tee*dub
Head of Loggerhead Turtle Society
2008 posted on CTG
36-26, +15,975
_________________________________________________
midway point and up over 30 units so right on track.. Good start to the week hitting Denver Thursday on 4 unit play.. 9-4 the last couple weeks I think.
Very nice day yesterday in CFB hitting my top 3 plays including top unit+2 play on bama.. Had a chance at a couple backdoor covers (Vandy) that could have made the day much better, but can't complain.
Also hit a nice sized wager on Calzaghe over RJJ last night in boxing.. Those who know me know I never lay big chalk but that one was too easy. at -220 I still thought it was cheap.. Roy Jones Jr. is old and I believe that Joe Calz is lb. for lb. champ right now.. So easy play for me and it was dominating.. But this is the NFL so on with it.
Have mentioned to several guys in PM and otherwise that I have liked this card from the beginning.
I put them up as I play them and as always I'll keep this first screen updated.
Vikings -2.5, -110; 6 units
Saints +1.5, -110; 4 units
Ravens +1, -110; 4 units
Rams +10, -120; 2 units
Sd -10, -120 2H; 4 units
Colts TT over 10 2H, -115; 4 units..
other sides I am leaning on:
Tenny (becoming less comfortable though)
New Orleans (likely play)
Balty (likely play)
philly (very small lean)
StL
Packers have problems today. Don't think the 2.5 will be around long so locking it in now.
Revenge game for Vikes as they outplayed GB on the road earlier IMO and now get a much more stable situation and at home.
Vikings run it and GB has trouble stopping it. Peterson is acting fresh and Berrian's season has been on a steady up-tick..He now leads the NFL in YPC at over 20.. This is the attack we expected early on for the Vikings. Pound it with Peterson and then stretch it downfield with Berrian.. And the Pack are perfect candidates to struggle with that approach.. Lots of things kept the Vikes from pulling this off early on but mostly it was the fact Peterson was banged up and QB Jackson was incapable of performing the strategy.. Those two problems are fixed now.
Made the bet assuming J Allen is scratched. If he plays and is near his usual self, I am tempted to add..
Thought this article sumed things up pretty good:
_______________________________________________________
Booed off the field earlier this season, the Vikings offense suddenly is far less predictable and decidedly more entertaining, not to mention much more efficient.
The Vikings have climbed to 13th in the NFL in total offense and 14th in scoring at the season’s halfway mark by getting meaningful contributions from both the running and passing game.
Quarterback Gus Frerotte has the field awareness of a 15-year veteran. Wide receiver Bernard Berrian, after a slow start, is providing a big-play, deep threat. And running back Adrian Peterson pounds away at defenses stacked to stop him.
It’s still not a perfect offense, but the Vikings have found a successful formula.
“This is getting closer to what we envisioned,” offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “This year we have a little bit more balance.
We are able to run the ball effectively, but still the passes that we are starting to hit now, the run is setting them up and we are starting to get a little bit bigger chucks. I think we are able to be a little bit more explosive with the pass game. When you do that, something has to give.”
The target of slings and arrows the past few seasons, the Vikings are generating some impressive numbers on offense. A sampling:
• The Vikings averaged 27.8 points the past four games, the fifth-highest average in the NFL over the past five weeks (including a bye).
• They had a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver in the same game for the second time this season last week after a six-year drought.
• They are tied for eighth in the league with 32 plays of at least 20 yards.
• Berrian leads the NFL in average yards per catch (20.7) among receivers with at least 20 catches, Peterson is the second-leading rusher (823 yards), Frerotte is fourth in yards-per-completion average (12.88), Visanthe Shiancoe is second among tight ends in touchdowns (four) and Chester Taylor leads running backs in third-down catches (13).
Still …
“Every aspect of our game we have to get better at,” right guard Anthony Herrera said. “We’re nowhere close to where we want to be. Not yet.”
Taking advantage
None of the Vikings previous four opponents ranks higher than 17th in the NFL in defense, but the offense is moving in the right direction. Any discussion about its improvement starts with Frerotte, who replaced Tarvaris Jackson in Week 3 and has steadily become more comfortable in this system.
At 37, Frerotte brings a calmness that was absent under Jackson. Frerotte’s approach is so flat-lined he makes Joe Mauer seem like a live wire.
“He’s as even-keeled as anyone I’ve seen,” receiver Bobby Wade said. “You want a consistent guy who can look you in the eye and tell you exactly what is going on. You can look at him and have confidence that we are going to execute this play and get it done.”
