Vikes ESCAPE Bears - Game Ball?

It's tough. Jefferson had a huge impact on the game, but when the defense sh*t the bed Dantzler came through

He had 1 hold. Im not sure on the pressures, but it will be so nice when this OLine jells. Ingram might make a good guard, he looks the part. And I saw Cook run by him a few times today.

The offense deserves credit for playing fantastic for 3 quarters... not sure why they went into the absolute pits in the 3rd quarter, but Kirk is sure getting good in the 4th quarter now, and he deserves credit for another great final drive. The O-line held up pretty well and got some nice running lanes for Cook. No egregious drops from the offense, outside of a bad one from Mattison. O'Connell did a good job today, but then again it was against a pretty terrible defense. Let's see if they can hang with Miami next week.

I went on a diatribe about the defense in another thread, so I'll save my thoughts, but they have got to drastically improve or it's going to be the decisive factor in why this team won't be winning anything in the playoffs. Giving up 22 may not sound bad, but when it's in a home game against an pitiful offense like this one, I can't be impressed. Special teams was downright terrible today too.

I said other, because its definitely Mike Zimmer. I don't know what he's doing differently this year, but we seem to be getting the little things going our way that have rarely gone our way before.

Granted I think it's been overplayed and mocked to no end but there is at least something to it. I've been on those team and coached them on both sides. Different sports. Nowhere near the pro level, but the general 'vibe' of the players matters. Feeling the necessity and responsibility to fight for the guy next to you. And sometimes there is that small thing like finishing a block or getting up after a stiff arm or picking a guy up after they made a mistake or spending a couple extra hours watching film or getting to know the playbook.

It's not gonna turn a mediocre player into an All-pro. And, in fact, it probably doesn't matter on 90+% of the plays. But what if you get that little extra on just a couple plays every game?

They're human beings out there. A bunch of whom are just kids. And as much as we'd hope they'd all go about their business exactly as they should regardless of the environment, I think positivity is impactful. Sometimes that 'nice job' or 'I appreciate your hard work' or whatever can give me a little spring in my step that I didn't know I needed.

And that is sustainable btw. In both directions. Having to only hear about the things you did wrong is tiresome. These guys are so physically tough that we assume they are mentally impenetrable. Which just isn't true. And it becomes even more important to maximize every last bit of effort out of guys who might not be as talented as those around them.

I think it's kinda cheap when people pull this card but I've played and coached and watch a ton of sports at many levels throughout my entire life. It matters. Even to the top fraction of a percent who make a ton of money to do what they do. It absolutely matters.

I'm sorry for you Funky. What an unfair world.
Maybe it's a magic horseshoe thing?