One game done, one game won.After much anticipation we finally got to see Favre lead the Vikings. That is exactly what he did today. He led the Vikings. He didn’t make exceptional plays or take over the game, instead he led.The Vikings struggled to move the ball early against a suspect defense but it was more to do with play calling than anything. It wasn’t until the second half that it looked like Favre was finally given the keys to the car. He audibled on a couple occasions, and both should have been touchdown passes, one was a pass interference that set up a touchdown. The only criticism is that he got sacked four times, which is probably due to the offensive line, but he held onto the ball too long in those occasions.Adrian Peterson was awesome again. He also struggled early, apparently due to conditioning, but was unstoppable late. His last touchdown run was sick. If Adrian Peterson runs that well all season 2000 yards will be an afterthought at week 10 and people will wonder if 3000 is possible.Week one leaves Vikings fans with much to celebrate. An efficient win, a quarterback that managed the game effectively, and a running back that is unstoppable. With Detroit next week, put 2-0 in the books.
Archive for September, 2009
Mission Miami
Sunday, September 13th, 2009Favre’s Monday Night Performance
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009What can we take from Favre’s performance against the Houston Texans Monday night?
First, he can watch Adrian Peterson run and celebrate a touchdown with the best of us. The first offensive play tonight was a terrific 75 yard run by number 28. Amazing cutback and acceleration and the Texans never had a chance. If that run was any indication of the year Peterson is about to have then 2000 yards is in sight and we are talking Super Bowl homeboy.
Second, Favre was surprising mobile. He can still step up and deliver a rocket to the tight end. Visanthe Shiancoe only had two catches but based on Favre’s past he figures to be a key part of the Vikings offense. (Fantasy owners take note.) He also ran the naked bootleg and scrambled a couple times and looked solid in the pocket.
Third, despite only being with the team for two weeks he understands the offense better than most on the team. If he can help Percy Harvin and the other receivers develop this year’s team could rival the 1998 team in terms of high-flying offense. This is Adrian Peterson’s team but with Favre at the helm, anything is possible on any given play.
Finally, he is willing to do anything to win. I have rarely seen a quarterback lay a block in the open field like Favre did tonight. He put his body out there and delivered/took a pretty nice hit. Now granted it was an illegal block and some would say cheap, but he is a quarterback, not a pulling guard. It was refreshing to see a quarterback take a chance to spring a player. With the wrinkle of the wildcat offense, AD in the backfield, and Favre I think it is safe to say the Viking offense will be anything but vanilla this year.
I want to finish by saying that I am a Vikings fan, and not a Favre fan. I have always looked at Favre as the enemy and I dreaded the thought of him coming to the Vikings. But, now he is one of us, and I welcome him with open arms. It reminds me of something my father-in-law told me to remember about boys dating my daughter (who, let’s be honest are the enemy). While they are dating it is OK to despise them but once they get married you will love them. That sums it up for me.