I think this will be another divisional game that is closer than the talent dictates, I for one hope this will be another game where we play Howard Green gets some more snaps, and maybe for once Raji doesnt have to play all the snaps. I fear we are wearing the big guy out, to my eyes he is not looking fresh in the games, he makes a play here and there, but the effort is not consistent.
Originally Posted by: lolleren
I don’t know that you’re wrong, but I am always wary of fans evaluating effort. I just don’t see how a fan watching on television can say with much confidence, "that guy isn’t showing much effort”. Maybe where a wide receiver is concerned it’s a little easier to make that call, but on the D line it seems tougher.
Offenses have been bringing in max protect schemes and running the football with cutesy misdirections plays, then taking what they can get downfield in plays that take forever to develop. Dom has been playing bend but don’t break style defense until the redzone, on one hand, or the Packers have a healthy lead, on the other. I don’t think you’re going to see Raji (and the rest of the D line) streaking toward the QB while Dom is rushing three guys against an entire offensive line, two tight ends and a fullback. On the other hand, I think it was during the Atlanta game that they showed a replay of Raji blocking up two gaps singlehandedly, waiting for the running back to make his cut, and stopping the play for no gain. That takes effort. It’s not QB sack effort but it gets the job done, within the scheme, when a team is trying to trudge down the field 4 yards at a time.
I agree that this game will be closer than we’d like. It’s the Vikings after all, and even though the Packers destroyed them in Minnesota last year there’s always the possibility that they play us closer than we expect. That defense still has a lot of playmakers (even though they’re aging) and Jared Allen is having a great season so far. Ponder starting is bad for the Vikings' overall season, but it’s good for their chances in games like the one. Remember in ’09 when we played the Bucs in a game the Packers should have won? Well, we lost, and we lost to a rookie QB named Josh Freeman. Hopefully McCarthy uses that as an example this week. Finally, I read that the Vikings are having one of those “come to Jesus" type meetings today (yep, just like the
Packers in ’09 ). The 2011 Vikings aren’t the 2009 Packers, but this may not be a walk away win.
I hate the fucking Vikings, though, and I hope the Packers win by 40 points.