Over the next few weeks, “Shutdown Corner” will pay homage to “Office Space” (TPS reports) as we take a quick look back at each team’s 2012 season and a look at what lies ahead for the 2013 offseason. We’re in the second leg of the NFC North and the Minnesota Vikings. 2012 record : 10-6 What went wrong : Following a 5-2 start to the season, the Vikings four out of five games, including road games against the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, teams of playoff or that were playoff-caliber in 2012. The loss to the Seahawks was a double whammy as the Vikings lost their second-best offensive weapon, wide receiver Percy Harvin, to a left ankle injury. At the time of his injury, Harvin led the Vikings with 62 receptions and 677 receiving yards through eight-plus games, numbers that would be good enough to lead the team at the end of the season. In addition to his receiving skills, Harvin had 96 yards and a touchdown on the ground and averaged 35.9 yards on 16 returns and had a 105-yard kick return for a touchdown in Week 4. The Vikings were not particularly deep at the receiver position and the loss of Harvin contributed to the offense ranking 31st in passing yards per game and 31st in passing yards per play as 2011 first-round pick Christian Ponder struggled in his second season in the NFL and was nearly benched in early December. Ponder finished the season well – four touchdowns, zero interceptions in his final four starts – but injured his elbow and was unavailable for a 24-10 wild-card playoff loss to the Packers. What went right : Adrian Peterson earned Most Valuable Player honors after rushing for 2,097 yards, nine yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season record, and 12 touchdowns despite having reconstructive knee surgery last January. Over the final ten games of the season, Peterson ran for 1,598 yards, a total that would have ranked third in the NFL. First-round left tackle Matt Kalil had a solid rookie season and was added to the Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement for Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams. Tight end Kyle Rudolph caught 53 passes for 493 yards with a team-high nine touchdown receptions in his sophomore season. Rudolph was added to the Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement and was named the game’s MVP after catching five passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings struck gold with sixth-round kick Blair Walsh, who earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors after leading the NFL with 35 field goals made on 38 attempts. Walsh was a perfect 10-for-10 on field goal attempts from beyond 50 yards and 53 touchbacks on 86 kickoffs. Coaching/front office changes : None Estimated 2013 cap space : $13.549 million
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‘Shutdown Corner’ offseason TPS report: Minnesota Vikings (Shutdown Corner)
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