SB Nation User Blog: LoveHate

1 3 3 1 (Favre Watch)

LoveHate — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:05:25 -0000

This is a little trivia everyone can enjoy. For those waiting in anticipation for the downfall of Brett Favre (the notorious late season collapse that makes him more of a liability than an asset) and the end of the Vikings championship dreams this fact will surely get your mouth salivating. Those of you who have wholy embraced Favre and have enjoyed cheering his historically dominate performances each week can appreciate this for what it is...old news.

1 3 3 1. Any guesses? 13-31? 13:31? Got it yet? This is Favres touchdown to interception ratio for December over the past four seasons.

Poll

Chances Favre Continues His NFC Dominance

100%; Favre Wins His Fourth MVP

94 votes

75%; Favre Proves Capable Leading the Vikings Deep into the Playoffs

51 votes

50%; The Vikings will need to rely on Adrian Peterson and the Rushing Game in December

5 votes

0-25%; No Way Favre Can Keep It Up, Vikings Crash and Burn

2 votes

152 votes | Poll has closed

What Does a 'Norseman' Know Anyway?

LoveHate — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:25:42 -0000

"A very specific visual passed through my head Thursday night as I considered the Jay Cutler trade from a NFC North-wide perspective. I thought of a man grappling for stability on the rough side of a mountain, slipping ever so slightly while creating 10 vertical lines in the direction of his descent.

The man wore a Helga hat and Viking horns. A bear clawed at his feet." - Kevin Seifert, ESPN NFC North Blogger on the Bears acquisition of Jay Cutler 04/03/09.

No one said you have to know anything to be a blogger, but C'mon Man!

However, our site's lead writer Gonzo was nearly prescient in an article examining the myth behind Cutler being a top tier quarterback and what his presence in the division meant, while basically predicting the struggles that Cutler has realized since his arrival in the Windy City. Despite the reassurances from Gonzo to keep our cool regarding team trajectory and divisional supremacy, it appears many a Norseman were caught up in the drama that surrounded Cutler. It might have been interesting to see how many Norsemen thought the Cutler acquisition catapulted the Bears to NFC North supremacy. History will only reflect that nearly two-thirds of poll respondents believed there would be just one or two games separating the division foes when it was all said and done.

Poll

As it stand now the Minnesota, 5-0 in the division, leads the North dvision by three games, with Chicago six games out with no chance of winning the division. How sweet it is!

Place Your Bets...Cutler

LoveHate — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:43:03 -0000

Prior to the start of the season the NFC North's hottest topic was undoubtably "Quarterbacks," with three of the four teams in the division handing the ball to new starters. Nine games into the 2009 season it seems that quarterback play has impacted the division more than any other factor. Not necessarily in the manner in which it was at one time thought.

Detroit drafted Matthew Stafford number one overall; the Bears made what most argued at the time was the biggest acquisition in trading for the young Pro-bowler Jay Cutler; as we all know, the Vikings seduced future HOFer Brett Favre out of retirement as the final piece of the puzzle. The Packers fielded the only returning starter, Aaron Rodgers.

This post will highlight Jay Cutler .and the Chicago Bears week 11 Matchup:

The Chicago Bear's Jay Cutler was at one time anticipated to lead the Bears atop the North Division. The Bears are currenlty third behind the first place Vikings and second place Packers. Cutler is the league wide leader in one statistical catagory...Interceptions. Cutler's 17 interceptions, 1.88 per game is unmatched. Carolina's Jake Delhome, despite his effort (14 total, throwing just one week 11 interception), has been unable to catch or surpass the wildly struggling Cutler. Cutler's ability to throw them in bunches and his penache for redzone turnovers sets him apart from all of his peers. This week Cutler and the oft hibernating Bears go up against the leagues 3rd best interceptor in Asanti Samuel, on the leagues 3rd best intercepting team, Philedelphia Eagles. Look for Cutler to pad his stats and increase his league lead this week.

