Box Seats Vikings

7/30/2019 Box Seats Vikings

1/10

The Adrian Peterson Show:

Why the Minnesota Vikings Will Make the 2014 NFL Playoffs

[By Lindsey Young]

The Minnesota Vikings finished the 2012 regular season at 10-61. They clinched a wild cardspot in the 2013 Playoffs. Then, they promptly closed out their season in an embarrassing

contest 2in which backup QB Joe Webb found himself in over his head against conference

rival Green Bay.

And that was it.

Was making Round 1 of the playoffs the ceiling for the Vikings? Dont get me wrong;

Minny played a fairly strong finish to the season, and ending up above .500 was more

successful than some critics might have predicted. But still for a team that arguably holds

the most talented running back in the league in Adrian Peterson3

, is this all there is?

12012 NFL Season. http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=conf

2Embarrassing Contest. In Round 1 of the 2013 NFL Playoffs, the Minnesota Vikings fell 24-10 to the Green Bay

Packers. With Christian Ponder sidelined with an elbow injury, backup QB Joe Web landed in the starting position.

Web through for 180 yards during the contest.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2013010501/2012/POST18/vikings@packers#menu=highlights&tab=recap3Adrian Peterson. No. 28 came up just nine yards shy of breaking Eric Dickersons 1984 single-season rushing

record of 2,105 yards. Peterson was named the 2013 NFL MVP over Denvers Peyton Manning.

http://www.nola.com/superbowl/index.ssf/2013/02/adrian_peterson_wins_nfls_mvp.html


2/10

(photo credit: Yahoo! Sports)

Can the Vikings compete for a spot in the 2014 Playoffs?

Yes.

Lets take a look at things that have changed between Aaron Rodgers Minnesota Massacre

and the upcoming 2014 season that influence the Vikings chances at the postseason.

On March 14, veteran quarterback Matt Cassel signed with Minnesota4 just five hours after

being released by Kansas City.

In 2008, Cassel stepped up when Tom Brady found himself sidelined for the season with a

knee injury. Cassel impressed with 3,693 passing yards in 15 starts. The QBs numbers drew

the Chiefs attention, and they dealt the 34th pick in the 2009 draft to New England in

exchange for Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel.

Since then, however, the USC alum has struggled. Over his four years with Kansas City,

Cassel passed for 59 touchdowns and 44 interceptions, winning just 19 of 48 starts. He did

lead his team to the AFC West title in 2010, but the following season was cut short by a

hand injury. In 2012, Cassel suffered a concussion, finding himself benched once again.

4Matt Cassel signs with Minnesota. Cassel, who was set to earn $7.5 million in base salary in 2013, was replaced

in Kansas City by Alex Smith (traded from the San Francisco 49ers).

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/03/14/thursday-free-agent-roundup-matt-cassel/1987177/


3/10

(photo credit: foxsportsnorth.com)

Cassel is not a poor quarterback, and his time in New England verifies that. Minnesota

could prove a much better system for the 30-year-old. Current second-string option Joe

Webb just hasnt panned out, and it was a strong move for the Vikings to bring in Cassel.

Despite the transaction, it appears Ponder will continue to start5. Following Cassels

signing, head coach Leslie Frazier said the following:

"[Cassel] knows that he's coming in to provide insurance for us. If something were to

happen to Christian injury-wise, we have a quality backup that can step in and do a great

job for us. Christian just needs to continue [improving] like we all expect him to, but he's

our starting quarterback."

The Vikings are calling Ponder their man.

However, Ponder hasnt exactly lived up to his top-12 pick status, and Cassel still holds apretty impressive resume. At some point, Minnesota is bound to entertain the idea of Cassel

starting.6He started 47 games in Kansas City, and 15 in New England in 2008, and in 2010

threw for 3,116 yards with 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions for the division-winning

Chiefs.

Say what you will about Ponder and his potential, but so far he doesnt deliver. Last

season, the Vikings finished dead last in the league for passing yards.

Look up the word inconsistency in the dictionary, and you may very well find a photo of

Ponder. Just look at the two matchups with theGreen Bay Packersin 2012.

In the Week 17 matchup that propelled the Vikings into the playoffs, Ponder had perhapsthe best game of his career, throwing for 234 yards and three touchdown passes whileposting a quarterback rating of over 120. In their first meeting in Week 13, Pondercompleted less than half of his passes, threw a pair of interceptions and put up aquarterback rating of less than 45.

While Ponder supporters may point to the lack of receiving depth as reason for the QBslow numbers, that excuse only works to a certain extent. His passes just are not accurate.Multiple times throughout the 2012 season, Ponder delivered balls high above receivers

5Ponder will start. In an interview with NFL.com, head coach Leslie Frazier emphasizes that Cassel is brought in

purely as a backup, and Ponder will continue to start for the Vikings.

http://www.thescore.com/nfl/articles/581553-vikings-frazier-ponder-will-start-over-cassel6Cassels starting chances. As far as backup QB go, Cassels slated as one of the strongest.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130314/nfl-backup-quarterback-market-cassel-kolb/
http://bleacherreport.com/green-bay-packershttp://bleacherreport.com/green-bay-packershttp://bleacherreport.com/green-bay-packershttp://bleacherreport.com/green-bay-packers


4/10

heads and even dumped pitches that ended up at the players ankles rather than theirnumbers.

