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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
scout.com (free)
11/25/05
11/25/05
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>New-Look Vikings on a Roll
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QB Brad Johnson
</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By NFL Scout
Date: Nov 24, 2005
They're no longer high-flying, but the Vikings have put together three wins in a row
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Once known for a high-flying offensive attack that could strike fear in the best of defenses, the Vikings have put together a three-game winning streak with a new outlook on how to win games.
It's one born more out of necessity than choice.
With Randy Moss in Oakland and Daunte Culpepper out for the season after knee surgery, the Vikings offense is being guided by a 37-year old quarterback, Brad Johnson, whose lack of flash is only overshadowed by a lack of costly mistakes.
Johnson's ability to stay away from errors has enabled him to go 3-0 since taking over as the starter - which has gotten the Vikings back to .500 at 5-5 - after Culpepper tore three ligaments in his right knee in an Oct. 30 loss at Carolina.
Johnson will go for a fourth consecutive victory Sunday when the Vikings play host to the Cleveland Browns at the Metrodome. He enters the game with only three touchdown passes but just one interception in 216 attempts.
Johnson also has led two game-winning drives in the past two weeks that resulted in Paul Edinger hitting field goals as time expired against the New York Giants and Green Bay. As a result, the Vikings are two games behind the first-place Chicago Bears in the NFC North.
As evidenced by his touchdown passes, Johnson's effectiveness can't be measured through the usual stats.
You have to look at things such as the fact he has been sacked 14 times. Yes, the Vikings line needs to do a better job protecting him, but the sack total is a testament to the fact Johnson is willing to take a hit rather than throw an ill-advised pass to avoid the pressure.
Coach Mike Tice realizes his offense isn't playing its best, but he knows that contributions must come from other areas.
"We're not going to go out and score 35, 40 points much unless we get a bunch of turnovers, so we've got to be able to play great special teams, which we are playing," he said. "We've got to be able to play great defense, which we are playing, limit the big plays if we can, then offensively move the ball and get points when we move the ball."
Informed this didn't sound like the Vikings' philosophy, Tice responded: "Times have changed. As long as we're winning, it doesn't bother me at all. I'm kind of liking this new way. It works pretty good on the road, it looks like. But ... if we're going to do it this way, players and coaches have to be patient offensively because we're not going to get the huge chunks of yardage down the field as much as we have."
The one big key for the Vikings' new offense is the ability to at least have the running game as a threat. That enables effective use of a play-action pass that opponents must pay attention to. If opponents can ignore the play-action, Johnson's win streak will soon come to an end.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
scout.com (free)
11/27/05
11/27/05
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Vikings Conquer Browns, 24-12
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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Fred Greetham
Date: Nov 27, 2005
The Browns travelled to Minnesota fresh off of an impressive showing against the Dolphins, and discovered exactly how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL. Fred Greetham looks at the game, during which Trent Dilfer (pictured) found himself hassled, harrassed, and sacked...
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It would’ve been nice, but it wasn’t meant to be.
The Browns went to Minnesota to try to win two in a row for the first time this season, but were unable to accomplish the task. Three turnovers and key penalties continued to plague the Browns as they slipped to 4-7 on the season.
The Browns found themselves down 10-0 in the first half and were able to get a field goal before the halftime, but trailed 17-3 in the middle of the third quarter. A field goal made it 17-6 late in the third quarter. The Browns could get no closer.
The Vikings turned two fumble recoveries and an interception into touchdowns and that was the difference in the game as they rolled to a 24-12 win.
Meanwhile, the Browns couldn’t score touchdowns in the red zone as they settled for two field goals both times they had first downs inside the 20. The did score their only touchdown in the final moments of the game
The Good
Reuben Watch: RB Reuben Droughns had 90 yards of total offensive in the first half. He rushed for 73 yards and now has 941 on the season. He finished with five receptions for 46 yards and had total offense of 119 yards.
Who Needs Daunte?: QB Brad Johnson won his first four games since QB Daunte Culpepper went down with a season ending knee injury. Johnson completed his first five passes.
Thanks Marcus: Rookie RT Marcus Johnson jumped three times on the Vikings’ first drive. However, the Vikings were able to overcome the three miscues and score a field goal. In the third quarter, Johnson held Orpheus Roye and it called back a Vikings’ touchdown.
Chaun Shines: LB Chaun Thompson tackled RB Mewelde Moore for a two-yard loss as he fought off LT Bryant McKinnie in the first quarter.
What a Crock: S Chris Crocker picked off a pass deflected off a Viking’s receiver and returned it to the 38.
Frisman Time: Seldom used WR Frisman Jackson had five catches late in the game for 38 yards. Jackson had eight catches in the season opener, but had been inactive for several games.
Funny Business: K Phil Dawson appeared to line up to attempt a career-long field goal attempt of 55 yards. However, he took a direct snap and pooch punted it to the Vikings’ six-yard line.
Braylon’s Bad and Good: QB Trent Dilfer’s first interception was right to WR Braylon Edwards and it went off his hands to former Ohio State DB Antoine Winfield. In the third quarter, Edwards caught a short pass and carried a couple of tacklers several yards for a first down. He finished with four receptions.
Run, Joshua, Run: KR Joshua Cribbs continued to run hard on kickoff returns and had one return back to the Vikings’ 43.
Big Tip Roye: DE Orpheus Roye batted two passes down in third down situations. He had another solid game for the Browns.
The Bad
Frye Time: Rookie QB Charlie Frye replaced Trent Dilfer with 10:50 to play in the fourth quarter and the Browns trailing 17-6. Dilfer was limping after injuring his knee after being hit after he threw a pass in the second half. Frye threw an interception on his first pass attempt. Dilfer returned to the game after Frye’s one play.
Making the Most of it: WR Marcus Robinson had just three catches—all for touchdowns.
Little Pressure: The Vikings came in having given up 45 sacks--the second most in the NFL. However, the Browns were able to get just two sacks. Meanwhile, the Vikings sacked Dilfer five times. Roye picked up the Browns first sack with around three minutes to play in the third quarter. Ethan Kelley added a meaningless sack with just a couple of minutes to go in the game.
No Knock Down Power: LB Ben Taylor hit TE Jermaine Wiggins well short of a first down on a third down play, but Wiggins dragged Taylor for over five yards to get the first down.
Give it Back: Dilfer was sacked and fumbled the ball away to the Vikings on the first play after Crocker’s interception. Romeo Crennel challenged the ruling, but it was upheld. The Vikings made the Browns pay as they scored a touchdown to make it 10-0.
The Ugly
Turnovers: Running a fake reverse, Dilfer was sacked and lost the ball. The Vikings had the ball inside the Browns’ red zone and made the score 17-3. The Vikings scored three touchdowns on Browns turnovers.
Time Management: The Browns wasted a golden opportunity with a first down inside the 10 and over 30 seconds remaining. He Browns had a timeout remaining, but allowed the clock to wind down to 12 seconds before committing their first of two false starts by Antonio Bryant. Braylon Edwards had the other. The Browns settled for a field goal. The Browns are the worst team in the NFL in scoring touchdowns when they’re inside the 20. They’ve scored just six touchdowns in 21 attempts, with 15 field goals.
Late in the game, the Browns took their time when they needed to score a lot of points. They seemed to be playing with no sense of urgency.
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