Post by Purple Pain on Jul 31, 2018 20:00:12 GMT -6
Vikings’ Super Bowl dreams start with a chip on their shoulder
Link: www.twincities.com/2018/07/30/vikings-super-bowl-dreams-start-with-a-chip-on-their-shoulder/
Adrian Peterson regularly predicted a Super Bowl victory during his decade with the Vikings, from 2007-16. No players on this year’s roster are willing to be so bold, but they are plenty confident.
“We expect to win a championship every time we come out here,” tight end Kyle Rudolph said. “I’ve said it numerous times that our goal is to bring the first championship to this organization. If that’s not your expectation, then you don’t need to be out here. I promise you, our expectations as a team are light years ahead of fan expectations and media expectations.”
Rudolph said they key is for the Vikings to maintain the attitude that has played a key role in winning two of the past three NFC North titles.
“We can’t let success take away from us having the mentality of having a chip on our shoulder and feeling like we have to prove people wrong, and that’s when we play our best football,” he said. “That’s the identity we’ve kind of taken on, and when we play like that, that’s where we’re tough to beat. When we think we can just roll the ball out there and play, that’s when we don’t play well and end up losing.”
So, as good as the Vikings have become, does this mean Zimmer has to be creative in coming up with material for his us-against-the-world speeches?
“No, I don’t think so,” Zimmer said. “I think chip on the shoulder means going out and competing against a guy across from you and trying to work him. It doesn’t have to necessarily mean that you’re the underdog. But I do think when we’re a little upset, we play pretty good.”
With that in mind, Zimmer said he has reminded his team many times that winning 13 games last season didn’t get them where they wanted to be.
“We expect to win a championship every time we come out here,” tight end Kyle Rudolph said. “I’ve said it numerous times that our goal is to bring the first championship to this organization. If that’s not your expectation, then you don’t need to be out here. I promise you, our expectations as a team are light years ahead of fan expectations and media expectations.”
Rudolph said they key is for the Vikings to maintain the attitude that has played a key role in winning two of the past three NFC North titles.
“We can’t let success take away from us having the mentality of having a chip on our shoulder and feeling like we have to prove people wrong, and that’s when we play our best football,” he said. “That’s the identity we’ve kind of taken on, and when we play like that, that’s where we’re tough to beat. When we think we can just roll the ball out there and play, that’s when we don’t play well and end up losing.”
So, as good as the Vikings have become, does this mean Zimmer has to be creative in coming up with material for his us-against-the-world speeches?
“No, I don’t think so,” Zimmer said. “I think chip on the shoulder means going out and competing against a guy across from you and trying to work him. It doesn’t have to necessarily mean that you’re the underdog. But I do think when we’re a little upset, we play pretty good.”
With that in mind, Zimmer said he has reminded his team many times that winning 13 games last season didn’t get them where they wanted to be.
Link: www.twincities.com/2018/07/30/vikings-super-bowl-dreams-start-with-a-chip-on-their-shoulder/
... and neither is this Chris guy.