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[Purplexing]

[vikesnewcoach11]

[AQuintus]

[Robb_K]

2013 schedule (all times ET)

Sept. 8 at Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m. - WIN

Sept. 15 at Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m. - LOSS

Sept. 22 vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. - WIN

Sept. 29 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (London), 1:00 p.m. - WIN

Bye Week

Oct. 13 vs. Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m. - WIN

Oct. 21 at New York Giants (Mon), 8:40 p.m. - LOSS

Oct. 27 vs. Green Bay Packers 8:30 p.m. - WIN

Nov. 3 at Dallas Cowboys, 1:00 p.m. - WIN

Nov. 7 vs. Washington Redskins (Thurs), 8:25 p.m. - WIN

Nov. 17, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. - LOSS

Nov. 24 at Green Bay Packers. 1:00 p.m. - LOSS

Dec. 1 vs. Chicago Bears. 1:00 p.m. - WIN

Dec. 8 at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. - LOSS

Dec. 15 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 p.m. - WIN

Dec. 22 at Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. - WIN

Dec. 29 Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m. - WIN

OVERALL: 11-5

I see The Vikings being more solid next season, with a better scoring attack, due to Ponder having several better options, and the defence being significantly better (assuming that a veteran LB is picked up soon).
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[AQuintus]

[twslhs20]

[twslhs20]

[twslhs20]

Also I'm still waiting for an explanation as to why everyone is confident that we are going to beat Blitzburgh?
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Joe_is_the_best ^^

[Krauser]

Josh Robinson should do fine as a slot corner. It's not as difficult a job as what we asked him to do last year. The main problem will be replacing Winfield's tackling ability -- he was probably our best run defender.

Winfield was very good last year but I don't think he was anywhere near the top of the league as a CB, despite what the stats say.

Winfield played in the slot most of the time, hardly ever tried to cover anyone downfield. Even when Cook was hurt, he didn't usually match up against Megatron, Vincent Jackson, or whoever. Plus the other CBs (Jefferson and BRob) were terrible, so they were usually targeted.

Obviously Winfield did very good work in the slot, especially as a run defender. I remember him making at least one good play downfield against Brandon Marshall that drew a questionable PI flag. It's not like he was never challenged, but he didn't take on the role of a #1 CB even when Cook was out. So his stats have to be taken in perspective.

There's a well known problem in fielding stats in baseball that's applicable here. If you measure fielding percentage (1 - errors / chances), shortstops with sure hands but poor range (the classic example is Derek Jeter) look better than those with better range who occasionally can't turn a play on a difficult chance, even though the guys with better range produce more outs. Jeter has fewer errors but more legitimate base hits against (he can't even reach the ball that the other guy commits an error on), while the guy with better range gives up fewer hits but makes a couple of errors, and consequently has a lower fielding percentage while Jeter wins another undeserved award.

That's Winfield in this era: a limited player, but great in that limited role (thus producing efficiency stats that overestimate his value). He'll be a strong addition to the Seahawks (and would've been perfect this year for the Vikings with Rhodes added, sigh). But he shouldn't be too hard to replace, much easier than Cook would be.

[Lil Uno]

[vikingsrule]

I think having Robinson as slot CB over Winfield, potentially gives the team more versatility in coverage. As stated above, Winfield mostly played in the slot and rarely trailed WRs down the field. Robinson has the physical skills to play inside or out, or down the field. He obviously struggled as a rookie, but i think if Cook and Rhodes can solidify the outside spots, he will be a good player in the slot. He has the athletic skills to play on the outside if MN wants to move around its CBs depending on matchups. Winfield didnt allow for this.

Jefferson wasnt bad purely as a slot CB. It was when he was moved to the outside, where he struggled in coverage. Again, if Cook and Rhodes can solidify the outside spots, Jefferson should be fine as a slot CB.

I think this group of 4 CBs is potentially the best the Vikings have had in years. Throw in Harrison Smith and Jamarca Snaford, I feel very confident about this secondary. Mostly, the success of this group will depend on Rhodes exceling as a rookie and Cook remaining healthy.
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[AQuintus]

[Duff Man]

@ Detroit Lions W
@ Chicago Bears W
vs. Cleveland Browns W
vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (London) W
Bye Week
vs. Carolina Panthers W
@ New York Giants (Mon) L
vs. Green Bay Packers W
@ Dallas Cowboys W
vs. Washington Redskins (Thurs) W
@ Seattle Seahawks W
@ Green Bay Packers L
vs. Chicago Bears W
@ Baltimore Ravens L
vs. Philadelphia Eagles W
@ Cincinnati Bengals W
vs. Detroit Lions W

Overall 13-3 BABY

[vikingsrule]

In order of perceived difficulty. Looks like a pretty tough stretch of games from mid/late Nov. to early Dec.


Nov. 17, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 24 at Green Bay Packers. 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 15 at Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m. (MN hasnt had much success in Chicago)
Dec. 8 at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m.
Oct. 27 vs. Green Bay Packers 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at New York Giants (Mon), 8:40 p.m.
Sept. 29 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (London), 1:00 p.m.
Nov. 3 at Dallas Cowboys, 1:00 p.m
Nov. 7 vs. Washington Redskins (Thurs), 8:25 p.m.
Dec. 1 vs. Chicago Bears. 1:00 p.m.
Dec. 22 at Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m.
Oct. 13 vs. Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m.
Dec. 15 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1:00 p.m.
Dec. 29 Detroit Lions, 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 22 vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m.
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[twslhs20]