It’s official. Vikings fans need to be happy
Posted on October 14th, 2008 – 10:11 AMBy Mark Craig
If Week 6 taught us anything, it’s that Vikings fans need to grow up and accept the fact their team wasn’t, isn’t and won’t be 13 points better than the Lions or any other team in the league.
If the NFC East can go 1-3, Vikings fans can live with a two-point victory over the Lions.
If the Cowboys can be beat on a blocked punt in overtime and lose their starting quarterback for a month because of a broken finger, Vikings fans can stop whining about a two-point win.
If the Redskins can be caught offguard and lose to a Rams team that was winless and had fired its head coach, Vikings fans can stop boo-hooing that they didn’t thump a Lions team that is winless and has a lame-duck head coach.
And if the reigning Super Bowl champion Giants can be manhandled 35-14 by a 1-3 Browns team on national television, Vikings fans should realize the NFL isn’t played on paper in some fantasy league headquarters by a guy who thinks he’s Vince Lombardi because he drafted Marion Barber in the third round.
The Rams, Browns and Lions went into Week 6 a combined 1-11. They were desperate. The Rams were coming off a bye and catching a Redskins team that was coming off back-to-back emotional wins at Dallas and at Philly. The Browns were coming off a bye as well. And the Lions were catching the Vikings on a short week after a hard-hitting, emotional road game at New Orleans.
The Rams and Browns took advantage and pulled off the upsets. The Lions didn’t.
408 Responses to "It’s official. Vikings fans need to be happy"
Isn’t the goal to win the Superbowl? Is the current Vikings team capable of that? Are they headed in the right direction?
Then it’s okay for the fans to hate the coach.
Ok Craig, your bit is getting old. You Chili’s close personal friend or something? FIRE CHILI
Would Chili still have a job if they didn’t get the gifted pass interference call? What would his excuse about not going for two have been?
His KAO does not KA. His offensive coaches cannot make in game adjustments. He cannot manage a game.
The Vikings have spent big money to get a team full of good personnel. On offense they have perennial all-pros on the line, one of the best RBs in the game, decent WRs and a serviceable QB. And yet their offense can’t move the ball against the worst defense in the league.
Childress rubs fans the wrong way because he pompously claims to be some offensive guru, yet he so obviously doesn’t know what he is doing. He needs to spend the bye week watching tape of the 1998 offense. Then he’ll maybe understand why the fans hate him.
Childress’s offense looks like a blatant ripoff of the Viking’s Tecmobowl playbook circa 1989. 3 plays. (Yes I know there were 4 plays, but even Chilli isn’t stupid enough to think that the end-around to Anthony Carter can work).
Ombudsman: He’s not a close, personal friend. And I couldn’t care less if the Vikings win or lose. I believe I was the first, or among the first, in 2006 to criticize him for not even attempting to throw passes into the end zone when he got in the red zone. I believe I was the first, or among the first locally for sure, to question very early on last season why the heck Adrian Peterson was coming out of the game on third down, especially third and short.
In the case before us now, I’m just trying to point out that people need to look around and see what else took place in the NFL the very same week they were whining about a win over the Lions.
The league has 32 teams that basically are separated by only turnovers and injuries.
It’s all good…all of this small talk is pretty much jibberish.
Go Packers!
Might want to share with the Vikings organization that they should stop selling us all a bill of goods. They sell the expectations of Super Bowls and then expect us to give them a free pass when they are in the process of blowing it? Can’t have it both ways.
Mark, trying to get in good with Chilly hey? Your just as moronic as chilly. I have heard no one gripping about winning by two points. The facts are Childress is clueless
“The Rams and Browns took advantage and pulled off the upsets. The Lions didn’t.”
What BS - the Lions had it ALL OVER the lowly vikes. They DID win the game, unfortunately it was taken away from the by 2 AWFUL calls by the refs; they were ripped off. The vikes should not take any price in that w.
Oh and another quote:
It’s all good…all of this small talk is pretty much jibberish.
Go Packers!
Mark, I think you’re right to some extent. Viking fandom especially on boards/blogs is really a fantasy football gang with no patience and no clue.
But, being 3-3 is nothing to crow about. Childress took over nearly 3 years ago and this offense has gone nowhere. I think the jury on him is in and it shouldn’t be surprising that fans are tired of it. Listening to some of the b.s. he spouts is unbelievable and only makes things worse.
I’ve watched Viking football for 38 years and that was the ugliest win I ever saw, a gift from the referees who must have had the Vikings on a moneyline somewhere. I haven’t seen officiating that bad since the Packers were handed a Sunday night game against us at Lambeau a few years ago - one that led to quietly firing of some of the crew after the season.
Fans suffer from the hype that was in full flower preseason, where the team was headed for the Super Bowl and so on. Clearly the coach is in over his head and can’t utilize the talent he’s given, and was fool enough to marry himself to TJack and then be forced to switch to a very average 37 year old journeyman in mid stream. It’s just not a recipe for success or happy fans, regardless of how realistic they are about a win being a win.
I didn’t complain after the New Orleans game, it’s a personal policy to enjoy a win for what it is. But this is hardest win to enjoy I ever encountered. I don’t have huge expectations for this team because I don’t have any faith in Childress, but I also know that cutting him loose mid-season won’t change anything. Sadly, the team has to play out this disappointing season and hopefully Wilf sees the light at the end of the year and makes changes. The really sad part is, unless someone can develop TJack in a real hurry, we are minus any decent shot at being good for a few more years because the most important position on the field is an empty hole with no good options for filling it.
In professional sports a win is win; it doesn’t matter what it takes to achieve it. Rather than blaming Chili why don’t fans ask Peterson how the ball keeps popping out of his hands. He fumbled twice when the Vikes were driving (one was inside the 5 yard line). If he would have been turnover free we would have won 22-10, easy. Coaches can’t make the plays for the players.
Grow up? Why? The whole point of being a fan is to be irrationally exuberant about something. In this case, a team that could have the best players in the whole universe and still not deliver. It’s been that way since Day One. Fire whomever you want, the Vikes will still manage to screw it up in the end(zone). I’ve personally found that my life is much calmer if I’m not dying along with my hometown team every week. Reading about it the next day is pain enough.
The fans were booing Childress when the Vikings were losing this game. They were booing Childress because the Vikings looked hopeless on offense, which is supposed to be his specialty. I think the fans have a right to boo, even if Childress isn’t that bad. The Bears crushed the Lions and we’re competing with them. If the Vikes lose to the Bears, I think the coach is not doing his job well enough.
Its not about last sunday. Its about all the sundays before that. Chilly is not an NFL head coach.I think he would have problems with pop Warner.
Unless Vikings fans are ready to call it quits right now, with a wide open division there’s no reason to fire Childress. Tarvaris Jackson cost the Vikings two wins with his lack of skill at the QB level and had Gus started the first two games, we coud easily be looking at a 5-1 record right now. Since Gus has been in the game, we’ve been able to put up yards just not points and that’s on the players not knowing how to hold onto the ball. We fumbled it 4 times in Tennessee which turned into 21 points, AD coughs it up twice in Lions territory last Sunday, one of them inside the 10. I mean, Gus said it himself, sometimes their own worst enemy is themselves. This offense can move the ball with a decent QB, now all we need is to learn to stop commiting turnovers because the defense is playing top notch football right now and firing the coach mid season would do nothing but say we’re giving up on the season. Wilf didn’t fire Tice even though the Love Boat thing happened and Tice was fined for ticket scalping so what makes anyone think he’s going to fire Childress mid season? Let it go already, we’ve won the last 3 out of 4 with a very managable schedule ahead. Getting a new coach will do nothing but start us over from scratch and make us wait for another 2-3 years of “system learning” before a “winning product” is put on the field. I don’t know about the rest of you but I don’t want to wait that long again!!!
You know what, any fan that spends that much for a game to see a mediocre product for the third season under Chilli can do whatever they please! He has pretty much had free reign to do whatever he wanted and has zip to show for it. Tice was at least moving in the right direction. It doesn’t matter if the rest of the division stinks. We should be dominating then. A second grader would have gone for 2 on Sunday as well as 31 other coaches. Sorry, but Chilli’s gotta go…
My $.02
Pro sports are for entertainment. The Vikings under Childress have not been entertaining. I disagree that a win is a win if the team sucks in winning. Under Mike even if the team lost the coach could be entertaining - but with Chili we don’t even have that.
The reason we(Vikings fans) are frustrated is because it’s crunch time. Produce a winning product and gain fare weather fan support to build a new stadium, or see our team for the last 47 years be moved to L.A., just like the Lakers. In his 1st year I was convinced he might be on to something with his coaching and his eye for ‘talent’ and willing to give him a chance. It’s now year 3 and I’m just convinced he’s on something. Punt? Really?! Extra point instead of going for 2 when you haven’t been able to do squat all game…Really?! The arguments are going to be “A win is a win”, but if he keeps escaping with these horrible wins where his team has to bail him out of poor coaching mistakes…we won’t last IF we make it to the playoffs.
6% - His approval rating on ESPN.com(last in the league)
Vikes are listed as #4 in the top 5 teams expected to change cities.
I’m not a supporter in changing coaches midseason, that never helps, but Wilf needs to do something to turn this ship around.
IF Craig had a passion for anything but the voices in his head and the sound of his keyboard, he’d then understand.
Thank you Mark Craig. This whole who’s to blame, fire chilly BS is annoying. We win or lose and it’s fire chilly. We as fans sometimes forget that accountability is crucial for a football team. Yet some people on here think it;s all one man who wins it or loses it for us. I am happy we are tied for first in our division. I am thankful that some of the best NFL teams are sidelined with injuries, it only helps us. AP needs to hold on to the ball, Berrian needs to continue catch the ball when he is open. Shaincoe needs to hold onto the ball when he catches it. And we need to stop the turnovers and the greenhorn penalties. We are a pro bowl team with multi million dollar players, we can only pray they start playing like it from here on out. Blame chilly when it’s an error he could have controlled. Otherwise, get those players to EARN their check.
Good point Mark, we should really start to revel in our teams mediocrity.
Fantasy football gang? I have no clue how you can compare a dislike of the way Childress coaches to fantasy football. If you were to play fantasy football rule #1. is don’t own a Vikings player unless it’s AP…. why? No one else can do anything significant due to poor play calling and coaching. We’ve been lucky… just like all those teams who pulled off upsets. We should have lost the last 2 weeks but due to lucky penalties we have won. Why are we fans upset? Not because of fantasy football… (which by the way is a terrible excuse to criticize someone)…. but because of poor coaching and bad referee calls we have barely squeaked out some wins that should be won by the pure skill we have on the team… You brought up your criticisms of Childress… Are they no longer valid? No, they still are and that is why we are upset.
Craig - did you even watch the game against the Lions? So Vikes are down 2-10 and score a touch down to bring it within 2. So wouldn’t a logical play be to go for the 2 point conversion to tie? You still have to score a field goal or better to pull ahead right? But what do they do? Kick the extra point and settle for being behind. The only reason they pulled this game off was the questionable interference call against Detroit. And you think we need to “grow up” because we are disgusted with this team and the coaching staff? Give me a break.
I was supporting Childress until the last two weeks…throws his punter under the bus for no reason one week yeah thats the only reason why Bush scored two TD’s not like there are 10 others on the field HE IS A PUNTER…then his bonehead play calling of not going for two this week put me over the edge…A TEN YEAR OLD WOULD HAVE KNOWN TO GO FOR TWO on that play if we miss oh well we are in the same situation 46% blah blah your dumb it wouldn’t of mattered if we missed on it and if we make it we are tied…BONEHEAD I am officially on the Fire Childress Bandwagon unless he wins a superbowl this year…poopy
The problem is in the last two weeks the Vikings have gotten lucky.
Brad Childress acts like they were great wins. Brad Childress left the Vikings exposed at the QB position of which he was a decision maker in drafting and placing there. The fans are upset because the Lions have given up an average of 32 points and our offense could only muster 10 points.
In Brad’s defense losing EJ Henderson will really hurt this team against better quailty teams.
Gus Ferotte is a fine back up but not a great starter. Next year we will be in this same postition unless they can get a quality QB in free agecny or trade, because they won’t be a low enough pick to find the Matt Ryan’s of the world.
on a non Childress note…fire Tapeh for lieing about his Health and lets go on a 5 game win streak we are two in huge next three games!!!
If accepting mediocrity is a sign that someone has “grown up” let me stay immature for as long as possible.
If you think what we are disappointed with is one game then you have lost your perspective on where this team has been and where it appears to be heading.
Maybe you need to grow up a little and realize that as fans we have a right to be concerned with the direction this team is heading.
It’s not one game that I or many fans have based our opinion. It’s the collective work of the past 2 plus seasons. But hey thanks for the condescending article I’m sure the world looks mighty rosy perched upon that high horse.
The thing I haven’t heard a lot around here is that people need to understand that the Vikings simply don’t have the talent to do explosive offensive things.
Face it, the team is one of the oldest, and perhaps most overrated on both the O and D lines and secondary. Our slow WRs cannot get open when covered 1 on 1 and an aging QB with a weak arm and limited mobility.
So what does that leave for AP? 9 in the box on every play. And a secondary that will continue to give up big plays in that wonderful thing called the Tampa2 (aka “prevent defense”).
Just lower your expectations people. The Vikes have 8-8 written all over them.
He’s right. Minnesota is a terrible sports town. People do not understand the game at all. Booing a your team for a win? You live in MN, not New York or Philly or Boston….act like it
Vikings fans i beleive are booing Chilly for the fact his offense is offensive and it has been for 2+ yrs Mark. As for the fans chanting “Fire Childress” last week has little to do with what happened in the NFL. It has to do with a coach who is predictable uncreative and has no clue what the hell he is doing on offense hence the Boos. And therefore the fans have every right to chant “FIRE CHILDRESS”!
I’m not letting Childress off the hook, but OL is horrible, our QB is a back-up, and our Star keeps putting the ball on the ground.
I’m more than happy being 3-3. Jackson was bad, but maybe they should just put him in and let him play to win instead of play not to lose. This team is not a contender at this point.
Bottom Line: when well-paid athletes CONSISTENTLY underperform-rather than get upset occasionally-that is poor coaching. When you trail an inspired team in the 4th quarter and they have stacked the box the entire game - how do rationlize a sequence of plays such as this - Peterson up the middle; Peterson off right tackle, followed by Peterson off righ tackle? Just because there is more parity in the league and there are upsets, that does not negate legitimate criticism of poor coaching.
How can Vikings fans be happy? Basically since the Hershal Walker trade this organization has been a mess. Vikes fans are fed up with the BS.
I really appreciate what Mark said in his blog. The truth is that unless the Vikings go 18-0 every year that they play you will have discontent. I have been a Vikings fan since the 60’s and have lived and practically died through the good years, great years and stinky years. I love the Vikes and will be a fan, I get upset when they lose and giddy when they win. Even though it was a tough game to watch, we won the game and are now 3-3. Much better than it could have been and even should have been. The rest of you need to give it a rest and shut the heck up. It is tiring to hear all the “experts” make stupid comments about what should be done…apply for the job or shut up!
Mike is right. This is bigger than one week. Chilly is a joke, always has been a joke. He has had three years, and failed each and every time.
Its pretty obvious after watching Sunday’s game why Andy Reid would not let Childress call his plays for the Eagles even though Childress was the offensive coordinator.
“You Mad The Team!”
Don’t put the blame me for it!
I agree with Mark, up to a point. We’re 3-3 and tied for first in the division, so we should be grateful for the wins, whether they were enjoyable or not. The Detroit game was ragged, but I was happy and emjoyed seeing Longwell make the winning kick. As they say, good teams find ways to win even when they’re not playing well. I’m not saying we’re a good team yet, but at least we did find a way to win.
But I’ve said on other posts that what makes this so frustrating is that the very talented group we have simply does not PLAY WELL. When my son plays little league, it’s not so much about the wins and losses. I like to see him PLAY WELL. So it’s a fair gripe. The part where I really agree with MC is that people calling for BC’s head truly are idiots. BC may or may not be a Bill Belichick in the making, but the analogy still applies. People who complain the analogy doesn’t apply because BB has won SuperBowls are completely missing the point. At the time BB was getting ripped in Cleveland, he had no more success than BC does now. More to the point, it’s one thing to be frustrated, it’s another entirely to be bad sports, which is what the “Fire Childress” chanters are.
Vikings fans don’t have to be happy and to expect “Joe six-pack” to understand everything that is happening on the field, isn’t fair. The Vikings (offensively) appeared to be sleep-walking through the game. There were isssues with missed assignments, sloppy blocking,etc. When you watch the defense you see a group that is motivated while playing without some key personnel. They are attacking play after play after play. The offense should be dominating particularly against a team like Detroit. Granted, Childress can’t make his personnel want to win, but sometimes you need to shake things up a little. Sometimes you need to let people know that their level of play is simply unacceptable. That is Childress’ job!
The issue is Childress not seeming to have a clue, confirmed by his going for only a one-point conversion when it made no sense whatsoever to do so. The point is there is and has been no evidence that the coaching staff can make adjustments and decisions to respond to the opponent in games that don’t turn out as expected. The point is Childress benched TJack (after only a year’s worth of chances) for not meeting expectations, but both you and he seem to think the coach should get a free ride for failing to meet expectations even after three years worth of chances. This wasn’t a one-game glitch like the Giants experienced, but the ugly play and play-calling that has been a hallmark of the team in all six games. The Vikings have yet to play a competent and compelling game against ANYBODY, with 2 of their 3 wins undeserved. Quit pretending this is somehow a one-game issue. It is utterly dishonest intellectually to do so. While I may not agree with the “fire Childress” fanatics, he is deserving of criticism for his accomplishments (or lack thereof) through 6 full-blown ugly games and it is pathetic that the Minneapolis sports reporters won’t do their job. Not a single one of you even managed to push the coach even a little bit for an explanation about the one-point extra point decision, something the sports fans that read your articles deserve. Do your job instead of being a PR shill for the team’s coach.
So why can’t we run some of the option plays now in vogue around the NFL. Put Chester and AP in the backfield at same time with Berrian singled wide. Give the defenses something to think about and perhaps it might open it up a bit for AP. Can anybody else on the team throw an option pass? Berrian?
