Vikings Message Board.Com

FrantikRam wrote:Where we could lose this game - if your oline handles our dline. That will be the most important matchup of the entire game.

What are your main concerns?

FrantikRam wrote:It is stuff like this that makes a fan base look bad though. The Rams had a better record than the Vikings last year, so no clue what you are talking about.

Also - to all the people talking about CP vs. TA - Tavon didn't play many snaps either; it appears that each of us didn't know that about our rookie WRs last year. He started a few games, but his snaps dropped when we transitioned to more power running.

You do realize that the Rams are favored in this game right? And that the Vikes only won 5 games last year? Against the 13th most difficult schedule, while the Rams won 7 with the 4th most difficult.

GBFavreFan wrote:You are the 2011 Colts.

GBFavreFan wrote:I think all your efforts and reasons for why the Rams are going to breakout in 2014 are adorable, but the truth is they are going to do nothing but lose games this season and that decision was made final within hours of Sam Bradford going down with his second major knee injury. Shaun Hill is the poster child for a QB who will play respectable but still lose games. That's what Jeff Fisher wants, someone who will lose but not draw too much attention to it. The Rams have been assembling the pieces but they will not break out in 2014. Thankfully for the Rams this happened to Bradford, because he was not going to be the guy to take them to the next level. This injury gives them the justification to get rid of him. You are the 2011 Colts. The Rams goal will be to finish Top 5 in the draft so you can get your new QB, and when that guy comes you will be set for years. However this ain't going to happen just yet, 2014 is OUR year

fiestavike wrote:
I think Matt Kalil will continue to struggle. The left side of our line could pose a real problem going forward this season.

headless_norseman wrote:

Kalil played through injury last year.

FrantikRam wrote:Hello all.

I've been browsing your forum for some time now (can't wait for this season to start), and I decided to chime in.

I want to be respectful, but also blatantly honest. I hope that is received well here. BTW, I'm the one that said "33-14".

The one comment that caught my eye was that Rams fans that are predicting a blowout are delusional. Think about it: we've had the same coach for 3 years now, and along the way we have amassed some serious talent via the RG3 trade. We've been impatiently waiting for that talent to develop, and have seen flashes of brilliance. We destroyed the Colts and Bears last year, and also thoroughly defeated the Saints. Two of those teams made the playoffs and won a playoff game. Those are the flashes we saw. We won those three games without Bradford, and with a QB worse than Shaun Hill. Anyway, analyze the few things below:

The Rams went 7-9 while playing in the best division in football. The Vikings went 5-10-1 while playing in what was probably the worst division in the NFC (8 win division champ).

3rd year with same coach, 3 years of drafting players and several first round picks - talented team that has had time to develop.

Flashes of brilliance last year without Sam Bradford.

The Rams are at home, where only 1 non division rival beat us last year (the Titans, with us coming off a short week), whereas the Vikings didn't win a single road game last year.

The Viking defense was atrocious last year. While bringing in a new coach and a few new players is nice, you also lost quite a few. I realize Jared Allen's best football was behind him, but the fact remains that the Vikes lost their best pass rusher. Along with a few other players on D. I don't want to discount what a new coach/scheme can do for current players, and Linval was a good pick up, but first game in a new system? Odds stacked against you.

The Rams just have more talent. Vikings Oline is solid (although I was surprised to read some of your comments about how it's a question mark), Peterson is Peterson, Jennings is solid and all I've heard this offseason is how Patterson will break out this year. But top to bottom, we are just a better team right now. Even starting Shaun Hill....there are several people out there that, when polled, would say Hill and Cassel are on the same level.

Anyway - that is why the Rams should win this game handily. We might not. But should. This team is ready to explode.

Also, the Falcons are your easiest game in the first 5.

headless_norseman wrote:

Kalil played through injury last year.

Purplemania wrote:I actually think we lose this game. The Rams defense is highly underrated. Their Dline will have no problem containing AD, especially since our Oline is highly questionable right now. They've got some monster guys anchoring that middle and also athletic guys to get pressure. Michael Brockers is an absolute beast and should be a great DT for years. Quinn and Long will get pressure on the outside, so it'll be tough to not go 2 TE set, especially if we want to establish Rudolph in the passing game. Kalil better bring his A game or else he's getting eaten for lunch. Their secondary is also pretty solid and I like Jenkins a lot and he'll probably be covering Jennings. I don't see us scoring many points against this defense. In fact, I think the only way we score is a big run from Peterson or Patterson taking screens and burning their defense.

Offensively, I don't fear them and I don't think they'll do much against our untested defense. But! As a Vikings, even with a different HC, I still believe our secondary will get torched. I think Hill goes over 300 yards and Kenny Britt will look like his old self vs. us (Rhodes will be on Austin I assume). Zack Stacy will be shut down, so it'll come down to their passing game vs our pass defense.

Final score: 20-13 Rams win.

Boon wrote: Vikings lost their best pass rusher, when he was in his prime.

maembe wrote: We lost our third best DE after he was washed up.