Five Things we Learned From Yesterdays Vikings Game

I am going to start on a happy note. Jerome Simpson actually showed up yesterday! I do not know how much injuries derailed his season last year, but what Simpson showed me yesterday, makes me forget about last season. I know after one game I am proclaiming this, I don't care, call me a homer, but Simpson corralled seven catches for 140-yards, and not to mention it was Ponder throwing to him! and over half his receptions were high-light reel catches. Also, Simpson showed the explosive, down the field type of receiver that the Vikings have lacked since 2009. What I learned is Simpson can become the Vikings leading receiver this season.

Remember when Musgrave came here, we were all sold on "he is a quarterback guru". He helped Matt Ryan become a top-notch quarterback in this league, but with two-plus years with Ponder, we haven't seen any progress with Ponders development. Not to mention Musgrave play-calling is to vanilla, and way to predictable. I understand that you have Adrian Peterson, and you need to run your offense through him, but Mutgrave calls way to much, dink and dunk passes, and making your quarterback roll out to the left, when he is a right handed quarterback! If Musgrave can at least speed-up Ponders development, then he should just focus on that, and give up play calling. I learned that Musgrave is way to predictable in his play-calling, and is derailing this offense.

Clearly the Vikings defense line missed Kevin Williams. The Detroit Tigers had no problem running up the middle on this defense. The Lions rushed over a hundred yards, when just few seasons ago teams would hope just to break 50-yards on this defense. Williams is no longer the sack machine he was when he first entered this league, but Williams is still a force in stopping the run. What I learned yesterday is if the Vikings have any hope in making the playoffs they need Williams on the field, because his presence makes the whole defense a lot better.

One sack? One sack? Are you kidding me, Mathew Stafford is no Michael Vick, which means he has no mobility. I understand that Kevin Williams was missing, but come on we need pressure, because we have a young secondary that has weaknesses that can be exploited when a decent quarterback has time to pick apart a defense. We need to have a pass rush if we have any chance at beating the Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears, and have even a remote chance at making the playoffs. What I learned is that our defense line might be showing signs of age, which is bad for Jared Allen and Brian Robison who are in contract years.

Three interceptions won't cut it anymore. We need a quarterback that has a backbone, because Ponder looks scared to death when he feels any pressure in the pocket. I saw one pass that Ponder looked like a NFL quarterback, and the other 27 were horrible. Ponder had chances to throw to open receivers who were WIDE open, yet either under threw them, over threw them, or threw to the other team. Ponder needs to grow up, or he will be holding the clipboard by week three. There are no more excuses for Ponder, he has receivers now, and has a Hall of Fame running back and a pro bowl tight end in Kyle Rudolph. What I learned yesterday is Ponder has regressed, not progressed.