It might actually be entertaining for the fans!
This team has never won a Super Bowl let alone the NFC North and the fans are just supposed bend over and take it???
Its obvious someone is hard up for blog material.
Based upon my calculations, the Vikings offense has scored 48 points in six games excluding Ryan Longwell. That´s an average of 8 points per game. Somewhere I remember hearing that you needed to score 24 points per game to consistantly win. I really don´t feel my projection that the Vikings will go 3-13 is out of the question.
Really now Mark. Have you learned from the election this year and are creating your own smoke and mirrors effect? I think your buddy Chili as learned to. I guess bringing in all the punters as a side show to distract that the real problem is bad coaching on the offense and special teams. Also, the O-line is worthless. They do more wrong then right. There is a reson why Chili couldn’t play call in Phili, ’cause he is not capable of running an Offense.
People are upset that Tice could do more with less. Also, they don’t like the games and lies Chili tells. He was full of crap and lying when he said it was a great win and he didn’t hear the boo’s and chants. We want results and not excuses. If it wasn’t for the Defence then there would be no reason to go to or watch Vikings football.
Mark, This bit is getting old. we have a lot of talent, but obviously the coaching is not there. Chili should get rid of his ego, do what is right for the team, and show some heart. That is why we boo! We pay a lot of money to watch this BORING team! Tell your close personal friend Brad that!
Except none of those teams were playing the Lions, you idiot.
I don’t know about you guys, but I am sick of being something less than mediocre with a star studded team.
It is all on Childress. He must go. Now.
Waaaaa waaaa waaaaa, that’s all these people are doing. On every blog site, crying about what Childress didn’t do, why he didn’t do it, how predictable his offense is, how sorry they are to have watched the team win the way they did. Simple solution, just stop watching the game. Stop watching the Vikings play on Sunday. If it pains you so much to watch this atrocity of a football team, don’t turn on the tv on Sunday or don’t go to the game. If you already know what plays are going to be run, make your predictions and find out if you were right when the game is over. Simple as that! These babies complain about the same thing every game, “defense helped win the game, playcalling was bogus and boring, Childress has no idea what he’s doing out there, Frazier needs to be the coach, Allen should have more sacks, AD isn’t breaking 90 yd runs”. I mean it’s the same whining and crying after every game win or lose. Just don’t watch this team, I’m sure the Vikings won’t miss you, Childress certainly won’t miss the chants to get him fired and the team won’t miss your BOOOOOOs. Go do something else and quit your bitching!
Although you do have a point on the Vikes not being that far behind the rest of the NFL, the problem with your logic is the upsets of the NFC east as well as Vikings being tied for first happened after the game. Maybe if the fans could have seen this unfold before hand they wouldn’t have been so inclined to boo.
idle hands - we are fans, booing and b*tchin’ shows that we care.
I had no idea Craig was an NFL writer. I thought he just watched the games and gave his comments.
Childress is not head coach material. Period. Some guys have what it takes to be head coach, call it “guts”, “leadership”, “vision” or whatever. Childress doesn’t have it. The players don’t want to play their butts off for this guy. It’s obvious when you watch this team.
re: Is the current Vikings team capable of that? Are they headed in the right direction?
Kinda sounds like what the Giants fans were saying after week 11 last year.
re:Except none of those teams were playing the Lions, you idiot.
The Redskins were playing the Rams and they are SO much better than the Lions.
Mark,
A team that needs calls, fumble recoveries, defensive scores and blocked kicks to win games will go 8-8 in the NFL. Guaranteed. (9-7 if extremely lucky)This is not what was sold to disgruntled Vikes fans. Do we need to grow up? Some of us maybe do. (I don’t want to, personally) But why can’t the fans vent and have some fun at the club’s expense? The offense in particular is screaming out to be ripped and to not oblige would be irresponsible, and by that measure, childish, woun’it Mark? (Just took your “grow up” volley at the net and hit a return “what for?” volley down the line and deep. Your move, 
It just seems that this team causes a lot of “fans” stress that is not necessary. QUESTION……….. why do you even watch the team play? Why do you spend three hours of your precious time watching them if you know beforehand that you’re going to be disappointed? The Vikings don’t need the criticism, whether they deserve it or not, they don’t NEED it and neither does Childress. He’s not going anywhere mid season and yet everyone cries for his head. It’s like yelling “Go Away” to a deaf dog, it’s pointless and yet, every Monday here you all are pissing and moaning about what the Vikings should have done or could have done to make a win more pleasureable for you! Not the Vikings, for you. Last season we could have used a few of those “ugly” wins against KC and Detroit to get us into the playoffs. So right now, the Vikes only care that its a “W” in their stats so that way when it comes down to it, these “ugly” wins may help them leap frog another team to get into the playoffs. But then again, if they get into the playoffs, you all will piss and moan about Childress having another year to coach, not cheer about the team getting into the playoffs. Pathetic!!!
fans boo (largely) because childress is an awful, awful coach - and he’s pompous about it to boot. i still say he should have been fired for the punt two weeks ago and then admitting he thought they could get the ball back with under two minutes left and no timeouts. his end-of-game and end-of-half strategic ability is a great hindrance to this teams’ chances of winning (clock and timeout managenment, when to go for two points, when to hail mary, when to attempt to get into field goal range, when to call timeout so other team can’t kill clock at the end of first half…). his offensive system is not “kick ass” but below-average at best. if the vikings were winning by twenty-one points he STILL should have been booed - fans attending games have a right to express their disapproval of the head coach - the only other way to express it is not to attend, an option some are and will be exercising.
This coming from someone who doesn’t have to pay to go to games. We’re invested in it more than you & have a right to show our frustration. The Vikings are the ones who gave us Super Bowl expectations, so when they win against a horrible Detroit Team only because the officials gave it to them, that’s a completely boo-worthy situation. Reporters, players, coaches that make big money shouldn’t be telling fans how to act! You try paying & sitting through that for once.
Yeah! Let’s write off the season casue the Vikes are 3-3. There’s never been a team in NFL history that has won a Super Bowl with a starting record of 3-3! You only win Super Bowls by being undefeated like the Patriots were last year! Shame on Childress and his coaching for only having us in a tie for first in the NFC North, and not having us a first round playoff bye after week 6.
All of you calling for a firing should get a clue, look at the big picture, grow up, and support your team. I don’t think Chilldress has been a great coach, and I don’t necessarily agree with every call he’s made, but he is the coach and there’s a lot of season left before we can judge what kind of year it was.
Wilf hired Chilli becasuse of his offensive prowess and ability to coach up QB’s. Wilf made a huge mistake. Chilli could not coach up his prodigy T-Jack in 3 yrs. His offense if a joke because of it’s predictibility and vanilla nature! We were told the West Coast offense he was installing here was Kick Ass…Where are the adjustments and tweaks to the offense to make it work? With the running game we have that forces opposing defenses to bring 8 in the box you can’t move the chains with short quick passes? Go no huddle and get the ball out quick and don’t give the defenses a chance to adjust. Keep them off balance. The reason Wilf should get rid of Chilli immediately is because of his inability to understand in game scenarios. He punted in Tennessee to allow the Titans to kneel down to close out the game. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? That alone is grounds for firing him. Against the Lions he doesn’t go for the two pt conversion to tie the score late in the 3rd quarter when neither offense was doing anything. Horrible decision. His offense in the red zone and on 3rd down is ATROCIOUS…Look at the numbers they tell the story of this OFFENSIVE GENIOUS. FIRE HIM NOW…………
While I find this season thus far about as much fun as watching paint dry, this whole Fire Chilly thing get under my skin. The best way for teams to become mediocre is to fire coaches every few years. There doesn’t appear to be any consistently outstanding teams this year in the NFL, particularly the NFC, so it will probably get down to who’s playing best at the end of the year and not whether they squeeked by Detroit in game six.
All y’all need to relax…things don’t look great so far…but…If you would have told after the Vikes destroyed the Giants last year and made Eli their, well, you know… that: The Giants would make the playoffs, the Giants would win a playoff game, the Giants would go to the Super Bowl, the Giants would win the Super Bowl, Eli would be the MVP, Eli would be condidered a great NFL QB, that Tom Coughlin would be called a “great” coach, and that this all was actually going to happen…….I would have laughed at every bit of it, and would have thought you knew nothing about the game….the facts are….you need to get better as the season progresses(1-3, to 3-3)…you need luck (calls from the past 2 games)……you need to learn about your team …you need to face tough times….you need to see how the whole piece of work turns out….until then…cheer for your team if you’re a true fan…hold the players accountable once in awhile…last time I checked, they’re paid to do the ordinary things that win games….and lastly, enjoy the season-cuz they don’t last long!!!
I agree with this 100%!
I wonder how many, if any, of these guys who post on here have played a down of football in their lives!
I think the Vikes are very close to being an above average producing offense. They need to eliminate turnovers and start getting the ball in the endzone in the redzone…but this constant whining and booing of the “coach” is stupid…I think the fans are “stupid” to think that somehow all of this rests on the head of Childress…if AP doesn’t fumble twice and we don’t get the field goal blocked we score at least 22 points and win by 12…
Hasn’t anyone ever been taught the golden rule…if you don’t have anything good to say…SHUT-UP…or something like that : )
Prefacing your premise with “Vikings fans need to grow up”, is overwhelmingly persuasive.
I’m now officially happy.
Lets see!! The Giants won the Superbowl last year. The Cowboys had a great year last year and made the playoffs. The Redskins have a new coach and are having a better than expected year.
Childress has done none of these things to warrant you doing a comparison of the francises. Maybe he could mix in a winning record for starters.
In other words, Vikings fans should be happy with mediocrity.
Sweet article.
I have not seen anything with Chilly that leads me to believe that he can coach this team to the Super Bowl. I guess we should all be as happy as clams at the mediocre, mistake-filled play and just please as punch to be witnesses to the greatest show on turf under the brilliant tutelage of Chilly. But some of us are not. I had hoped that this team might make more progress than it has shown under Chilly. I do not believe that he can or will ever deliver. I am looking at the toal picture of the last 3 years and have not seen nearly enough improvement to warrant going any further with this experiment. I think that fans have a right and, in fact, an obligation to express themselves at the games whether they are enjoying the performance or not. That is what being a fan is all about. Otherwise, we could just have the Vikings management and maybe Craig signal us when to clap and when to boo. I agree with those who say that the media in Minnesota have failed to do their job in pressing Chilly. It is getting rather boring to come on line and see the articles supporting him and coming to his defense.
Answer to QB: Michael Vick
All this has nothing to do with Chilli or Gus or even Ziggy. It all goes back to Red and Tice. They had a chance to draft Jay Cutler or Aaron Rodgers and didn’t. Plus they traded away Moss when they should have traded away Pepper. And we didn’t get squat for the greatest wide receiver in the league. How does that happen? We’d be sitting pretty right now with our defense, Jay Cutler, Randy Moss, and AP.
Wow.
I am so tired of the “be happy with it” order fans are receiving from many media apologists regarding this latest Vikings win.
You have to be kidding me, Mark Craig. Also, along with colleague Jim Souhan, you urge us to take a look at losses by Washington / N.Y. Giants and be happy with what we have.
Sorry Mark, not going there. Here’s why: Washington and the N.Y. Giants, unlike the Vikings, have shown obvious signs that they are good football teams throughout the early part of the season. The ONLY sign the Vikings have that they are a good football team is its deceiving 3-3 record. That’s it.
Look, I’ve watched each game from start to finish (like many fans out there), so I am not going to be blinded by the record. If I woke up on Mon. morning and read the paper, seeing the Vikes won 12-10 for the first time, I might actually accept it. Because I saw the entire game with my own two eyes, I will do nothing of the sort.
And one final note: I am utterly sick of the local media delivering this phrase the last two days: The Vikings have just as good of chance as anyone to win the division at this point.
Give me a freaking break. Do you know how insulting that is to the fan base? That’s like saying the Royals have just as good of chance as anyone to win the AL Central on April 1 because everyone’s record is 0-0. Anyone, I mean anyone, who has watched the games thus far knows darn well that the Vikings DO NOT have as good of chance as Green Bay or Chicago of winning the division.
So, although the 3-3 record gives you a chip and a chair, there’s no way on Earth fans should be ordered to “be happy with it”; that’s downright insulting.
I actually totally agree! I might be mad at some of calls that have been made this season, but give me a break! The team is 3-3! Its not like were in the bottom of the bucket right now! I’m a die hard Minnesota Vikings fan, and to all those people and get on here and rant about how we should fire Childress and do this and that, go join the packer fan base, your services are no longer needed! traders
Craig each successful team has a personality. Something they are good at. Problem is, Vikings don’t have one. They have arguably the best running back in the league, but have mediocre run blockers. They did nothing to improve their offensive line to take advantage of this. (Dejavu- Keving Garnet). The don’t have a quarterback but the team knew this since Dante left, still haven’t fixed that. Haven’t had decent receivers that could actually get open since Randy and Chris Carter. They have had decent defensive line but marginal linebackers. I have seen nothing to show us that Childress has established any kind of personality on the team except his own. Which is run agains 8 man front, when that doesn’t work throw those stupid little screen passes that everyone knows is coming, and occassionally, toss a long ball. We need a coach who will fire up the team. Motivate them. The coordinators are the ones who are supposed to know the x’s and o’s. Childress hasn’t done anything yet in his career so why are we waiting for years 4 and 5. Let’s get Bill Cowher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never trust a guy with a moustache. I never do. I feel bad for Childress and his concervative offense. Childress plays safe every game and takes no chances but soon he has too or he will lose his job.
The lions were the only team playing with a third string (if that) QB. If Kitna would have played, the Vikings would have lost by more than the 13 points they were favored by.
We need Brian Billick to come here and help Chilli coach.
Excuse me Mr. Craig, 32 teams separated by only turnovers and injuries? Talent is equal on all teams? Coaching is equal on all teams? Intangibles are equal on all teams? It’s a good thing you get paid to stir up emotions because you aren’t very good with objective evaluation. Vikings fans pay good money for ENTERTAINMENT. Is it whining to ask for an entertaining product in return for that investment? This team is supperior to many in the league in talent. A lot of our veterans have proven elsewhere that they have the intangibles. The coaching is sucking the life out of the franchise to the point embarrasment. By your reasoning we judge the Vikings on last week alone and we can all throw a big party because we have just won the week 6 superbowl. The Brad Childress led body of work called the 2008 season so far is miles below the expectations your papers clippings had for them heading into the season. Just as the body of work he left us with after the 2007 and 2006 seasons were also boorish disapointments. If the 2008 Vikings are a movie, call me a whiner - I want my money back. And I sure won’t pay to see the sequal if it is directed by Brad Childress.
Oh I’m sorry Craig you’re right - its the FANS FAULT our team isn’t good enough. BULL its the coaches he is responsible, the defense has played very well. Offense is wretched and we should be 13 pts better than the Lions yes, we should. THE FACT WE SHOULD ACCEPT IS THAT WE DON’T HAVE GOOD ENOUGH SPORTSWRITERS IN THIS TOWN!!!!!!!!
Mark,
It is one thing to realize that you don’t have a team that is going to win and quite another to tell everyone to raise their expectations (which all you reporters do in the pre-season) and see the same old team (some new faces) find new ways to lose games.
The Coaching and play calling is the problem. Perhaps Childress has no confidence in his teams ability to do anything but the basic stuff. We have an over the hill QB trying to show that he still has what it takes and meanwhile we are wasting away any possible talent of TJACK that might be there. Despite the fact that we beat New Orleans, they still showed more talent on offense than we did, but our defense was able to turn it up a notch and keep them at bay long enough for us to get lucky.
Childress has worn out his welcome and we don’t want him anymore, but we unfortunately don’t make the firing decisions for the team, but we can start boycotting the games so that revenue is lost by blocked out games.
Maturity is a non-issue. We are told this is a business and we want to see results or we pull our investment from the firm and let them rot.
A WIN IS A WIN YOU IDIOTS. GO CHILI GO…
well said….
Fire Childress? You guys are dumbasses. Thank God none of you guys own the team. The players are behind him and let them play with their coach. Once Winfield, Petersen or either of the Williams Wall call out the coach, he will no longer be my guy. It is the same story for the idiot Viking Fans for the last 30 years - give us the back-up QB and a new head coach and all our problems will be solved. Where has it gotten us?
Exactly Brian. Chidress needs to be fired for incompetence yesterday if he thinks anyone believes he can’t hear the fans booing. His bag of arrows has been distributed to most of his players, lets hope Ziggy gets his out soon and fires it at Chilly before he does any more PR damage with the fans. It’s bad enough when you are a below averge coach, but don’t start giving insults to the fans because your on field product doesn’t perform as advertised.
This talented team looks unprepared and plays undiciplined every week. Until that changes, Coach Childress will continue to and deserves to feel the wrath of the fans. He should also be feeling the wrath of the team’s owner. There is no excuse for the way this team has played through 6 games. I could care less about other teams in the league. The Vikings are loaded with talent and are underachieving which is not acceptable. Bottom line.
I agree - Vikings fans are acting like a bunch of bratty toddlers. If the season ticket holders are upset - fine -sell your ticket. Don’t yell at our team. Traitors…
well said, I’m with Craig…
3-3 - not bad. Talent looks good but Coaching does not seem to cope with injuries, adjustments 3rd down conversions, 2 minute scoring drives or designing plays that surprise our opponents. I love the idea of forcing Chilli to watch the 1998 Viking offense.
Can someone tell me why Childress is so love with the line of scrimage? Why does every play have to be so focused on the place where the other team has most players. Gus has an arm so lets design some down field passes! And if Ryan Cook cannot block either insert Artis Hicks or roll out the QB.
Poor coaching = games that are painful to watch = no merchandize sales for Wilf
For all those that can’t understand why people want to fire the coach. It’s as simple as this. It’s not whether we win a game or lose a game. It’s about being embaressed about seeing your home team look like they don’t have a clue on offense. It’s supposed to be fun watching them play. If the team played smashmouth football and left it on the field, you wouldn’t get the same type of complaints. It’s when they look like they couldn’t beat a high school team and everyone talks like where the next dynasty in waiting. Fans aren’t stupid, they watched Tice and now Childress act like were all a bunch of idiots. We are supposed to be progressing, getting better. Three years in and we can’t do more on offense then what we have mustered. Is everyones defense so good that we look like crap cause they are so good? No, just another coach in over his head, unable to function as a head coach.
