Vikings Fans Depressed
September 23rd, 2017
Quarterback angst.
Joe is in Minneapolis and frankly, Joe has been blown away by his very short time here.
It’s Joe’s first trip to Minnesota, farthest north Joe has ever been. In fact, Joe brought Florida weather with him. It was 88 at 9 p.m. last night at a neighborhood Oktoberfest celebration Joe found.
Given the reactions of the locals, they are soaking in their last taste of summer before the long, brutal winter begins.
The natives here are uncommonly polite. The downtown looks like something you see in pictures of Prague or Munich. The downtown area is as clean of an area Joe has ever seen in an urban environment. The light rail system brings you seamlessly from the airport right to your hotel, with a stop at U.S. Bank Stadium where the Vikings host the Bucs Sunday.
At the Oktoberfest festival in a Minneapolis neighborhood, Joe got a chance to swill German beer with many cool Viking fans. Joe chatted with some about the Bucs-Vikings game and, in short, they believe they are doomed with Case Keenum. As one Vikings fan told Joe, “We need Bradford.”
Sam Bradford, the Vikings starting quarterback, won’t play Sunday. Backup and Lovie and Mike Smith-killer Case Keenum is expected to start at quarterback for the Vikings.
So there you have it. While Bucs fans are wringing their hands over Kwon Alexander being out with a hamstring, Vikings fans believe they are doomed with Keenum.
September 23rd, 2017 at 1:44 am
He beat Lovie and Koetter coached teams, fwiw
The Bucs defense better be hungry for some payback. I know Jameis is.
September 23rd, 2017 at 1:47 am
Awesome. Joe if you make it to Lambeau this year let me know. I live just over an hour south and have tickets for that game.
September 23rd, 2017 at 1:49 am
Even without Kwon we should be good to go. Beckwith could end up being as good as Kwon or David. Another Licht draft steal?
September 23rd, 2017 at 2:12 am
My Twitter feed was full of depressed and possible suicidal fans..they know this is a new Bucs team and we want blood..
So yeah..we are going to win this one..
September 23rd, 2017 at 2:16 am
I’m going to the game wish we could meet up
Totally agree Minnesota really depends on Bradford
Seems like there over bridgewater
September 23rd, 2017 at 2:36 am
What Vikings fans don’t know is that Case Keenum has Owned the Bucs defense the past few years and he played terrible against other teams ofcourse. I hope that doesn’t happen again. It sucks that Kwon is out & Vikings defense is really tough so Bucs have their work cut out for them. Vikings are -2.5 favs WITH Case Keenum fwiw.
September 23rd, 2017 at 3:06 am
Yeah the Vikings guy I know has already gave up on the game… which I don’t get because the Vikings legit have a very good defense and a very running game and they got the Bucs killer Keenum starting for them. I for one won’t let Vikings fans off the hook by saying they’re going to lose, only so if they win they can make it seem like a bigger deal. Personally I hate these types of games since the Bucs, going on the road against one of the best defenses in the NFL, is expected to win (the line I see says the Bucs are -2, not the other way around), it’s a no win situation as if the Bucs win, well they were supposed to win, but if they lose, it’s a season crushing loss to Keenum yet again. Personally, picking before the season, I had this as a loss – but on the good side I stick by the Bucs winning against the Pats, and that Giants game, which I had as an L, suddenly looks very winnable. I’m not going to get too down if the Bucs do poorly here, between this and the trip to Arizona, with the Giants and Pats in there, this is the hardest strech of the season and it’s going to tell us a lot – but not everything.
September 23rd, 2017 at 3:09 am
“The natives here are uncommonly polite. The downtown looks like something you see in picture of Prague or Munich. The downtown area is as clean of an area Joe has ever seen in an urban environment. The light rail system brings you seamlessly from the airport right to your hotel, with a stop at U.S. Bank Stadium where the Vikings host the Bucs Sunday.”
No more tales of the destructive nature of government on society. I can’t take the pain any longer
September 23rd, 2017 at 3:43 am
Looking at the boxscores from Vikings’ first 2 games (1-1), Bucs will have their hands full, even with Keenum starting. Vikes’ offense looks to be very balanced, their defense is solid & they make relatively few mistakes (turnovers, penalties, etc).
They beat Saints 29-19, but it’s the way they beat them that’s impressive. Bradford was 27 for 32 (346 yds) but was 8 for 9 (219 yds) throwing deep (Diggs & Thielen each had huge day). Dalvin Cook ran 22 times for 127 yds, but 9 of those runs were around the ends (4 runs left for 17 yds and 5 runs right for 76 yds). In-between the tackles he was just OK (13 for 34 yds).
