In a game that meant everything to the Vikings this season
Youth Adam Thielen Jersey , they showed next to nothing on the field at US Bank stadium.To say their performance was disappointing would be
generous.They stunk it up.There was never much doubt about the game’s outcome.
The Vikings started slow yet again, and the Bears built a lead.But if you looked
at how the Bears manhandled the Vikings in the trenches on both sides of the
ball, you could see the Vikings were at a bad disadvantage the whole game.Add to
that the flat performance at the skill positions, and tension on the sidelines,
and you knew the game- and the season- was a bust.A Season of Underperformance
The season began with the Vikings a top Super Bowl favorite.It continued with
them not being able to beat a team with a winning record.It ended with them not
being able to move the ball at home against the Bears second-string defense.The
focus of the underperforming season is undoubtedly the offense and Kirk Cousins,
but the defense also underperformed compared to a year ago.So, rather than
taking the next step, as had been envisioned with the acquisition of Kirk
Cousins and Sheldon Richardson
http://www.thevikingsfootballauthentic.com/matt-wile-jersey-authentic , the Vikings took a step or two backward, losing the NFC North crown to the much
improved Chicago Bears, and failing to make the playoffs.Those failures once
again call into question the plan and decision-making of Mike Zimmer to get what
remains a very talented football team to the Super Bowl, which at this point is
not nearly as close as it seemed last season.Post-Season Evaluations Should
Result in More Changes Than Last SeasonNow that the Vikings season is over, the
post-season evaluations should begin in earnest and be made with a more critical
eye toward improvement.On both sides of the ball, there are starters that
underwhelmed this year - some of which carry pretty big salary cap numbers
and/or may have trade value.Secondly, the coaching ranks are in need of some new
blood - youth be served.Mike Zimmer needs to decide if he wants to be a head
coach or a defensive coordinator.He can’t do both anymore.He’s been five years
doing both, but he’s getting too old to continue that.He needs to decide which
job he wants - and which he can add the most value to the team.That’s an open
question.Vikings Need To Get Younger - And Go Belichickian With Older Guys
Exiting Their PrimeThe Vikings have done a good job drafting and developing at a
lot of positions over the past several years
Youth Stefon Diggs Jersey , and there are future starters ready to step-up.But in a few cases at least, allowing younger talents to step into
starting jobs means making hard decisions on some players that have played well
for many years - but are now on the downside of their careers.It’s a young man’s
league, and at most players at most positions begin exiting their prime in their
early thirties.Every player is a bit different, as is the level of each player’s
prime years.But mostly on the defensive side, some tough decisions need to be
made.Some of which may provide capital and/or cap space to improve the weakest
link on the team - the offensive line - while allowing promising talent to step
into starting jobs.Should Be A Busy Off-Season for Rick SpielmanThe are a lot of
issues to address, and complacency is not the answer.If the Vikings are going to
get back into Super Bowl contention next season, they need to improve their
roster and coaching staff.That means a busy off-season for Vikings general
manager Rick Spielman.It will take more than drafting well for the Vikings to
make a deep run in the playoffs next season - and that means trader Rick needs
to get busy.In the coming days and weeks I’ll go into detail in terms of
coaching and player evaluations and who should be part of the team going
forward- and who shouldn’t. We are less than ninety minutes away from kickoff at
U.S. Bank Stadium, ladies and gentlemen
http://www.thevikingsfootballauthentic.com/riley-reiff-jersey-authentic , and both the Miami Dolphins and your Minnesota Vikings have released their
inactive lists for this afternoon’s contest. Let’s see who will be sitting this
one out for both sides.As always, we start with the visiting squadMiami
DolphinsQB David FalesWR Isaiah FordCB Xavien HowardC Hroniss GrasuG Isaac
AsiataOT Zach SterupDE Jonathan WoodardHoward, the AFC’s leader in
interceptions, was listed as “doubtful” in Friday’s final injury report, so it’s
no surprise that he’s not out there. His absence should open things up
considerably for the Vikings’ offense, particularly Stefon Diggs and Adam
Thielen.And now, on to the home team.Minnesota VikingsWR Chad BeebeRB Mike
BooneDE Tashawn BowerLB Devante DownsCB Craig JamesC Brett JonesQB Kyle
SloterAfter missing four games, tight end David Morgan is up and back in the
lineup for the Vikings in this one. If the team wants to get the run game
going
Womens Eric Kendricks Jersey , his presence could end up being huge.All three of the players the Vikings listed as “questionable” on Friday’s final
injury report. . .Morgan, Mike Remmers, and Sheldon Richardson. . .are active
for the Vikings in this one, making them just about as healthy as they’ve been
all season.Those are your inactive lists for today’s game, folks! We will have
the Open Thread for the first quarter of play up and running at 11:00 AM
Central.