Cassel struggled with injuries and lower numbers the past few seasons, but the veteranholds enough weight in the league to deserve a shot at starting with the Vikings system. It

may very well be the key to Minnesotas success.

Also, Cassel will be hauling in a bigger paycheck 7than the younger QB. This may or may

not be a factor. Spielman may be adamant about Ponder starting, but lets remember the

last thing Spielman swore by: that the Vikings had no intent to trade Percy Harvin.

If Ponder hopes to keep wearing his starter cleats, the 2013 season must look

significantly different than 2012. He needs to see that he has to perform for his position,

and bringing in Cassel should prove exactly that.

(photo credit: twincities.com)

Ponder must hit his receivers. Despite losing Harvin, the Vikings added Greg Jennings

and Cordarrelle Patterson to the receiving core. In addition, Ponder has Pro Bowl MVP

Kyle Rudolph to throw to at tight end.

If Ponders numbers dont level out, it will be decision time for Frazier.

The NFL is a business. A strategy. A playbook.

7Bigger paycheck. Cassel signed a one-year, $4-million deal with Minnesota.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/14/one-year-4-million-for-cassel/


5/10

It seems entirely unlikely that Minnesota will continue its patience and back itself into a

corner for yet another season.

Hopefully, Cassel will serve as the proverbial fire beneath Ponders derriere.

Besides the quarterback situation, another huge factor in the Vikings success for 2013 isobvious.

Whichever way you look at the Minnesota Vikings, it all comes down to one name, one

number: Adrian Peterson. The 28-year-old running back is simply the best the league.

You take the best attributes out of all the best backs in the league nowyou might even

say the best backs in league historyand he has all those things, said former teammate

Darren Sharper.

Following a serious knee injury in 20118, Peterson returned to the field less than one year

after having surgery to repair his ACL.

And he didnt just return.

During the 2012-2013 season, No. 28 rushed 348 times for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns,

averaging 131.1 yards a game.

Following the season, he earned the 2013 NFL MVP honors9, beating out Denver

quarterback Peyton Manning. He shattered his knee 57 weeks ago. No more said, ESPNanalyst Cris Carter said.

Not only is Peterson a phenom on the field, hes a class-act guy. In the final game of the

season, he came up just nine yards shy of the single-season rushing record. Nine yards.

And yet, he lost the record en route to a team win.

"Ultimately we got the 'W'," Peterson said. "We said during the week, if [the record]

happens, it happens. Don't focus on it [] But God willing, Ill get it next year.

8Adrian Peterson ACL. Peterson tears his ACL against the Washington Redskins in December 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HJ5s5lWptw92013 NFL MVP. The race was on between Peterson and Manning to win MVP, but Peterson won out in the end.

Manning went home with Comeback Player of the Year honors. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8908775/nfl-

awards-2012-13-adrian-peterson-beats-peyton-manning-win-mvp


6/10

Football fans across the nation will root for Peterson to break the record this season

including Eric Dickerson 10himself. "AdrianPeterson Just want to say that you are a Great

player & if my record had to fall, I would like it to go to a player like you AP. ED,"

Dickerson tweeted11.

This year, Petersons age matches the number on his back. Maybe its destiny.

However you look at it, this guy is not slowing down. Peterson will be back on the field for

the 2013-2014 season, and he will be back with a vengeance.

Petersons role also connectsclosely with Minnesotas quarterback situation. Another

part of Ponders responsibility will revolve around taking pressure off of No. 28. With

all defenses looking to squelch the running backs progress, Ponder needs to step it up.

Stronger passing and more outside options will widen the selections on offense and

allow more deep attempts at the endzone. If teams are left guessing as to whether or not

Ponder will throw deep or pass off to Petersonas he did almost all last seasonthe

runningback will encounter less defensive pressure and actually succeed in running

more routes.

While were at it, lets talk about the elephant in the roomPercy Harvin. Or should we

say, the lack thereof?

Can the Vikings hold their own after losing their top receiver to Seattle12? Harvin certainly

proved a huge asset to Minnesota, especially in getting the 2012 season off the ground. In

the first eight weeks of the season, Harvin grabbed 60 catches and notched a 35.9-yard

kickoff return average.