Vikes lost to Steelers 26-9 with Case Keenum behind the wheel but I’d credit the Steelers’ defense for shutting down Cook & the Vikes’ deep threats. Cook had 12 runs for 64 yds (longest 25 yds) but Steelers didn’t let him get outside like the Saints did. They also shut down Vikings’ deep threats very nicely (limited them to 3 catches out of 9 deep passes for 72 yds). For its’ part, Steelers offense burned Vikes with short passes (21 for 27) and controlled the clock (34 mins TOP).
Keys for Bucs defensively Sunday will be to limit explosive plays (contain Cook so he can’t get to the edges & shut down their deep threat like Steelers did). Offensively we need to be patient & use the short/intermediate stuff a bunch (Vikes’ deep pass defense looks to be very good but they looked to be susceptible to the shorter stuff). Personally expect a real dogfight, but how it turns out will depend on the flu as much as anything IMO (too many guys dragging from that & we’ll be in trouble). If we can get 33-34 mins TOP, at least break even on turnovers & limit their explosive plays Bucs will win.
September 23rd, 2017 at 6:01 am
Dano
Vikes fans are well aware of Keenum vs Bucs. Its everywhere you look and talked about by both media outlets. What they are also aware of is their team. Bradford is better than Keenum. Just think if winston was out n we were playing vikes for example. Lets say fitz had 3 great games against them years back. Think we would go off what weve seen of fitz or his 3 great games on another team? Correct answer sir. I personally dont care what Fitz did on another team. Plus this is the ultimate, what have you done for me lately, league. They saw Case O bitter beer last week. Theyve still got that taste in their mouth. Now its time to show those vikes fans why theyre scared! Go Bucs
September 23rd, 2017 at 6:34 am
What’s the story with Bridgewater? I know he had a horrific injury beginning of last year. Is he 100% out for all of this year as well?
September 23rd, 2017 at 6:37 am
Its too early to celebrate Oktoberfest!! 88 degrees is too damn hot to celebrate Oktoberfest!! It’s weird they’re enjoying that weather this late in the year. In the 90’s in the second half of September? EVERYONE I know cant wait for this heat wave to get the hell out of here!! I felt like a damn heretic drinking my pumpkin spice latte in 80 degree weather the other day!!
Too bad the game is in a dome. The weather would be very advantageous for the Bucs if it were an outside game!!
September 23rd, 2017 at 6:40 am
No excuses. This is our time. The best teams would view this as a chance to take advantage of a wounded offense and get the win. Time we thought that way too. Let’s see what we’re all about…This is our time…I hope.
September 23rd, 2017 at 6:43 am
Vikings fans are funny, but in a sad kind of way. I had family up in St Paul and whenever visiting, the locals were always so pessimistic about their team. “Oh they’ll let us down eventually,” or “we’ll find a way to screw this game up” even when leading by 2 TD’s. Those were more common refrains than actual positivity.
That fan base is tortured. They’ve made the playoffs dozens of times and even made the superbowl a few times in the early years but never won. Then they get Randy Moss and Daunte Cullpepper but still didn’t make it to the promised land. Now Bridgewater and Bradford injuries when their team starts to look like something again. Yikes!
September 23rd, 2017 at 7:05 am
I am in Minneapolis also and having been to both Munich and Praque, no this is not like those cities, not even in comparison of mass transit. But Joe is right in that this is an interesting place, if not a bit gothic like Prague, and I am pleased Joe is reporting Sam Bradford will not play. Our driver from the airport yesterday told us it looked good for Sam, so he obviously doesn’t read Joe Bucs Fan. My party will be sporting red and pewter in the Buffalo Wild Wings club amid purple ts U.S. Bank Stadium after a visit onto the field pre-game, which is always really cool. Definitely worried about missing Kwon, and hope Swaggy is Swaggy. Go Bucs!
September 23rd, 2017 at 7:11 am
So there are actually fanbases more negative than this one. With all that negative energy floating around the city no wonder it takes forever for the fortunes of the team to change. If it ever changes at all.
September 23rd, 2017 at 7:27 am
This is where the deepness of our team starts to pay dividends……Beckwith, Glanton and back to McDonald on Defense…..
If we don’t turn it over, we win.
September 23rd, 2017 at 7:39 am
This is EXACTLY the type of game the Bucs lose every season. They should dominate this game.
September 23rd, 2017 at 7:47 am
This is a much different defense on the back end. Bucs will tough this out. Big win for the Bucs.
September 23rd, 2017 at 8:06 am
I don’t always want your job, but when I do it’s when you get to travel to cover a football game and drink beer with locals and call it work.
Good stuff.
September 23rd, 2017 at 8:32 am
Their are some neat neighborhoods in Minny, but it is definitely not Prague or Munich….where I’ve downed quite a few beers myself! As for the game, I feel good about the Bucs chances! I hate not having Kwon, but I think we’ll be fine on defense. On offense, I wouldn’t be surprised to see DJax and Brate/Howard have big days….Evans will draw the bulk of the coverages. We might even see 2 long TD passes from Jameis to Desean Jackson. My prediction, a not too close 28-17 ball game…and the Bucs at 2-0!
