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When Randy Moss plays, as he adamantly puts it, Viking fans “can’t do nothin’ but get their roll on.”
Unfortunately for the 5-2 Vikings, they will get their roll on tonight without their outstanding corn-rowed receiver.
Moss originally strained his hamstring late in the second quarter of the Vikings’ October 17th game in New Olreans. Head Coach Mike Tice planned to tread cautiously with the star wide receiver to prevent the injury from lingering, but his philosophy quickly wilted as Moss started, but did not finish, both of the last two games.
When it comes to most franchise players, coaches and management minds are warned to be extra vigilant with any type of ailment yet the carelessness displayed by the Vikings may prove costly.
Deemed to be a simple strain and quickly downplayed since Moss had a consecutive games started streak to keep intact, the Vikings found out this past Thursday that a rest should have taken precedence over an individual accolade. Nearly three weeks after the fact, Moss underwent an MRI exam only to discover that the nag was in fact a slight tear of the muscle.
Poor judgment on the part of the organizational heads have cost the NFC North leaders two weeks without a top gun at full strength, and possibly at least one, if not more, critical wins in a tight division.
The Arizona Diamondbacks may consider this a strong evaluation, but most pundits will agree that the lack of due diligence exercised by the franchise could hinder the excellent wide-out for another three to four weeks.
Had the exam been completed earlier, Moss could have been at full speed possibly this week, or next week at the latest.
For a team that finished their season 4-5 in 2002, and 3-7 in 2003, starting the second half of 2004 without the proper contributions from their best target is not what they envisioned.
In essence, that “what, me worry?” persona that Mike Tice consistently displays (see recklessness in regards to Randy Moss injury) has trickled down to his football team, and that lackadaisical mentality has the Vikings in danger of missing the playoffs – again.
While the Vikings are 5-2 at this current point, the combined record of their defeated opponents is 16-24. Although the winning percentage of their next nine rivals is comparable to their first seven, keep in mind that the Colts and Packers, who are upcoming, have yet to play their best football while Minnesota usually fades right about this time.
At least all those defensive amendments can balance any offensive shortcomings right? Free agent acquisition Antoine Winfield, first-round draft pick Kenechi Udeze, and second-round selection Dontarrious Thomas have all contributed significantly, but the 23rd ranked defense of a year ago has descended two spots.
Still not feeling the anxiety of the purple people eaters? The Vikings are a measly 2-7 in November games and 7-12 on the road in the last three years. As they roll into the RCA Dome tonight, a loss would set up a battle for first place at Lambeau Field next week with the Packers – the same Packers who were discounted like a bad hamstring injury just three weeks ago.
Playoffs and the Minnesota Vikings mix like Mondays and Me
"It doesn't matter what you write. But don't think that just because you wrote it that it's good.” – Neal Pollack
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