We need Tony Gonzalez to come to the Vikings
Okay everyone. Here’s how it works. Your AP. Tell me how your going to run thru 4 men on the line and 4 filling the gaps? Do you understand the outside pitches now?
Okay, so now your Gus, now you know your beat on the line. The AP factor is eliminated. Now you go to a pass play. Hey look! Berrian is open. Wow! Perfect pass to him and he dropped it.
Okay, looks like we have to run again. Gees, there’s that 4 front, 4 gap filler again. Well I could call and audible, but nah, I think I’m going to send AP up the middle again.
You see people greatness doesn’t come from the executive level, it comes from the players who can make a simple play look like gold. The offense is boring because the players aren’t playing. They are doing just enough to try and get by. If they are doing their best, then we have a team that isn’t that great at all.
Facts are facts tho, we are tied for division lead and nothing will change just because you choose to spend $100 to boo your football team. A football tam that at the end of the day collects a big fat check and isn’t worried about you in the slightest. Because you are not able to walk in their shoes.
Thanks again Mark.
1st of all, the lions are, who we thought they were…difference is, we didn’t let them off the hook…you guys are the same guys that probably complained about me when i was coaching…(for good reason)…but, they fact is, the league is better as a whole…if you don’t make the plays, if you shoot yourselves in the foot with penalties and turnovers…you don’t win games-no matter the talent…it’s not just the purple…it’s everyone (watch how bad Dallas does with our boy Brad at the helm…)
GO VIKES! When we win the superbowl you’ll see the wannabe’s hanging of your jock.
Childress and Wilf cannot tell the fan base about how optimistic and great this team is going to be and then NOT expect people to complain with a 3-3 record, while barely beating the worst team in the NFL. If it wasn’t for the passion this fan base has for this team, there would be blackouts every week, instead of “almost blackouts”. And did I read correctly that Mark Craig couldn’t care less if the Vikings win or not? Well, I couldn’t care less what Mark Craig thinks and will not be reading his columns or posting on his columns ever again. I suggest people follow suit. Or am I just whining again Mark?
B4 some of you jump of the new 35W bridge, here are a few facts to ponder.
1) If you really felt this team was going to the Super bowl w/o seeing something on the field first, you can’t complain. You have and will, but you can’t. Because, it’s called marketing and some of you geniouses have really drank the kool-aid.
2) How many of you think Zygi has the nuts to fire Chilly mid-season? Remember, this guy fire Meathead Tice with a press release.
3) Why would he? Because a few of you threaten not to go to games? Ohhh, nooo, not that, anything but that.
4) What does it solve/do? Signals the end of the season to the players, the fans, etc. Why? You’re 3-3 and in the mix. You think the owner isn’t interested in the revenue from a playoff game? Firing childress only satisfies you, the few, the chronic beyotches.
5) Mr. Craig is right. The NFL is about survival. It’s a game of getting calls and not getting calls. Turnovers and great plays. The Vikings should be in a position over a 16 game season to be in the mix. If they’re not, then let’s take action.
Firing Childress does nothing right now. NOTHING, but satisfy you impatient crybabies that make every Packer fan calling Viking’s fans ‘bandwagon’ justified. All that comes from it is for your overblown ego to be able to say, see, I was right.
The further proof in the pudding here, is if someone doesn’t say or agree with your opinion, you denegrate theirs.
Congrats to you Mr. Craig, you’ve nailed it dead on as far as MOST of us are concerned.
All you other whiny bastards should move to Green Bay, Cuz WE DON”T NEED YA!!!!
Barreiro.
Mark
There is a problem with your “any given Sunday” philosophy. The Vikings are not playing up to their potential. They haven’t played up to their potential for the last few years. Tice did far more with far less talent. Sure things could be worse, not much, but they could be worse. A team’s chances to win the superbowl can change in an instant - just ask the Patriots. But the Vikings are not stricken with such injuries. They have the same team, with the exception of EJ, that they started the season with. Yet the offense has been down right offensive. It is my right as a fan to voice my pleasure or displeasure of the coach’s decisions and how the team plays. The two wins in the last two weeks are the ugliest wins I have seen by ANY team in a long time. If it wasn’t for some great defensive play the Vikings wouldn’t win a game. Childress was suppose to be some great offensive mind. During his tenure I haven’t seen it. At this point, I wonder how much of a factor he was in producing a good offense in Philly. This was the year that they were going to make the push to the playoffs, we are now at 3-3 with an offense that couldn’t beat a HS team. This team has talent, it just doesn’t have a coach who knows how to use it.
I agree with rickblank!! The whole point is to be crazy! How can you expect people wearing horns and purple faces with no shirts in the winter to grow up. I’ve been a viking fan for 35 years and I’ve lived and died with every non-trip to the superbowl. I’ve spent thousands on season tickets and tailgating! I cried (actually cried) tears during the Giants and the Atlanta games a few years back. I went through weeks of depression. My life is back on track now that I don’t watch anymore!! Your Momma needs to grow up and stop wearing combat boots!!
What a joke, this supposed NFL caliber HEAD coach can’t even do simple math. It appears to me the media is floundering around the fact that fans aren’t ignorant anymore. Before the internet etc., we watched the game and that’s all we had. Maybe a Monday morning article about it. We now have intimate knowledge of statistics, schemes, and strategies, etc. We see the game in a whole new light. We cannot be fooled into reading the records for face value. We understand how we got there. Even if we crappie flop our way to the playoffs, who cares! We will be decimated by real championship caliber teams. I feel like we have championship level skill if things were lined up properly and this football team showed some fundamental football skills. This team SCREAMS poorly coached and has been over the last 3 years. It’s obvious, at least to the fans watching the game and not reading the standings it is.
i agree that childress is a horrible coach, and if we had a different coach our offense would be better, but i dont agree with the fans booing and chanting fire childress, all it does is hurt the team in my opinion.
Last time I checked…the Vikes are one game behind the best record in the conference…4-2 is the best…so does that mean that everyone sux and should be fired????…please…suck it up!!!
Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick.
You want Chili to keep his job? How about some responses to these items:
-Why was it that Detroit, not Minnesota, looked like the better running team on Sunday?
-Why was it that Gus Frerrote’s over / under on balls thrown into the line of scrimmage each game stands at 4?
-Why is it that our offensive line–with at least two All-Pros–continues to give up sacks at an alarming rate?
-Why is it our favorite play on 3rd and 7 is a deep fade pattern? Do we really think pass interference calls are going to bail us out every time?
-Why is it that our special teams coverage is about as poor as a badly thrown together high school team?
Look, this isn’t about whining or attitude–these are legitimate concerns that point directly to coaching.
Plus, we also have 2 strategy decisions (coming directly from the top) this year that single-handedly provide grounds for termination: 1. The decision to punt at the end of the Tennessee game, and 2. Going for one after the lone touchdown in the Detroit game.
This isn’t whining…these are rational concerns. Again, don’t insult us by saying “be happy with it”.
Clearly, a Cleveland guy is going to believe every awful NFL head coach will turn into a Belichick. The happens every day
The problem with the Vikings head “coach” is blatant stubbornness. The Vikings offensive game planning and real-time adjustments to game-time situations are not good.
(Why would you EVER put franchise faith into a quarterback like Travaris Jackson? It was clear to anyone with football sense that he was not going to become an NFL-capable QB. Yet Chilli and Co. did. This fact alone should call into question the judgment of ownership/management.)
MN has perhaps the best RB in the league, yet this staff cannot figure out how to get him the ball in open space (hint: watch footage of Denver/NO/NE play calling).
There is much parity in the league. This is a good point and on any given Sunday…you know. However, the fact that the Vikes laid a small egg against Detroit - at home - after a significant road win - is reason to have continued concern.
Did they try to get the ball in the end zone at the end of the game to seal the deal? I wonder what a play-action pass to wide open TE/WR would have looked like on 2nd or 3rd down at the end of the 4th? Don’t place the game on the shoulders of you darn kicker.
the game changes each week…different teams give you different looks…the point is to get better and perservere…
Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick.
Because I believe that childress is not a good coach, that he will never lead the Vikings to where we all want them to go, I am a cry baby, a bandwagon jumper (despite being a fan for 39 yers), and many other names that those who think like me have been called on here. I see how it works…unless I agree with all of you then I am to be called names…wow, I think you just changed my mind. Childress is brilliant the Vikings are playing inspired and great football under his fantastic tutelage. Thanks for helping me to see so clearly.
Fans have a right to cheer/boo as they see fit. I don’t agree with some of the things Chili has done like throwing TJ/Kluwe under the bus when things didn’t go as well as expected. They are/were only a small part of the problem. Football is the ultimate team sport and you win AND lose as a team. How do you think the players felt when their supposed leader is pointing fingers and blaming the guys they go to war with every week?
@ Reality Check: Amen to that!
@ Dan: The last two wins were ugly, but they are wins nonetheless. Chilly was supposed to be this great offensive mind, but he isn’t the offensive coach anymore. He is the head coach and he calls plays based on the information the offensive coach and what the guy up in the box gives him now.
On paper our players are elite. But they haven’t looked like it in a awhile have they? Still 3-3 isn’t bad right now and we have a lot of football left.
Mark, This team with the defense we have should be able to win the division with ease…We got two gifts from bad calls against the Saints and Lions! I know it isn’t Chilli’s fault when we fumble or throw a bad pick but by never adjusting on offense to show the defense something different we will never have a chance to win the division or get a sniff at the playoffs. His decisions are unbelievably bad during games. This is his 3rd season and he looks like he has never coached a day in his life. Childress is a national laughing stock! It was Chilli who had to trade up in the draft to get T-Jack. He also paid a kings ransom for a guy who caught 5 passes in the NFL in Shiancoe. He traded with the Eagles to get Bollinger. If Ziggy hadn’t pulled the trigger on Jared Allen, Berrian etc how bad would this team be? Chilli has not shown he can manage a game or adjust his offense to work. He has no ability to develop players or choose the right players to bring in to help this team. He had no real plan for the most important position on a football team which is at quarterback. He is a failure and must be fired…
Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick.
I think the Vikings fans should listen to Mark Craig; just as soon as he puts his money where his mouth is and starts paying for their tickets.
Until then, Mark, your rant against the fans is no better than the the fans rant against Childress. Atleast the fans have kicked in money, so they have a stake in the game.
You, not so much.
Mark,
You have some valid points. As do many of the post on the blog. However, what continues to irk me is Chilli’s refusal to acknowledge that he made a mistake. No one can be perfect, but when a mistake is made he needs to address that and not continually sidestep the question/issue with non-sensical banter. For instance:
1. 44.8% success rate with 2-point conversions. Didn’t answer the question nor address what he was thinking.
2. Blaming Kluwe and bringing in punters?? What? He’s a Top 5 punter in the league. If there are issues, deal with it in house
3. Pimping a potent offense … that isn’t potent. And not trying other approaches — either to get better execution from the players or to put them in a better position to execute the plays.
4. Belittling the fans. His smugness during the week and after games has become rampant and annoying. We, as fans, have every right to cheer and jeer our team. It’s called passion. If he (and Zygi) started to see indifference from the fan base, they should worry. We’re committed. We just want to know that he’s committed to being flexible and open to changing his ways to see success now.
The “Culture of Accountability” goes up AND down the ladder. The responsibility for fielding a team ready to play each and every Sunday lies solely on his shoulders and the people he’s hand selected.
And the better sports writers are in which town? Just where in the article does Craig say it’s the fans fault the team isn’t good enough? GEEZ! It’s always amazing how people respond when someone tries to bring common sense to an issue.
good call, coolcat. Mine are $70 per game, not including parking and concessions (but then I usually am happy with the concessions, so I won’t put that on Mark).
Is there an accounts payable dept. at the Strib I can bill to or do I send the invoice to Mr. Craig directly?
Chilly is so awesome. I’m so glad we spent all that money this offseason ad are 3-3. I’m so glad the head coach can punt away a game, understand the theory behind the two point conversion and adjust game planning so well. He is the best! Oh and his scouting abilities, right on man. Where would we be without the TJack to Shiancoe connection! I mean if we can keep this .500 pace for the rest of the season we just might win the Superbowl! I mean give me a break dont tell me I should be happy, this squad stinks something fierce and it smells like coach.
@ Blah
Too funny. Give me your order of plays please? What would you do on each down? Then after that I will call it vanilla.
See, it doesn’t matter what play you call or what order you call it in. If the players aren’t making your plays look good, you will never win the wannabe fans over.
I miss the days where there was a clear divide between the good teams and the bad teams… Now that line is blurred, actually the divide is between the bad teams and the really bad teams. So where do the Vikings fall into place, bad or really bad? Not sure, but there not that fun to watch so we can call for Chili’s head because we PAY for entertainment.
Mark,
I think your 2nd sentence says it all:
“I couldn’t care less if the Vikings win or lose.”
I think the majority of the people here do care to the tune of hundreds of dollars per home game.
I am happy being at 3-3 given our level of play and tough schedule through 6 games. But, I have not seen anything from the offense that makes me think I should tune in to the next 10 games or have any hope for a playoff spot. Maybe Childress will figure it out…but I doubt it.
My guess is that the Vikings will barely get in or barely miss the playoffs and Childress will be fired at the end of the year. I think Ziggy is looking for a better return on his investment…
As for Bill and Mark , sounds like you both don’t know squat about football the way you talk especially mark on 2 points margin game , well u need to open your eyes more ! Who gives about 2 points game but u need to look at all round talent they have that can go to Super bowl . Did u even notice that chili took over offensive play callings from offensive coordinator which he hired him to do his damn job ! But he’s the responsible for hiring horrible offensive coordinator which I noticed he called quite few awful senseless plays ! Maybe Frazier should take over Chili’s place since his defense has been carrying the team whole damn time ! And as for Craig , you should be demoted to “Crosswords puzzle” department !!!!!!!!!
I guess if you just want to be average then yes you can compare us to other NFL teams but if you want to win a superbowl then maybe some booing will light a fire under everyones butt and get it done. I suppose that is why you work for the star trib…cause you’re average at best.
@ Jason
Save your money, buy a nice big flat screen and watch it on TV at home like I do. Then you won’t have a reason to bitch. You can show your great support of your team by booing them there. The Vikes won’t miss ya.
ghost169
Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick.
interception field goal
Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick. Run, run, run, stack the box, kick.
@ghost:
Last I checked, the Vikings didn’t have a life-long waiting list for season tickets. If I give up mine, you might not be watching on your nice flat screen on Sunday…you might be driving 90 miles to catch it at an out-of-market bar due to the NFL blackout rule.
But hey, at least the boos will be quieter, after all, that’s the goal, right?
ghost169 I watch the games on my couch viewing it on a 50 inch plasma. It is easier for me to sleep during the boring parts of the game and the seats at the dome are uncomfortable to sleep across.
Another add, trade for Rosenfels from Houston Texans that I believe will change the Vikings for the better but Vikings were too cheap not to offer 2nd round pick for him last year but how many 2nd rounders have been successful in NFL , think about that so Rosenfels would be worth a trade for 2nd round pick and I would act on it now or call this season a flop with aging frerotte playing fairly !
I agree that the play calling is predictable and boring, however, I also completely agree with this article. The NFL is unpredictable, that is what makes it so exciting to watch. If you truly are Vikings fans show a little support for your team that is 3-3 and stop the whining!!!
LOL at Blah
How about
run run pass pass-INT kick return run-fumble kick return pass-INT kick return run run run run turnover on downs kick return pass pass pass we give up?
Doesn’t matter the players are all eating donuts and drinking coffee. The players are playing horrible, they aren’t getting it done and the wannabes blame chilly. I forgot that chill is actually playing Madden 09 in real life and he’s the reason why our players fumble. Funny thing is AP doesn’t look like chilly to me.
Grow up? Wow with grown men painting their faces and sometimes more… you are asking them to grow up because they expect more? Mark Craig, do you get free tickets to the game? Do you go to the game? Do you pay money to go to the games?
How about expecting more from the team you support? If you don’t support the team then pipe the hell down
If anyone has watched the Wisconsin Badger offense the past 20 years, they shouldn’t be surprised to see what former Badgers Childress/Bevel are all about. 3 yards and a cloud of turf bits, with the occasional long pass mixed in when the box gets too packed in. It’s old school Big 10 football…boring and no longer effective.
Pro football is in the entertainment business, and Viking football isn’t very entertaining even when they win.
3-3…best record is 4-2…would that one more win have made you guys that happy???
Does anyone know the percentage related to a head coach not going for a two point conversion when down by two points late in the third quarter? I didn’t think so.
It is 3.125% (1 out of 32 for the math impaired).
Next question.
What was Childress #1 priority when he took over? get rid of all the foolishness some players had as the loveboat scandal, do we here any of that no! Now he finally gets to coach. And plus if they pull up that bus and move to LA you can have your twinkie’s and gophers and what ever you call that hockey team as you are the most pathetic fan’s in the nfl. Oh and by the way remember Foley the gm he screwed up when childress wanted to move up and take Cutler but you don’t here Childress whining about that do ya! You have a fan in South Dakota Childress !
@ Jason
Good point, keep paying for the tickets. You’ll bitch no matter what anyways. Thanks for your support in advance. I am happy that it gives you something to do on Sunday at least.
@ Blah
I know, DVR rules. But I’ll hang with the Vikes no matter what happens.
I agree with the article but have One problem, THE EXTRA POINT and no 2 point conversion, FIRECHILLY.com check it out and sign up, EXTRA POINT are you kidding me an EXTRA POINT!?!
ghost169
I used to watch the Raiders and while I don’t know who would win between the Raiders and Vikes I would take my chances with the Crypt Keeper (Al Davis)
oh and Zoltar if we go for two and fail we put the momentum back with the lions! what idiot fans!
