The Minnesota Vikings are OFFICIALLY Scary!!

[Uptown Murf]

http://nflsfuture.com/2013/05/01/the-mi ... lly-scary/

Hello all, check out my article on your Vikings. You guys are going far! Do me a favor and drop a comment for me on the site if you read it. I'd appreciate it.

This article was hand-picked by USA Today's "The Big lead"..http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/category/nfl/

[PacificNorseWest]

Good work. But damn you for letting our secret out.

[Uptown Murf]

Good work. But damn you for letting our secret out.

Lol - shhhh I won't tell anyone else - after this article....But I don't think you guys are getting the necessary credit for being a team that is married perfectly with scheme/personnel. Great idea to bring in my guy Musgrave....I'm excited for y'all!!

[Purple Domination]

Enjoyed your article, Uptown Murph. I don't know if I'd say Ponder has "uncanny accuracy" at this point but I did find your comparison of Matt Ryan's '09 stats to Ponder's '12 interesting. I would be thrilled if Ponder developed the same way as "Matty Ice" Ryan. There are definitely some similarities in the way the Falcons were built and the Vikings are building.

[Uptown Murf]

Enjoyed your article, Uptown Murph. I don't know if I'd say Ponder has "uncanny accuracy" at this point but I did find your comparison of Matt Ryan's '09 stats to Ponder's '12 interesting. I would be thrilled if Ponder developed the same way as "Matty Ice" Ryan. There are definitely some similarities in the way the Falcons were built and the Vikings are building.

Hey thanks bro - I appreciate the read..As for the uncanny accuracy - I meant in the west coast game. Short to intermediate inside the numbers. I think he's super awesome at that. 62.3% completion is really good. I think he can get even better at it with the sure handed Jennings & Rudolph. Screens are harder than ppl think as well. That's where Matt Ryan is the King at. Throwing the deep comeback or deep out is another story. Sometimes that is about who you are throwing it to as much as the arm talent..Ya know? But thx for the read bro.

[saint33]

Great read! The comparison to the Falcons is actually strikingly strong, the Vikings team does seem to mirror a lot of what the Falcons have built in the past 5 years or so. I think there may have been a few exaggerations here or there, but I can see the passion you have and the point is well received.

I particularly like the Ponder/Ryan comparison. It's something I have brought up in the past when comparing Ponder's early progression to past successful QBs (Eli Manning is another comparable one). It's almost uncanny how the two started their careers with almost identical plays (deep pass to Michael Jenkins, unfortunately he just didn't score for the Vikings ). And the statistical comparison is something that I think should at least open a few eyes for some of the detractors. I won't say that I haven't had my doubts about Ponder, but it's nice to get that comparison, as I do remember Matt Ryan experiencing a bit of criticism in his second year. Hopefully Ponder can continue to progress as Ryan has.

And with the weapons the Vikings have collected this offseason, he certainly has a much better chance of developing. I think the Greg Jennings/Roddy White and Julio Jones/Cordarrelle Patterson comparison is very strong as well. Patterson may be a little behind the curve that Jones came into the league with, but I do agree that his pure talent is actually greater than Julio's is.

Now we can only hope the team can put it all together and make that next big step. With a coach I have great faith in, in Leslie Frazier, I think it's very possible that this team could surprise a lot of people once again.

[mosscarter]

very well done uptown. you did mention about ryan and ponder both not having elite arm strength, but would you agree that ryan throws a much better deep ball? i really think ponder has to develop that area of his game more; in fact i can't remember more than 3 passes over 50 yards all last year. in reality, that is pretty lousy.

[Uptown Murf]

Great read! The comparison to the Falcons is actually strikingly strong, the Vikings team does seem to mirror a lot of what the Falcons have built in the past 5 years or so. I think there may have been a few exaggerations here or there, but I can see the passion you have and the point is well received.

I particularly like the Ponder/Ryan comparison. It's something I have brought up in the past when comparing Ponder's early progression to past successful QBs (Eli Manning is another comparable one). It's almost uncanny how the two started their careers with almost identical plays (deep pass to Michael Jenkins, unfortunately he just didn't score for the Vikings ). And the statistical comparison is something that I think should at least open a few eyes for some of the detractors. I won't say that I haven't had my doubts about Ponder, but it's nice to get that comparison, as I do remember Matt Ryan experiencing a bit of criticism in his second year. Hopefully Ponder can continue to progress as Ryan has.

And with the weapons the Vikings have collected this offseason, he certainly has a much better chance of developing. I think the Greg Jennings/Roddy White and Julio Jones/Cordarrelle Patterson comparison is very strong as well. Patterson may be a little behind the curve that Jones came into the league with, but I do agree that his pure talent is actually greater than Julio's is.

