Vikings game mismanagement

[primetime]

You know, I really didn't care who won the Vikings-Saints game, I just hoped we saw a good game. It really was an entertaining game, and because I have no allegiance to either team, it made the game even more interesting.

You hear all about how the Vikings lost because of the turnovers. You hear how the Vikings lost because of that bullshit Pass Interference penalty in overtime. But despite all the fumbles and stuff, the Vikings lost the game because their coaching staff choked at the wrong damn time. All those fumbles would not have mattered because their coaching staff had a brain fart at the end of the game. Here's how...

The Vikings make it inside the Saints 35 yard line, and the Saints have no more timeouts. The Vikings decide to kill clock. Not a bad idea. But their PLAY CALLING was atrocious. They ran Chester Taylor for no gain. Then Adrian Peterson on a sweep for no gain. Now, it's third down. They call a timeout. They have 12men in the duddle, causing a penalty. On the next play, Favre throws a pick and the Vikings never see the ball again.

First of all, here is what the Vikings should have called on that 1st down. Peterson run up the middle. 2nd down? Peterson run up the middle. 3rd down? Peterson run up the middle. I am sure the best RB in the league would have picked up at least three yards on three carries to get them into a more manageable field goal attempt. For crying out loud, Peterson is your workhorse. Don't do stupid shit and go outside of that. Peterson three times up the middle. You have Hutchinson and McKinnie on the line, you RUN THE FREAKING BALL. But really kills me is this....

How on earth does a NFL team have 12 men in the huddle AFTER A FREAKIN TIMEOUT?????????? That is completely inexcusable for a NFL team. You had time to go over the formation and make the substitutions and you have 12 MEN IN THE HUDDLE? That was the dumbest thing I have ever seen. They keep those 5 yards, Longwell goes for the potential win. Absolutely amazing. 12 men in the huddle after a timeout. I have seen this on the high school level and I'm baffled. You see this amongst a bunch of millionaires who are the cream of the crop? Wow...

The Vikings could have won, but their own game mismanagement killed them. True, turnovers hurt, but it wouldn't have mattered had they been smart at the right time.

Oh well, the Saints march on!

 

[Cy/MiG]

You hear all about how the Vikings lost because of the turnovers. You hear how the Vikings lost because of that bullshit Pass Interference penalty in overtime. But despite all the fumbles and stuff, the Vikings lost the game because their coaching staff choked at the wrong damn time. All those fumbles would not have mattered because their coaching staff had a brain fart at the end of the game. Here's how...

The Vikings make it inside the Saints 35 yard line, and the Saints have no more timeouts. The Vikings decide to kill clock. Not a bad idea. But their PLAY CALLING was atrocious. They ran Chester Taylor for no gain. Then Adrian Peterson on a sweep for no gain. Now, it's third down. They call a timeout. They have 12men in the duddle, causing a penalty. On the next play, Favre throws a pick and the Vikings never see the ball again.

...

But really kills me is this....

How on earth does a NFL team have 12 men in the huddle AFTER A FREAKIN TIMEOUT?????????? That is completely inexcusable for a NFL team. You had time to go over the formation and make the substitutions and you have 12 MEN IN THE HUDDLE? That was the dumbest thing I have ever seen. They keep those 5 yards, Longwell goes for the potential win. Absolutely amazing. 12 men in the huddle after a timeout.

This was pointed out to me well after, but...

You know what's REALLY amazing???

Favre SAW that he had 12 in the huddle and tried to call Timeout---which would have been a penalty REGARDLESS! (You can't call back-to-back timeouts!)

So yeah, it adds to the 'meltdown'.

When you think about the sequence of events that led to the Favre INT and Saints getting the ball first in OT its astonishing.

Not only was it a classic meltdown for all time, but as it was happening (the INT and Saints won the coin flip) I said the words 'game over'.

One could FEEL the seismic effects.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Prime...I agree with you a 1000% that AP is your workhorse. But the way he was fumbling the ball in that game...I am not certain you necessarily go with that plan. Now had Favre not thrown a pick where he could have run the ball about five yards get out of bounds all could be forgiven there too!

I told all Vikings fans at the being of the season...when it counted the most Favre would make the mistake that would kill their season. I was right. Though I must admit...it was a heroic effort on Favre's part to still be in the game after that below the knees shot he took. An incredible effort. And I agree...despite all the turnovers they should have won the game.

 

[Cy/MiG]

What about Chester Taylor? He was carrying better than AP. He could have gotten more calls instead if there was worry AP couldn't handle it.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

What about Chester Taylor? He was carrying better than AP. He could have gotten more calls instead if there was worry AP couldn't handle it.

I agree with that. My point is if you are fumbling the ball...with the game on the line...I am not sure I put it in AP's hands. Chester Taylor might have made more sense in that spot. And I agree with Prime...drive the ball straight up the gut.

 

[alchemy]

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[Cy/MiG]

I agree with that. My point is if you are fumbling the ball...with the game on the line...I am not sure I put it in AP's hands. Chester Taylor might have made more sense in that spot. And I agree with Prime...drive the ball straight up the gut.

