The Vikings end their season on a positive note. (Grant: 2015, house)

[chessgeek]

Granted it was against the Bears, but a win is a win. First priority for the team IMO is to do a house cleaning of the special teams (ordinary teams or mediocre teams to be more accurate). They gave up a safety on a blocked punt against Miami in the last minute last Sunday and the Dolphins won by two points. Today they gave up a 67 yard return, but the defense saved them and the Bears had to settle for a field goal.

Keep kicker Blair Walsh, but release punter Jeff Locke, a few of the blockers, and most of the players on the mediocre return prevent team.

I had predicted an 8-8 season and they finished 7-9. Considering that the team has to play quality opponents Green Bay and Detroit twice each season, it is not a good record but not that bad either. Keep in mind 15 of the 16 games were played without Adrian Peterson, one of the best RB's in NFL history, but deservedly so as for some strange reason he thinks child abuse is acceptable and it is clearly not. That is not the Vikings fault though.

Overall, the future looks good with Teddy Bridgewater at QB. Matt Cassel will be a capable backup next year and they easily could have won three additional games this year had they not faltered in the last few minutes of games down the stretch. Before the Bears game, they lost three games by a total of eight points. I would say that is competitive. Now they have to learn to play well for 60 minutes instead of 57 or 58 minutes in 2015.

Clearly the Minnesota Golden Gophers provided a better experience for Twin Cities fans this year with their 8-4 record and a bowl game on January 1 against Missouri. It would be nice to see the Vikings get to the playoffs in 2015 too. Maybe the Vikings coaches and players ought to sit in on one of Jerry Kill's team meetings. You will probably succeed when you emulate someone with high quality values, integrity, a strong work ethic and a loyal group of assistant coaches who have worked together for several years.

The Vikings have their work cut out to become the #1 football experience for TC area fans again. It was nice to finally see them not finish in last place like the last three years though. New coach Mike Zimmer is definitely an upgrade for the team!

[Ghengis]

would agree that the needle is pointing up and it was good to see steady improvement by Bridgewater through his dozen games as a starter, even with an offense that was losing more and more players as the season wore on.

Not sure if Asiata and current Co. has a legitimate NFL starting RB amongst them, and while it might be one position that you can piecemeal a scheme around, if AP doesn't come back, they'll need to use a top 3 pick to address that either through the draft or FA.

Other needs are significant as well but it was nice to see the defense improve and I hope Audie Cole continues to get a chance to play.

[mr roboto]

Cole, Teddy, Smith, Rhodes, Walsh, Johnson. Lots of youth to get excited about.

Patterson, man I was wrong about this cat. He's not a real WR. Maybe someday.

Gotta get Greenway and Jennings off the books to free up some cap space. I hope ADP comes back restructured and retires a Viking but I doubt that happens.