Bigger disappointment?

[redsk1]

The defense was bad. Almost no pressure on Johnson. Mostly though our corners looked pretty bad. Had Williamson actually caught a few more it could have been worse. The vikes have a better team than i thought. It was a tough game but we good teams pull these out.

Offensively, we did ok. We left a lot of points out there by kicking fg's intead of td's.

[hurrykaine]

I know he's not a game changer, but our secondary suffered a bad loss when Prioleau went out without being touched during the opening kick-off. When stuff like that happens, you know its not going to be your day.

What was Cartwright doing returning kickoffs? Please put John Hall out of his misery and cut him - its become painful to watch. I'm actually excited about our offense though.

Prediction. TO and co will eat us alive next week, and we'll be 0-2 before recovering to win some games. Beyond that, its too early to say, though I can see losses to the Colts, Jacksonville, and one apiece to the Cowboys, G-men and Eagles.

[Paintrain]

I put that loss on the defense. The offense made it into the red zone 4 times and within scoring range another. You can't let a team off of their own goal line (bad penalty notwithstanding) ever. You can't let a team convert 53% on 3rd down. You can't let Brad Johnson, Troy Williamson, Chester Taylor and Travis Taylor make big plays on you, ever. Especially at home. I'd hate to be in practice Wednesday if I was on Williams D but he needs to do 40 up-downs himself for that vanilla defense he called..

[Big C]

easily the defense. they allowed our offense to have the ball so few times it was rediculous. every vikings drive milked the clock, this defense was supposed to be top 5, it looked nowhere near that against what wasnt supposed to be a great offense of the vikings. the offense didnt do too bad, they just didnt get many chances

[Beemnseven]

Gregg Williams just didn't seem as fierce with his game plan tonight. Maybe that had something to do with an inexperienced secondary (and boy, did they show it). I expected Brad Johnson to be attacked, harassed, and thrown around like a rag doll. Not even close.

And we STILL do not get pressure on the quarterback with the front four. So far, Andre Carter has not impressed. He and Daniels aren't going to scare anybody. Griffin, Saleve'a, and Golston are fine when the defense as a whole is hitting on all cylinders. But when you allow 8 yards on first down, you've got life easy on 2nd and 2. That's when the Vikings running game was effective.

At some point, you have to expect more out of cornerback taken at #9 overall in the draft. Make no mistake, there are big question marks with Carlos Rogers. With or without Springs, I believe this secondary is in serious trouble.

[Gmanc711]

I think defense played better, but was the bigger dissapointement. I had questions about the offense to begin with, holy crap, i'm so upset right now just got back to my hotel from teh game.

[saden1]

The truth is Hutchinson manhandled Griffin and Salave'a...I was horrified man, horrified how bad they performed.

[Counter-Tre]

Good god, how many 3rd and 9's did the Vikings convert on us!

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Counter-Tre

Good god, how many 3rd and 9's did the Vikings convert on us!

Yep, that number sticks out for me too. On the post game show on the way home, they said the Vikings were 9 for 17 on third down. 7 of the 9 were for 3rd and 7 or longer.

No pass rush and a poor pass defense add up to lots of 3rd down conversions and a loss. Simple as that.

[LMsexyAO]

Someone please tell me where Cooley was! I broke out my brand new Cooley jeresy that I got for my birthday and by the end of the game the guys were yelling at me to take it off and go get my Moss back from home.

[mooby]

Defense easily. I knew I wouldn't be suprised if our offense didn't start flying out of the gate, but the Vikings O handled our defense pretty easily.

[SmootSmack]

I thought the offense did quite well for the most part. But you gotta score touchdowns, not field goals. Defense gave up way too many 3rd downs. And so much for Archuleta and Taylor making offenses fear going over the middle. I think overall defense was clearly the bigger let down.

But to me there was no let down bigger than special teams coverage. That was just abysmal.

[illdefined]

our entire D-Line was M.I.A. and our big offseason hope Andre Carter seems to have made everyone worse.

our secondary: * BIG TROUBLE *

Springs won't be the same guy he was last year, even after he heals.

Rogers is a great nickelback, only a decent no.2, and by no means a no.1. he's had enough starting experience to show his potential guys, and his upside is looking less and less.

Archuleta is a wannabe Sean Taylor, with none of his physical qualities. He's not as fast, not as strong, and worse yet, with all his 'experience', he wasnt showing any kind of veteran instinct.

Prioleau was playing good for us last year, better at coverage for those 3rd and longs, and looks like he's out this year.

That leaves us Rumph and Wright. we're in real trouble back there.

Williams' blitzes only work when you can have some confidence in one of those two units (ideally both). our linebackers can't be a defense unto themselves.

our offense is new, it's obvious its just a matter of time (what happened to passing to SELLERS on the goaline, Cooley is the decoy!). but the defense isn't new, it's in the worst shape it's been in years. i'd be making some serious phone calls this week.

[Rumdawg]

Jeez, the defense sucked! Could not cover anyone. All those 3rd down conversions allowed. Carlos Rogers, my goodness, he couldn't cover anyone and gave up to many big gains and the touchdown pass - looked like a fool on that play. Also, Andre Carter, did he play tonight? I don't think he touched Brad Johnson at all. I hope they turn things around real quick or there not going to win many games.

[diehardskin2982]

I'm starting to miss ryan clark atleast he kept sean in check... the o looked good to me but where was cooley, duckett, lloyd? Too many weapons i guess. It will get better it is only the first game