Sports Headliners didn’t encounter any predictions from fans about a Vikings trip to the Super Bowl (or even the NFC championship game) while attending the Purple’s NFL draft party on Saturday. Certainly the gathering was festive with food, drink, games, music and Vikings players and cheerleaders making a cheery scene on a wintry spring day that seemed more like March than late April.
Shawn from Minnetonka typified the optimistic but also cautious view about the upcoming season. He admitted to being “fired up” after last week’s trade with Kansas City delivered defensive end Jared Allen to the Vikings. An already “good” defense becomes better but Shawn frets about losing offensive tackle Bryant McKinne for the season if the NFL disciplines him for an off-season incident.
Saying he will be “disappointed” if the Vikings don’t make the playoffs for the first time since 2004, Shawn thinks a 10-6 record is possible. A better record than last season’s 8-8 means improvement from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Shawn said it will be a “make or break” season for the third year quarterback.
Kurt, from Montrose, will be watching Jackson, too. “This is the season,” he said. “If there’s no improvement then they’re going to get someone else.”
He thinks a 10-6 season for coach Brad Childress’ team might be possible but he wants Allen and other players to prove what they can do. “They’re not going to the Super Bowl,” he said.
Kurt coaches kids in kick ball and gives them a message he hopes the Vikings hear, too. “There’s no ‘I’ in team,” he said.
Jill from Willmar said the Vikings are a “big deal” to her family. A decorated cake or brownies are usually part of the ritual on game days and the family has to schedule church services to be home in time for the TV kickoff.
She said her husband and son have more passion for the Purple than she does. “They’re excited,” she said. “Hopefully it (the season) goes well.”
Whether it goes well or not, Gerry Burns from Fridley, like so many of the team’s fans, will be supportive. He saw the franchise’s first game in 1961 and with his son has had season tickets since 1998. He’s seen disappointing seasons and finishes including sitting in Sun Devil Stadium in 2003 when the Vikings couldn’t win against the lowly Arizona Cardinals to make the playoffs. He willingly takes the approach of wait until next year.
With Allen joining the team, Burns said he “can’t wait” for the season. He thinks the acquisition of Allen brings the Vikings closer to success including against the evil rival to the east who twice beat the Purple last season. “Hopefully we can knock off the Green Bay Packers,” he said. “That makes my season right there.”
A fellow named Jerry Burns coached the Vikings from 1986-1991. That period gave Gerry of Fridley a rather unique perspective for being a Viking fan. His number in the telephone directory was mistaken as the coach’s number (unlisted). Irate callers, some drunk, would telephone on a regular basis to complain about what the “coach” did wrong. Gerry even received a call from someone in Chicago asking for Vikings tickets.
Neither the calls nor Vikings disappointments have discouraged Gerry. “I bleed Purple,” he said.