Vikings ‘knight’ Spielman sets forth on a multitask quest
The general manager’s tasks include deciding on a head coach, finding a quarterback and shoring up the defense.
Jim Klobuchar is a longtime figure in Minnesota journalism who has worked in daily newspapering, radio and television.
The general manager’s tasks include deciding on a head coach, finding a quarterback and shoring up the defense.
Quarterback Matt Cassel and substitute running back Matt Asiata teamed up for the offensive explosion, while the defense disrupted Philadelphia’s efforts.
Touchdowns were raining down at the end, just like the crud from the Baltimore skies.
Sunday’s 23-20 win left an emotionally drained and basically numb and baffled crowd.
The bizarre 26-26 ending was apt for a game that took on the trappings of some kind of loony and misguided epic.
With their eighth loss in 10 games, the players and coaches are sinking into the deepening season of their discontent.
Christian Ponder led the Vikings to victory over Washington after months of attacks from regiments of professional critics and invisible bloggers.
With a last-minute loss to Dallas there are growing sounds of player dissatisfaction with their coaches.
General Manager Rick Spielman is as culpable as the Wilf ownership for the bizarre embarrassments of the last two weeks.
When the game was over, coach Frazier struggled to find any redeeming value out of the mess the Vikings created.
It convinces fans that all is normal, if not well.
What the Vikings found was a kind of thank-God relief from the sound and fury back home.
Meanwhile, the Vikings’ restless fans seem divided over who should be evicted first: the quarterback or the coach.
Nobody takes the blame with quite the same solemnity and contrition as Leslie Frazier, the coach of the now 0-and-2 team.
After the opening minutes in Detroit, the Viking defense was a mirage. The team was competitive for a while, and then the nightmare began.
This question should be resolved this year: Does Ponder belong in the skilled and contending crowd of big league quarterbacks?
This is what was taking place on one day among departed players the Twins’ visionaries deemed expendable.
Strong performances by Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder are essential in keeping the ball away from the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers.
It was just a matter of time before he dashed for an 82-yard score as part of his 212-yard performance.
The Vikings today are back among the living in the congested race for the playoffs.
By Jim Klobuchar
Dec. 10, 2012