Ponder will now have a solid LT to protect his backside.
Photo by: Rich Gabrielson/Icon SMI
The Minnesota Vikings didn’t make the sexiest pick, but they added an additional 4th, 5th and 7th rounder and still got the player they wanted. Knowing that the Browns wanted Richardson, they forced them to trade up for the pick or else they may have traded down with the Buccaneers, who were also interested in trading with the Vikings to select Richardson. But to avoid writing about who the Vikings didn’t want, nor need, let’s praise them for making a smart selection by drafting their LT for the next decade, Matt Kalil.
Kalil will instantly be the Vikings starting LT, protecting Ponders blindside, and hopefully helping a healthy and fully recovered Adrian Peterson run downfield. It’s never all that exciting to draft an offensive lineman, but the Vikings made the smart and best possible pick that they could make.
The Vikings will look to upgrade their offense this off season and it appears as though the major needs are at both wide receiver and offensive line. Christian Ponder showed great promise in his rookie season but will need some help to improve on the Vikings 3-13 season. With the number 3 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Vikings have plenty of options and their choice at either an elite wide receiver or the best offensive lineman. Justin Blackmon looks NFL ready and will command much attention from the Vikings. However, with a deep free agent pool at Wide Receiver, do not be surprised if the Vikings choose Matt Kalil this off season. The 6’6” 306 lb is said to have impressed scouts at the combine with a sub 5.0 40 time and skills more often seen among veteran offensive lineman. It doesn’t hurt that he gets great advice from three-time pro bowl lineman, his brother Ryan Kalil.
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On a week in which everything clicked offensively for the Vikings, it was disheartening to see their best player, Adrian Peterson get injured the way in which he did. Despite these injuries to Ponder and Peterson Minnesota was still able to get the 33-26 win, but Peterson’s future could be impacted by this injury.
Minnesota began the second half tied with the Redskins at 10, and with the ball. On their first play from scrimmage Adrian Peterson took the hand-off and ran three yards, before getting hit on the knee by safety DeJon Gomes. When Peterson was hit, his knee was bent gruesomely backwards and sideways. It was immediately obvious that Peterson was severely injured and it was later confirmed that he had tore both his ACL and MCL. With a successful surgery and rehabbing it should still be at least nine months before Peterson can get back onto the field, and there is no guarantee he will be the same.
With Christian Ponder injured as well backup quarterback Joe Webb came in and played just about as well as a backup could play and led the Vikings on a couple of crucial drives leading to a couple of passing touchdowns and a rushing one as well. Webb finished the game 4 of 5 for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns and also rushed for 34 yards on 5 carries including a touchdown.
The Vikings built a 33-23 lead, with just over four minutes to go and just had to force the anemic Redskins offense to use clock to score. With the victory the 2011 Vikings avoid being the worst Minnesota team ever and will have a chance of exacting revenge against the Chicago Bears next week.
The first quarter of this game was as weird a start to a game as you will see. Minnesota was able to get a safety when they tackled Willis McGahee in the end zone. Two possessions later, Christian Ponder threw a pick six to Denver defender Mario Haggan. To round out the first quarter, the Vikings were able to get a field goal out of Ryan Longwell. The two teams scored points three different ways, and not one time was the offense a part of it, but that would quickly change over the next three quarters.
Minnesota was able to take control of the game before the end of the half, with Christian Ponder throwing a touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph, and adding another field goal by Longwell. With the Vikings leading 15-7 the teams headed to the locker room. The second half of this game, could not have been any different than the first.
The two teams began the second half, trading touchdowns. On Denver’s first possession Tim Tebow found receiver Demaryius Thomas for a 21 yard touchdown pass. Minnesota was able to strike back, later in the third quarter when Ponder hit Percy Harvin for a 52 yard touchdown pass. Harvin had a huge day statistically, catching 8 balls for 156 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns. However Tebow was not to be outdone when he found fellow receiver Thomas a second time on a 41 yard touchdown pass cutting the lead to 21-22.
the Vikings started their scoring in the fourth quarter with another long play to Percy Harvin. A 48 yard touchdown pass to be exact. Down eight midway through the fourth quarter, McGahee was able to get redemption on his safety earlier in the game with a 24 yard touchdown run. The Broncos were able to convert the on the two point conversion and knotted the game up at 29.
Minnesota was able to retake the lead on another field goal from Longwell, but the lead was short lived. Two minutes later the Broncos had tied it again with a field goal from Matt Prater. The Vikings had a minute and a half left and were looking to drive the field and win, but Ponder threw a costly interception that set up the Broncos for their winning field goal by Prater as time expired.
After falling to the Broncos 35-32, the Vikings are now (2-10) and will be able to play spoilers against their division rivals during the final four games. They have the Lions next week who have been faltering, and will have a shot at Chicago the last week of the season.
After falling behind 17-0 in the first half at Atlanta, it looked like the Vikings were going to be in for a long day especially with their star running back Adrian Peterson not playing. Minnesota was able to fight back in the second half starting with a touchdown by backup running back Toby Gerhart.
At 17-7 the Vikings were able to stop the Falcons a second time which led to a touchdown pass to Percy Harvin. Since Ponder has become quarterback, Harvin has had more chances to produce within the Minnesota offense, and Ponder has established himself as a pretty good quarterback for a rookie. He has over 1100 yards passing with 6 touchdowns and interceptions apiece, for a 72.6 QB Rating.
Atlanta was able to put one more drive together for a touchdown, putting them up for good at 24-14, but not without a scare. On the ensuing kickoff Percy Harvin returned the kick 104 yards, but was stopped at the 3 yard line, making it the longest play in the history of the NFL without scoring a touchdown.
Next week the Vikings get a firsthand look at Tebowmania as the Denver Broncos come into town. Tim Tebow has done nothing but win since he has become a starter, and the Broncos will look to continue their winning ways as they look to win the AFC West. Expect the two teams to play a close and competitive game, with the edge going to the Vikings if Peterson plays.
The Minnesota Vikings are an out and out disaster of a team. In Lambeau on Monday Night, they knew they were going to have to play a clean and smart game against Green Bay, just to give themselves a shot. On the first drive of the game they are forced to punt and which turns into an 80 yard punt return touchdown by Randall Cobb. At that point right there everyone and their grandmother knew, that the Vikings had absolutely no shot of winning this game.
Minnesota did not do one thing worth noting against the Packers. Their one good player on offense, Peterson did not even have a very good game only gaining 51 yards on 14 carries including a touchdwon. Jared Allen did get a sack in this game, but at this point who cares about a player that acts like a fool every time he gets a sack, when you realize the team he plays on is (2-7) and is getting trashed by everyone within their own division.
Oakland comes to Minnesota next week, off of a big win over the Chargers. Being that the Raiders do not play in the NFC North the Vikings may have a chance in this game, but do not count on it.
360 News | Craig | 
April 27, 2012 1:28 am | 
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