The Vikings have failed to address their biggest issue for about the 7th offseason in a row. Hard to be consistent if your o line is awful. Hasn’t been good since the steve Hutchinson days.
I hope they give Zimmer one more year though.
this gets back to the idea that's been kicked around - how much overlap is there between the Gophers' fan base and the Vikings' fan base?
I don't think there is a lot of overlap. Maybe some of the corporations have suites or luxury boxes for both teams. But as far as the average joe, ticket-buying fans, I really don't think there is much overlap.
So, even if the Vikes absolutely went into the tank, I'm not sure that helps the Gophers. The Gophers have to re-build their fan base, and try to bring back the fans who have left, or dropped season tickets, because of the seat donation fiasco.
I think that starts by announcing that the current ticket structure and donation system has been completely scrapped, and they announce a new system from scratch. Now, that's not going to happen, but that's what I think it would take to really make a difference.
I am not sure how the Vikings defense was worse this year, with even more DL talent being added, and even solid play in the DB area with guys like Holton Hill, and a couple others playing better than expected.
It turns out that Cousins needs the right situation to shine, and by comparison Case Keenum makes things happen, even when the play call or O line are not right.
The O line was not great, but one first round pick this year was not going to fix it it either, but years of short term OL patches is catching up to them for sure. I guess drafting OL instead of the useless Treadwell might have helped by now.
Losing Shurmer as OC did not help and Defillip was the wrong choice. In retrospect, they should have held on to Case Keenum. Zimmer seemed to not like Keenum at all.
I hope they give Zimmer one more year though, since I'd like to think his defense could carry the team next year, with Hughes returning at CB, and Griffen playing like he used to at DE. The offense cannot possibly be as bad next year. A. Barr is probably gone, which may or may not be a bad thing.
SO MUCH happier being a Gophers fan than a Vikings fan. It's going to happen one of these years and it will be hard getting a ticket to TCF Bank Stadium. We'll be hearing from some of our old long lost friends wanting to go to the game with us.
The only way a listless Vikings team helps the Gophers much is if the Gophers are playing in Indy and going to one of the bigger bowls, for more than one year. If that happens, some of of the hard core Viking fans that are very casual Gopher fans will start to pay more attention.
The Vikings dominate this sports market by a massive margin, and the only thing that put a dent in that were the Twins WS wins, and that momentum was rapidly vaporized by the Vikings once the Twins imploded after getting passed by Oakland late in '92.
The Gophers have to get to a Rose Bowl, win the Big Ten Championship, or pretty much go undefeated to get much attention in this town. Even winning the West and losing in Indianapolis like Northwestern did this year would not be enough.
Agreed there are a lot of Vikings fans that dislike the Gophers. Donation structure needs to be revamped more in line with what people are willing to pay.this gets back to the idea that's been kicked around - how much overlap is there between the Gophers' fan base and the Vikings' fan base?
I don't think there is a lot of overlap. Maybe some of the corporations have suites or luxury boxes for both teams. But as far as the average joe, ticket-buying fans, I really don't think there is much overlap.
So, even if the Vikes absolutely went into the tank, I'm not sure that helps the Gophers. The Gophers have to re-build their fan base, and try to bring back the fans who have left, or dropped season tickets, because of the seat donation fiasco.
I think that starts by announcing that the current ticket structure and donation system has been completely scrapped, and they announce a new system from scratch. Now, that's not going to happen, but that's what I think it would take to really make a difference.
Having had season tickets to both teams for years I know the Vikings have win / lose more die hard fans. Look at the seat license fees in addition to the ticket costs and they sold them easily. I always want both to be successful but one of the previous posters who said the Gophers will have to start beating the good teams and going to the Rose bowl is closer to the answer. I am sometimes amazed at the loyalty the Vikings have as they basically sell hope every year.
Yes, the NFL is now all about offense, although Seattle looks pretty good playing good defense and running the ball, but they do still have Wilson at QB.
There has been a changing of the guard at QB this year with Mahomes, Trebisky, and Goff leading these high powered offenses.
It will be interesting to see if KC can break through for once in the playoffs with Mahomes making all the difference. If you are tired of being a Vikings fan, look at the KC playoff record since the 1970 Super Bowl. - not good
I think Chicago might rise up in the playoffs, as they are not that far behind KC with their new HC running the same plays with a QB who is not that far behind Mahomes, and some playmakers on offense. (Cohen, Miller, Howard, Burton) The difference is the Bears are loaded on Defense as well.
Philly getting in with the Vikings pissing away the year today, under Foles at QB could be exciting as well.
Agreed there are a lot of Vikings fans that dislike the Gophers.
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I think most Viking fans think the Gophers are irrelevant. The Gophers haven't been good during most people's lifetimes. The Gophers were last good when people who are 70 years-old now were pre-teens. But if the Gophers became good...like Rose Bowl good...there would be tons of crossover fans. I'm not saying every Viking fan will be a Gopher fan, but a lot more than most people think would be fans of both.
The Vikings dominate this town and no matter how good the Gophers may become they will never overtake the Vikings in popularity.
That's because the Vikings have been Minnesota's most successful franchise. I read an article about the super Bowl Era and the success of all the teams, where they gave points for Super Bowl Championships, division championships, HOFers and so on and the Vikings were one of the most successful franchises over the last 50 years.
I think the U is seen by some as for the “elites”. It’s very hard to get in as an undergrad. A lot of people’s kids can’t get in and end up going elsewhere, St Cloud Mankato Dakotas etc.
The Vikings are an everybody’s team in the state.
Wow, that’s shocking for a franchise that has choked every season in it’s existence. Every season.
The Twins have 2 World Series Championships. The Gophers from 5-7 National Championships. The Vikings at best are third.
Having had season tickets to both teams for years I know the Vikings have win / lose more die hard fans. Look at the seat license fees in addition to the ticket costs and they sold them easily. I always want both to be successful but one of the previous posters who said the Gophers will have to start beating the good teams and going to the Rose bowl is closer to the answer. I am sometimes amazed at the loyalty the Vikings have as they basically sell hope every year.