Ima bad fan...

purplefaithful wrote:
I know that locker room is desperate for a win..

I'm rooting for a good game from JJM today, and a win for the Vikings when it comes to draft order & tie-breakers...

Sorry, a shitty way for a fan to think lol! 

I also want to leap the Cowboys who I think will covet Love in the draft.

I'll never believe a "fan" ever roots for losses, for draft position. In fact, I think that's basically betraying the team and its real fan base.

Fapping over some unknown college boi(s), instead of cheering for actual players in the actual trenches?

We need to trade all "tank fans" to Cleveland, or something. I'd suggested Detroit in exchange for a used Bob Seger CD in the past, but they have a bunch of bandwagon fans, nowadays.

Zanary wrote:

I'll never believe a "fan" ever roots for losses, for draft position. In fact, I think that's basically betraying the team and its real fan base.

Fapping over some unknown college boi(s), instead of cheering for actual players in the actual trenches?

We need to trade all "tank fans" to Cleveland, or something. I'd suggested Detroit in exchange for a used Bob Seger CD in the past, but they have a bunch of bandwagon fans, nowadays.

Had we not won a few meaningless games over the years, it’s hard to not wish we could’ve drafted so and so.

Zanary wrote:

I'll never believe a "fan" ever roots for losses, for draft position. In fact, I think that's basically betraying the team and its real fan base.

Fapping over some unknown college boi(s), instead of cheering for actual players in the actual trenches?

We need to trade all "tank fans" to Cleveland, or something. I'd suggested Detroit in exchange for a used Bob Seger CD in the past, but they have a bunch of bandwagon fans, nowadays.

Who gives a shit in a lost season!!? Winning worthless games holds no benefit. Real fans want a real chance at getting to the Super Bowl and if that ultimately means acquiring L's to do it....so be it. It's how the Patriots got Drake Maye and why we drafted 11th. I'm over this team and franchises mediocrity. Nice for the players to win the game but it means little to most fans and or much bearing on next year.

AGRforever wrote:

Had we not won a few meaningless games over the years, it’s hard to not wish we could’ve drafted so and so.

I'm trying to imagine a bigger waste of time, and I've got nothing...except Packers' fandom.

Wishing for this or that player, when there's no guarantee how they'd do in a different situation, is...wow, a stunning level of meaningless.

It takes a whole team, and luck on top of that, to get rings. Many of the college bois are busts, so...again, what an enormous waste of time.

Complete team game. Great to actually see the full OL. Play calling was good, JJM played smart and the offense did well. Kudos to the defense. Glad to see Harrison Smith shine, as well as AVG. Of course special teams was good too. And I know some people will say, look who they played against. They played the opponent on the schedule. I would like to see progress to build on

My op stands, but I am genuinely glad for that locker room and JJM today.

Zanary wrote:

I'm trying to imagine a bigger waste of time, and I've got nothing...except Packers' fandom.

Wishing for this or that player, when there's no guarantee how they'd do in a different situation, is...wow, a stunning level of meaningless.

It takes a whole team, and luck on top of that, to get rings. Many of the college bois are busts, so...again, what an enormous waste of time.

I don’t know man. I think if you’re a fan that it’s normal to think what would have happened if we drafted Donald instead of Barr or lost enough or traded to drat Maye?  

There’s always the what could have been. It’s what keeps people coming back draft after draft. 

Hell Sanders looks pretty decent so far. Imagine the sideshow instead of Brosmer last week.

purplefaithful wrote:
I know that locker room is desperate for a win..

I'm rooting for a good game from JJM today, and a win for the Vikings when it comes to draft order & tie-breakers...

Sorry, a shitty way for a fan to think lol! 

I also want to leap the Cowboys who I think will covet Love in the draft.

I don't see how it will be anything other than a CB.

Zanary wrote:

I'll never believe a "fan" ever roots for losses, for draft position. In fact, I think that's basically betraying the team and its real fan base.

Fapping over some unknown college boi(s), instead of cheering for actual players in the actual trenches?

We need to trade all "tank fans" to Cleveland, or something. I'd suggested Detroit in exchange for a used Bob Seger CD in the past, but they have a bunch of bandwagon fans, nowadays.

