vikings/nfl

As a middle linebacker, knowing Harrison Smith is twenty feet behind me would help me relax and just play ball. Even if you make a mistake, the Eraser's got your back.

I commented on how well the defense played after the SF game without Erin Henderson in the line-up and wondered was this just a coincidence? Now, after watching the defense play that last three games, I have to ask the same thing? I like what Brinkley is doing on the field both in the run and nickle packages. Keep him in there! "If it ain't broke..."

There are several players on this team in general that were criticized for not being able to play their respective starting positions before they even got out on the field this year and those players had not been given the chance to ever show what they could do as starters. That information no one should have bought into to begin with. Brinkley is just one of them. A few of those players are Letroy Guion, Brandon Fusco, and Mistral Raymond. Christian Ponder needs to be added to that list because of the situation he was thrown into last year. I have also never seen rookies make an impact on a team like they are on this Vikings team. Anybody who criticized GM Rick Spielman and this Viking coaching staff needs to eat a large serving of crow.

Bruised up. I agree about eating crow, but I will wait until the end of the season. I love the way we are playing, but the second half schedule is brutal.

I tell ya these Vikings defenders have finally grown some horns. Brinkley and Smith and the others can bring the wood. They're no pushovers and nice guys on the field. It's been a long time in MN where the defense was the strength of the team. And that's exactly what you need for a long term winner.

Brinkley is a good run defender but has a long way to go still in pass defense. How many pass defended does he have? 1? I think that is was clearly demonstrated that Cole is a better pass defender. Did you see the pass for a TD? As soon as Brinkley tuned his back Matt threw the ball. He was just waiting for him to do it. Why turn your back man!! If you just back-peddled it would of hit you in the face. Sorry long way to go. Cole is better in that situation. Much to be exited about though.

I agree with blitzem: it is human nature for Vikings fans to get excited about the unexpected success of this team but we shouldn't let expectations get out of hand, and we need to see how the entire season unfolds before becoming too giddy. This is a young team that is better than expected and has caught some teams by surprise (notably, SF). It also has a soft schedule through the first 12 games, after which it is brutal: Chicago twice, Packers twice, Houston and St. Louis. Of these, we will probably be favored once (St. Louis) and possibly twice, if the Packers continue their slide. That last month and a half will tell us a lot.

First off no one has to eat any crow about anything they said until the Vikings win a SuperBowl. Just being one of the better teams in the league for half a season isn't good enough. Just winning the division a bunch of times in the next 10 years isn't enough. SuperBowl or bust.

fattydoodoo Oct. 9, 12 11:29 AM ///////// Ahhhh, if only life were so easy. Just predict every single team in the NFL to not win the Superbowl every year. You get to be right 31 times, and wrong only once. I guess we should all respect your opinion now based upon that record.

The defense is doing a great job so far. Jasper Brinkley is surprising. Well done. But he needs to be more aware on pass plays as the Titans scored their only TD because Jasper didn't turn around to look. He would of had a sure interception.