Every Morning Quarterback » Minnesota Vikings

Brett Favre Feuding With Head Coach?

David Kindervater — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:39:34 +0000

A few hours after learning they were the NFC North champs for the second straight year, the Minnesota Vikings played their worst game of the 2009 season thus far. The Vikes were drubbed, 26-7, by the Carolina Panthers on Sunday Night Football, leaving many wondering what was wrong. Minnesota has lost two of their past three games. At 11-3, it’s not yet time to panic, but there is reason for concern because team has looked pretty lethargic lately.

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings / Image: Zuma Press

With the Vikings leading 7-6, head coach Brad Childress told quarterback Brett Favre he was thinking of removing him from the game. The key word there is thinking—as in considering. Brett was hearing none of it and more or less said he was going to stay in the game. The “heated discussion” between the two has caused a great deal of talk about 1.) why coach Childress would want to take Brett out of the game and 2.) who is really running the show in Minnesota if Brett refuses to abide by his head coaches wishes/orders.

According to coach Childress today, he was trying to protect Brett more than anything else. Minnesota’s offensive line was no match for Carolina’s fierce pass rush, and Brett was taking a good deal of punishment as a result (four sacks and ten pressures). Coach Childress also felt that perhaps a mobile Tarvaris Jackson would give the Vikings a more favorable option on this particular evening.

I respect Brett for not wanting to come out of the game. He has a job to do as the Vikings’ starting quarterback and he wanted to stay in the game and get that job done. But I also understand coach Childress’ intentions. He didn’t want to see his quarterback’s season end before the playoffs begin. The Vikings wouldn’t be 11-3 without Brett. And they aren’t going anywhere in the playoffs without a healthy #4 under center.

The bottom line—the entire team needs to play better. The Vikings lack intensity and seem to have thrown the fundamentals out the window in these two recent losses. Defensive tackle Kevin Williams estimated the Vikes may have missed as many as ten tackles last night. So, obviously they need to tackle better. They also need to block better. Minnesota’s running game is a shadow of its former self (they had 41 yards rushing against Carolina). And the lack of pass protection speaks for itself with Brett’s sacks.

I think the Vikings are as talented as any team in the NFL. But unless they put forth a better effort than the one we saw last night, they will be lucky to get a first round bye and even luckier to win one playoff game. The Philadelphia Eagles are well within striking distance of the number two playoff spot in the NFC. So if the Vikings don’t get it together, they’ll find themselves hosting a game on Wild Card weekend rather than enjoying a much-desired and much-needed week off.

Source: Vikings.com

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Brett Favre Feuding With Head Coach?

What’s Wrong With Antoine Winfield?

David Kindervater — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:26:28 +0000

Two weeks ago, Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl defensive back Antoine Winfield said he was not only completely healthy and ready to play, but that he had “no issues” with the foot he injured way back in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. But Antoine has been inactive for every game since the injury and according to Vikings head coach Brad Childress, one of the team’s defensive leaders is merely “closer” to playing this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. In fact, coach Childress didn’t sound very optimistic that Antoine might suit up for this important game.

Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings / Image: Zuma Press

So what gives? If Antoine says he’s healthy, why isn’t he playing?

“I twisted it a little bit in practice. But it feels pretty good. Hopefully, it will be good enough for me to go on Sunday (against Cincinnati). I wanted to play real bad (against Arizona)—a prime-time game playing against a great team with a great offense. But the thing is, I do want to come back as close to 100 percent as possible.”

The Vikings are obviously a much better team with Antoine than without him. And now that middle linebacker E.J. Henderson is done for the year with a leg injury, it’s that much more important that Antoine find his way back to Minnesota’s starting lineup. His talent and leadership are desperately needed.

Source: TwinCities.com

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What’s Wrong With Antoine Winfield?

Brett Favre Breaks Consecutive Game Record

David Kindervater — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:38:11 +0000

It was the best of nights. But it was also the worst of nights. As Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre broke the National Football League’s consecutive games played record (starting consecutive game number 283), he had his worst game of the season and the Minnesota Vikings were manhandled in every phase of the game by the Arizona Cardinals 30-17.

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings / Photo: Newscom

Brett broke former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall’s record of 282 consecutive games played. But in the process, he threw two interceptions and looked confused and uncomfortable by Arizona’s defense all night. Up until this game, Brett seemed nearly invincible. But despite this loss, at 40-years-old, he is still having the best season of his legendary, someday-to-be Hall of Fame career.