Fortunately no one gets to make up the rules on how anyone gets to be a fan or for that matter tell others how they need to be a fan.  Everyone gets to do it in their own way.  Everyone wants the same thing, for the Vikes to win the Super Bowl and everyone gets to decide for themselves the best path for the team to take to get there.

JR44 wrote:

Fortunately no one gets to make up the rules on how anyone gets to be a fan or for that matter tell others how they need to be a fan.  Everyone gets to do it in their own way.  Everyone wants the same thing, for the Vikes to win the Super Bowl and everyone gets to decide for themselves the best path for the team to take to get there.

Zanary loves mediocrity and hates draft picks, err college boi(s). Just ignore him..

supafreak84 wrote:

Zanary loves mediocrity and hates draft picks, err college boi(s). Just ignore him..

I seriously don't believe any fan loves mediocrity and hates draft picks.  Fans, including me just want to see the Vikings win, regardless of the standings or their draft pick order.  I've been watching the Vikings since their first super bowl loss and the ones following.  So, I know the frustration and disappointment...Life goes on.
I know the season is a wash and a bust, but I still want the Vikings to win to close out the season regardless.  Kinda what fans do.
Obviously, you feel you're smarter that the owners, GM, coaches and all us posters and can do a way better job running the team.
I believe this is what they call "Narcissism"...
By all means, criticize me, ridicule me or call me names, it won't bother me one bit.

I hope we win out. If we didn't have a young potential franchise QB on the team, then yes, let's try to get into position for one.

This season was all about figuring out if JJM is our guy. If he can stack good play to close the season and we win, that's much more important than drafting 7-10 vs 12-14.

If you have a franchise QB, everything else gets much easier.

ArizonaViking wrote:

I seriously don't believe any fan loves mediocrity and hates draft picks.  Fans, including me just want to see the Vikings win, regardless of the standings or their draft pick order.  I've been watching the Vikings since their first super bowl loss and the ones following.  So, I know the frustration and disappointment...Life goes on.
I know the season is a wash and a bust, but I still want the Vikings to win to close out the season regardless.  Kinda what fans do.
Obviously, you feel you're smarter that the owners, GM, coaches and all us posters and can do a way better job running the team.
I believe this is what they call "Narcissism"...
By all means, criticize me, ridicule me or call me names, it won't bother me one bit.

That's fine if you want them to win, there are plenty of us who look at this from a big picture perspective and see the benefit to losing these games in like you say, a lost season, where we are going nowhere and several of these players won't be back on the roster next season. It doesn't make us any less wrong on the process. If the Vikings were contending right now, different story and we'd all want them to win obviously. As far as the other mumbo jumbo to finish your post, I'll just say owners, GM, and coaches have all opened themselves up for a lot criticism this season, and rightly so. Do I think we have the right nuts and bolts to make this thing a winner? I don't and haven't. Winning a playoff game might change my mind but you can just wake me when that happens .

StickierBuns wrote:

He's still pissed they passed on Harbaugh and he hates the Wilfs. His post count is through the roof in rough times, almost non-existant when things are good. Not sure what entering every single thread on the board and shitting on the org. does, but yet here he is doing it with gusto.

But that's pretty much the internet landscape today.

I'm here week in and week out because I see your drivel every week Sticky, win or lose. You aren't wrong about Harbaugh or that I think the Wilfs are not good football people. All you have to do is look up their record to make that shocking (not) realization. But carry on with your fluffing...

What if this is YOUR last season?  We are not guaranteed next year, next week or even tomorrow.  If this was your last season dont you want to see them win one last time?

For many yesterday may be the last game they ever get to watch.  That higher draft pick doesn't seem that important anymore.

ArizonaViking wrote:


I seriously don't believe any fan loves mediocrity and hates draft picks.  Fans, including me just want to see the Vikings win, regardless of the standings or their draft pick order.  I've been watching the Vikings since their first super bowl loss and the ones following.  So, I know the frustration and disappointment...Life goes on.
I know the season is a wash and a bust, but I still want the Vikings to win to close out the season regardless.  Kinda what fans do.
Obviously, you feel you're smarter that the owners, GM, coaches and all us posters and can do a way better job running the team.
I believe this is what they call "Narcissism"...
By all means, criticize me, ridicule me or call me names, it won't bother me one bit.

He's still pissed they passed on Harbaugh and he hates the Wilfs. His post count is through the roof in rough times, almost non-existant when things are good. Not sure what entering every single thread on the board and shitting on the org. does, but yet here he is doing it with gusto.