Right on Rick! Skol Vikes!
and why did we need that 2pt. conversion again???….there is not a coach in the league, who doesn’t think their team will score more pts. with more than a quarter left to play…get over it…
@ Mark
Who gives a rats ass? We won dude, get over it.
Halftime score was 3-2 I was bored
shut off the tv then….
I couldn’t lost the clicker and was forced to suffer in the Childress over concervative play calling pit of effigy
History has shown that Zygi will fire a guy who finishes 9-7…
BRIAN BILLICK in ‘09!!!!
“And I couldn’t care less if the Vikings win or lose.
Well then, who the f*ck are you to tell me to “grow up”?
I have always been, and will continue to be a Vikings fan…
I have Vikings T-Shirts that are older than you, you ultra-maroon…
I am getting tired of these media guys writing about us so called rubes. Telling us we shouldnt boo. Taking out stats saying Chilly should stay because of this or that. Or we should be happy to beat Detroit. I hate this rube thing. Some of these media idiots even go as far as saying us Viking fans in general with our stupid Fire Childress rants. If you are not a coach or a player your a fan and a rube. Zygi is the biggest rube of all he liked the Vikes so much he bought em. I am tired of you “writer bubes” thinking your not part of it. Your in Minnesota covering the Vikings and you think your not a fan or a rube. If we are rube idiots then you are as well. We give our opinions and so do you. Some of are opinions come from the media “bubes”. If your not a rube or a fan then go to LA and cover there pro football team. Then you wont have to here the fans and rubes.
well said Rusty.
This is not just about last week. I understand your point that “on any given sunday” any NFL team can beat another NFL team no matter what the records. However, this is about return on investment. I don’t think that Zygi Wilf and the fans are getting the return on their investment to this point. I am willing to give Coach Childress his opportunity to prove me wrong, but up until this point he has done nothing to show me that he is capable making this team a serious, meaningful contender.
@ Blah
Punch a hole thru your screen and unplug it then. If you can’t figure out how to stop the insanity that is festering in your mind on your own, then we can’t help ya. No one is making you watch the game or tune into it to begin with.
ya know, being at the game, there was a 3rd and 3 situation…Gus dropped back and threw a little go-route to Aundrae, over shot him by 10 yds…had 3 other players out on patterns…didn’t even look at them…fans boo Chilly for a QB error…it doesn’t make sense to me..
mark craig who? childress is a bumbling idiot. can you imagine having this “coach” being your operations manager in a multi-million dollar business that you owned? what i still don’t understand is why did the owner higher him in the first place with no other coaching entrees. can’t we just all get along and be “minnesota nice.” what a joke!
Place in order the most locally hated personel in Minnesota sports
McFail
Pohlad
Childress
It is simple math. When you are down by two you always go for two. I have seen the “chart”. It is indicative of poor decision making.
maybe we could hire Chuck Daly
@ Gussss
Exactly. But some how chilly made that happen. Riiiggghhhtttt. These chilly haters need to share the drugs they are on. Cause to them, chilly looks like Gus, T-Jack, AP, CT, Jared Allen, Berrian, Shaincoe and many others who screw up.
Turn off the TV..
It’s a beautiful Sunday in the fall..
Spend time with your kid..
Take your dog out for a walk around the lake..
Reconnect with your wife in some way..
Life is very short..
So, the coach gets no blame and gets no credit? Then why have one?
go for 2, don’t make it…down 2…score a td, up 4,go for 2, don’t make it, still up 4…lions score TD (highly unlikey)they go up 3…the best a FG then does is tie it…you do the math…..
If you’re down by two, you have a 44% chance of tying the game by going for two.
What are the chances of tying the game by kicking the extra point, Brad??? Take 1-2 hours to think about it…
I think Mark is accurate in his assessment as a whole..However, the bottom line is Brad Childress just is not a good head coach…There are no excuses for what he does and that is what people are booing about…They know he is not willing to let the quarterback audible out of calls when you can clearly see there are 8 or 9 men in the box. A quick audible with a quick slant or deep ball would do wonders in those situations…Bare with me here…Tarvaris Jackson is not suited for this offense…Great coaches build an offense around your talent..Tarvaris has all the tools but the head coach is to proud to play to his strenghs…To not go for two…Are you kidding me..There is no reason not to and his explanation was crap….I will say this again….Leslie Frazier should be made head coach NOW….The team is assembled..There are playmakers..The coach is the problem..This is what they are booing..Not the players….We are just fed up with a coach that has way more playmakers than Mike Tice had and doing much less with them…Period…And Amen
ghost169 My wife would kill me if I punched a hole in my TV screen. Is being a viking fan alot like being a Raider fan?
I really think they need to use Tapeh, why would they sign him and not use him?
Speaking of the Raiders… I really want to hear Zygi give the “You’re not the coach I hired” speech!!!
Thank you Mark Craig, you just stated what I’ve been saying the past two days, I’m a little embarrassed to be a from Mn. especially after the McCain rally in Lakeville(but thats for another comment section.)The Vikes won 3 of 4 and all we can say is fire Childress? I honestly think these stupid ass fans would be screaming for BC’s head whether we win the SB, or become a Dynasty. Was it Chill’s fault AD Fumbled 3 times in the 2 games? Was it Chilly’s fault for all the dropped passes? Was is his fault for all the Yellow flags? Those are things that ussually win and lose Games. If you Hate The Vikes so much find something else to do on Sundays with your time. I’ve always thought these are nothing but kids commenting in the Sports setion anyway. At least thats what I hope.
P Diddy- Your music sux.
@ Dana
Hold the correct people accountable for how bad we play. Chilly isn’t the Minnesota Vikings. He isn’t even playing. The most he does is say yes or no and evaluates. The rest of the coaching staff does all the work. The organization needs a front man to take all the heat and BS. Like chilly says, it comes with the territory. But I’ll tell ya this. Keep booing the team and pretty soon you’ll get what you ask for. Meanwhile the Vikes will be in some other state. Then the wannabe fans can go back to sitting in their underwear staring at the basement wall on Sundays.
@ Bob G.
Amen to that.
“go for 2, don’t make it…down 2…score a td, up 4,go for 2, don’t make it, still up 4…lions score TD (highly unlikey)they go up 3…the best a FG then does is tie it…you do the math…..”
Do you honestly think this was the rationale Childress anticipated in making his decision to go for 1, ‘good choice to kick’? If you believe that, I would refer you to his post-game comments on the issue and that should clear it up.
Not only do the Vikings need a new coach, they may need a few new writers too.
and by the way, the (highly unlikely) reference in your scenario should be in regards to “score a td”, not “lions score TD”
Hewy P Diddy what are those changes Ferotte was making at the line of scrimmage again?? um… ahh….Oh yeah! Audibles!
I’m just saying, that would be the only logical thinking…so, in other words, do I think Chilly was doing that???? uh…no
@ Blah
Being a wannabe fan has the same effect for any team your a wannabe fan of.
Whether its the rams, dolphins, texans, browns or raiders. it;s the nature of the beast. I am glad to say the Vikes are doing much better then those mentioned.
If the Vikes were aided by a bad call by the ref in this game then don’t forget the bad calls that went against them…in games for more importatnt than this one. How about the holding call in the Super Bowl against Pittsburgh, how about the missed offensive interference call against Dallas in the championship game. I get tried of all you weenies cryng about how the Vikes should not have won and how bad the coaching is. For every bad call that helps the Vikes win there is a bad call that has aided in a defeat.
So, Ghost, your answer is yes. Childress should never get any blame and never any credit. So, again, I ask, just what is his job? I wish my job were that easy but I am held accountable for the final product.
By the way King now you know how I felt about the Obama rally.
The Vikings deserves to be criticized when they screw up. They have always been a team that knows how to throw aways games because of stupid mistakes. At the beginning of the season, Brad C said that one of the goals is to cut down on mistakes. he knows that that has been the team’s weakness. During the Lion’s game, Ryan Cook nearly caused the game. The Vikings should find players who have better IQs.
thanks for clarifying, good choice to kick.
Now, to the merits, you’re not honestly saying that kicking the extra point was the right move, I take it? I should hope not, anyway.
TJ owes Chili a good punch to the bread basket for setting him up for failure. Chili never had faith in him and it was evident in the play calling. You don’t send your soldiers to war without all their weapons……a good leader knows this.
We need 3 different receivers that can actuallly catch the ball. Why the he _ _ did we get rid of Moss. I wish we could pick up Plaxico Burress
Pullleeeaaazzzzzz
Quit defending Chili. IF PLAYERS ARE FUMBLING/DROPPING PASSES consistently, that goes back to SKILLS processing that is down in PRACTICE, which at good teams, is conducted by a SKILLED coaching team.
The Fans have a right to boo this team, given that they should be 1-5 had not the officials helped them out in the last two games.
Is a BORING 3-3 team gonna get Ziggy a stadium?
THAT’s what the real issue is:
How long will MN and the Upper Midwest have NFL football
We’re 54 games away from finding out
(preseason doesn’t count and playoffs? LOL)
ghost169 I became a Viking fan when I moved here and was unable to view the Raider games any longer so wannabe fan would be a bit harsh. Ii still haven’t got used to watching the Gophers Big 10 games as I was used to watching USC and UCLA
sorry Jason…but according to the stats..the Vikes have scored 113 pts. to Detroit’s 76…so, good choice was correct in saying “Lions TD-highly unlikely”….peace
You ALL are idiots. Everyone hates Childress why? because our receivers can’t hang onto the ball, run correct routes, make any kind of open field moves or stretch the field. yeah, that’s the coach’s fault.
Some knuckle head said we have one of the best O lines in the game. We give up more sacks on the left side than any other team because McKinnie is big, dumb and slow. Not Childress’ fault.
Nobody fears our secondary so they pass all day long. Not Childress’ fault.
Our special teams is that special, in that they should be taking the short bus to the field wearing their helmets all the way there.
The not going for two situation, think outside your own stupidity and see that if we missed that two, and Detroit scores again, we are down by 2 scores instead of 1.
Now, I’m not saying Childress is a good coach. He is incompetent when it comes to running an offense, but at the same time, the players have to be held accountable and they never are here. HUGE STATE FULL OF HOMERS! Always have to blame those NOT entirely responsible.
Quit comparing teams to the 98 team. For the love, that was a flash in the pan season that will never be duplicated by this team EVER again. GET OVER IT!
Should be? Sh!t happens and the good teams (ie. not Detroit) can overcome questionable calls by the refs.
Brad C. quauted statistics as the reason why he didn’t for for two. Jeez, if NFL coaching is all about following the statistics, I can coach the Viking tomorrow. He should be fired.
“sorry Jason…but according to the stats..the Vikes have scored 113 pts. to Detroit’s 76…so, good choice was correct in saying “Lions TD-highly unlikely”….peace”
Did you adjust those numbers for points not scored by Antoine Winfield or other members of the Vikings defense / special teams?
Sports Realist, who was responsible for putting this team together and preparing them?
You can’t disagree without insulting everyone?
good point…101…
“Should be? Sh!t happens and the good teams (ie. not Detroit) can overcome questionable calls by the refs.”
Tell that to the Chargers…
Um, you don’t get it Mark. The playcalling is what is at issue here. No imagination, no originality. THAT’S on the coaching staff.
I suppose Norv should be fired…they share a comparable record with the Vikes….or maybe the Patriots should look for a new coach, one QB shouldn’t affect the whole team, not is they were such a “superior” team…
A 12-10 victory during the Bud Grant era was considered a terrific game and a point of defensive pride.
With all the talent on all sides of the ball, there is one excuse for the lack of execution, and that is lack of proper & aggressive planning. Chili is way too conservative, example: bringing all Philly dejects here, like they will “prosper” under him for some reason.
This has nothing to do with the 98 team. Last time I checked, we’ve been to a NFC title game since then. This has to do with why a team with so much talent can’t man-handle one of the decades worst teams, and it’s not a any-given sunday thing- The Vikings knew this should have been the coming out party game to light things up.
Maybe Bud is available???
david 1:02 said:
“…it is pathetic that the Minneapolis sports reporters won’t do their job. Not a single one of you even managed to push the coach even a little bit for an explanation about the one-point extra point decision, something the sports fans that read your articles deserve. Do your job instead of being a PR shill for the team’s coach.”
right on…why don’t i ever hear an explanation of punting to tennesee to let them kneel it out. or not going for 2 points this week. i even tried googling it in case i missed it but….nope.
It is hard to be a happy Vikings fan when your punter is so overworked.
Vince Lombardi cause you drafted Marion Barber in the third round? Are you playing in a league of idiots? Barber went #8 overall in our league.
Grow up. Childress should be fired for being an idiot, not because our team only won by a few points. Why in the hell didn’t he go for two after our touchdown? That’s a poor coaching judgement.
Go back to your lame fantasy team
THANK YOU MARK! THE FANS ARE HURTING THE TEAM. THE FANS ARE LITERALLY, THE DUMBEST FANS IN ALL OF SPORT. WHEN YOU BOO, YOU GIVE THE VISITING TEAM A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE. WE HAVE NO HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE. VIKINGS NATION HAS BECOME THE MOST NEGATIVE, IGNORANT FANS IN THE ENTIRE LEAGUE. IT HONESTLY MAKES ME SICK, WHAT HAPPENED TO MINNESOTA LOYALTY???
HAPPY I LIVE IN COLORADO WHERE THE SUN SHINES AND THE NEGATIVE FANS CANNOT RUIN MY EXPERIENCE!
“A 12-10 victory during the Bud Grant era was considered a terrific game and a point of defensive pride.”
Even against an 0-5 team which started someone that no one could identify at quarterback?
I’m too young for the Grant-era (although I’ve done some research and noticed that he lost four Superbowls, some of which he was a double-digit favorite), but I kind of doubt that mantra would apply in this particular case.
I also have a feeling that offenses weren’t designed to put up as many points during the Grant-era.
Norv will probably be fired within 2 years… For New England, winning ONE superbowl gets you a pass for 4 more years regardless of how you do. So, with that, I think Belichick has a few years earned.
Regarding the punt at Tennessee and the extra point/two-point decision this week: the ugly part is that Childress admits to not putting appropriate thought into either decision. He admits that he thought the Vikings could get the ball back against Tennessee (an impossibility sans a muffed punt or a fumbled snap). And he acts like he never even considered going for two on Sunday (and defenders of the extra point should consider that this was a low scoring game - offense was not moving the ball - you need to go for two there, no doubt; if it’s 23-21 in the 3rd, you kick, but it’s too low scoring at that point not to kick).
point is, Childress chokes when considering in-game strategy. He should not be manageing gameday strategy and tactics.
Your an idiot. Of course fans should be upset with a talent laden team that can’t beat the hapless Lions by more than 2 points. The Lions really suck and should have been manhandled for 35 or more points by our offense. So go have another cheeseburger or donut fata@* and lay off Vikings fans who demand better from their team
It has a lot to do with our coach, we were spoiled in the late 90’s to the early 00’s with our great offense. Don’t get me wrong I love defensive football, but Childress is far too conservative to be and NFL coach.Defense doesn’t win championships, but it can get you to the big game. Your offense in the NFL today is what you need to win. Play makers make plays and you need to put the play makers in the position to make the plays by making the correct call, a draw on 3rd and 12 a 5 yard dump when it’d 3rd and 9 doesn’t cut it. He needs to go, and we need to get a decent veteran QB in here who’s not past his prime as Gus is, with a fresh start next year along with drafting a QB of talent to slowly mold into our system as T-Jack’s progress was way too rushed for a young D-1AA QB. All Chilly’s decision, your points are all so fact less Mark and this is why 5-6 NFL coaches are fired each year!!!!
We’re a dropped TD(Indy,Shancioe),a bad TD call(GB,Rice)and few turnovers(Tenn)away form being 6-0! Hey thats was and ugly game Sunday, I don’t care how The Vikings play(good or bad) The bottom line is that they win.
When players constantly makes stupid mistakes at critical times during the game, that a sign of poor discipline. That’s a clue that the coach is weak.
John David Booty and the Booty call girls wil be our next and future QB
Well written. I’d like the Elias Sports Bereau to tell us how many NFL teams in league history, had five turnovers, scored 12 points and WON???
idle hands said:
“Waaaaa waaaa waaaaa, that’s all these people are doing. On every blog site, crying about what Childress didn’t do, why he didn’t do it, how predictable his offense is, how sorry they are to have watched the team win the way they did. Simple solution, just stop watching the game. Stop watching the Vikings play on Sunday. If it pains you so much to watch this atrocity of a football team, don’t turn on the tv on Sunday or don’t go to the game. ”
shut up. you’re just as condescending as mark’s article. what makes your opinion more worthy than anyone else’s. get over yourself, you self-riteous beeotch.
Look, This is a Business with the customers being the fans. As with most businesses, leaders are hired to ensure the best product or service is being offered based on the needs and desires of the customers. If the needs and desires of the customers are not being met (e.g. putting an entertaining product on the field every week) then the responsibility, whether you like it or not, falls on the shoulders of the leader. In this case, Chilly is the leader and the product is not meeting the needs and desires of the customers. When the quality of the product is below average, you are going to hear it from your customers.
I just go back to what Jared Allen said a few weeks back, and I absolutely love it: “MORAL VICTORIES ARE FOR LOSERS”
BRIAN BILLICK in ‘09
Mark Craig can pay for my ticket and then tell me how to act. Its funny to me when sportswriters look down on fans. Its your job to know the sport its my job to cheer or boo when I watch the team. Its not personal, its entertainment. Christ, if I whined like he did at my job I’d be a sportswriter too.
King, you may be right, but we are also, a missed field goal and a couple of bad calls from being 1-5.
AP fumbles twice against Lions and it costs us a lot of points. We should have scored 2 more TDs. Woulda been a blowout.
Special teams gives up 2 Punt returns for TDs to Saints. Woulda been a blowout.
Ahead of the Colts 15-0. Game shoulda been a blowout.
We did blowout the Panthers!
I believe the Vikings are a damn good team. At least the players are. Childress (and his coaching staff) has plenty of talent to be winning by double digits each week. But the fact is, HE ISN’T WINNING. His record is now 17-21 after 38 games. He has a LOSING record after a pretty good sampling of games.