Question for both you and prime:

Do you think the reason for the Vikes not-running has anything to do with the way the NFL is getting 'pass happy'?

Ever since the spread (which is just a hybrid 'west coast') has been introduced, teams like the Pats and Saints have made passing in any situation more popular, even Pittsburgh threw 55-60% of downs this year.

It seems like conventional wisdom said RUN, but the new 'spread' wisdom said PASS. Especially when you have one of the best RB's in the game a one of the best backups, too!

You think if this game is played even two years ago that the Vikes run?

How many teams pass in that situation?

Other than the Jets, I can't say for certain that any team WOULD run-run-run and play both the clock and field there. Sad, really.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Question for both you and prime:

Do you think the reason for the Vikes not-running has anything to do with the way the NFL is getting 'pass happy'?

Ever since the spread (which is just a hybrid 'west coast') has been introduced, teams like the Pats and Saints have made passing in any situation more popular, even Pittsburgh threw 55-60% of downs this year.

It seems like conventional wisdom said RUN, but the new 'spread' wisdom said PASS. Especially when you have one of the best RB's in the game a one of the best backups, too!

You think if this game is played even two years ago that the Vikes run?

How many teams pass in that situation?

Other than the Jets, I can't say for certain that any team WOULD run-run-run and play both the clock and field there. Sad, really.

No! Like Prime said they ran the ball. They should have run the ball straight up the middle. Once the penalty took place...they had to pass because it would have been a 57 yard attempt. In fact, where the ball was set before the penalty was no give me at 52 yards. I have no objection to passing once they were penalized. But the penalty is a stupid penalty that should not be made at this level.

 

[Cy/MiG]

No! Like Prime said they ran the ball. They should have run the ball straight up the middle. Once the penalty took place...they had to pass because it would have been a 57 yard attempt. In fact, where the ball was set before the penalty was no give me at 52 yards. I have no objection to passing once they were penalized. But the penalty is a stupid penalty that should not be made at this level.

Yeah, but the penalty came only after a timeout.

Why call timeout if you were going to run on the next play?

I think that's where the doubt set in---they called timeout to consider passing when like you said, the obvious call is run up the gut. HB Slam/lead/ISO.

 

[trace1984]

i dont care who won but bad calls and un sportmen like conduct i think

 

[tkpatience]

You really think the NFL is becoming pass happy?

I think it depends on the situation. If you have a QB with a good arm and solid receivers there shouldn't be too many compelling reasons not to throw the ball for a moderate gain. I'm not so sure that the Saints had good coverage throughout the majority of the game so I would say 50-50 split decision because passes and runs would lead to their goal, more yards for a FG attempt.

The only issue that arises when throwing with Favre is whether injuries sustained throughout the game is going to effect his ability to throw the ball. AP and Taylor ran very well throughout the game, but there were a ton of fumbles. Let's not put the spotlight on just the Vikings, the Saint defense were almost expecting rushes.

As for the pass happy, I think that certain teams are forced to pass a lot *cough* Chicago *cough*. This season Cedric Benson rushed for like 50+ yards in many games... What did he do when he was on the Bears? He tried to run and just kinda fell backwards for no gain or a loss of 1. I'm a Bears fan and even though they claim they're a rushing team their rush game is pure and utter .

 

[FeatherMAN28]

I even admit that the Vikings F'd themselves in that game...there was alot of unexcuseable things that happend that cost them points and the game itself. The only thing that I didnt appreciate was the unfair officialing. Idk if it would have made a difference or not, nobody really does, but I think that a game cannot truly be enjoyed when teams are getting screwed over by poor calls that should have easily been overturned.

 

[tommee]

Prime...I agree with you a 1000% that AP is your workhorse. But the way he was fumbling the ball in that game...I am not certain you necessarily go with that plan. Now had Favre not thrown a pick where he could have run the ball about five yards get out of bounds all could be forgiven there too!

I told all Vikings fans at the being of the season...when it counted the most Favre would make the mistake that would kill their season. I was right. Though I must admit...it was a heroic effort on Favre's part to still be in the game after that below the knees shot he took. An incredible effort. And I agree...despite all the turnovers they should have won the game.

Yeah I remember you saying that, the last quarter of the game wore me out. Being a Viking fan for many many years you would think I would get used to it but it really sucked watching them self-destruct. Never been a big Farve fan but all in all he had a hell of a year, I doubt they would have been in the championship game without him. Thanks for going easy on us.🙂

 

[primetime]

Wow... ticklingfeet4fu actually agrees with me? lol anything IS possible!

True, Peterson fumbled WAY TOO much in that game, but as a Coach, I'm going to go with him. But if they went with Chester up the middle, that would have been fine too. I still can't believe a professional football team had 12 men in the huddle after a timeout. I mean, if it wasn't for that penalty, Favre does not make that pass. The Vikings really should have won this game. You can make the argument about the turnovers and officiating, but if that penalty doesn't occur, Ryan Longwell has a chance to win the game...