Vikings: Week 5 - Thank You Mr. Gramatica

I just finished watching a nerve racking football game that

1. Had me out of my seat on several occassions yelling at the projection screen while having others stare at me (I watched the game amongst about 50 Canadians that couldn't have been anymore apathetic....although I did meet a Viking fan from Ontario and I made his day because I was the first Viking fan that he'd ever met! What a joy for this guy knowing he wasn't the only one out there...)
2. Had me thinking Zygi Wilf would turn into Al Davis and fire Brad Childress if we blew this one.
   
3. Hoping that Gus can play quarterback the rest of the season and remain healthy and not "fuzzy"? and
   
4. Laughing at Gramatica.....when a kicker is that cocky...it is just flat out funny when he stinks it up that bad.
   

The observations of this game came down to a couple of positives and a couple of negatives

• Positive - A. Winfield had the game of his life and overall has to be our MVP this season so far. In our two wins - who has turned the game in the Vikings favor and created momentum for us to be "in" the game and have a fighting chance? That man is #26. Yes he was Johnny on the spot for the blocked FG run back for a TD, but also had some game changing hits on D. Brees. My only thought was that they need to put him in on punt coverage....find someway to get him on the field (more on this issue later).
• Negative - We failed to put a team away when we had 'em down. The Vikes D in the 2nd quarter continually forced the Saints into punts and the Vikes couldn't capatilize and that continued on throughout the third quarter until Reggie had his way.....AP didn't have his best game and the O-Line didn't perform well against a depleted D-Line from New Orleans.
• Positive - Bernard Berrian and Bobby Wade. I really liked what I saw out of these two guys. Again Berrian had a drop, but seriously compared to Troy Williamson this guy is money. 6 catches for 110 yds. and a TD. Perhaps Berrian's 2 biggest plays that won't make the stat sheet are 1) his making sure that the Saints defender didn't intercept a ball thrown at the end of the half to the inside shoulder of Berrian instead of the outside shoulder where we probably would've had a TD and 2) The pass interference call that resulted in a huge gain and set up the game winning field goal. Bobby Wade turned in another solid possession - workman - like night with 8 grabs for 64 yards.
• Negative Negative Negative! - Last time I checked it wasn't a penalty to punt a ball out of bounds....a penalty is only issued on a kick off....and when I watched this game the coaching staff or Chris Kluwe's minds went to La La Land....for a stretch...where Reggie Bush returned 2 punts for TDs and probably should've had another one - except he slipped. Special Teams has been an area I have pleaded for help here the last couple of weeks. When are we going to improve in this area....and wow! did Erin Henderson get lit up on that first punt return for a TD

This game would've stung massively if the Vikes didn't come back and win the game. Gus showed why his veteran presence is so vital right now. Taking hit after hit...he delivered when it counted. T Jack should be taking notes. Next week home against the Motor City Kiddies.