SB Nation User Blog: DelawareBerserker

Dropped Passes, Poor Playcalling and non-existant "special teams"

DelawareBerserker — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:09:40 -0000

Three things that I attribute directly to Brad Childress's ability to coach the Minnesota Vikings. After hearing all August long from team veterans, "this is the easiest training camp I've ever been through".

First we were told that now, Childress "trusts" his players more and that he knew the team would be ready. I haven't seen anyone on our Special Teams look ready to play a serious down all year. Always giving up a big return, never accomplishing one ourselves. We've had how many different people line up to return kicks thus far? Did Taylor even practice returning kicks in Camp? I thought we made the decisions on who would return for this team during the Pre-Season!

Second, we were told that Jackson's developed faster than Donovan McNabb. BullShit! Three years in and McNabb was taking the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game. Jackson? Benched after two weeks (As a Scapegoat).

In the first preseason game Jackson showed a great deal of promise. The first drive consisted primarily of all passing plays and ended, I believe, with a touchdown pass to FB Thomas Tapeh. Not since have the Vikings put together a drive that was as aggressive as the first drive in the first preseason game. Jackson was benched after 2 weeks, and Thomas Tapeh has been a healthy scratch for some unknown reason. His replacement: Tahi, has consistently dropped passes and fumbled the ball.

Keeping an even-keel, and having sound judgement is what is important in a head coach. Yet I have seen nothing of the sort from Brad Childress since the first preseason game. At first I thought sitting all starters in the 4th preseason game was a 'wise decision'. It has proven to be nothing but faulty. All of our receivers are out of sync with whoever is our Quarterback and are persistent in dropping passes.

Something's gotta give. Hopefully this time it's not a scapegoat. There's a reason why Andy Reid did not trust Brad Childress to call plays. But there's also a reason why in close losses Andy Reid would stand up to the media and take the heat for his faulty playcalling.

If Brad Childress doesn't admit to this, and confess that things are going to change, then we must have a change of leadership immediately. If he does not, One of two scenarios ought to take place IMMEDIATELY!

1) Brad Childress should be fired and Bevell should be demoted (lose playcalling responsibility). The Vikings should bring in a former NFL head coach who has won a championship (Brian Billick). Keep Bevell and work with the current system, but shake things up by Bringing in an Offensive Mastermind who commands respect and is known for getting the most out of young/inexperienced players.

2) Brad Childress should be fired and Bevell should be demoted (lose playcalling responsibility). Frasier should be promoted to Head Coach for the balance of the year.

Either way, something's gotta change- IMMEDIATELY. Zygi Wilf and company have invested a great deal in this year's squad. He needs to protect that investment and double down on getting a real return from it this year. Because if he doesn't, he can say goodbye to a stadium proposal next year, and will be even less likely to be free-spending next offseason. The start to this season has thus far been ridiculous- someone MUST be held accountable!

Wise Childress made the Right moves Saturday Night

DelawareBerserker — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:37:01 -0000

The third Preseason game is typically the one in which Opening Day starters are given the most time to play, often deep in to the third Quarter. With a healing Toe, and a slightly sprained MCL both Bernard Berrian and Tarvaris Jackson could have played in the game, and most likely would have if it counted. By looking at the situation as a whole, Childress did more than just keep them out so they could get healthy. Rather he exposed yellow-flag issues, was able to rebuild the confidence of Visanthe Shiancoe and let Aundrae Allision prove how great of a slot threat he can be this season.

Beyond the obvious need to get to 100% health-wise, A good amount of progress was made on Saturday Night on the offensive side of things, although I would have to admit that you may have had to dig deep in order to find it.

First, the snap "cadence" of Gus Frerotte is obviously different from that of TJack. Three false starts on the first series? For an offensive line that's not just superb, but played together for most of last year this was a great thing to find out in preseason rather than week 10 when, knock on wood, Frerotte needs to come in for a series. After that first series, we didn't have additional issues with Offensive False starts and I don't believe we'll be hurt by it multiple times in a row again this season.

Generating some repoire between the first team offense and a back-up QB is a good thing to do from time to time. One of the biggest things about letting a veteran quarterback do so in a preseason game is the ability of said veteran to boost the confidence of struggling players and aid in the development of younger ones. Case in Point: Visanthe Shiancoe. In order to maximize their success this year, the Vikings need a strong season from their top TE. Running routes like he did the other night will afford great opportunities for play action, or quick passes up the seam for good yardage. I think everyone's confidence was boosted in our TE on Saturday night as he proved he could be what we signed him for before the 2007 season.

It could also be said that Aundrae Allision was Frerotte's favorite target last night. He is quickly demonstrating that he can be a strong 3rd WR option for TJack and the Vikings. With both Rice and Berrian out, Allision was put into a situation where he needed to pick up the slack and make plays in order to help the Vikings succeed and he did so without pressing.

Following Mendenhall's fumble late in the 1st Allison posted two completions that allowed first downs and put Minnesota in field goal position. It also set up the great completion to Shiancoe that put us first and goal by looking off the safety and opening up the seam.

Now, had Childress let Berrian, Rice and TJack play, we might have seen some amazingly stellar plays from them. More likely, we would have seen their injuries deepen and setbacks to their individual recoveries. It might not have been the most exciting move this preseason, but it definitely was the wisest.

Poll

Which Viking made the most Progress on Saturday Night versus the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Visanthe Shiancoe

19 votes

Aundrae Allison

25 votes

Martin Nance

10 votes

Erin Henderson

15 votes

Tyrell Johnson

7 votes

76 votes | Poll has closed