Poll

Over / Under on Jay Cutler Week 11 Interceptions: 2

Over

53 votes

Under

9 votes

62 votes | Poll has closed

Place Your Bets...Rodgers

LoveHate — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:31:41 -0000

This post will highlight Aaron Rodgers and the Packers week 11 match-up:

Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers has been discussed as one the leagues best quarterbacks. He is ~~if by best you mean worst~~ currently leading the league in sacks taken with 41, for a per game average of 4.55. The Packers face a San Franciso 49ers defense currently rank 23rd (tied) in sacks with 17. Logic would tell you they will be moving up this list after this weeks game. Two weeks ago the Packers made a rag tag group of defeated deck swabbers into a cohesive unit of victorious swash bucklers on their way to six sacks (ranked 23rd).

Poll

Over Under on Aaron Rodgers Sacks Taken Week 11: 4

Over

36 votes

Under

24 votes

60 votes | Poll has closed

Week 9 Vikings Win?

LoveHate — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:11:28 -0000

Sunday November 8th the Vikings enjoy the bye week taking advantage of the time off and yet they still increase their division lead over both the Packers and Bears. Could it get any better?

The Chicago Bears implode and blow an opportunity against the precarious Arizona Cardinals and the Packers come up short against the leagues previously only UNvictorious team, Tampa Bay's Bucaneers. Both games highlight the degree of hilarity in regards to numerous sport experts picking either or both of them to finish ahead of the defending division champion Minnesota Vikings.

ESPN's NFC North blogger K. Seifert had an item of discussion this week debating which of these teams had a better opportunity to win a WildCard playoff spot after preseason suggestions that the NFC North could produce both NFC WildCard teams. Given each teams body of work to this point in the season it was a ridiculous premise that either of these teams was playoff calibur. These teams might not finish .500.

On a side note: Didn't it look as though Aaron Rodgers was looking to sabotage JA's Pro Bowl chances, allowing himself to be sacked another 33 times (or 4)?

A Peek Behind the Steel Curtain

LoveHate — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:42:19 -0000

I'll occasionally visit a Vikings opponents' SBNation page to get a feel for a fan base's fanaticism. I've been impressed by some and bored by others. I just sneeked a peek Behind the Steel Curtain (the SB Steelers page) and found an interesting post. Apparently the crew over there makes weekly score predictions. In more than forty comments, some more creative than others and most predicting a relatively close score, only one commentor picked the Vikings to win the game.

Check out a sample below and make a prediction yourself. Go ahead, be a Homer, they are.

Steelers:21 Vikings: 20

"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature. The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu

by WVPiratesfan on Oct 21, 2009 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Steelers 23, Favres 19

I think the Steelers run game goes to crap this week. Leaving the passing game the only choice. Lots of failed drives become field goals for Drunk Reed.

And the Favres will get some momentum and get a couple TD’s but in the end run out of gas.

I’m also seeing a safety for them. The score I picture is like 2 tds, 1 fg, 1 safety.

by Mechem on Oct 21, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Steelers:24 Vikings:21

Pain is temporary pride is forever

by Heartofsteel on Oct 21, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Steelers:26 Vikings: 24

by Steel in FL on Oct 21, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As much as it pains me, Favres 20 Steelers 17

by DwightWhite's Missing Tooth on Oct 21, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Division Leading 3 - 0? Big Deal, So What!

LoveHate — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:13:36 -0000

Apart from the excessively exagerated Brett Favre drama and subsequent locker room "Schismgate," the national sports media basically excluded the Minnesota Vikings from all championship discussions. Several warned the fan base to temper its excitement for the season and many were picking last years NFC North champs to finish as low as third in the division. That is despite having drafted a playermaker many were simultaneously admitting could easily win the Offensive ROY; and signing a 3-time League MVP and future HOFer (and arguably the best quarterback ever) to play quarterback, addressing the one universally diagnosed weakness.

Not much has changed in the opening weeks of the 2009 NFL season. Analysts, prognosticators and sportwriters alike have shown no love for our Purple Plunderers. Several Norseman have recently taken offense at the slighting by various publications' Power Rankings. The narrative has gone: The Vikings gained victories over considerably lesser opponents in less than inspiring performances. Meanwhile, our Northern bretheren's records and performances seemingly don't affect their respective rankings.

