I’m a fully admitted Vikings homer.
But I also consider myself a realist. A person who can be both subjective while being objective about our favorite football team. And even if I was a full on Vikings pessimist (you know who you are), it’d be hard NOT to be excited about the 2014 season.
The 5-10-1 left a bad taste in our mouths. Mostly because a handful of those games were a play here or there away from us coming out with a W instead of a soul crushing defeat (CHI, CLE, DAL, BAL) or a freakin’ tie to the worst people imaginable (GB).
I didn’t think a full reboot was necessary, I actually thought Leslie had a chance to stay for a 4th year if the defensive staff was overhauled. But looking back now, a factory restore was the better option.
To quote Anthony Anderson’s character from “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle”, “POOKIE! LET”S BURN THIS MOTHER F*CKA DOWN!”
It’s been a controlled burn so far and here are my reasons for optimism. There will be many more:
All in with Zim
Coach Zimmer’s introduction, his interviews with the national media, and lunch with the local press have all been masterful and calculated for effect. It’s like he’s been preparing for the job for 30+ years or something… The more I learn about the man, the more I love him and think he’s the square kick in the crotch this team needed to get back to where it belongs — on top of the North.
Leslie had the respect, but he lacked the whip. Zimmer has both.
No Hassle with Cassel
Retaining Matt Cassel to be a spot starter for the next two seasons, was a smart move. It will allow us to draft a QB in the mid rounds (2nd-4th) and let him win the job instead of forcing him into the role Ponder style. I still contend that the Vikings win the North last season if Cassel started from London on.
Re-signing Everson
I mentioned before Everson signed that I would have preferred Michael Johnson to EG, all things being equal. MJ’s experience with Zimmer and Everson starting only one career game being the main deciding factor.
But Everson is locked in and I’m still excited. We couldn’t lose! Either way we get a young, ascending talent at defensive end across from B-Rob.
I love the man’s attitude and versatility – remember when he was a punt gunner and tried to learn OLB? Now that he’s locked in at RE, he can put all of his efforts to learning one position and becoming elite in that role. I wouldn’t bet against him.
Space Eater
Linval Joseph is a big dude. The type DT/NT run stuffer we’ve missed the past few seasons.
The linebacker corps rightfully got a lot of flack last season for their role in the 32nd ranked scoring defense. But LBs always look better when there’s a man in the middle taking up space & blockers. LJ’s that man.
Additonally, if LJ and Sherrif became Williams Wall 2.0, I wouldn’t be mad at all, bro.
Keep the Battery Together
Keeping CB/PR Marcus Sherels away from restricted free agency was sharp. It locks him in for two years at a bargain rate and (along with CeePee84) keeps the best punt return/kick return duo in the league intact for the near future.
Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner
[Still unaddressed as of publishing.]
Thought Verner may be in the running, but he went to Tampa. If we miss out on our 2nd choice CBs (Nolan Carroll), that makes it more likely we’ll look CB at #8 (Gilbert, Dennard) depending on how the Draft shakes out.
A premier, 1st round CB would be nice, I don’t see us passing on Mack, Clowney, or Teddy if they somehow fall in our laps.
Either way, gotta find someone to pair up with Xavier. The Vikings other starting CB is not currently on the roster.
In Rick we Trust
I’m a big fan of Rick Spielman. He whiffed on Ponder, but since he became official GM of the Vikings in 2012, he’s stock piled the team with two quality drafts including five potential stars in the 1st round: Kalil, Harrison, Xavier, Sharrif, & Cordarrelle.
He and the front office avoided the temptation to get into a bidding war this year and over pay in free agency. Perhaps they learned their lesson last year with Greg Jennings and two years ago with John Carlson.
Additionally, the Vikings have stayed out of “cap hell” in recent memory. Something the Cowboys, Redskins, Steelers, & Raiders wish they could claim. A lot of credit needs to go to longtime VP of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski for that luxury.
Youth Movement
This is another big hat tip to Rick & the front office.
Even though last season went wonky, every position on both sides of the ball is stocked with youth, talent, and potential.
We got that youth by letting fan favorite veterans like Antoine Winfield, Jared Allen, and potentially Kevin Williams & Chad Greenway walk out the door. It stings at first, but it beats over paying players who’s best years are behind them.
Young & cheap will always beat old & expensive in the business of the NFL. (Except for QBs)
***
Those are a few of the reasons why I’m looking forward to the 2014 Minnesota Vikings season at picturesque TCF Bank Stadium.
$5 says Cordarrelle runs the first kick back to the hizzie.
It’s a ways off and there’s a lot going on from now until September: the Draft, brats on the grill, Twins baseball, the Wild & T-Wolves getting bounced in the 1st round of their respective playoffs, Andy’s birthday, Lynx basketball, boating on the lake, paddling in a canoe, Leinenkugel’s Canoe Paddler, running 5ks pretending to be athletic, Las Vegas, Rookie Mini-Camps, OTAs, Training Camp, Hall of Fame Game, Pre-season, then BOOM. We’re there!
Going to enjoy the time until then, but at the same time I’m so excited I may wet myself. I hope you are too.
Subscribe to the Purple FTW! Podcast on iTunes & our Youtube Channel!