The numbers back that up. The Vikings have averaged 92.7 more passing yards and 7.7 more points per game with Frerotte, who, more important, is 4-2 as the starter.
Frerotte ranks 10th in the NFL with 244.7 passing yards per game and has brought balance to the offense. Consider: The Vikings have only 61 more total yards through eight games than they had at this point last season. However, they have 450 more passing yards.
“Obviously, when you can have a 100-yard receiver and a 100-yard rusher [in the same game] it’s pretty tough for a defense to defend,” Frerotte said. “We’re just trying to get those guys in the best positions. You want matchups, and you want your big players to make big plays.”
Berrian is giving the Vikings precisely what they wanted when they targeted him in free agency. Signed to a six-year, $42 million contract, he is using his speed to make big plays down the field and taking advantage of defenses focused on Peterson.
Berrian caught a 55-yard pass on the first play last week and has nine catches of 25-plus yards, the
second-most in the NFL. He has three 100-yard receiving performances in the past four games and a touchdown catch in four consecutive games.
Berrian said it’s how he envisioned his role “to a T.”
“We were trying to get the ball down the field early [in the season], but we just weren’t able to land those shots,” he said. “Now we’re starting to land them and get big chunks of yardage. That’s balancing it up a lot.”
Fear the run
Even so, teams remain more fearful of Peterson’s running so they bring their safeties closer to the line rather than keep them back to provide help on Berrian. Childress said he doesn’t envision that changing.
“We’re probably not to the point where they’re thinking it’s a Randy Moss and they have to roll up where it’s two deep and they’ll give up the run,” he said. “I don’t think that we’re going to see a departure to that.”
Peterson enters today’s game with three consecutive 100-yard performances and said his body feels “fresh.” He seems to have found his groove, which no doubt is linked to the team’s increased production in the passing game.
“If they are absolutely going to legislate against the run, then you better be able to throw it,” Childress said. “If they’re going to give you things in the run game, then you better have the ability to run it. Balance is a good thing.”
The question now is whether they can keep that balance. The Vikings face only two top-10 defenses in the second half and, barring significant injuries, they should become consistent as the season progresses.
It might not be a kick-you-know-what offense, but it’s functioning pretty well.
“Guys are happy about what we’ve got going on,” Wade said. “The more that we go out there, the more we exert our force on defenses and really play at our tempo — instead of having the defense dictate everything to us, it allows us to be more confident.”
36-26, +15,975
_________________________________________________
midway point and up over 30 units so right on track.. Good start to the week hitting Denver Thursday on 4 unit play.. 9-4 the last couple weeks I think.
Very nice day yesterday in CFB hitting my top 3 plays including top unit+2 play on bama.. Had a chance at a couple backdoor covers (Vandy) that could have made the day much better, but can't complain.
Also hit a nice sized wager on Calzaghe over RJJ last night in boxing.. Those who know me know I never lay big chalk but that one was too easy. at -220 I still thought it was cheap.. Roy Jones Jr. is old and I believe that Joe Calz is lb. for lb. champ right now.. So easy play for me and it was dominating.. But this is the NFL so on with it.
Have mentioned to several guys in PM and otherwise that I have liked this card from the beginning.
I put them up as I play them and as always I'll keep this first screen updated.
Vikings -2.5, -110; 6 units
Saints +1.5, -110; 4 units
Ravens +1, -110; 4 units
Rams +10, -120; 2 units
Sd -10, -120 2H; 4 units
Colts TT over 10 2H, -115; 4 units..
other sides I am leaning on:
Tenny (becoming less comfortable though)
New Orleans (likely play)
Balty (likely play)
philly (very small lean)
StL
Packers have problems today. Don't think the 2.5 will be around long so locking it in now.
Revenge game for Vikes as they outplayed GB on the road earlier IMO and now get a much more stable situation and at home.
Vikings run it and GB has trouble stopping it. Peterson is acting fresh and Berrian's season has been on a steady up-tick..He now leads the NFL in YPC at over 20.. This is the attack we expected early on for the Vikings. Pound it with Peterson and then stretch it downfield with Berrian.. And the Pack are perfect candidates to struggle with that approach.. Lots of things kept the Vikes from pulling this off early on but mostly it was the fact Peterson was banged up and QB Jackson was incapable of performing the strategy.. Those two problems are fixed now.
Made the bet assuming J Allen is scratched. If he plays and is near his usual self, I am tempted to add..
Thought this article sumed things up pretty good:
_______________________________________________________
Booed off the field earlier this season, the Vikings offense suddenly is far less predictable and decidedly more entertaining, not to mention much more efficient.
