Apologies and Thrills

Hello Vikingland, Tark the terrific here to administer another great post from the purple mind of the purple head that we call Tark. Wow, what a day to be a viking fan. Tark hopes everyone had as much fun at the office today as he did. Tark has heard from people that haven't called for years during the loosing streak and other items. Well, Tark kept a list, and it took awhile, but Tark was able to call, talk, and e-mail everyone back. And what did they say?? It was only one game, or the Pack always loses on the Dome. Face it people, yesterday was the spark, and Tark will not allow readmittance on the band wagon. Anyway, lets get in to the action from yesterday.

Tark mentioned apologies in the title. Well here it is, Tark is sorry he did not watch the second half. Tark did watch it, just not in his seat. Tark went to visit some friends at half time. We talked and visited, then Tark headed back to 237. Well, on the way, the Vikes score a field goal. Then they score a touchdown. Well if you don't know it Tark is very superstitious. Tark figured, hell, they are doing well when Tark is not in his seat. Tark was in his seat the whole first half and we all know how that went. So Tark stayed down in the tunnel and watched and listened to the game. As Tark stayed there, the momentum kept picking up. A few of Tark's friends came down and asked whaTark was doing. After explaining Tark's beliefs, they understood. So in the future, if Tark is not in his seat, and the purple have turned it up a knotch, just look in the tunnel and you will see Tark pacing and praying.

On to the game. One thing Tark loves to hear when we play the Pack is "franchise record" Anytime that phrase is used it has to be good. Tark can't think of any better way to improve yourself than with a 56 yard field goal in the closing seconds to beat the Pack. Great kick Paul, still upset about Chicago, but great kick. This especially has to be nice because of all the close games that we should have beaten the Pack but failed to capitalize. Redemption is great.

Tark has no real way to explain the game. Everything that went wrong in the first half did and everything that could go right in the second half did. It got so bad, even Tark truly thought Brad Johnson would start the second half. Luckily he didn't.Tark's player of the game, well lets go with players, is the following: Mewelde Moore on Offense, Pat Williams on Defense and K. Robinson on special teams. Tark would probably go with K. Robinson as player of the game. If it wasn't for his spectacular returns the "franchise record" field goal would not have happened. Tark is still a little uneasy with our secondary. Tark feels Favre made it look to easy in the first half. They buckled down though and came around. Tark really feels good about the front four. The pressure is coming and the run stopping ability is great. Keep it up.

Tark is not saying this season is now turned around, but, about this time last year we lost to the Giants and went to hell. Wouldn't it be great if the trend was losing first then come back strong and shut everyone up?? Could happen, if ever a game could give a team a boost this "franchise record" setting game could. Keep the faith purple and just remember if Tark is not in his seat, he is in the building, somewhere pacing.

Tark would like to thank all the fans that checked on him in the tunnel. Also Tark wishes his best purple buddy, Bev, a very happy birthday. Tark has never seen a hotter 50 year old in his life. Great time in the lot, Sunday, as always. Good seeing Tarks favorite Nebraska Maytag repair man in the lot also. Just proves that the best tailgate party up there involves all the crazies from section 237. Keep the faith nation this could be the spark needed. Oh yea, one other thing, if there are any so called fans out their that are pissed off enough that they don't want to go to anymore games, call Tark. Tark will find some good, purple bleeding, loud cheering fanatics to buy your tickets.

Skol,
Tark

Thoughts at the "Bye"

Hello faithful followers of the great purple squad we call the Vikings. Tark here again to try and get you thinking, raise some questions, make you scratch your head, and make you still believe in the Vikes. So get a refreshment, I suggest something hard, and enjoy the script.

Does any one out there have any level of experience for coaching football? If so go ahead and drop a line, including your resume, to Ziggy, at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, MN. You might have a shot at your NFL coaching debut. That is what it is going to take folks. A half page ad in every newspaper looking for a head coach. Tark truly believes coach Tice is lost. Tark thinks he has no concept of play calling and is on the verge of losing this team. Tark helps coach a team of fourth grade kids. These are great kids, but on occasion, they need to be disciplined. Tark does this by having them run laps. Maybe instead of laps, Tice should impose fines. Maybe a thousand for every stupid play, missed block or penalty. Do something, get in theses guys's grill, don't hire over the hill "consultants". If you are going to have a team meeting, call some of these guys out. Ask the "O" line why Daunte is getting sacked so much. Ask the running backs why they can't help out blocking. Ask the linebackers why they can't make a tackle, except at the dome. Fire them up, get them mad, wake up the giant. And also bench who ever leaked this to the media. If you can't trust your team in a meeting, how can you trust them on the field? OK, Tark is done ripping on things, Tark also said that in this script he was going to talk positives take another sip of that refreshment and hang on.

The NFC North race is great right now. The Vikes are only one game out. Our destiny is in our hands. The Purple could make a great run if they want. Our next four games involve Three division rivals and Carolina. Now Tark is not saying the Vikes could run the table, nor do they need to, but, 3 out of 4 would be nice. Hell even a split wouldn't be bad. Tark believes the squad could definitely make up some ground coming up. Tark would truly like to be 4-4 at the half way point of the season. This is possible, if they open it up a little more. Tark is not saying bombs away all the time to Willaimson, but, just because Moss is gone doesn't mean we can't go long once in a while. Williamson is good, and as stated before by Tark, he is faster than Moss and should be given a chance. Anyway, this season is long from over. The Purple are in a race for first place in the division and that is great. Stay positive and believe.

The next home game is against the Pack. Tark is very excited for this. The fans should be in rare form after waiting four weeks for the return of our squad. Lets be loud and standing. Bottle up all your emotion and let it go at the Packer's game. Tark will have plenty of ear plugs for those who need them, just ask. See you guys in the lot, then in "237". Thank you and good night.

Skol
Tark

Finally "The Bye"

Hello fellow fanatics, and a great welcome to the chosen purple one's feel-good, stay-positive scroll. That is right, as much as the boys have stunk it up so far, we will stay positive here. Tark took an early Bye last weekend. Tark took a trip to Morgantown WV, to watch the Mountaineers take on Va Tech. Tark was also there to celebrate college with his two favorite nieces Laurie and Jesse. Good times as always, and we will get in to that much and, also some hard facts about the purple. Ready? Tark is.

West fricking Virginia. What a time. What an atmosphere. Those fans are the real thing, and it is always great to get back to the college game. Some of the highlights include, a great sunny day, in an outdoor arena. A chance to watch the game, shirtless, due to the heat. A tailgate party which even rivals the ones we have here. And, lots and lots of very attractive female students. First of all, Tark could not believe the stadium fans. They stood during the entire game. Tark means the entire game, from the coin toss to the whistle, 70,000 on their feet, always. Tark thought that was outstanding. Plus all the little traditions at the game, jingling their keys, firstdown chants, and so on. Tark will try to bring some of these to the Dome next time, so pay attention. Tark would like to thank all the great kids that hosted the wonderful weekend, and thank the nieces for a great time.

Now on to the Atlanta game. Luckily Tark was at the airport sweating out delays during most of the game. But, for the plays Tark watched, it was terrible. Here some of Tark's observations. Where the hell is our O line. Come on guys, do your jobs. How can this line change so much in one year. Except for Dixon, this is pretty much the same line. Tark puts 75% of the blame on this group. Pepper is not going to be Pepper without a little protection. It looked to Tark like as soon as they snapped the ball, The ends were all ready on Pepper. The protection is one thing that needs to be addressed during the bye. Note to Tice, let Tark come up there and get in to these guy's grill and straighten them out. If you are scared, Tark can get the job done. Also, start charging team fines for stupid penalties, and blown coverage. Do some thing to pull their heads out their asses.

Tark will be easier on the defense. Tark understands all the injuries and so on, but, Vick was out and you made the back up look good. We have to tackle. We have to stay focused, and we have to do our jobs and stay home. This is the same thing Tark tells his fourth grade football team. Maybe the purple need to get the same speech and remember the small things. Come on guys, we signed all these superstars on defense in the off season, earn your money. Quit running your gums and make a play. That is all Tark is going to say.

Well closing time again. Stay smiling nation, and remember we are tied for first place, and in the thick of the play-off race. We have three key games coming up with our division and conference. Let's right the ship coming out of the bye and take care of business against the Bears. Take the week off, relax and spend some time in deep thought. The first quarter of the season sucked, lets get the next three on track. Oh yeah, if you want to hear more about the weekend in Morgantown, sorry. What Tark does in Morgantown, stays in Morgantown

Skol,
Tark