But that's pretty much the internet landscape today.

I have nothing against those who want a higher draft pick. I don't think of them as less of a fan. I would just remind those people that Matt Kalil was taken 4th overall, while Moss and Jefferson went in the 20s. 

For me, Sunday was about one thing and one thing only: JJ McCarthy. He looked better. Now I want to see him do it again. For the tankers, JJ putting together a few solid games to close out the season will have a much, MUCH bigger impact on the future of the Vikings than whatever rookie we might pull from the draft. 

For those who don't recognize that, who actually want him to fail so they can get their decades-long wish of blowing up the franchise, you're not just idiots with nefarious agendas, you're fucking psychopaths on a Unabomber level.

MaroonBells wrote:
I have nothing against those who want a higher draft pick. I don't think of them as less of a fan. I would just remind those people that Matt Kalil was taken 4th overall, while Moss and Jefferson went in the 20s. 

For me, Sunday was about one thing and one thing only: JJ McCarthy. He looked better. Now I want to see him do it again. For the tankers, JJ putting together a few solid games to close out the season will have a much, MUCH bigger impact on the future of the Vikings than whatever rookie we might pull from the draft. 

For those who don't recognize that, who actually want him to fail so they can get their decades-long wish of blowing up the franchise, you're not just idiots with nefarious agendas, you're fucking psychopaths on a Unabomber level.

Easy now....

MaroonBells wrote:
I have nothing against those who want a higher draft pick. I don't think of them as less of a fan. I would just remind those people that Matt Kalil was taken 4th overall, while Moss and Jefferson went in the 20s. 

For me, Sunday was about one thing and one thing only: JJ McCarthy. He looked better. Now I want to see him do it again. For the tankers, JJ putting together a few solid games to close out the season will have a much, MUCH bigger impact on the future of the Vikings than whatever rookie we might pull from the draft. 

For those who don't recognize that, who actually want him to fail so they can get their decades-long wish of blowing up the franchise, you're not just idiots with nefarious agendas, you're fucking psychopaths on a Unabomber level.

You make some fair points, however;

- I have yet to see anybody on here hoping for the failure of McCarthy, in fact it's quite the opposite. It's certainly possible to still see what you want out of game (McCarthy progress), while also ultimately losing the game. This has been a rough season, we were out of playoff contention by Thanksgiving, so give me that scenario and any little advantage we can gain heading into next season. If that's draft position, so be it. 

- Winning any games at this point only increases the likelihood of the powers in charge remaining the powers in charge. I'm not going to pretend that beating a putrid Washington team at home all of a sudden has made me forget all the draft busts, terrible trades, or the bungling of the quarterback position orchestrated by this front office. It's still a major problem and to pretend it isn't because we beat Washington is foolish. 

- You know as well as I that drafting earlier in every round gives you advantages such as having a larger pool of talent to choose from while also being in a position of power for teams looking to trade up who have to get through you. Again, at this point in a lost season, I want any little advantage I can get for next season and if that means racking up some L's to end the season, so be it. Am I less of a fan for wanting that and looking big picture? I'd say no, it actually makes me more of a fan than those stroking themselves over meaningless wins against bad football teams. To each their own...

MAD GAINZ wrote:
I hope we win out.  If we didn't have a young potential franchise QB on the team, then yes, let's try to get into position for one. This season was all about figuring out if JJM is our guy.  If he can stack good play to close the season and we win, that's much more important than drafting 7-10 vs 12-14.  If you have a franchise QB, everything else gets much easier.

J.J. McCarthy’s best is good enough for now for the Vikings

All season, experts and novices alike have dissected his throwing mechanics. What McCarthy demonstrated Sunday is that, sometimes, mechanics are related to mindset.

McCarthy was more composed. Not surprisingly, he threw the ball more accurately. “In my opinion, I think it was just playing,” he said.

That’s an athlete’s way of saying he didn’t overthink the game.

McCarthy said running backs coach Curtis Modkins put a refreshing thought in his head early in the week, and coach Kevin O’Connell reiterated the point Saturday.

“The big message of last night’s team meeting was to play for that 16-year-old self, that 16-year-old version of yourself,” McCarthy said. “Understand what got you into this game, what made you fall in love with this game, regardless of the record, regardless of where we are in the season, just go out there, have fun, play fast, play free. And I feel like we all did that today.”

