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Like many of you, I've been waiting for last night (Monday, Sept. 8th), since December 30, 2007, when our Vikings walked off the field following a 19-22 loss to the Denver Broncos. Expectations are sky high for our beloved Vikings this year following our spending spree during an active offseason, which landed us Bernard Berrian, Madieu Williams, Thomas Tapeh, and Jared Allen. Not to mention the Vikings' strong finish (despite losing their final two games) and six out of seven Pro-Bowlers returning.
After quite a drama filled offseason, the season finally arrived and the Vikings were ready to kickoff their 2008 season on Monday Night Football versus the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Talk about a season opener, huh?
When the teams took the field, some might have noticed, there was a guy wearing a #12 jersey lined up behind center. No, I'm not talking about Gus Frerotte for the Vikings, but some kid named Aaron Rodgers for the Packers (the first time since 1992 its been anything but #4, might I add). I really hate to say it, and it actually hurts my fingers to type this, but Rodgers played well and looked very efficient in his first career start.
Two things were very clear while watching this game. One: it was the first game of the season. The two teams combined for 21 penalties equaling 160 yards. It should have been much more... but I won't go into that. Two: it was a rivalry game. You could just see it in the players faces and reactions. Sure, there was some pushing and shoving here and there after the plays, but nothing really said it more than the emotion showed by both Quarterbacks. Rodgers and Jackson both got very heated at times when they played poorly, Jackson threw his helmet down on the sideline and Rodgers was visibly saying some less than cheery words.
Following the game, many fans are disheartened and upset, I am not one of them. Sure I really, really wanted to win this game, but believe it or not theres some upside to how our boys played last night. Here are some observations and statistics for you guys
- The Rushing D looks just as strong as it has the past two years. I know, I know, we gave up a total of 139 rushing yards and a touchdown at an average of around 5.1 yards a carry. Now, need to look at it from a different stand point besides just "the facts". You take away that disheartening 57 yard rushing play by Ryan Grant, and those numbers drop down to 82 rushing yards and a touchdown at an average of around 3.1 yards a carry. The lone touchdown allowed on the ground came on a second attempt from the one yard line on a QB sneak. The defense recorded four tackles for a loss.
- The rushing attack, while not recording the numbers we all love to see, still looked strong in the opener (especially missing the bulldozer Bryant McKinnie. The Vikings RBs & QBs rushed 33 times for 187 yards and a touchdown, at 5.7 yards per carry.
- The Offense showed promise, putting up 355 net yards. Tavaris Jackson had a slow start, but did wind up making some plays, leading the offense to scoring drives of 79 and 80 yards. They totaled 21 first downs, converted 7 out of 16 3rd downs, and 2 out of 2 4th downs. Now, I know they weren't perfect, but I look for these numbers to improve while we begin to utilize the right weapons. I expect Bobby Wade and Sidney Rice to become reliable, consistent weapons for Jackson, with Peterson and Berrian opening up the lanes for them.
- Speaking of weapons, it was good to see Garrett Mills used in the passing game, hauling in three catches for 49 yards. While I do like Mills, I'm not completely abandoning hope on Shiancoe. Yes, he did tip that pass in the endzone that Berrian might have hauled in. Yes, he did wind up having a pass bounce out of his hands after hitting the ground (which still should have been ruled a catch), but other than that... he wasn't all bad, was he? If he doesn't step it up in the upcoming games, look for Mills to get more and more action
- Special Teams needs to step it up. Here, I blame the omnipresent Injury Bug. Of course losing Heath Farwell for the season really hurts, but one man can't make an entire unit. I don't think I even need to talk about how horrible the punt coverage was when we gave up the TD, so thats as much as I'm saying about that play. One thing that I think affected this game (maybe not dramatically, but at least somewhat) is Maurice Hicks' absence due to an injured foot. Hick is a known special teams ace from his days in San Francisco, where he led the team in special teams tackles two years running, while being a reliable return man. Allison was used as the primary punt and kickoff return man, who I personally really would like to see become a contributor in the passing game instead.
- The sacks will come. Allen drew holds on him twice this game when he had his man beat. Yes, it doesn't give him the sack, but a ten yard penalty is almost as good as 6 yard sack. Allen and Edwards both showed their ability to get into the backfield, now its going to be about turning hurries into hits.
- Another plus on D, we only gave up 178 yards through the air. I know, it was versus Aaron Rodgers during his first career start, but while we did give up some gains we shouldn't have, our pass defense looks improved in my opinion. Yes, Winfield ran a bad route covering Donald Driver on a play that was called back due to a penalty, but they still did well. The defense caused two 3-and-outs, and only gave up 15 first downs. I also could mention, as we all know, Madieu Williams is out with a neck injury. What this means, is we had a rookie Tyrell Johnson starting in his first ever NFL game. Johnson will continue to improve and when Williams returns Sharper will once again (presumably) be able to freelance more and make more plays. Also, this could open up the possibility of Johnson getting play time at Corner.
