Categories: 1.2 Analysis 1.3 Opinion 3.2 Rumors General News Injuries Speculation
| On 11 years ago

Hitting On A Few Topics

By Adam Warwas

Well, the Warwas clan has officially purchased their first house and are all moved in, albeit with much chaos and little organization.  Very importantly, however, we have our DirecTV tuned in and the internet working.  In other words:  I’m back.

I’ve missed a lot in the last couple of weeks, so here are a gathering of thoughts for you to chew on during this (yawn!) bye week.

QUARTERBACKS

Christian Ponder’s bruised rib seems sketchy.  Almost as sketchy as expecting Matt Cassel to be any sort of real answer.  Both players are failing the “eye test” and the Vikings delayed the inevitable, via a well-timed sack of Big Ben, which is blowing up the quarterback position and starting fresh in 2014.  I still firmly believe it is coming.

BILL MUSGRAVE

Remember when the Vikings reportedly pursued Josh McDaniels as their offensive coordinator before settling for Musgrave?  I find myself wondering if Christian Ponder’s career path would be different under new direction.  I also find myself wondering if Musgrave’s scheme is too complicated for the now-truncated preparation period NFL teams have in the offseason and preseason under the new CBA.  His offense seems to have started slow two years in a row now.

THE DEFENSE

Things are such a mess right now on defense that I can’t even begin to pinpoint what exactly is going wrong.  Is the idea that they could gamble more backfiring despite Xavier Rhodes being as good as advertised?  Did the defensive line really age that much in one year?  Are the linebackers just not talented?  Is the scheme outdated?  You tell me, because I’m at a loss, and apparently Alan Williams is, too.

SCAT BACK

I know, I know, I’m a broken record here.  But still, have you guys seen what Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles are doing this year?  Bush was signed for $4 million per year by the Lions… money the Vikings had available at the time which could have purchased a whole other section of the playbook.  I said it then, and I stand by it, the Vikings should have signed him.

GERHART TRADE

Rumor has it the Vikings talked to the Colts about Toby Gerhart, or the Colts talked to the Vikings, prior to the Trent Richardson trade.  We don’t know how those talks went, but Rick Spielman should be on the phone with Oakland this week gauging their interest in a young, healthy running back to help out their injury ward.  Gerhart is in a contract year and is unlikely to net much in the way of a compensatory pick (because the Vikings need to sign some help this offseason), so they should be looking for a deal.

JOSH FREEMAN

Vikings fans seem overwhelmingly opposed to Spielman sticking his nose into the mess in Tampa Bay.  I understand the sentiment, but I also think there is some possibilities here.  It isn’t often that a clearly talented (but clearly inconsistent) quarterback can be had for what I assume is relatively inexpensive compensation.  Trading away a mid-to-late round pick and getting a jump start on next year’s revival of the quarterback position may not be the worst thing for this team to attempt at the moment.  I’m mixed on it, but I wouldn’t mind seeing the proactive approach from our front office.

Adam Warwas

Adam Warwas (Founder) has been writing about the Vikings for a total of eight years. Five of those years have been here at Vikings Territory where he continues to surround himself with enough talented individuals that people keep coming back. As proud as he is of what Vikings Territory has become, his real treasures are in his home... a beautiful wife and three amazing children (and a dog named Percy).

Tags: christian ponder josh freeman toby gerhart

View Comments

  • Welcome back Adam...and congrats on the new house!
    You didn't cancel the Sunday Ticket?

    • Thanks, Carter. Nah, one weekend without was enough to remind me why I signed up in the first place!

  • Adam,
    Have a feeling it boils down to the end of the season before deciding on Qb's

    • I don't. Regardless of what they find out in these last games, one thing is clear: More needs to be invested (picks, money) into the position.

      • Sorry I'm late,
        Congratulations on the house, I'm sure Mrs. Warwas is Happy.
        Let me know when she starts changing the interior of the house
        Won't take long. :)

  • Some of us here are pretty superstitious, Adam. Could you move again in two weeks?

    Interesting observations, thanks for your thoughts... and a question. If the Vikings were to acquire Josh Freeman, what roster move would you see them making at that position?

    • If you say interesting observation one more time, that should fill out your punch card, and the next one is free.

      • Sorry. Its just that that phrase doesn't come to mind when responding to your comments.

          • I considered the Fonz to be an egotistical fake who found a way to compensate for a myriad of intellectual deficiencies and social inadequacies. I think better of you than that.

    • Bud, after the weekend I had... I'm not sure I'd move again even if it meant a Vikings super bowl win, haha.

      • Man, you are worn out, Adam. Go clear those boxes off your easy chair, grab your favorite beverage and push back for a bit. I'm sure this will wear off.

    • If they got Freeman, we would find out what the staff really thinks of their three current guys, that's for sure. I'm inclined to say they could stick with four QB's, but the reality would be more of a domino effect.... Ponder would want out of town.

  • Congrats Adam, a new house is a great feeling...until the furnace goes out...but don't worry about that now. Good for you!

    ...and thank the heavens you're back. Coach brought out his one-string guitar and keeps strumming away at that bad boy, hopefully you can convince him to add one or two more strings.

    • Thanks, Tomb... we have a project house for sure... I'm hoping not to run into too many issues like the furnace, but I'm prepared for that.

    • You want me to get Coach to change his ways? Sure, let me make the Senate and House agree on things while I'm at it!

    • what the hell is a "furnace"? Is it a dog or a bicycle or something else that the old owners left behind? And when is "goes out" where do they typically go to? Is there such a thing as a Furnace Bar? You mainland folks have some very odd concepts. Still haven't figured out that whole "time" thingy you guys are obsessed with.

      oh yeah ..... congrats on the new house Adam. E-mail me the details so I can cyber stalk you. Have you taught Gates how to swing a hammer yet?

  • Josh Freeman trade would be great for a low round pick and if Freeman signs new contract with Vikings. If no new contract, trade is a waste of time. Freeman is in the last year of his contract and is making something like 7 or 8 million.

  • I would trade Ponder before I would trade Cassel.

    Cassel is undefeated as a Viking.

    123.4 QB rate

    Completed 64%

    Made quick reads and even checked into different plays

    Why is everyone so down on Matt??

    • Maybe his 58% completion rate and QB rating of 66.7 as QB of the league's 32nd ranked passing offense last year causes that.

    • I totally agree with you Carl. The offense looked energized with Cassel this last game.

  • change the roster all you want, as long as frazier and musgrave are here we go nowhere.....imho
    frazier, and his "ponder's our starter if healthy" comment gives me a big headache.....I would rather have the cliche, "we'll go with whoever gives us the best chance to win" thing........continuing to refer to ponder as "thee man" reeks with "we don't want to toy with ponder's fragile ego", and that gives me a bigger headache than the other one.....