From: alvstad@mari.acc-admin.stolaf.edu (Joel D Alvstad)
Subject: Re: Vikes/Bengals game ... Some observations.
Organization: St. Olaf College; Northfield, MN
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 01:53:42 GMT

In article <1a5li6INNjdd@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> mjb10@po.CWRU.Edu (Michael J. Bumbulis) writes:
>
>In a previous article, sivaram@plains.NoDak.edu (Sivaram Hariharan) says:
>
>>It was a great 4th week for Vikes fans as they mauled the Bengals
>>42-7. However, I have some comments to make.
>>
>>1>  Why would Green allow Gannon, who chipped a bone in his right
>>hand the last game to play most of the game, even after the outcome
>>was sure.
>
>Perhaps Gannon was having the game of his life and wanted to keep
>playing.  Who knows?  Perhaps the press in Minnesota will ask Green
>and someone from Minnesota could let us know.
>
On "The Dennis Green Show" on channel 11, Green basically said that Gannon felt
good, and he wanted to go a far as he thought possible.  I think the only 
reason Gannon came out was on his last play he got hit it the left forearm,
bruising it but it won't affect him at all.
>
>>2> Was Green rubbing it on Shula. In the words of the commemtators,
>>Green would have earned an enemy for life in Shula as he was trying
>>to run up the scores by attempting to go deep on 4th and 9 when
>>the Vikes were already up 42-7.
>
>I don't think Green was worried about making an enemy out of Shula.
>Minnesota probably won't play Cinci for another three years (unless
>they meet in the Super Bowl :)  I think Green just wants to give as
>much experience to his players a possible.  In other words, it
>was more important to let Salisbury (sp?) get some more experience than
>worry about making Shula mad.  If this was Green's reason, I agree.
>
I don't think Green was out to make enemies either.  As Randy Cross (and God, do
I hate to quote him) indicated, "The Vikings are just running their offense.  It
is Cincinnati's job to stop them."  I agree--I don't think Green wanted to pour
it on.
>
>>3> Vikes have this problem of kicking. Another blocked punt which
>>  prevented a shut-out of the Bengals.
>
>Yes, the Vikes special teams DO need work.  Not only was a punt
>block, but another was partially blocked.  In addition, there was
>a long kickoff return, which lucky for the Vikings, was called back
>by a holding call.  When your up 35-0, you can afford these mistakes.
>But I doubt they will up 35-0 against the Bears, and then such
>mistakes will kill you (remember Detroit?).
>
>>4> all in all the offence and the defence of the Vikes were in
>>full gear and stunned the Bengal fans and the commemtators alike.
>>
>>Waiting for some comments
>
>
>The Vikings "kicked butt".  Gannon was hot and worked magic with Chris
>Carter in the 1st half.  Jones pulled in a couple of big plays.  Nelson
>started it with a great kickoff return.  Allen was solid.  And the
>defense was on fire.  Browner's replacement (what's his name?) 
>picked off Boomer three times (Doleman caused one interception).
>They sacked the quarterback more than 5 times.  They stuffed the run.
>Their only problem was special teams.  
>
Todd Scott (Browner's replacement) has had a whale of a season so far.  He's
pretty determined to make people say "Joey who??"  Also, Anthony Carter's name
is again in the Viking record books, passing Sammy White as the all-time leading
receiving yardage leader.
>
>Are the Vikes for real?  After all, they should have beat the Lions and
>be sitting on top 4-0.  Next week will tell when they play the Bears.
>This ol' Viking fan will wait and see some more before he starts
>getting excited.  But one thing is certain.  Green has greatly
>improved this team!  If he keeps it up.....

Are the Vikes for real???  Well, if they beat the Bears by more than 10, I'd 
say yes.  If they beat the Bears by less than 10, I'm not so sure.  I am sure
that it will be a well played game and the Bears will make thing interesting for
the Vikes.  Keep in mind, though, that it is in the Dome, and any football fan
should know how much Ditka and the Bears hate playing in the Metrodome.
>  
>-- 
>Michael        
> 

Joel Alvstad
St. Olaf College
Northfield, MN
alvstad@stolaf.edu