Third downs continue to be problematic for Vikings

By Krupka  |   Monday, October 01, 2007  |  Comments( 13 )

 Minnesota Vikings
Third down. The mystery the Minnesota Vikings' offense can't seem to solve. After the team's first two games of the season, it appeared the dreaded third down ills that hindered last year's Vikings both offensively and defensively were a thing of the past. The Vikings' offense was converting nearly 50 percent of its third-down opportunities,...
What's the buzz about?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

CommentsComments: 13
 No.1
VikingMike		 10:47 AM
10/01/2007
Third and one should always be converted. Third and three should be converted 75% of the time. Third and 8 should be converted 50% of the time. Third and 13 is almost impossible, especially when you hit your O-line in the butt with the ball, you can't get a play called and the ball snapped in 25 seconds AFTER a timeout or penalty, or you stand like the Statue of Liberty stuck in quicksand, or you get the ball batted down at the line of scrimmage, or you have the WR run a 3 yard curl!! There's little mystery why Kelly Holcomb is on his 4th team in as many years, and why Chilly will be looking for another job come January. That said, its a shame that AP is going to be Rookie of the Year on a losing team, and Sidney Rice will make the All-Rookie team at WR, and barely have 600 yards receiving. The fact that he can go up and get the ball will be his strength, ala Randy Moss. I had predicted 10-6, and even 12-4 for this team. I think I got the numbers 12 and 4 reversed. The Vikings look like high schoolers playing against All-Pros. Never have I witnessed such offensive futility. The moment a Vikings QB drops back to pass, I have to close my eyes. Troy Williamson actually caught a pass that was farther than 40 yards. Too bad he was out-of-bounds. When the Vikings had the ball in scoring position, they went farther BACKWARDS than what they needed for the TD. Shades of Les Steckel, deja-vu all over again.
 No.2
Viking Fan in Giants Country		 11:45 AM
10/01/2007
Fortunately the Vikings are in a bye week. That means they can't lose. I agree with VikingMike in that the offense is so bad, its almost comical. Watching 10-12-15 seconds tick of a clock in a two-minute drill, and then having the pass float like a wounded duck 10 yards behind the WR? Whats up with that?? Kelly Holcomb should be embarrassed to collect his paycheck this week. Pro QB? Heck, he shouldn't even be holding the clipboard on the practice squad. He's Vinny Testaverde, without the average talent. I say in 2008, we draft a QB with the 3rd pick, then in the second round, draft another QB. Cut Brooks "I'm lucky to even BE here" Bobblinger, and release Holcomb. Then a 3 way QB battle between TJack, Brian Brohm (yes, Brian Brohm), and the 2nd round QB pick. Surely in the 2nd round, there's a 6'4", 240 lb QB from a major college program that can throw the ball 40 yards accurately, can read a defense, and can stand in the pcoket and not get knocked down by a DE's breath. Forget picking up Jared Lorenzen, forget picking up Matt Brunell, forget picking up Kyle Orton, forget picking up Jim Sorgi, forget picking up Brian St. Pierre, forget picking up AJ Feely, forget any other backup who hasn't seen the playing field in 3 seasons except for the National Anthem and warmups. On May 1st, let the QB battle begin for Greg Schiano's Minnesota Vikings.
 No.3
Ben		 12:38 PM
10/01/2007
I would like to say that the other two who commented on this are just being cyincal and irrational. Also, Mr. Eric Krupka was decieving in his comments about third down. There were at least three third and short situations in which the offense elected to throw this week and I remember two of those being batted down.
There is a great deal of hope vikings fans, even for this season. We lost to the hotest team in the league and it was because of the refs. That is exciting. Jackson will come back and we will have a more dynamic QB. Give him a few more weeks and he will start putting up bigger numbers. Two players need time. Jackson and Cook. Both of them are very promissing but we need patience. In Jackson's first four starts he has much better numbers than Peyton Manning did, and Peyton was much more prepared for the NFL. Chili also just needs some time. He has what is most important, and that is the respect, love, and control of his team, the rest will come.
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.