And not having the team ready for the Redskins game last year was a disgrace. Todd Collins? Are you kidding me? That game was the defining moment of his career as a head coach and he blew it.
I’m sure he is a good guy, but I’m also sure he is a terrible head coach. The problem with firing him now is this: “Who takes over?” We still have 10 games left. Who is out there that could step in? Unfortunately the answer is probably nobody. So we just have to keep hoping that he gets better. (Kind of like Charlie Manuel seems to have done with the Phillies. Or maybe the National League just plain stinks.)
How many years have you been a paying season ticket holder MR. CRAIG? Any moron can watch it from home and scream at their tv with nothing vested. Any idiot can settle for par when they have nothing better to do than sit at home and type on their keyboard………get a life!
Mark,
it’s a good point - we got a W after a very hard fought win. But seriously - could you be more condescending? I double dare you to try and lay it on even thicker for the rest of the season b/c reading this article got me all nostalgic thinking of those chidings I got from my parents for wishing I had a Nintendo when I was 5.
Unless you were intending to start moving this blog to more of a “younger” crowd…
malachy wrote:
He admits that he thought the Vikings could get the ball back against Tennessee (an impossibility sans a muffed punt or a fumbled snap).
really!?!? he actually admitted that. this is a professionalhead coach in the NFL, and he doesn’t know the minimum amount of time needed on the a gameclock in order have any chance of getting the ball back. why shaould we not boo him, mark?
Hey Mark - why don’t you go tell the Cleveland fans to grow up? They booed their team off the field at halftime last night in a game they were LEADING over the undefeated, defending Super Bowl champions. Boston Red Sox fans booed them last night - and they won the stinkin World Series twice in the past 4 years! Yep - bunch of whiners in Minnesota compared to everywhere else. That - or something to that effect - is what some people are actually idiotic enough to write on these blogs.
I have accepted the fact that the Vikings are mediocre. Does that mean it should be acceptable after all they hype (much of it by the organization themselves) going into this year? Has there been ANY progress with this team offensively since our offensive “guru” arrived in 2006 - despite massive free agent expenditures and drafting one of the best RB in football?
HAVE NOT BEEN A FAN OF HIS SINCE YEAR ONE . THE PRODUCT IS HARD TO WATCH . IF YOU GET A BAD MEAL AND SPENT GOOD MONEY YOU COMPLAIN AND DONT GO BACK. TELL ME WERE WATCHING HIS KICK ASS OFFENCE FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS [LAST SUNDAY WAS THE WORST FOOTBALL GAME I CAN EVER REMMBER WATCHING] I SHOULD GO BACK AND WATCH .HAVING TROBLE SELLING TICKETS VIKES AS A FAN I FELT BAD FOR DET. THEY GOT SCREWED ON A BAD CALL .WINNING SHOULD FEEL GOOD I JUST DONT FEEL WATCHING THE VIKES SINCE HE CAME HERE AND IM A FAN .WHEN SOMETHING YOU LOVE IS HORRIBLE TO WATCH YOU WILL LOSE INTEREST
He won’t get canned until the season is over, thats just Ziggy. He’ll give him a chance to make the playoffs and redeem himself. If we don’t get in it’s as simple as that he’s gone. Hopefully Cowher can come outta retirement and take over or we get Linehan back to get some Offense on our field.
Why can’t we get Tony Gonzalez and Plaxico Burress and that would make it more interesting.
This blog is a joke. Go look up the leads other teams have taken against the Detroit Lions and compare it to our 2-0 lead (and a gift 2 points at that).
Why are the Atlanta Falcons better than us? Why are they 3-0 against our division? We are better at virtually ever single position on a roster. The difference is coaching staff and the quarterback position created by the coaching staff.
Mike Tice hovered at or above .500 under terrible, cheeap ownership… including a playoff victory. We fans DESERVE more than we’ve gotten in the 2-3 years under Brad Childerss. We don’t deserve to watch an organization spinning its tires for 3 years and wading in mediocrity.
Stupid article.
Every NFL team has big, fast, strong, athletic people. Every year there are some teams that gel and some that don’t.
Regardless, the teams that don’t can still hit hard….and occasionally they beat teams they’re not supposed to.
Mark Craig is right….maybe the fans should ease up. Who knows??? Maybe the Vikings will beat the Bears.
Still waiting for the offense Chili promised us. Last Sunday i could swear the vikes and Lions were using the same playbook.
Pass on first down…incomplete..run it up the middle on second down for 2 yds…pass on third down, hope for a PI flag…if not, punt.
brohamski wrote:
WHEN YOU BOO, YOU GIVE THE VISITING TEAM A DISTINCT ADVANTAGE. WE HAVE NO HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE.
poor play-calling gives the visiting team a distinct advantage….not the boos. let’s face it…childress almost lost that game for us.
best vikings article of the year, mark!
are you serious, vikings fans have a right to be upset, this team is underperforming and its not just by a little bit!!!! none of those other teams were picked as superowl contenders going into the regular season…
How about we trade Chili for a horse and shoot the horse? Oh wait, the horse would win more games. Nevermind…
All I know is that Chili was given a 9-7 team, money to spend on more coaching resources, more accomplished free agents, and basically anything else he wanted that Tice didn’t have at his disposal. With all these resources available to him, Childress has yet to even match what Tice did in his last year here. Lets be realistic, Childress is not a good enough coach to get this team to play at the level it is capable of.
Chili has to go. The arrogance he has displayed and hard headed attitude is not what people in Minnesota want. He is now trying to save his but by blaming his punter in public? Give me a break. Listen to the radio on Sunday, Greg Coleman said we had no intensity. You know why? Chili. The head coach needs to grab the team by the horns (no pun intended) and move them forward. Look at what happened at Clemson. Chili is no different.
Mark your a moron for even putting this article out. The game against the Lions was one of the Ugliest games I’ve seen in awhile and we should have lost. Brad Childress and is offensive coaching staff have been calling some terrible plays that are way too obvious. Something needs to be changed otherwise we waste another season and get stuck with a late draft pick. Theres no way this team right now would be able to do anything in the playoffs, that is if they make it. Thank God our defense is playing there ass’s off otherwise the Vikings would probably be winless. Poor execution on the offensive side of the ball. Star Tribune, get some new writers.
I THINK WE SHOULD GET RID OF CHILLI AND BUSH.THEY BOTH USE THE SAME OLD TIRED PLAY BOOK.
@jclangh - They won’t get new writers. Heck, they have a huge Chicago White Sux fan blogging for the Twins! LMAO!
for all of you that think that its not chilli’s fault for what ever reason you are wrong. i guarantee you that this vikings team has just as much talent on it that the patriots had when they were winning superbowls!!! why did they win!? cuz they had a coach that knew what he was doing and how to gameplan!!! FIRE CHILDRESS, Thanks.
Mark Craig is an idiot.
good choice to kick says:
go for 2, don’t make it…down 2…score a td, up 4,go for 2, don’t make it, still up 4…lions score TD (highly unlikey)they go up 3…the best a FG then does is tie it…you do the math…..
1. what makes the vikings any more likely to score a TD than the lions? watch the game
2. don’t try to make it anymore than it is. anybody who has been watching the game knows the most likely scenario would have been:
go for 2…make it, and tie. need fieldgoal to win or play overtime.
or go for 2…miss it, down by 2. need field goal.
but he (and you would have) chose…kick it, still down by one. need field goal or LOSE.
as far as i am concerned, in sports, you it’s best to control your own destiny. not wait for the other team to screw up.
I’ve watched the Viking for better than 40 years. Guess what….I’ve seen dozens and dozens of phantom calls go AGAINST the Vikings! So what if we get one? More power to us!! Not that I’m a big Childress fan or anything. I think this is his last year, but I was cheering as they won the game Sunday. I hope they can win every game they have left by 2 points. If they win the superbowl by 2 points, is anyone still going to be whining?
Fire Childress and bring in Brian Billick.
LOVE IT! Amen! Didn’t even read what these clowns who race to place some idiotic, profane, and inane response had to say in response to your ‘insult’. Get a life you nobs. You’re pathetic with your supposed football knowledge… GM offers ringing your phone off the hook? Are the Vikings any good? Not really. You fans belong in the Dog Pound in Cleve with those idiots. By the way, I know like the sun will come tomorrow that this post will get hammered by you losers, but ya know, I’ll try not to lose any sleep.
Oh my, just read the ‘Billick’ post… I rest my case. There’s an offensive WIZARD.
Vikings fans are not pissed off because of this one game, we are pissed off because of the last 38 games. We are pissed because our head coach cannot realize that with 100 seconds left and no time outs we wont get the ball back if we punt. We are pissed because our head coach doesnt realize that when trailing 8 to 10, a FG would still win the game. We are pissed because until the last 2 games our head coach has not had a 100 yard receiver. We are pissed because our head coach has never had a 300 yard passer. We are pissed because our head coach’s record when the defense does not score is aweful, including 0-3 this season. We are pissed because our head coach has no business being a head coach. Mark Craig, get a clue.
The NFL is a league of trends. The trend of the Vikings is one of mistakes, pentalies and poor play of the offense. This is the third year of this. Time for Chilly to leave, just like he did to T-Jack. Fraiser should take over, since he is the only one on the coaching staff that has a nasty streak in him.
Hey, it feels like a vaccum on this thread. Must be because CHILI SUCKS!
Mark Craig, I guess Vikings fans Have higher expectations than the rest of Minnesota sports fan! I think Chilly would be respected more if he learned how to talk to loyal fans instead of talking down to them!
I completely agree with this column!! And, you can only blame the coach so much, sooner or later the players need to come to play and make some things happen–that is what they are getting paid millions for. Go Vikings!
Chillie has an 8% approval rating.
If 92% of the country are telling you you’re a horse, you ought to at least turn around and check to see if you have a tail.
I’ve been a MV fan for many years and it seems year in and year out we have some type of achilles heel that holds us back. I don’t know how many years in a row now we’ve been getting lit up through the air. The elite teams win because they score touchdowns in the red zone, they don’t settle for field goals. We’re 3 & 3 and i’m happy for that however lady luck always runs out. Trust me, i live in Reno and have experienced it first hand. Maybe we’ll have a better idea of what direction we’re headed after next weekends game. I shelled out nearly a grand to fly from Reno to Phoenix in December to watch them play. I will probably cheer and boo as that’s my right as a fan. I can tell you though, the Phoenix Chickens used to be an automatic “W” but I’m SCARED to death Warner is going to light it up and burn Griffin for at least 2 TD’s. If we still can’t punch it in for 6 it’s going to be a long day of drinking $8.00 beers…go VIKES!
Hey Mark,
Have you got your warm weather clothes ready so you can follow Ziggy to LA? That’s where this is headed if the fan base doesn’t vote in a new stadium. Oh shucks, I just grew up.
The Vikings will continue to be a mediocre under performing team since the a lot of Viking fans fall for the usual cliche of “a win is a win”. I guess if the other team does not show up at all and they win by default, then that’s good enough for the Vikings. There is no pride in this team. Another way to say is that, there are not embarrased when they make stupid mistakes. Once this year, they cannot even count how many peoiple they have on the line. Maybe no ones how to count to seven.
Not sure what game you were watching but a W is a W may hold true but at what point does an owner, fan, anyone - say we have quite possibly the worst looking offense in football and the D isn’t much better. This is a horrible team that is fortunate to be in the position they are. Frerrote is just horrendous and has no consistency what so ever. The WR’s can’t catch consistently, AD is now fumble prone. The D is rarely within 5 yards of the guy catching the ball. There are plenty for fans to be upset about. firechilly.com. FIRE CHILDRESS before it is too late to have any hope for the season.
Vikings fans do not have to be happy about anything. Football or any sport is watched because fans enjoy watching. Typically, more fans watch successful/good teams than teams that play poorly. The vikings have regularly played poorly during Childress’s tenure, particularly on offense. Look at their record. Is it a surprise that Childress’s record is below 500. Delay of game penalties, overly conservative play calling at critical times, not making the required adjustments during games, banking on a quarterback he knew full well was not prepared to start in the NFL.
This offense has arguably one of the top running backs in the league(how much longer that will be statistically true is debatable) and is absolutely unwatchable at times. For the most part the playcalling is incapable of helping the players establish any rhythm or flow. I normally watch every game but I just quit on the Detroit game because I have finally had it with watching that offense play. I did not enjoy it, and obviously I am not the only person. So no, we don’t have to be happy. On the contrary, the Vikings need to start becoming watchable again or no one will care.
I agree with jdm - of all the games I’ve seen bad calls go against us - for once we actually get a couple that help us out. I loved it! And yes - a win is a win and not just a cliche - why? Because at the end of the season you need lots of W’s to get in the playoffs and no one goes back to gives points on how they won!
I’ve been following this team since I was old enough to understand football. There are a couple of things I know. Players who don’t produce don’t play and coaches who don’t produce don’t coach. This is why Chili should be let go. I thought he’d be a good fit when they hired him, after all, look how good the Eagles were with him as the coordinator, they made the Super Bowl and lost to a good Patriots team. Problem is, they hired him to coach, not coordinate. 6-10, 8-8? That isn’t going to cut it. Look at Denny Green, he had almost 10 years, the closest he came to the big one was in 98, Tice, that moron barely made it to the playoffs the one year they went. They finally have an owner willing to spend money on the players needed to contend for a title, now they need to hire a coach who knows how to utilize those players.
Great blog he is absolutely right!!!!
@vikesgal - If you need blown calls to win games against the worst team/defense in the NFL then your team/coaching is HORRIBLE! Bye Chili. Do let the door hit you on the way out.
Who is this moronic writer? The problem, Mr. Craig, is that the teams you mention have shown glimpses or extended periods of being able to play great football. For the Cowboys or Redskins to have a let down game in the middle of playing quality football is way different than the Vikings consistently forgetting to bring out an NFL-caliber offense for 6 weeks and barely beating a bottom-feeder in our own stadium. We’ve needed our D/ST to score points for us and the refs to act like they’re on the Vikings’ payroll in order to barely pull off wins this year. If you truly believe these scenarios are comparable, then your football knowledge is extremely minimal.
The Vikings needs to start giving IQ tests when they hire coaches and players. The seem to always end up with people who don’t even have common sense.
A message to Ryan Cook. Hey Ryan Cook, look at yourself in the mirror. Were you proud of yourself when you committed two successive penalties in the red zone that almost cost the team the game?
Mark, I can’t speak for all Viking fans but I for me it wasn’t that I was unhappy with a two point win over a hapless team. I look at the team from an overall perspective. This game as in New Orleans gave a voice to the frustration I feel. I just do not see any improvement in the play of the team. I do not see any improvement in the strategy. I do not see any improvement in preparation. Week after week we are faced with the same unimaginative and uninspired I might add play of a team that I as a fan expect more from.
Last night Jaworski said a good coach puts his players in a position to make plays. Quite honestly I don’t think Klink does that. Would I like to see Peterson run for 200 yards every game? Absolutely! But I know that is unrealistic but that doesn’t mean I don’t get upset when I see him running time and time again up the middle and into a bunch of guys as if he were a fullback diving for the goal line. He isn’t being put in a position to make plays. And he isn’t alone! Klink has had over two years to show me he has improved this team. I don’t see it and I don’t want to wait any longer. That is why I am frustrated.
FInally let me ask you this, of the three losing teams you hold up as examples the Cowboys, Redskins, Giants, do you think Klink and the Vikes would stand a chance against any of them in a playoff game? I didn’t think so.
Mark, you are an idiot. I have supported Childress all the way until I actually how poorly the team played against New Orleans. It is NOT that the Vikings are a bad team, they have excellent players, all that ANY head coach could ask for and if he asked for more, Wilf would gladly give them. This is about a CLUELESS head coach that looks like a deer in the head lights. There is NOTHING to grow up about that!!!! Get a legitimate head coach and the team will start winning!!!
Forget firechilly.com, how about http://www.firemarkcraig.com?
steady chilly he has done good so far cleaned up the mess got a great team keep him and get a ofensive guy in there to call plays … billick or hire the head coach from boise state lets play fooootbal
Dean - you can not be serious about the other teams showing “glimpses” of being able to play great football (assuming you mean the Rams and Cardinals). This example is only pointing towards the Rams - who have been blown out for each of their other games by an average of more than 20 points/game.
The Rams played desperate - and desperate teams can play with way more intensity at times than winning teams. The Lions played desperate - and they almost came away with a win. The Vikings should be happy with a win.
I do think the vikings fans spend way to much time booing and chanting we want gus. I remember it when we had Daunte too. I’m frustrated with the fans as a whole but I do agree that this team with all it’s talent is seriously under performing. Any way you cut it the winless lions with their backup QB should not be such a tough game.
ok here’s my take..and I’m not from Minnesota…fire Childress after the season…my son and I can call better plays than that idiot is calling I mean cmon. I would have booed as loud as I could if I was there and I did in my garage listining on the radio(Satelite)I was mad as hell…ohhhh we won but not with authority the lions should have kicked our butts but they have nothing either….3rd and 3 and Peterson comes out? I had my jersey on also (Peterson)…hey can we talk Tarkenton out of retirement can we?….goodbye Brad Childress (Child-ress
The local sports writers need to grow up also as they are the ones inciting the fans with their negative columns on the Vikings & their coach. Sports writers have a chip on their shoulder since Childress became coach & has continually called for his head because he wasn’t buddy buddy & humorous like Mike Tice. Childress is a good coach & the Viking offence needs to execute. I personally think that every sports writer that calls for a mans job & later proves to be wrong, he should lose his job also. One writer had the gall to write how new owner Ziggi Wilf should be ashamed of squandering his dad’s & family money by paying too much for the Vikings. Sports writers should be held accountable as they are a detrement to a teams success.
I think Mark’s point is correct - there is a lot of parity in the league. Give some credit to the Lions - they are pro players. Also blame three Viking turnovers and almost 100 yds in penalties. It’s hard to win with those. Where I agree with Chili’s critics is the consistent pattern of on-field foul-ups committed by the Vikings in recent years. The Vikings often beat themselves, which is hard to watch. Consistent team underperformance is the fault of the coaching staff, and it needs to be corrected.