Now we can only hope the team can put it all together and make that next big step. With a coach I have great faith in, in Leslie Frazier, I think it's very possible that this team could surprise a lot of people once again.

Very astute observation on your part! I didn't know Ponder opened up with the post to Jenkins like Matt Ryan did against the Lions. Cool stuff. Hopefully they take that same leap, as Matt really took off when Jenkins went to Minnesota. And you're right, Ryan was criticized heavily his second year - but as we could now see, it was due to lack of talent. Tony Gonzalez came his 3rd year - and we know what Ponder now has. Hopefully John Carlson can get back to being the threat he was in Seattle - and the Vikings would have some serious depth. Some of the young guys need to step up. I like Wright and Burton at times. I wish Greg Childs was healthy..But all in all - it's going to be a great year for you guys. And thanks for the read. If you could though - please drop a comment at then end of the article. You don't even have to register to leave a comment..

[Uptown Murf]

very well done uptown. you did mention about ryan and ponder both not having elite arm strength, but would you agree that ryan throws a much better deep ball? i really think ponder has to develop that area of his game more; in fact i can't remember more than 3 passes over 50 yards all last year. in reality, that is pretty lousy.

Nope -I don't think Ryan throws a better deep ball. And if you lived here in Atlanta you would notice that every other caller says Matt Ryan has a noodle arm. But what has happened is, they have gotten him possibly the best deep ball guy they could've in Julio Jones. He will go get anything, and will adjust when the ball is in the air. Sometime's it's more about the player receiving the ball than the guy throwing it. And Ponder had possibly the worst receiving corps period last season. And I'm sure you Vikings fans know - Harvin wasn't much of a deep ball threat. he could do it - but his strength was taking short passes like 80 yards. Possibly the best after catch receiver in the league. Jennings is that as well - but we know he can also work downfield with the best of them. And in due time, Patterson will do the same. He will be able to get behind the defense right away - it's just about procuring the catch. But get him the ball exactly the way you got it to Harvin and you will see similar results on that front...As for the 3 balls over 50 yards - who did he have as a threat to really go and get a ball like that? Imagine how good he would be if he were throwing to Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White and Julio Jones?!?! I'm sure every category would look a lot better...But thanks for the read bro - drop your boy Uptown a comment on that site...

[Texas Vike]

Interesting analysis, Murf.

I find it more accurate than what most mainstream press thinks of the state of the Vikings. For example, ESPN's power rankings has us as the 17th best team after the draft. That puts no less than 9 teams with the same or worse records last year ahead of us.

We are inherently biased in favor of the purple, but I think 17th is absurd. It's good to hear a reasoned take from "outside" that doesn't paint such a grim picture.

[Uptown Murf]

Interesting analysis, Murf.

I find it more accurate than what most mainstream press thinks of the state of the Vikings. For example, ESPN's power rankings has us as the 17th best team after the draft. That puts no less than 9 teams with the same or worse records last year ahead of us.

We are inherently biased in favor of the purple, but I think 17th is absurd. It's good to hear a reasoned take from "outside" that doesn't paint such a grim picture.

17th? That's ludicrous. The vikings are too-low key. But just by running the ball and playing good defense y'all were 10-6. Imagine manufacturing explosive plays - and defending even better. With a QB that's more confident and seasoned. 12-4, 11-5 or even another 10-6 season is on the horizon. They are top 10 atleast. Ppl slept on the San Fran win last season - it was real. That Houston win when Houston needed it was the truth. The Vikings had wins over some of the best teams in the league - with winning records. Not like when Detroit didn't beat a team with a winning record a couple of seasons ago in the easiest schedule ever - and was proven to be fraudulent as the schedule was tougher last year...And those damn new uniforms are good for a couple slot or two increase!!! Best uni's around! haha

[PacificNorseWest]

Uptown: I want to applaud you on some astute observations and some well-developed insight. After my initial response, I started letting the article sink in, especially the analysis on Ponder, and I think it could be close to spot on.

Being a Viking board, and the fact that Minnesota probably reached when they drafted Ponder, most conveniently neglect how early he is in his NFL development. With the influx of hot shot Q's these days that come in the NFL with guns a' blazing, people sometimes need to be reminded that there are still other ways that a quarterbacks career arc can progress. This article definitely has helped me a bit, because while I find myself an objective observer, when you're involved with talking about your favorite team constantly, you can still have some blinders on. I was adamant in Ryan's second year that it wasn't a regression, but that it was in fact progression in sense that more of the offense was being opened to Ryan and his role became more all-encompassing than it did in his rookie year. Down the road, that eventually leads to a better all-around quarterback. It's natural for QB's to take more of a load and more at the line responsibilities (audibles, check with me's and such) that it's completely natural for Q's to struggle putting it all together in year two. And after all, last year was only his first full year as starter.

