The "Unofficial" Chris Walsh Fan Club

It's nice to win a game where we make so many mistakes. Fourth quarter comebacks are always exciting too.

Week 1 | Vikings vs. Bears 30-27 W
	It got ugly, the Vikings got lucky and Daunte carried the offense with his legs to a victory. Today's game was the kind I remember while growing up watching the games with my Mom on the kitchen TV. Down early, but by the second half my Mom would be pacing during Tommy Krammer's come back drive. Before the game, site regulars Matt and Jen stopped by my seats to say hello. Jen was tough to recognize without the face paint! Later, during warm ups, Walsh followed Cris Carter's lead by throwing a ball into the stands. Walsh threw the ball to Matt, who threw the ball back. I don't want to say anything about the throw, but let's say Walsh handled the one hopper without any difficulty :) Matt and Jen also managed to get on the big "Jumotron" during the game. Having front row seats must be tough. Walsh did pick up one special teams tackle today, fighting through a block in the process. Walsh also got a few reps as receiver with the offense, though nothing was thrown his way. After the game, I hung around where the player's exit the Metrodome. Nearly all the players looked extremely irritated except Carter, who appeared he may throw up at any second. Moe Williams was the only player who signed autographs and David Dixon did smile to the crowd while saying "I'm headed home!". I can certainly understand players not wanting to sign autographs, but the head-down-ignore-the-crowd plan seems less than pleasant. I did manage to at least get Ed McDaniel to smile. As he walked by with a grim look on his face, I yelled out "Go back on Rosen's show". He chuckled, but didn't stop. One woman in a wheel chair who was wearing a Walsh jersey was wheeled past the crowd. Later, when Walsh headed out, also looking rather grumpy, he got in the back seat of the car the woman was in. Walsh did sign a few autographs after getting in his car, as he did pick up quite the escort as he walked to the car. I did get the opportunity to quickly chat with Irv Cross as he signed autographs for folks. He seems like a genuinely great guy. He actually seemed to enjoy discussing football with the fans around him. I also talked to Mark Rosen while he signed a few things who also seems to appreciate his fans. (For those who don't know, Rosen hosts Viking shows every Saturday and Sunday on WCCO-TV. They are the best Viking shows you will find anywhere.)
Week 2 | Vikings vs. Dolphins 13-7 W
	Lots of yards, just not a lot of points. As usual, I think we're all just happy to get the win. Walsh was pumped up far more than usual before that game today. Maybe he knew the game plan was going to involve him, or maybe he was just more nuts than usual. The special teams maven started off the day with a tackle and was later credited by the stadium announcer and jumbotron with another, although he was the second guy on the scene for the tackle. [NFL.com is crediting Walsh with 1 tackle] Walsh lined up on offense several times throughout the game and for once they weren't all running plays. Walsh made a nice 20 yard catch in double coverage for a first down on a second and 16 play. My brother and I had to chuckle from time to time as Walsh would run out on the field from the sideline, then turn around and sprint back, only to run back out on the field. Finally, he'd head back to the sideline. It almost appears he trying real hard to sneak in for a play or two that he's not supposed to be in on. One odd moment late in the game on a punt return, David Palmer faked a reverse handoff to Walsh. Nobody was fooled.
Week 3 | Vikings vs. Patriots 21-13 W
	Our favorite Viking managed to nab himself the hat trick today. Walsh must be slipping Sherm Lewis money under the table as the backup wide receiver found himself on offense once again this week. Making third down catches is something of a norm for Walsh, who grabbed a 8 yard catch on a third and 6 play. A rather short punt forced Walsh, playing a blocking position, to make the catch. Walsh ran 11 yards before being pushed out of bounds. Walsh also was credited with a special teams tackle in the fourth quarter, when he pushed a return man out of bounds. On Rosen's Sports Sunday, Greg Coleman, former punter for the Vikings, enthusiastically talked about level at which the special teams is playing, singling out Walsh. Most media reports have Gary Zauner and various special teams players stating they are happy with the special teams unit, but are concerned with occasional lapses on coverage.
Week 5 | Vikings vs. Lions 31-24 W
	The offensive juggernaut keeps rolling, as Walsh picks up yet another catch. As usual, Walsh made a catch for a first down, on a 1st and 10 play from the Minnesota 47 with 1:16 left in the first half. The 18 yard catch moved the chains on a drive that yielded a field goal before halftime. Walsh also had the ball thrown his way that fell incomplete in the fourth quarter, but the Lions were called for defensive holding. Walsh did his part to contain Desmond Howard, picking up two special teams tackles.