McCarthy’s best game arrived at an interesting time, if probably too late to alter the direction of the Vikings’ season.

The Vikings weren’t able to keep veteran quarterback Daniel Jones, who signed with the Colts. On Sunday, Jones, who had slumped and injured his leg in recent weeks, hurt his Achilles tendon and could be out for the season as Indianapolis lost for the fourth time in five games.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, whom the Vikings chose not to re-sign, has played well this season, but not well enough to erase memories of him destroying the Vikings in their biggest games of the 2024 season.

The Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, who was the best of the 2024 quarterback draft class last season, had trouble against the Vikings defense and left the game after aggravating an injury to his left arm. He’s a wonderful player, but he has played in only seven games this year because of injuries and the Commanders are 3-10.

McCarthy hasn’t proved himself yet, but on Sunday he made conversations about his future much more interesting.

McCarthy isn’t a finished product, and beating a bad team at home doesn’t erase his previous struggles, but he’s a difficult guy not to like. When he displays composure, his talent is obvious.

O’Connell enabled McCarthy to have this kind of performance by emphasizing the run early and giving McCarthy easy targets when his receivers weren’t open deep. Five of McCarthy’s 16 completions and all three of his touchdown throws went to tight ends, a reminder that tight ends are often a young quarterback’s best friends because they’re big targets who often find open space in the middle of the field.

If nothing else, McCarthy gave Vikings’ veterans reason to believe in him. “It’s something that I feel like should have happened a lot earlier,” McCarthy said. “I absolutely love those guys for the grace and patience they’ve had with me.”

If this winds up being a season devoted solely to developing McCarthy, this season will not have been played in vain.

STRIB

JimmyinSD wrote:
What if this is YOUR last season?  We are not guaranteed next year, next week or even tomorrow.  If this was your last season dont you want to see them win one last time?

For many yesterday may be the last game they ever get to watch.  That higher draft pick doesn't seem that important anymore.

Tell me about it...

RandBall: Hoping the Vikings would tank for a draft pick? I have some bad news.

Go ahead and ask a professional athlete to be OK with losing.

There’s an irrational argument to be made for Vikings fans wanting the Vikings to lose at this point in the season, an almost counterintuitive desire for misery to compound so that grievances about the team can continue to be expressed.

And there’s a more rational argument to be made for Vikings fans wanting the Vikings to lose at this point in the season, given that poorer records equal higher draft picks and the possibility of someday, somehow turning this thing around and getting back to the Super Bowl for the first time in a half-century.

I found plenty of those sentiments expressed on social media in the past week.

If you were a fan in either or both of those categories heading into Sunday’s game against Washington — a contest that wagering and predictive models essentially labeled a toss-up — I have some bad news.

Professional athletes always want to win. Almost all of them grew up being the best at what they do. And they can easily find ways to motivate themselves even in the midst of a disappointing season.

Sunday’s motivation in a 31-0 shellacking of Washington, other than mere pride, appeared to come in the form of a speech from running backs coach Curtis Modkins. He implored players to think of their 16-year-old selves and what the opportunity to even play in an NFL game would mean back then.

Multiple Vikings mentioned it after the game, including J.J. McCarthy (age 22) and Harrison Smith (age 36) — two players at very different stages of their NFL journeys.
Smith, who had his first interception of the season, became emotional talking about the privilege of player. McCarthy played his best game in the NFL so far.

And you want them to tank so that next year’s Vikings might have the No. 8 pick instead of the No. 12 pick in the draft?

Sorry, it doesn’t work that way. It’s one thing to go into a season with the intention of rebuilding, a much kinder word than tanking that takes into account youth and the need to restructure the roster.

The Vikings did not do that. They thought they would be competitive this season, and a lot of us agreed that they would be.

Instead, they are 5-8. Their playoff chances, even if they improbably win out, are basically as close to zero as you can get without being zero.

Things have not worked out for a variety of reasons, and the top of the list is subpar quarterback play. (Next on the list is injuries and inconsistency on the offensive line, which went hand-in-hand with the QB struggles and also Sunday’s success).

Gaining information about and experience for McCarthy is far more important the rest of this season than a few spots in the draft. And even if it wasn’t, rest assured that athletes will never be on board with trying to lose.

STRIB