Hey Mark - If I got free admission & free perks to every game I wouldn’t complain about it either. How dare you call out the fans after that hack of a coach’s continued performance, or lack thereof. WE, the fans pay for the stadiums. WE, the fans pay for the players salaries. WE, the fans, are expected to shell out more and more every year for what????? The same old song and dance as the last 40 some years. Write something creative, or SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE!!!!!!
Did you watch the Browns, Cardinals, and Rams win?? The won because for at least one game, they played lights out. They played well. They have skilled players.
The Vikes have skilled players playing poorly week in and week out, for 3+ years under Chilly, and need refs to pitch in. The Boos aren’t from fickle fans, we’re fans that deserve better.
Grow Up…. hmmm. Mark, I take it you weren’t around for the many weeks leading up to the season when the MN Vikings marketing dept was flooding TV and radio with the many ads stating basically the same message ” Get your tickets now for The MOST awaited Vikings season EVER!!! ” and then fill it with A.P. running 60+ yards and other highlights and talking up the acquired free agents and such. I am a Vikings fan and faithfully watch every game and buy their NFL merchandise. We aren’t rich and usually don’t go to a game unless we get free tickets. But this year I bit the bait in July and my wife and I put down the $150 for a game and chose the Detroit game.
I have never been so disappointed in my entire life. We left at halftime, not wanting to go back to our crammed Metrodome seats and watch the Vikings consistently go 3 and out, or get something positive and then blow it with a fumble, penalty or sack and then end up 3rd and long and F that up too. It turned out to be too nice of a day for it to be ruined by this coach and his “Offensive” offense.
Ziggy I hope you are reading this too; we will probably not buy tickets again for a long time.
What a waste of money for the product that was nearly PROMISED prior to the season.
I hate Vikings fans! B*tch, B*tch, B*tch is all Vikings fans do! Fire Childress now! Yeah, problems will be solved in the middle of the season, no way! Vikes are tied for first- booooooooooooooohhhhh! Vikings fans are cancer to the team - let Zygi make the decisions because frankly you’re not paying Millions of dollars! No team loyalty - just fair weather B*tching Fans that make Packer fans look loyal for not boooohhhing Rogers! Get a life Vikings fans!
Is this guy on Brad Childress payroll or is he his personal cheerleader?
Please do not compare the NFC north where only 1 playofff team is likely to come from) to the NFC East( where the 2 wildcards are likely come from)if the Eagles were in the NFC north they would be in first place, whereas the Vikings in the east would be in last place!!PLUS THEY DON’T HAVE THE Q-BACK AND COACHING PROBLEMS WE DO!!!BOTTOM LINE GET RID OF CHILDRESS!!!!
I think the word Vikings fan should use is “thankful” that we’re 3-3 and are tied for division lead. I don’t think there’s any way any fans of any teams can be “happy” if their favorite team performed like the Vikings did in the first 6 weeks. It’s like if you survived a car accident: you’re “thankful” that you’re alive, but there’s no way, that anybody can be “happy” they got into an accident.
Come on Craig what are you talking about.. U can sit here and say you are happy with this team? If you are you must be drinking spiked purple kool aid, please share with the rest of us.
Yes, players have to execute and be prepared for games. Who prepares you for the game? The coaching staff. Who signs McKillme to a 7 yr ~$49mil deal? Who signs Berrian to $16mil guaranteed when it is known he has Troy Williamson hands? Triangle of doom (coach included).
Fans boo the players and coaches for continued incompetence. Does that make any of us less of a fan? I don’t think so. I still come back every week to cheer on my team and hope for the best!
I predicted a 10-6 season (predicted the 8-8 last year) as I had hope that the coach MAYBE was learning and that with the additions, how couldn’t we get better? There is still hope for the season, we’ll just see what the coach and players decide to do with that.
SKOL VIKES!
to badweather fan:
you call us disloyal? that’s why you guys are comparing everything rodgers does to what brett favre did. that’s why the guy feels he NEEDS to play with a separated shoulder, because he doesn’t want a bunch of beer swilling, cheese scarfing nimrods booing him!! i’ve supported my team since i can remember, through denny green, that meathead mike tice, and brad childress. i think the vikings honestly have a good team, they just need a coach that can utilize the talent that we the fans pay for every week. i’m sure you “loyal” packer fans would be screaming the same s*it if the vikes had hired mccarthy and you’d gotten stuck with major dad!!!
I am a Vikings fan and have been dissappointed like many. On the other hand, the thirteen man on the field is the “fans” when a team is playing at home. We should never hear booing of our own team or individual players or coaches from our team during or after a game. Vikings fans are wimps if they don’t do their part during a game to pump up the team no matter what is going on on the field. Save the smack for after the game. Also, while I don’t disagree that Childress has made mistakes, this team has holes that need to be filled that they will never win a super bowl unitl they fill - specifically quarterback, wide receiver, tight end and depth at LB and CB. So there
Mark Craig knows football like Childress knows Offense! A bare minimum win over the crappy Lions is NOT something to feel good about.
What is with all the packers fans on our website. Go find your packers website.
Hey Doug,
Sounds like you are speaking out of both sides of your mouth.
You said “Fans boo the players and coaches for continued incompetence. Does that make any of us less of a fan? I don’t think so.” And then you reverse yourself with “I still come back every week to cheer on my team and hope for the best!”
So which is it Doug, are you pumping up your team or are you booing at incompetence?
Just like Berrian said we should have destroyed the Lions. Poor play calling and not taking advantage of good field position changed that.
Vikes are under-performing. They lack spirit and seem flat. This is when a good head coach steps in and motivates. It’s not being done. Make Cowher an offer he can’t refuse.
Willie V said; “I think the word Vikings fan should use is “thankful” that we’re 3-3 and are tied for division lead” I agree we did have the toughest first five games of any team.
i didn’t take the time to read all the entries but the Vikings have won 2 games in a row because they benefited from some horrible officiating those 2 games where they got numerous bad calls to fall their way-not because Brad Childress is some coaching wizard-this team straight up SUCKS-keep the FI-RE CHIL-DRESS chant going and make it louder the next game so Chili can hear it loud and clear- MARK CRAIG is an IDIOTIC MORON-a Chili ball licker-go away you dumb fool
Just to chime in and dont get me wrong………..I’m NOT a Chilly fan whatsoever; however, the going for 1 instead of 2 wasnt the worst decision you can make with 3 or so mins left in the 4th quarter (cant remember exactly how much time was left). If we go for 2 and fail we’re down 9 in the event Det scores a touchdown and dont give me the, “Well, that wasnt going to happen” line either. Going for 1 at least kept us in the game if they did score a touchdown.
I’m at a toss up as to going for 2 was as much as a no-brainer as a lot of you are making it out to me. I do appreciate the rational for going for 1 in that situation and had we scored another touchdown I havent any doubt we’d have gone for 2 to make it a 7 point game.
For what it’s worth…
I am a fan of the vikings for 40 years, and it is PATHETIC.We need an owner, a GM, and a coach that are football smart and know what they are doing.For now i say FIRE COLONEL KLINK AND GET A REAL COACH!
I have a suggestion…because the coaching/play of the Vikings is so pathetic, stop buying tickets so the stupid TV networks have to spend their money or else facing the loss of their advertising concessions. Or even better, have the Vikes move out-of-state so some other liberals will buy them a stadium.
Why do we only go after free agents that have been on our team before instead of trying out new guys? We do not sign Thomas to an extension and now after he doesn’t even make one of the worst teams in football we sign him again. Makes no sense.
and I meant in the 3rd quarter…still 18 mins of football to play. Kicking to stay within one score even if Det scores a touchdown is a supportable call.
This is the most ridiculous cover up for a poor coaching job I have ever read. Childress has proven in his 3 years on the job that he has no imagination for calling plays, can’t make common sense football decisions, and doesn’t know how to handle the fans or media. I sincerely hope that Zigi Wilf can see the potential this team has and makes a change to a coach that can get the proper results from his players. Bill Cower anyone???
Tavarius will be out of the league next year. Nothing personal, he’s just one of hundreds of college quarterbacks who didn’t work out in the NFL. We should have grabbed Garcia at the start of the season the second he wasn’t the starter in Tampa. Too late now. Three first rounders for Favre, small price to pay for the final missing piece. Consistent quarterback leadership has been the one key ingredient we’ve been missing for too long. Our receivers are average, they have not performed as we hoped when we drafted them. Why didn’t we keep Moss and get rid of Tice a year ealier, the guy was a clown.
armchair said; “I have a suggestion…because the coaching/play of the Vikings is so pathetic, stop buying tickets so the stupid TV networks have to spend their money or else facing the loss of their advertising concessions. Or even better, have the Vikes move out-of-state so some other liberals will buy them a stadium.”
Yeah then they will think it’s an away game instead of home because the only fans their will be away fans. That would be great. Then we could get the away fans to chant Fire Childress, then he may here them.
Finally…someone that says something that tells the truth. I was born and raised in Minnesota, but have been serving in the military for the last 21 years…not one year served back home (in MN). I’m almost embarressed sometimes at what some of the people here say about OUR team (at least those that ARE Vikings fans). I don’t remember my childhood being so full of whiners. I can’t stand it when the Vikes lose either, but GIVE IT A REST!
In that poll 87% say that chili needs to go
Not booing Childress the man. I’m booing Childress the coach and his decision to NOT go for 2. I’m booing Childress the coach that not only takes a valuable TO to argue with the ref’s but then puts another on the line by challenging the play. I’m booing his decision to cut a productive WR on Christmas Eve. I’m booing the unending decisions to challenge calls in the 3rd and 4th quarter - losing valuable TO’s. I’m booing his arrogance toward the fans. And I’m booing Wilf’s decision to ask for a new stadium in this economy and then allow that product to hit the field. I think he just may WANT to move the team. A smart man’s Clay Bennett.
It’s hard sometimes to be associated with these Viking fan rubes! Do you all really think that if even Bill Cohwer comes in here next year that we will be in the playoffs anytime soon? It will be a minimum of 4-5 years before any players are comfortable executing a new system. Last time I checked Bill Parcells went to Dallas with LOTS of talent and they didn’t even sniff a Super Bowl the whole time he was there. Face it, coaches just are NOT THAT IMPORTANT! They just don’t make that much difference. It’s all about the talent and the execution on the field - very little if any has to do with the coaching. As far as I know Bill Bellichek and Vince Lombardi teams did not win every single game and every single Super Bowl. The coach was the same every single game - why didn’t they win every time then?…It’s not them…It’s the breaks - good and bad that you get, it’s the injury factor - it’s really all about the players and their level of execution on the field!
I heard from someone that at half Childress said that the wide receivers need to wiggle. Is that statement true?
And I’m sorry, but everyone that is screaming for Bill Cowher, don’t hold your breath. I don’t see him coming to Minnesota. If you want a realistic coach to scream for, you might want to look toward the Atlanta Falcons and their ex-viking o-coordinator. Mike Mularkey.
J Man, our team has talent though we just need a coach that lets the team show off their talent.
So according to Craig’s logic Childress is basically two healthy players away from being Vince Lombardi?
To the lifeboats gentleman!
Journalism has officially died.
Ooops and two fumbles seperate Bud Grant from Childress-you are a true schmuck
This is not a superbowl team. I am 39 and have been following the Vikings since the year of the Drew Pearson push-off. I have seen a couple very good teams, a lot of mediocre teams and a few horrible teams. This is a mediocre team.
Everyone needs to settle down. What happens if Childress gets fired during the year? Bevell or Frazier takes over as an interim? It is time to lower expectations and hope that Peterson and Allen don’t get hurt.
I’m hoping for 9-7, a wildcard birth and after the season the Wilf’s make a comprehensive evaluation of the whole structure including Spielman, Studwell and Childress.
There are some attractive names out there beginning with Bill Cowher.
Unfortunately, the Vikes have saddled themselves with Jackson. It will likely take a new regime to correct that error, but the middle of the season is no time to change coaches. That’s an Al Davis type of move.
And I can see the argument between going for 2 or 1 halfway thru the 3rd quarter. But if you had that little faith in your defense to stop a backup QB that doesn’t even know where the end zone ends. And if you had so little faith in your offense that they can’t punch it in for 2 or score another touchdown - then maybe you shouldn’t be coaching that team that you have been allowed to build the 2+ years.
I think the team as a whole is pretty good. One of the best front sevens in the league, good 1, 2 punch at runningback, our receivers and d-backs are average but they have their moments and the offensive line is pretty good. Quarterback, Quarterback, Quarterback. It’s the most important and hardest position in professional sports. We have to get a long term successful guy. Hopefully Booty is a quick study and makes it in the NFL. If he turns out to be the man, I think most of the other stuff will work itself out. If Holmgren gets fired, maybe he can help. I’d take Billick, he’d come in and whip this team into shape in no time.
J-man:
Vikings+Cowher=Playoffs
And if you were promised a color TV from say, Best Buy, and you took it home and it only was black and white or didn’t work at all. WOULD YOU RETURN IT AND COMPLAIN? Same thing - Team is not living up to the hype. Some of you sound like you would quietly keep the TV and hope that someday it would be in color.
C’mon Mark,
Klink and his 4-foot shadow, Bevell, are pathetic. Klink has tried to sell us on Mike McMahon, Brad Johnson, Brooks Bollinger, Tarvaris Jackson, Drew Henson and even Gus Frerotte? Are you kidding me? You and I could have led the team to a boring 3-2 halftime deficit against the woeful Lions. Viking games under his leadership have become almost unwatchable. And kneeling down on the ball with more than two minutes during a home game when the offense hasn’t scored a TD all year was inexcusable! Tickets prices are outrageous and we are simply not getting our money’s worth from this idiot.
Here’s my take on the Get-rid-of-Chilli issue, in simple “bullet point” form:
- We want to WIN! What’s wrong with that? Even in the glory years of the franchise, we never quite got the money, but we at least came close a few times. And don’t forget there’s a whole generation of fans that were born SINCE then.
- We finally have an OWNER that WANTS TO WIN!
- We’re 2.25 years into the Chilli era, and the team is 17-21. I’m not OK with a sub-.500 team, and I don’t think Zygi is either.
- Let’s say they go 10-6 this year; that will
A) probably win the division
B) make the Chilli record overall exactly .500
C) big deal… it’s a weak division and there’s NO evidence right now that they can go anywhere in the playoffs.
- Show us some EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS. To me, Chilli has had enough time to prove he can win, and he hasn’t proven it. Look no further than another football program in town. At 1-11 after year 1, many of us were calling for Brewie’s head, but prevailing heads rightfully said “no, it takes a couple of years to evaluate the program”. Even if the Gophers lose out (which I doubt), he’s already SHOWN US PROGRESS. But look at the Chilli body of work, and I see none.
The bottom line: if I’m Zygi [billcowher…] and I can get us a proven coach right now [billcowher…], then I DO IT!! If I have to wait until after the season, I can live with that. But Chilli in 2009? I don’t think so….
Chili sucks.
Ya know Mark,
I’ve read every post in this blog, and nearly every one of them makes more sense than you do. My god are you blind to whats gone on with this team? Are you truly satisfied with this product? If you answered yes to either of those questions I can understand where you are coming from….NOWHERE
I had high hopes for Chili. He seemed like a competent guy with a record of developing quarterbacks. After Tice I just wanted someone who could walk and chew gum at the same time. Chili’s turned out to be poor Head Coach. I think he is probably a great coordinator, but not Head Coach material. He is probably a great X’s/O’s guy, but not a motivator or hammer when needed. Front office needs some house cleaning too, they are partly responsible for the under-performance of most of our top draft picks. We need a guy the players respect greatly but also fear a little. Someone who gets in their face and demands excellence. Chili is not that guy.
Mr. Craig,
Grow up….and you are WHO to tell me what I can or can’t say or feel…a fan can have any opinion he or she wants and can express it any way he or she wants.
I might add, that fan ( grown up or not ) indirectly pays your salary…
Be careful who you pee on or off mark
I don’t have a problem winning against the Bengals by one pt. Adrian Peterson made some bad plays at the end of two very good drives and we still came out with a win. A win is a win and I am glad we didn’t lose.
Rob L.
The Tecmo/Anthony Carter line was great!!!
Listen dude, lets go over the facts about why vikes fans are upset with our team… We have a functioning retard at head coach who has no rationale whatsoever with going for one instead of two. He runs unimaginative plays, and everything is so easy to predict. No joke, my 96 year old grand father predicted some of the plays we ran during a game where we beat the Lions of Detroit by two. ITS THE LIONS!!! THEY HAVE NOT WON A GAME THIS YEAR IN A LEAGUE WITH VERY CLOSE PARITY… THEIR QUARTERBACK GAVE US A GIFT… HE MUST HAVE BEEN PAID BY A SEASON TICKET HOLDER TO DO WHAT HE DID… JARED ALLEN IS A LARGE DISSAPOINTMENT, BERRIAN CAN’T CATCH A COLD, ADRIAN CANT FIND HOLES BECAUSE OUR O LINEMEN ARE TOO BUSY SCRATCHING THEIR HELMETS IN CONFUSION WITH CHILDRESS’S RIDICULOUS PLAY CALLS. SHIANCOE IS THINKING ABOUT CHANGING HIS NAME RIGHT NOW BECAUSE HE DROPS THE FOOTBALL TOO OFTEN SOMETHING MUST BE ON HIS MIND AND WITH A NAME LIKE VISANTHE WHY WOULDNT YOU CHANGE YOUR NAME, AND YOU NEED TO GROW UP AND STOP WRITING UTTER GARBAGE!!! IF YOU WERE A TRUE VIKINGS FAN YOU WOULD REALIZE OUR FRUSTRATION OF THROWING A FULL BACK SCREEN ON 3 RD AND 15.
Bill Smith,
You seem to think that anyone showing their displeasure with their team means that they don’t still cheer for their team to win.
Do I boo my team, no I don’t, am I ticked off at the ineptitude of the offense? YES!
It doesn’t make me less of a fan, a bandwagoner or any other crap that people want to call me.
Do I appreciate the win? Absolutely. Am I proud of it? No.
It’s amazing, if you always cheer for your team and have nothing but optimism, then you are a homer and blind. If you ever criticize your team or coach, you aren’t a loyal fan. Talk about speaking out of both sides of your mouth.
