Minnesota comeback comes just short due to stupid ass penalties and nonexistent pass defense

So week two of the 2012 NFL season is in the books, and another comeback by the Minnesota Vikings just couldn't be executed. There were alot of negative things I observed in the contest between the Vikings and the Colts, and we will go over those, but i am a "good news first", or "glass is half full" kind of guy, so lets look at the positives first.
I was very impressed with the play of "no mercy" Percy Harvin again this week. He avaeraged almost 9 yards per reception, catching 12 balls for 104 yards. You cant help but be in awe of the toughness of this kid. He plays so hard and always fights for the extra yard, Not to mention he was the only bright spot in the recieving game while he was suffering from cramps.
The Colts really did a good job of stopping the run, but I was happy to see 28 out there running hard. His performance did take a step backward this week,only rushing for 60 yards on 16 carries, but it was due to the Vikings offensive ineptitude and not any lack of ability on Petersons part.
My faith in Ponder continues to grow. I really like the strides he has made with his decision making. He completed 27 of 35 passes but this number would have been higher if he had any legitimate wide-outs, other than Harvin, to get the ball to. He demonstrated good mobility, escaping pressure and completing passes on a few occasions. I really think the kid has all the tools needed to be a high calibur NFL quarterback, and I wish Musgrave would stop calling such vanilla, predictable games and take the reigns off the passing game and let number 7 develop and shine. He does need to focus on throwing the ball away when he is aboput to get sacked.
The linebacker core was a huge question mark going into the season, but on this defense, which is a sub-par disappointment to say the least, I think the young linebackers are a bright spot. I have been very pleased by the play of Erin henderson, who has racked up 22 tackles and 2 sacks this year, and Jasper Brinkley has been very effective against the run. Of course Pro-bowler Chad Greenway remains a consistant threat in both the run and pass game.
I thought we would seriously miss... whats his name? Oh yea, Ryan Longwell. Yet I am amazed with this rookie kicker booting the ball for the vikes. Blair Walsh is a perfect 6 for 6 with two 50+ yd field goals (and is KILLING it for my fantasy team!) and consistently pins the opponent deep in their own territory with those booming kicks of his.

Now, while i remain optimistic because of all the things mentioned above lets face it, the Vikings SUCKED in this game, from awful playcalling to stupid penalties, to bad tackling, they sucked, sucked, SUCKED!
I already mentioned the lame gameplans that offensive coordinator, Bill Musgrave, provides so i will start there. The Vikings offense is so predictable that even I could effictively gameplan against it. It's not until late in the 2nd half, when the Vikes are trailing that they open up the playbook, and when they do this the Vikes are able to move the ball. I understand they want to keep it basic so the young QB doesn't make mistakes, but in a season where not alot is expected why wouldnt you want to see what Ponder has to offer? Go deep. Run an end-around. Try some bootleg passes. SOMETHING! What do you stand to lose? Its brutal to watch and I hope they change the approach next week vs the 49ers.
I cant even tell if they have a secondary on the field in these games, or if those are just spectators in the defensive backfield. The last 2 weeks the oposing QB's, one of which was a rookie, and the other was the worst QB in the league in 2011, have looked like pro-bowlers. The defensive line is unable to get any pressure, and if they do get near the quarterback they fail to wrap him up. Brian Robison had an easy safety served on platter for him yesterday, but somehow failed to bring Luck to the ground. Jared allen chased Luck out of the pocket and out of bounds on a 3rd and long but then negated what would have been a good stop with a late hit penalty that resulted in an Indy 1st down, and eventually 6 points. This was just one of MANY rediculous penalties we saw from an undisciplined young Viking team, but the difference is Jared Allen is one of the best in the league and should know better than this.
All in all I think if they can erase the mental errors and open up the playbook they can begin to build on the positives I listed above. They need someone in the secondary to step up and start making plays, I cant remember the last time I saw the Vikes get a pick. And if Allen wants any shot at a sack record he better get his boys on that D-line to get their asses in gear.
This upcoming game will be a real test of where the team is, and I hope im writing alot more about positives than negatives.

SKOL!

-Jordan Nadel