The Vikings have climbed to 13th in the NFL in total offense and 14th in scoring at the season’s halfway mark by getting meaningful contributions from both the running and passing game.
Quarterback Gus Frerotte has the field awareness of a 15-year veteran. Wide receiver Bernard Berrian, after a slow start, is providing a big-play, deep threat. And running back Adrian Peterson pounds away at defenses stacked to stop him.
It’s still not a perfect offense, but the Vikings have found a successful formula.
“This is getting closer to what we envisioned,” offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “This year we have a little bit more balance.
We are able to run the ball effectively, but still the passes that we are starting to hit now, the run is setting them up and we are starting to get a little bit bigger chucks. I think we are able to be a little bit more explosive with the pass game. When you do that, something has to give.”
The target of slings and arrows the past few seasons, the Vikings are generating some impressive numbers on offense. A sampling:
• The Vikings averaged 27.8 points the past four games, the fifth-highest average in the NFL over the past five weeks (including a bye).
• They had a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver in the same game for the second time this season last week after a six-year drought.
• They are tied for eighth in the league with 32 plays of at least 20 yards.
• Berrian leads the NFL in average yards per catch (20.7) among receivers with at least 20 catches, Peterson is the second-leading rusher (823 yards), Frerotte is fourth in yards-per-completion average (12.88), Visanthe Shiancoe is second among tight ends in touchdowns (four) and Chester Taylor leads running backs in third-down catches (13).
Still …
“Every aspect of our game we have to get better at,” right guard Anthony Herrera said. “We’re nowhere close to where we want to be. Not yet.”
Taking advantage
None of the Vikings previous four opponents ranks higher than 17th in the NFL in defense, but the offense is moving in the right direction. Any discussion about its improvement starts with Frerotte, who replaced Tarvaris Jackson in Week 3 and has steadily become more comfortable in this system.
At 37, Frerotte brings a calmness that was absent under Jackson. Frerotte’s approach is so flat-lined he makes Joe Mauer seem like a live wire.
“He’s as even-keeled as anyone I’ve seen,” receiver Bobby Wade said. “You want a consistent guy who can look you in the eye and tell you exactly what is going on. You can look at him and have confidence that we are going to execute this play and get it done.”
The numbers back that up. The Vikings have averaged 92.7 more passing yards and 7.7 more points per game with Frerotte, who, more important, is 4-2 as the starter.
Frerotte ranks 10th in the NFL with 244.7 passing yards per game and has brought balance to the offense. Consider: The Vikings have only 61 more total yards through eight games than they had at this point last season. However, they have 450 more passing yards.
“Obviously, when you can have a 100-yard receiver and a 100-yard rusher [in the same game] it’s pretty tough for a defense to defend,” Frerotte said. “We’re just trying to get those guys in the best positions. You want matchups, and you want your big players to make big plays.”
Berrian is giving the Vikings precisely what they wanted when they targeted him in free agency. Signed to a six-year, $42 million contract, he is using his speed to make big plays down the field and taking advantage of defenses focused on Peterson.
Berrian caught a 55-yard pass on the first play last week and has nine catches of 25-plus yards, the
second-most in the NFL. He has three 100-yard receiving performances in the past four games and a touchdown catch in four consecutive games.
Berrian said it’s how he envisioned his role “to a T.”
“We were trying to get the ball down the field early [in the season], but we just weren’t able to land those shots,” he said. “Now we’re starting to land them and get big chunks of yardage. That’s balancing it up a lot.”
Fear the run
Even so, teams remain more fearful of Peterson’s running so they bring their safeties closer to the line rather than keep them back to provide help on Berrian. Childress said he doesn’t envision that changing.
“We’re probably not to the point where they’re thinking it’s a Randy Moss and they have to roll up where it’s two deep and they’ll give up the run,” he said. “I don’t think that we’re going to see a departure to that.”
Peterson enters today’s game with three consecutive 100-yard performances and said his body feels “fresh.” He seems to have found his groove, which no doubt is linked to the team’s increased production in the passing game.
“If they are absolutely going to legislate against the run, then you better be able to throw it,” Childress said. “If they’re going to give you things in the run game, then you better have the ability to run it. Balance is a good thing.”
The question now is whether they can keep that balance. The Vikings face only two top-10 defenses in the second half and, barring significant injuries, they should become consistent as the season progresses.
It might not be a kick-you-know-what offense, but it’s functioning pretty well.
“Guys are happy about what we’ve got going on,” Wade said. “The more that we go out there, the more we exert our force on defenses and really play at our tempo — instead of having the defense dictate everything to us, it allows us to be more confident.”
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opcorn:
