Vikings fans, be thankful — you’re 9-1
by Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 11/24/2009
Indianapolis and New Orleans are both 10-0, and both appear to be on course to reach the Super Bowl in Miami. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees have both been sensational. Each quarterback has thrown 20 or more touchdown passes, and both teams have outstanding defenses.
The Vikings have been every bit as good as Indianapolis or New Orleans; however, the Vikings have one blemish on their record, a 27-17 loss at Pittsburgh to the defending Super Bowl Champions.
“On a week-to-week basis, we’ve been disappointed one time,” said Coach Brad Childress. “I go in with the intent and idea that we can win every game, so where we are does not surprise me. I expected us to have won them all.”
Brett Favre, the legendary quarterback, has been outstanding. His command of the offense and ability to get the ball to all his receivers has been a treat to watch, playing with the dynamic Adrian Peterson, maybe the greatest running back in football today.
And there’s the emerging Sidney Rice, rookie sensation Percy Harvin, and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Defenses have had no answer for the rock-star Vikings. When the defenses have come up, Favre has gone deep. Throwing 21 touchdown passes and just three interceptions, he is the top-rated quarterback in the NFL right now.
Defensively, Jared Allen leads the NFL in sacks with 10.5. Pat and Kevin Williams have both been outstanding inside. Ray Edwards has had a solid season also, and Vikings linebackers E.J. Henderson, Chad Greenway and Ben Leber have been scrapping and plugging holes.
The Vikings have rewarded Head Coach Childress with a four-year contract extension in this, his fourth season. He’s done a good job. He still has not won a playoff game, however, and that is the ultimate measuring stick for an NFL head coach.
Asked about the perception of the job he’s doing, Childress responded, “It’s perception — is perception reality? I can’t worry about that. I have to worry about my football team and putting a good resolve on the field. Whether we win or whether we lose, I just want to make sure that we put ourselves in the best position to win.”
But the way the Vikings are picking them up and improving each week, this team has a chance to be the best Vikings team ever.
I’ve been covering the Vikings for 31 years, and over that time I’ve seen several talented, outstanding teams that have gotten off to great starts. The 1987 Vikings of Jerry Burns, with Wade Wilson at quarterback, tied the four Vikings Super Bowl teams of Bud Grant — IV, VIII, IX and XI — with the best post-season record of 2-1. The quarterbacks were Joe Kapp and Fran Tarkenton.
The 1998 team of Dennis Green finished 16-2, the highest scoring team in NFL history with 556 points and Randall Cunningham at quarterback. The 2000 Vikings with Daunte Culpepper at quarterback — for Vikings fans, these are painful wounds of past post-season failures. So, I encourage you to enjoy the ride and appreciate the moment.
It does not happen every year, believe me. I don’t have a crystal ball, and with six regular-season games left, the Vikings will have a chance to play high-scoring, unbeaten New Orleans and defending NFC Champion Arizona. Don’t sleep on the Cardinals — they’ve got Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. — or Dallas, and maybe Philadelphia again. Buckle up: This should be exciting.
Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:20 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday & Saturday mornings at 7:50 am and Fridays at 3:50 pm; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.
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