 yards untouched for a huge score to give the Packers a 17-14 lead.
>
> Favre ran as hard as he could to keep up, picking up his favorite
> receiver when he finally reached him and lifting him onto his shoulder.
>
>
>
> Associated Press
>
>
>

I just keep saying: rebuilding year, rebuilding year.......



Packers beat Vikings 23-17
------------------------------------------------------------------------



November 12, 2006

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Brett Favre avoided those infamously big mistakes
at the Metrodome, and Green Bay emerged with a victory over Minnesota.

Favre threw two touchdown passes without a turnover and Donald Driver
had 191 yards receiving, leading the Packers past the Vikings 23-17 on
Sunday.

Green Bay (4-5) was boosted by a strong pass rush, and Favre completed
24 of 42 passes for 347 yards and no interceptions.

Brad Johnson went 18-for-30 for 257 yards, one touchdown and two
turnovers for Minnesota, which lost its third straight game.

Dave Rayner made three field goals, more than former Green Bay kicker
Ryan Longwell, who only got a chance to kick one - a 34-yarder with 58
seconds left.

The Vikings (4-5) had three first downs on their last desperation drive,

the only time they were able to move the chains after halftime without
the help of a penalty. They recovered the onside kick, but Artose Pinner

was penalized for being offside.

Johnson - who was sacked four times - briefly sparked the offense with
consecutive first-half drives that ended in touchdowns by Billy
McMullen, but after the break it was more of the same. Bethel Johnson's
kickoff return for a touchdown was called back by an illegal-block
penalty on Pinner, a bad start to the second half.

After one failed possession in the fourth quarter, coach Brad Childress
screamed at guard Steve Hutchinson and tackle Bryant McKinnie, the
multi-million-dollar left side of the line. Johnson was better than he
had been, but he lost a fumble on a blind-side sack and his overthrow on

second-and-1 at his own 30 was intercepted by Patrick Dendy with less
than eight minutes left.

Opening the second quarter, Billy McMullen was as open as any Minnesota
receiver has been all season. Johnson's throw barely arrived in time,
but the little-used McMullen - who spent three years buried on
Philadelphia's depth chart - caught it for his team's first offensive
touchdown in 10 quarters.

That sparked the Vikings, who forced a three-and-out and surged right
back by covering 82 yards on their next possession to take a 14-10 lead.

They even scored in the red zone, where a 4-for-18 touchdown conversion
rate, 22.2 percent, is the worst in the league.

Johnson threw short on third-and-10 at the 16 to Taylor, who wiggled
through the defense but lost the ball at the goal line after a jarring
hit by rookie A.J. Hawk. McMullen was in perfect position, though, and
pounced on it for just his third career score.

Though Minnesota's league-best rushing defense frequently stuffed Ahman
Green and Herron at the line or in the backfield in key short-yardage
situations, Green Bay mixed plays well and for the most part kept Favre
away from the temptation of forcing passes into risky places - avoiding
the costly interceptions that have often led to his losses throughout
his career the Metrodome.

Favre was clearly having fun, as the television analysts remind viewers
so many times. After his third-and-goal pass was turned into a 5-yard
score for Herron, Favre leaped into his receiver's arms and patted him
hard on the shoulder.

Driver has consistently hurt the Vikings over the years with his speed
over the middle, especially on the artificial grass here. He burned
Dontarrious Thomas on a crossing pattern right before halftime, racing
82 yards untouched for a huge score to give the Packers a 17-14 lead.

Favre ran as hard as he could to keep up, picking up his favorite
receiver when he finally reached him and lifting him onto his shoulder.



Associated Press

   

Al, do you have John's (Bovender -sp) email address or phone #?  I have
some info he needs in order to get his Viking shoes.

Stan

>>> albuddah@... 10/29/2006 12:04 PM >>>
Where is all that Viking vim and vigor?  We don't usually get a huge
crowd on Monday nights, but it was also that way on the late
afternoon games too until last weeks big showing.  We going to have
big numbers tomorrow night too?  Will you be coming or staying at
home and mute Tony Kornhoser?  Let's all rally around our host Stars
& Stripes and give them some business tomorrow for at least the
half.  I know we all have to work the next day, but we can at least
stay that long.

To me it is more fun when we have the whole place screaming and
whooping it up during the game than when it is half full.  I sure
there will be a little prize Joel will have for the raffle too, so be
sure to give that a looksy.  We will be auctioning off a homemade
Viking throw/blanket my friend made for our group in the next couple
of weeks.  A picture is in our photos section, so be sure to look at
it.

Some of you newbies to our group are free to post messages and photos
and make yourselves at home.  This is a friendly board and I
encourage interaction.  There is a database list of people here, and
I would hope if you haven't added your name to the list by now,
please do so.  It is a way to get in touch or let people know who you
are.  Sometimes a person might have extra tickets to a game, and
looking up someone on the list that lives close to you might be a
good way to find your way to a game.  It also tells the group where
everyone is from.  We can get a good sense where the majority of
people in Northern VA, DC or MD are coming from.  So take a look and
add your name at least to the list of others.  Thanks.

Eternally,
Al
SKOL VIKINGS!