Just because you accuse Vikings fans of whining about a two-point win doesn’t make it true. No one was whining. It was a legitimate complaint. We are letting them know we expect quality football, and coaching, not the garbage we’ve been getting. Mark Craig needs to quite whining about the Vikings Fans that keep the team going.
Craig
Just because you get to the games FREE, we have to pay for them at $100.00 + I am sick and tired of watching a high school coach try and live up to an NFL job. Chillie Dip Wad is a looser and all ways will be. Zigy wants a stadium good luck when the fans don’t show up to games. Fan since 1961, how long have you been a fan Craig???
Totally agree with Mark Craig. This is the wimpiest bunch of Vikes fans I’ve ever seen. Pathetic morons.
But I think Chili should be let go right after the Bears debacle coming this week.
perfectly stated Travis Anderson
let’s not forget Peterson did fumble the ball twice in the game, one which cost the vikings of a field goal or touchdown oppurtunity
Craig married Chillie Dog!!
Chili, you have made our team very, very booooooooooring. zzz…zzz….zzz I won’t forgive you for this. Please…RESIGN EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
We were inside the 20 & based on our Red Zone ineptitude, it probably only cost us 3…
C’mon everyone…Give Childress a break. His Football Coaching for Dummies book said to go for the PAT instead of the 2 pt conversion. What did you expect…for him to use his instincts???? Give me a break!
Childress has proven to be average at best. How long will that be good enough? How long do you want to just survive? What a lousy way to approach the NFL. You’ve got to want to drill your opponents.
douche
Are you kidding me with this? I have defended Childress long enough. I can accept a 2 point win, what I can’t accept is that a desperation pass and the hope of def. interference is our plan to win games. I am glad that we won the last 2 games, but it has nothing to do with playing better. I do feel we have a very good team, actually it’s the first time in a long time that I felt great going into the season… After seeing a vanilla playbook on offense getting more bland each week, no sense of urgency at the 2 minute warning, 2 yard passes while behind…I can only think we need a new play caller and a new coach. Sorry coach Childress, you wore my patience too thin. I will always be a Viking fan and bleed purple (unless they leave the state) and I’ve only been there twice in my life.
I’m not a Vikings fan so I don’t have a dog in this hunt. What stands out to me is that having a quality QB is pretty much the make or break issue. Face it, Gus isn’t a franchise QB. He’s okay, he won’t hurt you much, but he can’t make the difference most of the time. If he had better WR’s it would make him a bit better. The other thing is injuries. Childress isn’t a great coach, but to be honest the whole organization is less than A-one, from the ownership all the way down to the facilities. It might gall Viking fans to admit it, but the Packers organization is the gold standard in the division. A lot of what is wrong in most NFL franchises can be traced from the top down. A top flight owner and GM are required, and the Vikings have neither. It’s not always about money, but the owner needs to know enough to make the right decision in picking a GM.
Childress is ridiculous
Mark Craig is to mature for everyone
Meek ill show up wimpy..
Seely if AP still held on to the ball it would of still been a field goal(since they have the best red zone offense in the league lol)
I wish the vikes would of lost then most of u clowns with the 3-3 comment wouldn’t have a chance take childress’ side….hey Craig enough whining for you yet or you need some more?
Look the vikings are winning and name one game this year the vikings were in that they got blown out in. NONE. They either won close games or lost close games. Nothing wrong with that. Alot of people need to rememeber this is the hardest part of the schedule. to come out of this 4-3 before the bye is great. The vikings are contenders the fans just have to believe. Coach Childress your doing great continue the good work.
I am a vikings fan living in florida, and it is hard to read these comments about the team. Im not happy about the way the team is playing, but if the players are willing to play for the coach. Then the coach hasnt lost respect from the players, and they will play to win even if its ugly. At least give coach childress this year and stop gripping. Love the Vikings
It’s a FACT! Chili is 17 and 21 or for the mathematically challenged, thats .447 or a 44.7% winning record. That will make it a long hard road to the super bowl! Can’t argue with FACTS
here’s how bad the coaching is. At the end of the first half against the Saints, the Vikes had the ball on or around the Saints 15 yard line win 0 timouts and only 13 seconds. Got it. Ok. They ran back to back play-action plays. Who the hell is gonna bite on a play action when the other team knows you have 0 timouts and you cannot run the ball because there is not enough time to get another play off. That is horrible coaching.
I will remind all of you that the Browns have two QB’s that 6 months ago you were all clamoring for the Vikings to go get, hmmm, where are those two QB’s now? Face it, you aren’t all pissed because the Vikings only won by two, you are pissed because they won at all! On the bright side, they ARE 3-1 since Frerotte took over at QB, if that percentage would play out they would end up 11-5….just a thought.
Look all I no is coach childress and his staff are one of the best half time adjustment coaches in the league. The game plan against tennesse was great but we beat ourselves. The game plan against the lions was great. Does anybody rememeber that A.P. funmbled twice when we were going to score. Why doesn’t he get the blame. All im saying is coach has the respect from the team so the fans need to give it to him to. When we beat chicago lets here what everyone has to say then.
Vikings fans booed at the Metrodome when we were beating the Colts 15-0 (how often are we doing that well against a superbowl team?) and we lost 18-15. The players aren’t minnesotans- give them a reason to give a damn about you- get behind your team! How did you feel when you were crap at school (thus destined to just be a fan, rather than an actual player)? What made you play better?
Atlanta went into Green Bay with a rookie quarterback and won. They only have two guys(Michael Turner, Roddy White) that defenses need to worry about. They both went off for huge games because their coaches know how to get them the ball. I’m so sick of seeing first down passes at the beginning of nearly every series. Then when it is second and ten(maybe longer due to stupid penalties) they run against a stacked defense. On third down they pass the ball 5 yards when it is third and long. They call these crapie plays every single week, making them so predictable. Their first series of the second half against New Orleans they passed 4 outta the first 5 plays-WITH A TEN POINT LEAD and the Saints moving the ball at will. Peterson wasn’t even in for the first play. I can’t blame Childress entirely for this mess. Why did we draft a 3rd team all-conference center out of New Mexico in the second round when he was projected no better than a 5th rounder, and now he’s the starting right tackle. Then there’s the tight end(enough said). The fullback(enough said). Why can’t they fire Bevell? Denny did mid-season and gave the job to Billick. The Twins take pride in winning the Twins way (single, bunts, steals, manufacturing runs, tight budget) and we embrace it. What you’re saying is we should shut up and be happy the Vikes are winning the Childress way(bad ref calls in our favor, the opposing QB stepping out of bounds in the end zone, gift turnovers, wasting great defensive efforts, losing the time of possession battle every week, not finding a way for the running back to find open space, etc.).
Look the vikings offense has penaltys to much they has bad timimg turnovers and you guys blame that on the coach. Thats on the players. I would agree that childress needs to open the offense up more. But what i don’t agree is we that he needs to be fired cause who wants to wait another 3 years to have a team get use to a new system and coach. Be patient and let the wins come and way they can.
This team is highly overrated especially the offensive line including McKinnie and Cook. There is a weak TE Shincoe, average aging Qback and a fullback that does not provide effective lead blocking for Peterson. I have watched the Vikings for 45 years and this is the least entertaining team I have seen, including Les Steckel’s. . .it all starts with the lack of imagination from either or both the offensive coordinator and Childress. They have lost both the team and the fans.
@Jman
@Mark Craig
Let’s see. Gophers 1-11 last year and can’t beat a high school football team. This year - 6-1 and beat Illinois. Coach recruits his own players. ONE YEAR LATER. How much has Zigi spent on the Chili experience and gotten mediocrity as a return on investent? And giving Chili a grade of mediocre is being kind. Do the math. I’m sick of the 3-5 years to build argument. Look around the College and NFL. Coaching, Coaching, and - what was the other thing? Oh yea, Coaching. Sorry, but anybody that spends the money for an NFL game can vocally respond to the team in any form they want. If Jman, Mark Craig and Chili can’t handle that Subway has openings.
Just look at the packers and bears they are both 3-3 when the vikings win both games they will be in first place.GO VIKINGS YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE
Bailey, try to follow along. I’m commenting on the Redskins and Cowboys since according to Mark, we’re the equivalent to those teams in his warped analogy facing bad, desperate teams. The problem in this analogy is that the Cowboys and Redskins have shown the ability to play great football this year so their fans don’t need to overreact to an upset loss. Unfortunately, the Vikes haven’t played quality football yet this year and it’s time we as fans quit accepting it.
CAN THE VIKINGS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS? I THINK THEY WILL WIN THE DIVISION AND MAKE IT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Look I dont care if the vikings go 11-5 or 10-6 winning so close that they should have been 6-10 or 5-11. The bottom line is there WINNING. We might not play our best till the playoffs like the colts did when they won the superbowl.
i was reading this blog earlier and alot of people make good points. one might say it’s not chillys fault.that may be true. bryant mckinnie is highly overatted. and i feel like he’s a waste of money. there are others who put up questionable performances. however i feel the real issue has nothing to do with the guys on the field snap after snap, after all they are paid to listen to this guy on the sidelines calling plays that he calls conservative i call predictable. the minnesota vikings have been making horrible teams look fantastic (losing record or not. their lucky to be 3-3 right now they should be 1-5. what is it with minnesota teams. they get people to believe in theses teams and put hope into the hearts of tru fans and every year we get disapointed. something has to change about the culture of our sports teams. GOD bless the Minnesota Twins.
Sorry, I meant to say he can’t coach. I can’t spell very good. Boo and b$tch all you want Vikes fans. What Mr. Craig hasn’t figured out yet is that if the fans quit responding (in any form) then Zygi has lost his fan base. Hello? McFly?
Isn’t it ironic? The two backups in Dallas are Johnson and Bollinger? With Romo hurt, they are it.
BJ and B-Bo can now throw passes to T.O. and Roy Williams and Roy Williams.
One Roy plays defense, I guess. But HEY!
I thought just the Vikings collected players named Williams! ! !
Fire Childress! Draft a real QB!
No wonder the Fishwrap Factory Westside has to skip their scheduled 9 million dollar debt payment when they have to shell out money to you Craig and your bozo buddy Sid.
LOL at the author of this article. Yeah, we should be happy with mediocrity because even the good teams lose once in a while. That logic makes no sense.
What makes even less sense is telling the customers who buy your newspaper to grow up. Who is this guy, the soup nazi? Sorry, but, like the Vikings, your product isn’t good enough for me to stand in line and cheer exactly like you say I should.
I will cheer for a top team that has a chance of winning a superbowl. I will not cheer for a mediocre team that has only a slight chance to make the playoffs. And, if the coach appears to be to blame, which he clearly is in this case, I reserve my right to boo.
Maybe if you had settled for something other than mediocrity in your own life, you wouldn’t have ended up as an unimportant small market sports journalist. At least Obama won’t be raising your taxes.
[I assume that since you can insult your readers that we have the right to return the favor.]
mark craig you have a blog and one answer back whats up with that?
Every man who has held the Vikings head coaching position since Bud left has been hated. They all will be until someone exceeds his accomplishments. Someone mentioned the 1998 Vikings yet forgot to mention how much Denny was hated. Tice was on the verge of being deamonized but got fired first. Burnsy of course is a cult hero thanks to KQRS and lets not forget Steckel (SP?) Chilly has issues but Jesus would get booed off the field if he didn’t do better than Bud.
Thanks Mark. I’ve quit reading blogs. I know the majority of Viking fans have full enriching lives and can put following a professional football team in the proper perspective. Then there are bloggers. I wouldn’t mind at all if the StarTrib decided publishing blogs isn’t such a good idea after all. Be brave: no blogs unless they pay. A new revenue source.
I agree with TomH…even Jesus would get booed in Minnesota…
It’s too bad…it appears to be that there are a lot of “fair weather” fans here…maybe it’s the losing and mediocre seasons…or maybe it’s just something that can’t be explained.
I barely knew what a “blackout” was until I moved here…
ghost169 and Reality Check should read the blog that Bill wrote and join 98 percent of passionate Viking Fans who are not happy with our coaching.
Im not going to sit back and not say that the play calling has been terrible just because it supposedly is the loyal thing to do. We as passionate fans and as americans have the right to voice our opinions espeically when we go to the games, buy the toys and watch them on tv.
Also, there is a Viking History of having solid and talented teams not giving us passionate fans at least one championship.
Are we frustrated yea are do we love our team yea.
Next year if we don’t get a new coach and a new QB(first round pick or free agency starter) we will be a very bad team just like 3 years ago.
Zygi Wylf is a buisiness man. He spent the money which Red wouldn’t.He believed in Chilly and it’s not working.If a winner is not produced by 2011 you guys will lose the Vikings and all their income tax, which would pay for a stadium in a few short years.Once their gone you’ll all cry like you you did when the Northstars left and then approve a new stadium to try to get a new team back.Keep what you got and appreciate them.The Vikings are history like GreenBay,Chicago and Detroit. Support them.
yowzaa.
Playoffs? I predict a “NO” storm. Even if the rest of the division sucked so much that we made it in, do you really think we would make it past anybody? Again - I predict a “NO” storm. Bye Chili. Gotta go…
HYey Mark,
You said, “I couldn’t care less if the Vikings win or lose.”
When you were in Green Bay, did you ever write, “I couldn’t care less if the Packers win or lose.”? I can guarantee you wouldn’t have had the balls to do it.
i wish i could win a huge powerball jack pot. i would buy the packers and disband them, thus doing the NFL a favor.
Sconnie,
Maybe you should move back to Wisconsin where there are no jobs… lol
Hey Craig, the last time I checked the Lions are the most dogshit team this league has seen in years, they threw in the towel, they started a qb who didnt know how big the endzone was, and chili doesnt have the balls to even go for 2. They won the game because the officials. This team should be 1-5. So if you expect us to accept this crap well you are dreamin.
And for all you Chilly ball suckers, keep on jerkin it to your Brad Childress poster above your bed. You know you cant get enough of him you losers.
you have got to be kidding me…they win and people complain…the offense had 400 yards and AD fumbles twice inside the red zone…if he doesnt fumble the game is over…blame childress for that? what about gus’s pass directly to the db?
defense is good…if the offense would stop beating themselves they will be fine regardless of the qb…this offense is no better than the ones that tampa bay and baltimore had when they won the super bowl…this defense is as good as those…remember who was those qb? trent dilfer and yes…brad johnson…
ombudsman, great post! it won’t stay up long, but its a great post.
why isn’t anyone talking about darrell bevell? this guy is the worst damn offensive cordinator in viking history. gus becomes our qb and all of a sudden we’re the colts or pats. empty backfield, in shotgun on first down??? are you kidding me. we can’t get ap in any kind of a rhythm. our play calling is awful and the reason why we’re struggling. we need to pound the rock. when you pass on first everyone knows we’re gonna run on second. it’s too damn predictable and makes me sick. when your forcing ap to be your third option in this offense, somethings wrong. fire bevell and if that doesn’t work chili needs to be next.
Chili has much to improve but what does firing the coach midseason accomplish? Are we ready to give up less than halfway through? Seriously people support your team and stop being so whiney. I live in packer country and have gotten used to the constant complaining of the packer fans. I thought viking fans were more informed and I am proud to be one. Since when do we boo wins no matter how ugly? As for help in the draft good luck…have you seen the QBs coming out..not good. How does rex grossman sound he is one of very few free agents next year? Are only option is a trade
I have been a season ticket holder for 14 years…yes some painful (1998)…
I agree with Jesus…play calling could be more creative…back in 98 we started with similar formations and forced the team to pick run or pass…if they had 7 in the box robert smith ran…if they had 8…they bombed it to cc or randy…they have so many formations which in theory should work but they always run…having 1 wr and 2 te’s and a fb is NOT a passing formation that will scare anyone…they do need to figure out a couple things but the bottom line is this defense can win a championship if the offense does not get in the way
teams can’t even double team kevin williams because Jared is going to kill someone if he drops back more than 4 steps…Do you remember the days…I mean years…where a back up qb came in and lit us up??? 112 yards passing vs detoit? Look at the stats…this is a 35-7 game statistically…if they lay an egg against the bears we can start to get edgy but what if they hammer the bears? 4-3…they have lost to the Titans (considered #1 in the NFL, the Colts, GB on Monday night (by the way if the vikings win GB shuts down for the year and begs to get favre back) plays NO away on Monday night…tough…beats the panthers…also another 4-2 team…
Look at the schedule gentlemen…we should be favored the rest of the year in EVERY GAME…except at chicago and at jacksonville…
10 games left and 2 times we will be a dog…betters get ready…check vegas…do you think they are sweating their over under odds on win??? your damn right…they have moved it up.
they know…go and see for yourself.
Did your sports editor give you an assignment to say something controversial or did you come up with this on your own stupidity?
FIRE CHILDRESS!!!!
Brad is great! Just ask him. We are trying to lull the other teams in the NFL into a false sense of security. So far - mission accomplished!
slam man…you have no clue about football…are you 14 yrs old? Players play the game…if you read above I am being critical of the play calling but any couch coach can do that…i coach. I have a 58-2 record and it has to do with the players.
I agree..childress=no personality and could handle the public much better…”I didn’t hear the boos?” give me a break…that is bs…I would have had more respect for him if he would have said they should have booed…..louder……
I agree…his approaches stink…and his ability to handle the media stink…would i like to choose a coach that is better yes…cowher? NE coach? who else? tomlin yes…lesliie f maybe…bottom line is the coach needs the players to execute and should force them to execute…
if they don’t get to the playoffs i will be the first one on the bus to fire childress…but the first 5 games should not make the decision…Do me a favor and look at the last 10 games on the schedule and then comment…see the vegas comment above…they are smarter than you…and me
Childress has had three seasons to put together a good winning team. I don’t advocate for him to be fired immediately, but if the Vikings do not reach at least the NFC title game this year, whats the point of having Chilly around? 8-8 every year, who cares, I don’t. If 8-8 or 9-7 wins the division this year, it means nothing to me. The team isn’t that good. The offense doesn’t scare anyone, even the bad teams. This almost seems like a carbon copy of the Chicago Bears…the only difference is Chicago’s D is a little better and their offense is at least more imaginitive. WE DO NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT MEDIOCRITY. THREE YEARS IS ENOUGH FOR A COACH TO TURN THINGS AROUND. IF HE CAN’T, CAN HIS ___ AND BRING IN SOMEBODY NEW.
musashimaru…agree…if they don’t make the playoffs…chili is gone…i believe if they would have lost to detroit or new orleans it could have happened…
they need to win at least 1 playoff game.
