Great first half but 2nd half nearly gave me a heart attack! Here are the comments from PurpleHaze!

What Happened!?

We stormed out of the box and were running the ball well, passing the ball well and the defense was even playing well behind Hovan. We stormed out to a 31-6 lead and ended up winning the game 31-26.

The Defense fell apart in the second half and so did the offense. We actually didn’t score a point in the final 25:25 of the game and almost lost the game to the Lions who have yet to win a game. The offense in the first half looked almost like they had found their game. They haven’t quite reached the level of past years, but they were close. Then in the second half the same team that has been playing for the Vikings showed up again. Moss dropped a pass in the endzone and allowed a defender to actually wrestle a ball away from him, in the past that never would have happened. Maybe Moss should have focused on getting ready to play football instead of playing basketball?

The offensive line allowed six sacks again this week and looked slow and clumsy most of the second half. The defense has to learn how to play 60 minutes of football. Over all this was a win and that is all that matters, however the schedule doesn’t get any easier and we have to find a way to play better football before next weekend.

GO VIKES!!!!!!!! Jan Z

-- Jan Zumbo (dvt99@aol.com), October 15, 2001

Answers

The problem here is lack of coaching. Where were the screens when DC was getting attacked on virtually every down? Why was Moss allowed to sit out what seemed like every third play? Where was proper clock management? 25 minutes is too long for a quality coaching staff not to adjust to the other teams adjustments.

I've already written off this year but still get aggravated due to the above.

Does McCombs still attend games? I think they've showed him once in the owner's box this year. Is he still paying attention?

-- Bruce (sixxking@aol.com), October 15, 2001.

A very ugly win at home vs.one of the worst teams in the NFL.Look at what the Rams did to the Lions last week IN Detroit. 35-0.

You simply can't dump or lose four Pro Bowl offensive linemen in two years, as well as a host of other talented players and expect to win the Super Bowl. The Vikes' offense is a slow developing offense, with the WR's needing plenty of time to run their routes. As a result, the offensive linemen must hold their blocks longer than most offensive lines. Since they are not holding their blocks as long as last year (and previous years), Culpepper is forced to throw early. And Bennett is not Robert Smith.

The blame rests squarely on Green's shoulders, with Red not exactly helping matters.

-- Mark (Karch222@aol.com), October 16, 2001.

I agree too much talent lossed in last few years especially on OL. Green has made some poor decisions as far as personnel. We are due for a down year and this may be it. If we beat GB this week and the Giants next month I'll be somewhat satisfied. We must play a near perfect game to beat the Fudgepackers in the game that will determine our season. A win and we could be competitive for the rest of the year, a loss and it could get real ugly. GO VIKES!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), October 16, 2001.