September 23rd, 2017 at 8:33 am
Mike zimmer is no joke. Top 3 defensive minds in the game. He is going to make jameis and koetters playcalling to beat the vikings sunday
The key is zimmer is going to try to get to jameis before he is able to complete the time consuming deep passing routes. Our offensive line wont holdup with zimmers pressure
Only way to beat zimmer and the defensive pressure is for koetter to run plays to get the ball out fast. Koetter needs to release OJ Stocker in the short passing game to loosen the stacked box. We wont be abled to run against this defensive front and zimmer is not afraid of the useless nipples hump.
“Zimmer is going to rough up/beatup jameis all game long”
Kobe Faker
September 23rd, 2017 at 8:40 am
@joes
Do you travel to every away game?
September 23rd, 2017 at 8:44 am
I just look back on the list of garbage QBs that got over on the Bucs… Derek Anderson, Case Keenum, Austin Davis, Marcus Mariotta in his FIRST ever game….
September 23rd, 2017 at 9:23 am
Minny, Prague, and Munich share some commonality. The residents of those three cities basically believes government exists to help their lives, they don’t mind paying taxes and they’re not down with 5% of the population owning 62% of the wealth while the bottom 40% own less than 1%.
Some can be aggravated by what they view as a political post. Actually its just stating some facts. Perhaps you believe that 5% owning 62% is a good thing…that’s fine…it’s just not Minny….Prague or Munich.
September 23rd, 2017 at 9:41 am
Vikings are -2.5 favs WITH Case Keenum fwiw.
Dano: not sure what site you are looking at, Vegas Insider has the Bucs -2.5 and was a pickem when they thought Bradford was playing.
September 23rd, 2017 at 10:47 am
Is Bradford really THAT good that teams keep taking a chance on him?
Hasn’t he been injured significantly throughout his career?
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m tying in Stafford with him or something, but I don’t get it with that dude.
September 23rd, 2017 at 10:50 am
stpete..reminds me of Venezuela…perhaps they’d like to adopt that model.
September 23rd, 2017 at 10:59 am
If you spend a February in Minnesota, you’d understand why folks there are a tad negative….on everything.
September 23rd, 2017 at 12:29 pm
@Dano Bucs are now favored by 2.5. Professionals are all picking TB
September 23rd, 2017 at 12:44 pm
LOL
Answers to some questions:
No, Joe doesn’t go to all road games. When Joe does, he likes to take a mini-vacation, like a extra day or perhaps two. Get a feel for the city. Mingle with the locals.
September 23rd, 2017 at 12:50 pm
LOL Thanks Roy!
September 23rd, 2017 at 3:32 pm
Been all over Minneapolis today, and not a single Vikings T or cap in sight. Where oh where are the Vikings fans here? Maybe as Joe commented, they are TOO depressed. I know soon at a hotel in Bloomington up by the Mall of America three bus loads of Bucs are invading. Go Bucs!
September 23rd, 2017 at 3:36 pm
I finally figured it out, being there most of the morning…the U.S. Bank stadium is supposed to be a big Viking ship. Meh. Looks to me like the Goodwill building on Highway 60 in Brandon. Just saying. Tomorrow, we’ll see what it looks like inside decorated with purple hues and splashed with red and pewter. Go Bucs!
September 23rd, 2017 at 3:45 pm
Haven’t seen one Vikings cap all day and have been bouncing around the city.
Have seen quite a few attractive lasses wearing shorts for perhaps the last time in 2017. 🙂
September 23rd, 2017 at 4:29 pm
@joe Flying there now from Texas! Are you getting any Bucs fans together before the game tomorrow morning? Been a long time reader and this is my first comment!
September 23rd, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Micah: Thanks for reading! No, Joe is working the game so can’t party.
September 23rd, 2017 at 7:17 pm
@Joe …ahhh, that makes sense! #GoBucsGo #GameTimesAComing #FromATampaNativeWhoLivesInDallas
September 23rd, 2017 at 8:21 pm
It has been interesting reading the Vikings Forums, and listening to Vikings media people. They realize they are screwed w/o Bradford, and many are in absolute awe of the Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s.
Some are flat out scared chitless of us.
September 24th, 2017 at 12:57 am
Roy T. Buford …go get em!
September 24th, 2017 at 1:26 am
New stadium in Atlanta looks like a Shoneys to Joe. 🙂
Finally tonight Joe has seen folks out and about wearing Vikings gear. Then an Uber driver tipped Joe off. Vikings fans from the suburbs invade downtown and get hotels rooms the night before so they don’t have all the hassle of driving to the game, fighting traffic, etc. From downtown, it’s just a quick $1.75 train ride (one-way). Apparently, parking costs over half as much as a hotel room. So fans figure, might as well do it up right and party with other Vikings fans the night before.