I really envy those of you who are able to disassociate yourselves from the Vikes win-loss record. I have sought out Vikings Anonymous meetings but there are none here in Wyoming. Yes, a Wyoming (SD native) Viking fan who drives a 93 Ford Explorer which was purchased in 98 so I could get my 8 year old son and I to the to the Vikes/Cardinals playoff game. We watched every game together that year except the following week against the Falcons. I had to be at a state board meeting. That’s why they lost. I’m sure of it! IT STILL HURTS! I die after and loss smile for a week after a win. Even a poor win.
I’m sorry but I don’t recall the Trib talking super bowl as much as the national “know it alls”. I certainly expected a better team than we’ve seen thus far but if you’ve been a Viking fan for any period of time, did you really think Super Bowl? I was hoping for Division champs and still am!
It bothers me when I hear the word “lucky” in regards to the last two games. The Lions maybe, (who by the way played with more desire than the Vikes) but not the Saints. The defense held the Drew Brees/Reggie Bush offense to one TD! If it were not for two miscues on special teams, that game would have been a blowout! And wasn’t it exciting to see a pass attempt of over 15 yards. Gets the juices flowing.
The offense needs work but is headed in the right direction. Pass to set up the run. As far as Chilly goes, I agree that there needs to be a change but not now. We’re still in this thing. I think Chilly is still in Philly. We don’t have the same personnel they had. He is not head coach material but we can win in spite of that! Stop the turn-overs, keep the defense off the field by moving the chains, play with a lead and we can beat anybody.
Relax
Mark Craig is just trying to publish something that will generate a ton of comments. Even HE’s not stupid enough to believe this drivel. When all the fans are booing during a win and are still mad after the game, it isn’t about “growing up.” There’s something else wrong, and it doesn’t start with the fans. Even Mark Craig is bright enough to figure that out. He just figured he’d garner some comments by being a contrarian. Standard sportswriter garbage.
LA Viking…it worked…look at the comments…i cant even see the bar on the right side of the screen to pull it down because their are so many comments about this…that is funny
vikes will still win the division because no one in this division scares me…rodgers cant even play a game without getting hurt…orton will not beat us next week and we are 4-3 with daylight in front of us.
purple2228 you are an idiot.
BTW, congrats on your win/loss percentage on the ‘easy’ level of Madden Football. I bet Mom and Dad are proud.
Fuck You craig
Adrian Peterson fumbles twice in Lions territory, holding penalty wipes out a run that would have been at the Lions two yard line, an easy field goal is blocked by Lions special teams. This was all Brad Childress’s fault right? Wow people. We would have beat the Colts if the game had been in Indianapolis.
purple2228, Is that the year you will finally graduate?
slam man…
slam another beer…lets talk in 4 weeks and see…i can’t wait to see you on the blog.
I bet all you people that think Brad Childress is a great coach are the same people that think George W. Bush is a great President.
Good Night Now!
purple2228, I agree. He got what he wanted — tons of comments. It’s not that difficult given that this is such a hot button issue right now. Childress has the lowest approval rating in the league, and he’s earned it.
I wouldn’t be too sure about a win in Chicago. The Bears thumped Detroit and we were lucky to squeak by. Talent-wise, we SHOULD cruise. But, Childress has managed to turn this talented bunch of players into a really mediocre team. In this case, the whole is far less than the sum of its parts.
My anger with Childress really stems from the fact that it has been patently obvious, to me anyway, that this guy will not lead our team anywhere. I knew that half way into his first year. Ziggy can spend as much as he wants, but they won’t win with Childress there. Unfortunately, in the NFL it usually takes at least 3 years to “prove” that before a change is made. For me, I’ve been waiting for two years now, knowing that the team won’t go anywhere until the inevitable switch is made.
This division should be a cakewalk for the Vikes. Unfortunately, Chilly may find a way to hand it to the Pack or Bears. Let’s hope not. A win Sunday would be some good insurance. Regardless, though, there will be no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow until Brad Childress is termed. He’s not as big of a bonehead as Tice; he’s just not a winner.
purple2228, I wish I was drinking but I am not. This poorly coached (head coach) Vikings team would be a good reason to start drinking.
It’s not going to get better. Did you watch the last two games?
I’ll look for you on the blog in four weeks (why four weeks? Will that put us at Thanksgiving? Will I be giving God thanks that Zygi sent Chilli on his way? I sure hope so. I want ‘Marty Ball’ for Christmas!)
I’m predicting the Vikings will go 1-3 in their next four games and you guys will still be crying for Brad Childress.
LA vike
agree…Chili has some things to prove in the next 10 weeks and anything short of the playoffs (and maybe a win in the playoffs) will lead to a new coach.
Bears game is big.
(I live in Philly…I have been to 3 vikings game in Philly and you can’t wear your colors to the game because you will get killed by a gang of obnoxious fans!)
slam man…i agree…if chili doesnt get this team to the playoffs he is done…now I will slam a beer
Isn’t the goal of the Vikings supposed to be to win a superbowl? Who in the hell is in the Front Office saying “I think Brad Childress can bring us a ring”? Come on nobody thinks that …PERIOD!!! So why the hell is he coaching? I mean I dont hire people who I think are going to do mediocre. Why does Wilf have him in there still. It might be paperbag time.
Please name ONE game this year in which the Vikings looked as if they were coached well or that Childress outcoached the other team. The Vikings have won IN SPITE of the coaching and not because of it. There is too much talent He can’t inspire, manage a clock and maintain any kind of consistency. Part of me hopes they fail so that Childress will go coach high school.
I would like to believe Viking fans have a higher standard than the other teams that lost to losers.
Maybe if we kept coaches like Dungy and players that become coaches like Jack Del Rio, we would have won Super Bowls.
We can boo and chant all we want because we’re Viking Fans.
It has been over 30 years since we went to the Super Bowl. Let’s boo and chant fire Childress all we can until we have a championship team.
Note:
FROM MANAGEMENT: IGNORE THE FANS, GIVE THEM JUNK, THEY’LL STILL PAY US
FROM WRITERS: TELL FANS TO SHUT UP BECAUSE MANAGEMENT IS TIRED OF ANSWERING FOR THEIR INEPTNESS AND WE MIGHT LOSE OUR FOOD SPREAD.
FROM CHILDRESS: FANS? I DIDN’T KNOW THERE WERE FANS. I DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT MY CUSTOMERS WANT.
Wow, one guy on here said that Chilly should stay because his players are behind him??? Yeah, like they are going to openly rip him to the media. Get a clue. The problem with Childress is his team plays down to their competition whether it’s game planning or play calling. He need’s to go if the Vikes don’t make the playoffs this year.
I do understand where your coming from in the sense of saying that some of our fans need to grow up. However you have it totally wrong to why we are booing we are not booing the win we will take the win anytime a win is a win no matter what. We are booing the fact that this team is 20 times better then they are performing that the coaching philosophy is not using the talent that we have properly. Its like what was mentioned several times on KFAN after the game and that was that coach tice took a team that was horrible and yes it did take him three years to do it but he took a team that was put together with absolutely no money and patched together coaching staff to the playoffs. That team never won because they over powered the other team they won cause our players were coached better during the week because our coach had a better plan for that game. Tice took a team into the playoffs and won at green bay in the cold. Yes i will give you that it did take tice 3 years and this is childress’s 3rd year however he has loads of talent and is under preparing our players for every game such as what super star mike morris said about our o-line on how most of our blocking schemes our very fancy or skilled where last year we just plan ran forward and over powered the opponents line that worked to free peterson up almost everytime and now we are left with peterson struggling to get 100 yard games. Another thing that proves childress does not know what he is doing is what he did in the titians game when we drove right down the field running the ball and scored so then the next possession we threw the ball 3 straight times and then punted and then later in the game we punted on fourth down with a little over 2 mins left when we had no time outs left and were only down by a score which childreess’s response for doing that was that he thought we could stop them and get the ball back but its common sense that even if we did stop them we would be getting the ball back with under a min left on the clock and no time outs so the chance of us driving the entire field would be very small. So i guess what im trying to say in all of this is that childress needs to be gone no matter what happens this year because his coaching philosophy is not good enough to get this team a super bowl win and is not good enough to get our fans pumped so we can get a new stadium. Our boos are backed by several legit reasons. Fire Childress
First off, Why do we care what happened to the Redskins, Giants and Cowboys? they got beat, we all know it and don’t need to be told by some idiot, but more importantly we don’t care. We are Vikings fans and that’s what is important to us, but since you later posted that you don’t care if the Vike’s win or lose, then you don’t really know how we feel. When was the last time you shelled out your trailer rent money for tickets to a game? yeah. exactly. See what it boils down to in my opinion is that we, after six games, expected this team to make improvements and clearly we are not seeing them. Now a part of me thought that maybe you were just writing an article to get your blog some much needed publicity but as I think about it, you really do believe what you are saying and really aren’t creative like Souhan to pull off such a stunt. Seriously if you don’t care about the Vikings winning or losing then why write a blog about them? You are probably the first person to write a blog about something they don’t care about. What’s the point. Maybe you can hold Chiller’s hand when you guys move away and leave us to improve the quality of our team and paper we read.
How did you get your job. Vikings fans know vanilla play calling when they see it, that’s what we are upset about not a blow out win. With the QB and receivers we have they are not capable of a blow out. Brad is just not a head coach. Give the job to Frazier before someone hires him away!
What the people praising the Vikings for being 3-3 going into the “soft part” of their schedule don’t understand is once/if the Vikings make it to the playoffs they won’t be facing soft teams. They will be playing top line teams. So finishing the regular season with 10 or 11 wins against soft teams doesn’t do the Vikings any good.
Rob L.
That was awesome. Your comment about our playbook compared to Tecmo bowl was absolutely hilarious. That is funny and sad as to how true that is as well. Keep it up.
The bottom line is this. People would be happier see a team play to it’s potential and lose rather than just barely squeak by a high school team. The true viking fans,not the kool aid drinkers want to see something that resembles a Super Bowl Caliber team! We have not really seen that. I would argue that our offense was better last year with T-Jack. It seems like our team has lost it’s toughness on the O-line. AP should have had close to 200 hundred yards and a shot at breaking his own record from last year. Or maybe it is just like Tecmo and they keep picking our play.
I say we let Leslie Frazier be the new head coach. Seems every other defensive coordinator we’ve had can do it. Why not him?
This guy Craig obviously hasn’t watched the Vikings that much, or Childress is paying him for this column.
The extra point/2 pt conversion decision was the straw that broke the camels back.
What in god’s name is this sorry excuse for a coach doing on our sidelines.
It’s too late to remove him now. U have to let the season play out. Thanks to some serious luck, we are 3-3.
But in the long run, you can’t keep winning like this. Childress’s offense reminds me of the vikings offense in the Original Tecmo Bowl game. 4 plays and thats about it.
On a separate note, after wilf fires childress and brings in a real coach who understands the west coast offense, how about Michael Vick?? he’s made for the west coast offense. he’s a veteran, experienced, and would be menacing back there on roll outs with A.P
Frerotte is doing an amazing job, but i don’t think he’s the long term answer.
Vick’s sentence is up next summer(2009).
I think he’s a cruel person for what he did, but he has served his time and punishment.
Maybe he deserves a 2nd shot.
does anyone remember the Baltimore Ravens a few years ago, they couldnt score on Offence eithier and their Defence ruled….but i do belive Trent Dilfer is wearing a ring…..JUST SOME HOPE FOR US INMATURE VIKING FANS!!!
Mark Craig hides behind a mask and no email .. unwilling to accept the vikings failures.. he sounds like a league patzy
What the heck you talking about, are offense just plain sucks, Chilly plays to the level of the competition and because are offense isnt that good at pass protection or all that good at run blocking this year, and his play calling is just plain college level type of calls, when we get behind we have to depend on are defense to win the game for us if there not too darn tired from being on the field all damn day. The Vikings have had superbowl talent with no coach and just a sub par QB. BECAUSE CHILLY THOUGHT TJ WAS THE NEXT DONOVAN. ha! he is a joke I could coach this team into being more preductive and recognize the gapping weak spots and get them corrected. Two punt returns for a touchdown in the same game. C,mon man have some control over your team, or resign. We have had superbowl talent the last two years and have turned in an average win loss season. Are players are getting older maybe one or two more years of great talent. Chilly must go this week after we get tromped in Chicago. Chilly can never and I repeat never get the team to fire on all cyclinders at the same time. That my friend is bad coaching. Its time for you to quit looking at a glass half empty, we need a full glass exspecially while watching are team sputter. One thing I can say in there favor they havent quit, Im suprised and I think that has more to do with the players than the muppet coach we have, Chilly has the IQ of a muppet.
REAL EMBARRASSING BEING AROUND SUCH NEGATIVE FANS. RIGHT NOW I THINK WE HAVE THE WORST FANS IN THE LEAGUE. WHY IS EVERYONE SO CYNICAL. TO THINK WE ARE ONE GAME FROM THE MOST WINS IN THE NFC. EVERY YEAR A TEAM HAS A CRAPPY GAME OR TWO AND THE DEFENSE IS GREAT. WHY DIDN’T EVERYONE CALL FOR A.P. FOR FUMBLING THE BALL. THE COACH REALLY HAS A LOT TO DO WITH HIS FUMBLING. THE FANS BOOING ARE PATHETIC. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO PEOPLE. I WAS AT A HS FOOTBALL GAME AND THE CROWD STARTED CALLING NAMES TO THE QB AFTER HE FUMBLED. I NEVER THOUGHT THIS ABOUT MINNESOTA AND TO EXPLAIN THIS TO MY SON.
This writer missed the whole point about competitive sports. If you play competitive sports, there is no pride and glory in winning a game when the opponent just gives the game to you. However, if you beat an opponent who played great but you played better, there’s a lot of pride in that. Thsi team does not have any pride in what they do. A win is win is good enough for them.
Praise God for Mark Craig. It’s about time we hear a voice of reason.
Not a Childress fan, from the beginning he reminded me of Less Steckel. I had my doubts before the first snap.
I do agree with 90% of the postings here, he is incapable of coaching an NFL team and needs to go. Instead of bringing anyone in just put Frazier in there. The only bright spot on this team is the defense. They have kept us in every game even when the offense lost it for us.
My 2 cents on the rest of the topics:
Peterson… what happened to him? Why is he coughing the ball up so often? I think he is awesome even with this problem, but it’s something he needs to work on. And come on, if Busch can run back returns why not Adrian? Chilli should see what is working for other teams and maybe try them???
Berrian… catch the ball. That’s what you are paid to do.
Gus…doing the best he can, and he’s tough. That was the one good decision Chilli made, but not the future QB for this team but neither is T-jack.
Kliensausser… use him more often. He’s been gone until last Sunday’s game. The guy can catch, block and works for extra yards.
Winfield…just keep doing what you have been. What a fun player to watch.
Refs: Each and every week we see good calls and bad calls. Some for us some against… it evens out. Get over it and move on. Refs DO NOT win the games. The lions made enough mistakes (running obviously out of the end zone… even a rookie QB should know better than that!!). The Vikes didn’t dominate, but they played well enough to win. I don’t like how they played, they should’ve kicked them all over the field, but they won. If you think it was a “lucky call” so be it. We’ve had enough go against us that we could say lost the game… again, evens out.
Fans: As fans we pay enough to boo and cheer when we feel like it. Who pays for your big salaries and lifestyles? WE do, so take it like a man and let us boo, cheer whatever we want to do. It’s part of the game… and booing can be as fun as cheering. Those booing fans I saw on TV looked like they were having a great time. And booing your home team is supporting them. If the Vikes do something stupid, I feel I’m supporting them by showing emotion for them. I care how they do. If I didn’t I’d be the causal fan who jut tunes in to see the score, and not care how far they go. Sure it’s cool when they get into the playoffs but if they don’t, big deal. But I do care and am frustrated with the team for making dumb decisions and playing below the standards they should with the personal they have. It’s like watching my kids do bad in school. You want them to do good. You feel you are part of the family. And all Vikings fans have been listening to gloating packrats for years so yes, you want them to do well.
Even though I’d like to see Childress gone, I do think the players need to take responsibility for their play. Wilf spent the money, invested in proven players and now they need to step up. With the talent we have, it’s easy to blame the coach for their problems, but they do need to improve their playing too.
Go Vikes… beat the Bears and stop all the madness!!
Beat the Bears?? When they could hardly get past the hapless Lions? And at home at that!
While I was disgusted with AP’s fumbling the ball twice on Sunday, I can hardly blame him. What with the unimaginative play calling from BC, AP gets a real workout. Plunging through the line to be hit by eight defensive players on just about every play is enough to rattle a guy’s brains. No wonder he fumbles.
While I realize it would do little good to fire Childress in mid-season, it would improve the view on the sidelines. No more clueless looks, no more shiny bald head. No more perfectly groomed mustache. And maybe, just maybe, we’d actually find someone who really would be able to implement a KA offense. He certainly hasn’t. And I’m wondering how long he gets to make something positive happen. I know if I performed at my job the way he does at his, I wouldn’t have a job.
My thoughts here http://grayring.blogspot.com/
Super Bowl Dreams are lower odds than gambling. 1 out of 16 teams gets a shot at the SB. Helluva lot lower than Crap table or Black Jack odds, yet you fans are always crying and moaning- worse, the sports writers; most of them are the pixx and moaners. Injuries play thee major impact whether a team gets down the winning road. Ask the Pats!Yet fans are like gamblers; they continue to know it all. Relax folks, enjoy the game and realistically realze you have a 1 out of 32 chance to win the big one.
Have to Add; NY was all down on Eli and the coach last year. They hated Eli and the Coach early on, especially the Sports Writers. At least Sid Hartman tries to convey a positive attitude. Eat Crow Giants Sports Writers.