With no intent on belittling Harvins significance, Vikings fans will remember that the

receiver injured his ankle13 and did not play after Week 9. If one looks at the 2012 Viking

10Eric Dickerson. In 1984, Dickerson set the single-season rushing yards record when he tallied 2,105 yards for the

St. Louis Rams. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DickEr00.htm11

Dickerson tweeted. On Dec. 30, 2012, Eric Dickerson tweeted during the game in which his record could be

broken by Peterson. http://thekevinburkeproject.com/2012/12/eric-dickerson-rejoices-after-adrian-peterson-fails-

to-break-his-single-season-rushing-record/12

Percy Harvin trade. On March 12, Minnesota traded Percy Harvin to Seattle in exchange for three picks in the

2013 NFL draft. One of these picks included a First-Round pick.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9040142/minnesota-vikings-trade-percy-harvin-seattle-seahawks-sources13

Harvins ankle injury. Harvin injured his ankle against the Seahawks in Week 9, and he was placed on injured

reserve for the remainder of the 2012-2013 season. Ironically, he played his last game against the team he was

traded to. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/05/vikings-put-percy-harvin-on-injured-reserve-ending-

his-season/


7/10

schedule14, the record actually shows that Minnesota won five of its final eight games all

without Harvin on the field.

Harvin going to Seattle is a loss to be sure, but the Vikings can survive without him.

Spielman worked hard this offseason to fill in the gaps, both offensively and defensively,

and the addition of veteran WR Greg Jennings and rookie Cordarrelle Patterson will fill in

the gaps downfield.

(photo credit: Vikings.com)

In his seven seasons in Green Bay, Jennings tallied 425 catches and 6,537 yards. Adding

him15to the lineup immediately improves Minnesotas receiving core and gives Ponder a

No. 1 target. Jennings will take pressure off Peterson, and he will widen the receiver options

beyond TE Kyle Rudolph.

142012 Vikings schedule. Minnesota finished the season with a record of 10-6.

http://www.nfl.com/schedules/2012/REG/VIKINGS15

Jennings Comes to MN. On March 15, the Viking signed veteran Green Bay receiver Greg Jennings to a five-year

contract.


8/10

Harvin created several off-the-field issues for the Vikings to deal with, and Jennings will be

a welcome replacement in that aspect, as well. Beyond being a skilled athlete, Jennings is

known for his leadership in the locker room, the film room, and the community 16.

Despite playing with the Packers for so long, Jennings has expressed nothing but

excitement about his move. In an interview, the veteran stated his desire to learn Bill

Musgraves offensive philosophy so he can play wherever hes needed. Whether its lining

up in the slot or outside the numbers, Jennings sounds like hed like to line up wherever the

biggest mismatch is.

While Jennings will likely make the bigger impact of the two, look for first-round pick

Cordarrelle Patterson to make his mark in his NFL debut.

(photo credit: draftvikings.com)

How would one describe Patterson in one word?

Explosive.

16Jennings character a welcome asset to the Vikings. Check out Mike Wobschalls interview with Jennings about

coming to Minnesota. http://www.vikings.com/media-

vault/videos/Exclusive_Greg_Jennings_Interview/8a509b25-d2ff-475e-93ad-ab79e26cb645


9/10

The receiver started small, playing football at a community college, before moving on to

play for Tennessee. During that time he excelled on the field, becoming the first NCAA

player in four years to score a touchdown four different ways.

Despite his 62length, Patterson proves agile on his feet. He proves able to find soft areas

in zone coverage between corners and safeties, and he turns upfield immediately after the

catch something Vikings receivers have sometimes hesitated on. Patterson stands out with

his slants and quick fake-outs. Similar to star receiver Randy Moss, Patterson often hauls in

difficult catches with a defensive back draped over him.

He may be young, but the Vikings seem confident that the young athlete can assimilate into

the lineup and transition well under solid coaching and mentorship.

It seems with most wide receivers that come into our league, there is a learning curve,

Frazier stated. Just the route running, trying to get assimilated to a new offense, there is an

adjustment. There are very few wide receivers that come in and make an impact, a big

impact in their first year. But were going to do all we can to get him prepared and get him

ready to have an impact on our football team and on this league. We know for a fact that

hes a kick returnerhell have a chance to have an impact early, and well bring him along

as a wide receiver.

"My strength is when the ball is in my hands," Patterson said . "Whether it be on a kick

return, on an end around. I feel like when the ball is in my hands, Im a special player. Im

still working on my route running, learning coverages and stuff."

Though the effects might not be immediate, look for Patterson to strengthen Minnys

receiving game and become a fan favorite before too long.

Following the 2012 season, fans have got to be wondering: when will All Day get his

dues?

When will the Vikings finally step up as a team, reflect the talent shown on paper?

Are Spielman and Co. going to allow Ponders performanceor lack thereofto determine

Petersons success on the field?

All in all, Minnesota is sitting at a comfortable position. The Vikings have done some

serious offseason work, and they are obviously working toward something special for the

2014 season.


10/10

Frazier says that Ponder will remain the designated starter. That may be true to an extent,

but I dont believe Minnesota will sit back and watch its team slide into a hole yet again.

With a seasoned quarterback like Cassel on the bench, the QB slot looks much more stable.

Adding three first-round draft picks to the lineup automatically improves the Vikings

playboth defensively and offensivelyfor the upcoming season. While teams like the

Green Bay Packers are making relatively no moves, Minnesota is silently working to build a

better team.

And they have.

Hold onto your horns, Vikings fans. Your team is charging toward the 2014 Playoffs.

Documents

Box Seats Vikings