Most Viking supporters would openly admit that the bar is set much higher than a couple of wins over the leagues perennial basement dwellers. However, we don't do the scheduling and this isn't the BCS. Still, many Norsemen were excited at the opportunity of the week 3 match-up versus a worthy (2-0) San Franscisco team, hoping it would be a real test of the Vikings metal. A chance for the leagues back to back to back top run stoppers to return to form against an dangerous rushing offense.

Well...WTF? Holy Shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, having recovered from the shocking finish of Sunday's win, I am able to better assess the teams performance. Frankly, they shouldn't have been in the position they were in late. Run blocking was left wanting this week and the offense needs to convert on third down more consistently. As much as the Spc. teams unit has improved, they continue to have costly lapses (Thankfully yesterday the unit made up for a huge mistake and possible game changing play with one of their own). The defense continues to give yardage up in avoidable chunks. Despite the perfect record early, the Vikings are far from perfect.

With that said, the Vikings are 3-0 and tops in the division. We could expect some positive acknowledgemet from the national media right? Wrong! Before the various power rankings are released or the coming weeks games picked, the Vikings narrative ~~has begun~~ has continued: The Vikings have beaten the Browns, the Lions and the Frank Gore-less 49ers. Oh, and Favre cannot possibly stay healthy, with all of the hits he's taken and mindless downfield blocking.

Without counting chickens, I can see it now..."the Browns, Lions, 49ers and an underachieving Packer team."

"$12 Million For This?" Or "How Bad Have Recent Vikings QB's Been?"

LoveHate — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:50:55 -0000

It is easy to overlook Brett Favre's performance to this point in the season given all the attention being paid to the best running back in the league since Jim Brown. However, Favre's statistics don't even tell the entire story.

Lately we've become accustomed, or at least conditioned, to accepting our Viking QB's being ranked at or near the bottom in telling passing statistics (or the top in some cases: sacks, turnovers). In many respects Brett Favre is continuing this trend quite admirably (30th in total yards, 32nd in YPG and 4th in sacks taken). However, Favre leads the league in Comp. % (77.1), ranks second in QB rating (110.2) and is taking care of the ball (3 TD's/ 0 INT's) beyond realistic expections. This is completely uncharted territory for the fan base.

For a team committed to the run (for obvious reason), Brett Favre's performance is exactly what the doctor ordered. We all know there are nearly as many opinions as Norsemen regarding what the Viking's acquisition of Favre means to the teams chances of success, both short and long term. That has been and will continue to be debated...elsewhere. What I want to discuss is: whether or not what Favre is doing is worth $12 million per year? Considering Favre is being asked to do less than he has at any point in his career, and less than every qb with similar compensation is currently being asked to do. Favre is averaging 5.5 yards per pass and has seldomly passing the ball further than 10 yards in his two games with the Vikes.

The other side of it is a critique of recent Viking QB's. I have never been one to criticize any of them to harshly, but in retrospect I have to ask myself WTF? Brett Favre isn't doing much and making it look easy (as it likely should be). What the hell was wrong with the parade of QB's logging playing time the past few years? It shouldn't cost $12 mil to quarterback the Vikings, it just shouldn't!

Undoubtably we'll see more down field production as the season progesses and as necessary, but I am happier than a fat kid with cake with what Favre's performance to date foretells of the Vikings success.

Does Anyone Know Where I Can Get Some Cheap Levitra???????

LoveHate — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:33:19 -0000

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes! Go Vikes!

Go Vikes!

Brett Favre "Drama" or Comedy?

LoveHate — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:18:31 -0000

The entire sports and entertainment world has spent much of the 2009 summer focusing on the continuing "Brett Favre (Un)Retirement Saga," with every sports anchor, late night host and basically anyone with a microphone in front of them taking pot shots at Favre for waffling.

Reaction to Brett Favre's signing with the Vikings has been split. Many are stoked, seeing the team with a real opportunity to dominate the conference and reach the SB. Others loathe management for the decision to bring an aging prima donna to quarterback a division winning club with its most talented roster in years. Whichever camp you're in, you're likely happy the circus has ended. You might also be happy to know Brett Favre has the humility to laugh at himself. His new Sears commercial is pretty funny. Enjoy the outtakes and stay tuned for the final commercial at the end of the clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmMLBiXQY7g