Source: NFL.com

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Brett Favre Breaks Consecutive Game Record

Brett Favre: ‘My Arm Feels Great’

David Kindervater — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:37:22 +0000

Eleven games into this 2009 season, most of the people who scoffed at Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre’s second unretirement would probably have expected him to be toast by this time in the season. Nothing could be further from the truth, however. Brett is not just surviving his 19th NFL season, he’s thriving. In yesterday’s 36-10 thumping of the Chicago Bears, Brett was a mere 10 yards from his career high for most passing yards in a game. He threw the football 48 times, but is no worse for the wear after such a workout. In fact, he seems to feel better than ever.

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings / Photo: Newscom

In his weekly postgame presser, Brett said the arm that was his question mark back in August, is fine:

“I’ve been pretty fortunate. God has blessed me in a lot of ways. And he’s given me a bad but good body, if that makes any sense. It’s not that I don’t wake up in the morning and have aches and pains because I do. And I’m sure when it’s all said and done, I’m going to be saying, ‘What in the hell did I do all this for?’ But my arm feels great. And that was where it started, even debating on playing again.”

Brett has to be a strong consideration for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award this season. Not only is he first in passer rating and touchdown passes. And second in completion percentage. But, I can’t think of another player who has meant more to his team than Brett. Some will argue that Peyton Manning or Drew Brees should be mentioned (and those are valid arguments), but Brett is this season’s ultimate difference maker.

Source: Vikings.com

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Brett Favre: ‘My Arm Feels Great’

Brett Favre Sets Vikings Passing Record

David Kindervater — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:55:40 +0000

It only took Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre three quarters to set a new record. This time, he beat the Vikings single-game record for completion percentage (previously held by Randall Cunningham), going 22-of-25 passing for 213 yards and four touchdowns. It was also a personal career best. Brett left the game early with a commanding 28-3 lead.

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings / Photo: Newscom

I can’t say I’m surprised by anything Brett has done this season. But I am a little bit in awe. He has a tremendous offensive (and defensive) supporting cast and he’s in good health. His arrival in Minnesota was a set up for him to succeed and thus far he has done just that. But the manner in which he has found success this season has maybe topped everyone’s expectations. At 40-years-old, Brett is among the NFL’s best quarterbacks—again. More importantly, the Vikings are 9-1 and a virtual lock to win the NFC North. With six games to play, the Vikes will spend their time fine-tuning for a playoff run to Super Bowl XLIV.

Source: NFL.com

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Brett Favre Sets Vikings Passing Record

Brad Childress Gets Contract Extension

David Kindervater — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:21:43 +0000

Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress received a contract extension offer from the team today. Notice I said offer—because nothing has been agreed to yet. Coach Childress said after practice today that not only has he not signed the offer, he hasn’t even read it.

Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings / Image: Zuma Press

I’m going to go out on a limb and assume the deal gets done, though. This was a make-or-break season for coach Childress. He pulled out all the stops by getting quarterback Brett Favre to unretire for a second time and join the Vikes. And at 8-1, he answered his critics by having his best year ever—so far. There are still seven games to play and perhaps there is some wording in that contract that refers directly to those last seven games and beyond—as in how the team fares in them and the impending playoffs. I wonder. At any rate, coach Childress has some paperwork to look over and his future is looking secure in Minnesota.

UPDATE: It didn’t take long for coach Childress to read and agree to the extension. The new deal runs through 2013 at a salary of $4-5 million per year. In a statement released by the team, coach Childress said:

“My family and I are very fortunate to be a part of the Minnesota Vikings organization. I value the opportunity to continue to lead this team over the next several years as we work toward our ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl for our passionate fans everywhere.”

Sources: Vikings.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com

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Brad Childress Gets Contract Extension

Sidney Rice Among NFL’s Best Receivers

David Kindervater — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:02:32 +0000

If you had told me a year ago that Minnesota Vikings receiver Sidney Rice would be one of the National Football League’s best at his position this season, I would’ve raised my eyebrows in disbelief. Sure, he appeared to have all the physical tools necessary for success. And after two seasons—when he wasn’t injured—he showed flashes of what might someday be. But predicting he would be anything better than a third option for any NFL team was probably being rather generous.

Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings / Image: Zuma Press

Nevertheless, after nine games, there can really be no question that Sidney ranks among the NFL’s best receivers. With today’s seven-catch, 201-yard outburst in a 27-10 win over the Detroit Lions, he’s now 4th in the NFL in receiving yards. He catches practically everything thrown in his direction (and when he doesn’t, he does push-ups on the sideline). He’s also making explosive plays, averaging 18 yards/catch.

Sidney spent part of his offseason working with Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and former Minnesota Vikings receiver Cris Carter (among others), thus earning himself a starting role opposite Bernard Berrian in training camp. And with the eventual addition of quarterback Brett Favre, Sidney’s offseason work has had much more of a chance to shine.