I agree. Ponder could really surprise this next season.

[mondry]

The stats really say it all for all the Ponder haters out there who want him to look like steve young in year 2.

Matt Ryan in ’09: 22 td’s, 14 int’s – 2,916 yards – 58.3% completion for an 80.9 rating

Ponder in 2012: 18 td’s, 12 int’s – 2,935 yards – 62.5% completion for an 81.2 rating

Let's also keep in mind last year was his first full year as Mcflabb ate (literally) half the season from him before he got a chance to get on the field year 1. It's really interesting how both teams do seem to be developing not just in the same way at QB, but as an overall offense. We picked up our Roddy White, and hopefully our Julio Jones, but I think the rest of our team is a little bit stronger than the Falcons.

Adrian Peterson blows Turner out of the water. Our O-line is probably the best in the league at run blocking, could be better in pass protection. Our D-line is still superior, hopefully they can replace Ray Edwards, he was like our 5th best player on the D-line. The secondary might be a wash now, it was a huge weakness for ATL but they spent a lot of high picks going after that problem, we also spent a first rounder there. At this point I'd take Rudolph over Tony G, strictly based on his age. Jennings and White are probably a wash, Julio Jones would be a massive upgrade over Patterson though and Matt Ryan is a bit further ahead in his development which means a lot.

Would LOVE to see a MN vs ATL NFCCG again!

[dead_poet]

The stats really say it all for all the Ponder haters out there who want him to look like steve young in year 2.

Matt Ryan in ’09: 22 td’s, 14 int’s – 2,916 yards – 58.3% completion for an 80.9 rating

Ponder in 2012: 18 td’s, 12 int’s – 2,935 yards – 62.5% completion for an 81.2 rating

Let's also keep in mind last year was his first full year as Mcflabb ate (literally) half the season from him before he got a chance to get on the field year 1. It's really interesting how both teams do seem to be developing not just in the same way at QB, but as an overall offense. We picked up our Roddy White, and hopefully our Julio Jones, but I think the rest of our team is a little bit stronger than the Falcons.

Adrian Peterson blows Turner out of the water. Our O-line is probably the best in the league at run blocking, could be better in pass protection. Our D-line is still superior, hopefully they can replace Ray Edwards, he was like our 5th best player on the D-line. The secondary might be a wash now, it was a huge weakness for ATL but they spent a lot of high picks going after that problem, we also spent a first rounder there. At this point I'd take Rudolph over Tony G, strictly based on his age. Jennings and White are probably a wash, Julio Jones would be a massive upgrade over Patterson though and Matt Ryan is a bit further ahead in his development which means a lot.

Would LOVE to see a MN vs ATL NFCCG again!

The Falcons picked up Steven Jackson via free agency.

AD still wins though.

In my eyes, two things that greatly separates Ryan and Ponder is progressions and pocket awareness, particularly when things get a little hairy. Ponder needs to improve in these two areas.

[J. Kapp 11]

17th? That's ludicrous. The vikings are too-low key. But just by running the ball and playing good defense y'all were 10-6. Imagine manufacturing explosive plays - and defending even better. With a QB that's more confident and seasoned. 12-4, 11-5 or even another 10-6 season is on the horizon. They are top 10 atleast. Ppl slept on the San Fran win last season - it was real. That Houston win when Houston needed it was the truth. The Vikings had wins over some of the best teams in the league - with winning records. Not like when Detroit didn't beat a team with a winning record a couple of seasons ago in the easiest schedule ever - and was proven to be fraudulent as the schedule was tougher last year...And those damn new uniforms are good for a couple slot or two increase!!! Best uni's around! haha

We may be better than the 17th best team in the NFL, but we may not end up with better than the 17th best record. The Vikings play in an incredibly tough division, and they drew a brutal schedule. I think that's probably factored into the predictions of most prognosticators.

The article was interesting, especially the Ryan-Ponder comparison. Never thought to compare those two, but it makes a ton of sense.

For the Vikings to improve on last year, Ponder MUST make the same kind of year-2-to-year-3 progress that Matt Ryan did. If he doesn't (or, God help us, he regresses) then we're in for at least two more years of rebuilding unless we find a really good QB in free agency. Personally, I think Ponder will progress. He showed flashes early, and he rebounded nicely down the stretch after a truly awful 8-game run in the middle of the season. That showed me a lot. With better receivers to work with, I think he can progress similarly to Matt Ryan.