SB Nation User Blog: AustinVike

Brett Favre 2009 sideline audio.

AustinVike — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:24:11 -0000

Brett Favre 2009 sideline audio.

Sideline audio of Brett Favre throughout the Vikes - Lions game. Funny stuff!

John David Booty done...for now.

AustinVike — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:35:02 -0000

John David Booty done...for now.

JDB has been dropped by the Vikes.

A man, a goat painted purple and gold with the #4, and an auto repair shop.

AustinVike — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:52:52 -0000

A man, a goat painted purple and gold with the #4, and an auto repair shop.

http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/article_9872aaf0-8f8f-11de-a32a-001cc4c002e0.html

Favre Mails Arm to Vikings

AustinVike — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:47:26 -0000

Favre Mails Arm to Vikings

It may take Childress and Spielman a little time to analyze this, and make a decision if they want the rest of Favre sent over.

2009 Draft - Rookie Draft Reels (linkfest)

AustinVike — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:23:25 -0000

It's been a while since I've posted anything - at least since April Fools Day (Cutler to Vikings - oh please!). So this first day of May, 2009 - I've decided to put together a small compilation of highlight reels to welcome our "new class" of rookies and draft picks.

I've always been more of a visual guy - video to watch; data to relate stats to, so this should (hopefully) be interesting enough to sit down and crack a cold one (or two) to.

It's an exciting time, watching the new boys in action...even if it is in the past. I feel, and hopefully most of you do as well, that after watching these videos - we made some great picks. Of course, we'll have to see, but I would personally like to welcome the rooks to the team with a solid SKOL VIKES!

Minnesota Vikings # 12 - Percy Harvin (WR) - Florida

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl498S1-is4

Minnesota Vikings # 71 - Phil "Boatload" Loadholt (OT) - Oklahoma (wearing #79)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyTOOKEOIFo

Minnesota Vikings # 30 - Asher "Alien" Allen (CB/DB) - Georgia (wearing #30)

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d80f2f72b/2009-Combine-workout-Asher-Allen

Also

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d80f92e62/NFL-Draft-Vignette-Asher-Allen

Jasper "Casper" Brinkley # 54 (LB) - South Carolina (wearing #52)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvKoyNvzg1k

(and I particularly love this hit)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQsy4gU40Ss

Jamarca Sanford #33 (S/DB) - Southern Miss (wearing #13)

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d80f350a5/2009-Combine-workout-Jamarca-Sanford

Cutler to NFC North?

AustinVike — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:07:30 -0000

Since the news broke that Jay Cutler is saddling up, and riding out of Denver, there has been rampant speculation that 3 of 4 NFC North teams could pursue the jaded QB. While he would fit in with just about any team in the NFL (who is lacking a solid QB), the emphasis seems to still be placed on NFC North teams.

To start, Kevin Seifert, has speculated (just as I am currently doing) that with the exception of Green Bay, any team in the NFC North is in desperate need of a QB as proven as Jay Cutler.

Looking at Cutler's stats over his tenure at Denver suggests that Mr. Seifert is correct in his estimation.

One other key figure to look out for is the Denver running attack over the past three seasons - 1862yds (total/combined 2008), 1957yds (total/combined 2007), 2152yds (total combined 2006).

While looking at these stats comparatively against Cutler's passing yardage per year, a picture emerges that suggests Denver was moving toward a passing attack, and away from rush yardage.

If Cutler ended up in Minnesota, I (and many of you) could only image seeing less touches for the AD/Chester combo. Would that be a bad thing? Might take Peterson out of Pro Bowl status, but would certainly NOT make him any less lethal on the field. The ability to stretch defenses would only help AD - and might actually improve his YPG to a level never seen before in the NFL.

The question remains: is Sage Rosenfels enough of an answer at QB to achieve this situation, or should we begin pursuing Cutler with everything we've got?

To be fair, I never (ever), want to see this happen while Sage is in purple.

Can Madden '09 Predict Our Season : Part One

AustinVike — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:44:18 -0000

In typical fashion, my early morning browsing session led me to come across an interesting article about using Madden '09 to predict real life game results. The team at EA Sports created a "sim-Super Bowl" which predicted a score of 28-24, and a Steelers win. Pretty good for a computer, eh?

This got me thinking - could someone (anyone) use this as a tool to predict our upcoming season?

To start, here's the original article: http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-amp-gaming/article/2009-02/madden-predicts-winner

So, my challenge to all of you out in Vikingsland, is to try this out (if you can). I'd like to hear what sorts of results you come up with - and furthermore, let's try the simulation with different players in the QB position.

Potential 2009 QB Candidates - minus Brett Favre

AustinVike — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:10:31 -0000

There's been alot of speculation since the offseason began about who is eventually going to fill the role as QB for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2009-2010 season.

And as recent as yesterday (and, somewhat ironically, just below this story) the words "Brett Favre" came flying out of nowhere, again, much like one of Favre's passes, landing on our front page here at DN.

But just as we've made another interception of a "Brett Favre in Minnesota...LOLOLZ" story, I'd like to cover a few viable options for the 2009 season - which have nothing to do with Favre.

A few names keep appearing as possible candidates to fill the QB role for our Vikings during the 2009 season:

Donovan McNabb, who led the Eagles to a (begrudgingly) brilliant win versus our Vikes this past postseason. Studied under Childress/Andy Reid and is more than familiar with our (alleged) style of offense (aka: Chilly-style). He's reportedly plotting his exit from Philadelphia and miffed at the on-again off-again rumors surrounding his role in Philadelphia.
Matt Cassel, the California kid who hadn't started a game since high school and somehow led the Patriots to an 11-5 record (edit). And even managed a Week 16 blowout of the Arizona Cardinals, racking up 3 TDs and 345 yds through the air. We're still waiting to hear if his contract will be renewed by New England (which we'll find out on February 5, 2009). I'd be astounded if New England allowed him to become available.
Jeff Garcia, who turns 39 on February 24th, but still manages to show the poise of a veteran QB, and the wheels of Gizmoduck . He even resembles the cartoon character a bit. He managed to put up a respectable 2,712 yds during the 2008 season, and 12 TDs - starting 11 games out of the season. Garcia has also been bouncing around the NFL over the past few years, and he hasn't been offered a contract by Tampa Bay for the 2009 season yet...so he may become available.
Derek Anderson, who I'm adding to the list for the sake of having one more option. He had an awful year - partly due to being surrounded by an awful team and some bizarre fans (who applauded when he was injured). He may be a viable option if traded for a high draft pick. Who knows what that would do for his spirits - escape from Cleveland!
John David Booty, who hasn't taken a regular season snap in the NFL yet might actually follow suit with a QB on par with Matt Cassel. But we don't know, because he hasn't hit the field yet. At least during the regular season anyway.
Tarvaris Jackson, the one we've all come to know and love...or in some cases hate (for me it's love; I like the kid - just think he needs time and a good OL). He's got a great set of wheels that makes him dangerous when he runs the ball, which also falls inline with our running schemes. He makes mistakes at terrible times, which some (potentially) great QB's are prone to do from time to time (Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers). On the other hand, he has made some brilliant plays on the field, albeit sparingly at times.

So here we have what I've dubbed the "Top Candidates" for the 2009 season. I didn't bother to list Brett Favre because I can't imagine the series of events falling into place that would allow him to wear purple - especially after so many years in green.

There is, of course, the potential that I've missed a name or two, so feel free to submit them for consideration. And please - no mention of Ingle Martin IV, even if he has the most awesome name ever...

Discuss.