Source: Vikings.com, NFL.com

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Sidney Rice Among NFL’s Best Receivers

Vikings, Packers Draw 29.8 Million Viewers

David Kindervater — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:50:43 +0000

Remember the Vikings-Packers game last Sunday? Of course you do. It was former Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre’s much-anticipated return to Lambeau Field, wearing the uniform of the arch rival Vikings. The stage was set for an incredible game. And it did turn out to be a good one, with the Vikes winning 38-26.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers / Photo: Newscom

Well, as expected, a lot of people watched on Fox—29.8 million viewers, in fact. That made the game the most-watched program on television since the Academy Awards back on February 22 (36.3 million viewers). The Vikings-Packers viewership tops that of the season finales of popular prime time programming including American Idol, CSI, and Dancing with the Stars, as well as all regular-season and championship coverage of other sports. Pretty impressive.

Source: NFL Media

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Vikings, Packers Draw 29.8 Million Viewers

Brett Favre Beats Packers at Lambeau Field

David Kindervater — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:26:15 +0000

After a week of saying and doing all the right things preceding today’s game against the Green Bay Packers, Brett Favre returned to the place where he is a living legend—where he quarterbacked and led a team for 16 years, Lambeau Field—and ~~exacted revenge~~ beat his former team 38-26. As with his previous win over Green Bay just four weeks ago, Brett was outstanding. He was 17-of-28 passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns this afternoon as the Vikings improved to 7-1 heading into their bye week and the halfway point of this 2009 season.

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings / Photo: Newscom

I couldn’t be more impressed with the way Brett has handled the pressure and difficulty of both these games. Not only are the Packers an excellent football team, the situation Brett was faced with made winning both these games seem darn near impossible. He not only stood up to these two challenges, he thrived in the face of both of them. Seven touchdowns and no interceptions in two games against the NFL’s third best defense (before this game) is impressive.

Afterward, Brett talked about being booed by the Lambeau faithful:

“Packer fans cheer for the Packers first. I know that. But I hope that everyone in the stadium watching tonight said, ‘I sure hate those jokers on the other side, but he does play the way he’s always played.’”

With both of these Packers games behind Brett—and as long as he stays healthy—the Vikings have to be considered among the elite in the NFC. The Vikes do have some difficulty in holding leads of two or more touchdowns and playing top notch defense for four quarters. And they’re not running the football as well as they would like. But the Vikings are certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Source: NFL.com

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Brett Favre Beats Packers at Lambeau Field

Brett Favre Returns to Lambeau Field

David Kindervater — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:44:01 +0000

Before Brett Favre finally signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings this past summer, the very idea of him running onto Lambeau Field dressed in purple sent a shockwave of hysteria throughout the National Football League—not to mention throughout the national media, who figured such an occurrence would rank right up there with the parting of the Red Sea. But here we are, a mere four days from this event actually happening, and the excitement is somewhat less than what I had anticipated it would be. Sure, there’s a buzz. A lot of people are talking about the Vikings vs. Packers. But it’s not being touted as the otherworldly event I thought it would be.

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings / Image: Zuma Press

I’m sure it’s partly due to the fact Brett has already played the Packers this season (albeit in Minnesota). That game set a record for cable television viewership. And Brett shook off some pre-game jitters to go 24-of-31 passing for 271 yards and three touchdowns in leading the Vikes to a 30-23 victory. But this is Lambeau Field, where Brett championed the Green Bay Packers for 17 seasons. This is unlike any other homecoming in the history of professional football. It’s Brett Favre at Lambeau Field—in the visiting locker room and on the opponents’ sideline. It’s so wrong. And that’s what makes it so interesting.

The fact remains, however, that this is still one of 16 games on the Vikings’ and Packers’ NFL schedule. And one Brett is looking at as an important game in the NFC North race rather than his own personal homecoming to a place he is still, by-and-large, considered an icon. Being relaxed and having some control about him will be paramount and Brett admitted as much:

“To me, being able to focus, being relaxed, kind of seeing things clearly as they’re happening is a much better and more productive way to play. Being nervous and having anxiety and things like that, I don’t think can be a plus when you’re in a decision-making role.”

Brett is saying and doing all the right things. He says there are “no sentiments other than we need to win this football game.” But you know when he signed that contract with the Vikings, there were two games he circled on the 2009 schedule, games he wanted to win more than any of the others. One has been successfully completed. The other—the most important of the two (and most rewarding if he wins)—is this Sunday.

Source: Vikings.com

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Brett Favre Returns to Lambeau Field