Culcrapper

By Jake Brown

It seems as if everyone thought that when the Minnesota Vikings jettisoned their star wide receiver to Oakland in the off season they would be better for it. Sure, Randy Moss was a distraction both on and off the field. But after two horrific games this season, the Vikings seemed to be headed in the wrong direction without their former star.

The list of problems is long in Minnesota, but it all really begins with quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Eight interceptions and no touchdowns in the first two games is absolutely unacceptable for any quarterback in the NFL, but especially one who would have been the MVP of the league last year had it not been for some guy named Manning. Thanks to Daunte’s inability to keep a hold of the ball the Vikings have turned it over 12 times in 24 possessions.

Though much of the blame falls on Culpepper, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Michael Bennett. It’s a wonder I would even mention him, considering he has barely existed for the first two games. His stat line reads as follows: 9 attempts, 39 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 fumble. That is about equivalent to a typical first quarter for Willie Parker.

So they haven’t been able to pass the ball well, or run the ball well. Their defense hasn’t been much better either. But can you blame those guys? They’re put in awful position time after time. With all those turnovers the Vikes are giving up a ton of field position.

So in three huge facets of the game, they’ve been absolutely horrible through two games. Who does the blame eventual fall on but Mike Tice. The head coach has come under scrutiny at other times as well, but this year appears to be just what the doctor ordered for those who have wanted him out before. Daunte’s lack of composure, an anemic running game, and basically an all-around horrible team will eventually cost Tice his job, and rightly so. There is too much talent in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for him not to run away with the NFC North.

That being said, the North is not out of Tice’s reach yet. This division is pretty bad, and a 0-2 start does not drop them, or the Green Bay Packers, out of contention just yet. A couple more weeks of losing may drop both of them out, but that time has not yet come. The North has already proven to be an inconsistent division. The Lions dismantled the Packers in week one, but went on to be demolished by the Bears in week two.

Tice and his team have time to regroup and win the division because none of the other teams are going to run away with it. They had better get their act together though, or Tice and his staff will be sent packing sooner rather than later.