Week 6 | Vikings vs. Buccaneers 30-23 W
	Home Shopping Network selling their junk from the dome field. Pregame warmups. Pregame fireworks. [CLICK ON IMAGES FOR LARGER VERSIONS] Walsh must have forgotten to wash Sherman Lewis' car or buy Daunte Culpepper dinner before the big game Monday night, as Walsh went the entire game without a catch. He did get in one some snaps though. Walsh did pick up a kickoff coverage special teams tackle however. It's always nice to see Walsh get some screen time each time we're on Monday Night Football. I wasn't sitting in my normal seats for the Bucs game, I was down in the first row to the west side of the southern endzone. I ended up finding a couple of rather enthusiastic Walsh fans, Brianna and Lyza, who managed to get plenty of Jumbotron time. They also had a sign made up in case they got on TV (they didn't). I also managed to get some Jumbotron time, although I never saw any of it. I was looking through some binoculars when I noticed the cameraman headed my way. Since I have to take my glasses off to use the binoculars, looking up at the screen to see myself would have been futile. So I just stared at the cameraman through the binoc's and waved. Apparently my girlfriend let out quite the grown as she noticed me on every TV in the hallway as she was headed back to our seats. I of course can't compete with web site regular Matt and his wife Jen, who made it on the screen yet again. I'm pretty sure they're 3-0 for home games this year. I really thought Green caught that hail mary pass at the end of the game. The whole thing happened right in front of me and I figured the play would be reviewed. The first thing I did when I got home was watched the tape of the last play. I'm glad to see it really was incomplete, I'd hate to hear Keyshawn whine about how they were robbed. Oh, you're right, Keyshawn will whine anyway. Brianna and Lyza
Week 7 | Vikings vs. Bears 28-16 W
	"Chris Walsh continued to take advantage of every opportunity. As a fourth receiver he made an 18-yard reception on a third-and-16 play late in the first half. He also had two special teams tackles." This snippet from a recent Star and Tribune article is a very accurate summary of Walsh's season so far. Walsh might not be the "Third-and-Palmer" from 1998, but all his receptions this season have moved the chains. One injury report I saw did mention Walsh suffered a "stinger" in his left shoulder. From what I've been told, stingers are very painful. The official Vikings web site does not list this injury, hopefully Walsh will be ready to go next Sunday.
Week 8 | Vikings vs. Bills 31-27 W
	Walsh had a quiet game on the stat sheet. One special teams tackle that was removed due to a holding penalty by Kenny Wright in the 4th quarter.
Week 9 | Vikings vs. Buccaneers 13-41 L
	As suggested by Tony: Do's: Get in position to make a special teams tackle so that a blocker can do nothing but hold on to you and draw a flag. Don'ts: Get in position to make a special teams tackle so that a blocker can do nothing but hold on to you and you trip the ball carrier. Walsh did manage a special teams tackle in the stat book, but that was about it for a high note. Culpepper's intercepted pass that was run back for a touchdown was intended for Walsh. Unfortunately, Walsh was on his back.
Week 10 | Vikings vs. Packers 20-26 L
	I much prefer last week's blowout to games like this. Walsh had an up and down game just like the rest of the Vikings. He got called for holding but also grabbed two catches. One was a 3rd and 4 play for 5 yards, the other was 3rd and 5 for 6 yards.
Week 11 | Vikings vs. Cardinals 31-14 W
	It might have been a JV team, but a win is a win. I'll always take the W's. For the first time this season, Culpepper threw an incomplete pass to Walsh. Walsh has 6 completions, all for first downs. Walsh recovered his fourth career onside kick, tying a team record with former tight end Stu Voigt (1970-80). Walsh also picked up a special teams tackle in the fourth quarter.
Week 12 | Vikings vs. Panthers 31-17 W
	We sure like this 31 points thing. Walsh had himself one busy day. He opened with a kickoff return for 6 yards in the second quarter. It was odd, short kick, but the Vikings must had known something was up, because Walsh was playing much further back than usual. Then, the very next play, Walsh catches a 6 yard pass from Culpepper, the first completion all year that Walsh didn't move the chains. Walsh also had an incomplete pass come his way in later the fourth quarter. Walsh also picked up a special teams tackle in the fourth quarter. Walsh made a great effort to knock a punt from the endzone while leaping into the air. Unfortunately, Walsh barely stepped on the goal line before jumping into the endzone. I called Nate, the official unofficial Chris Walsh Fan Club Instant Reply Official who informed me that yes, Walsh was standing on the line. To see for yourself, click on the image to the right for a better view. The photo is from Mr. Cheer or Die's site.
Week 13 | Vikings vs. Cowboys 27-15 W
	If we could just play the Cowboys every week, Moss would be in the hall of fame next year. Walsh is really earning his paycheck this year, with another busy game for the fourth wide receiver and special teams captain. Walsh picked up a special teams tackle in the second quarter, ran back a kickoff for 3 yards and caught a pass for 3 yards in third quarter I think they call that a hat trick.
Week 14 | Vikings vs. Lions 24-17 W
	All his does is catch first downs Sure, some other guy may have caught 1,000 total passes (not just in today's game, that would be a record), but Walsh grabbed two passes, both for first downs. From Sid Hartman: Chris Walsh, the Vikings reserve wide receiver who has caught nine of his 10 passes for first downs, including two Thursday against the Lions, said: "Cris Carter, all he does is catch touchdowns. So I guess, all I do is catch first downs. I've got a bunch of them. We've used a lot more four-wides this season, with [offensive coordinator] Sherm Lewis. When they're trying to take away Randy [Moss] and Cris, I end up getting one-on-one coverage. So it's worked out very well." Walsh's two pass receptions were for 9 and 12 yards. Walsh also picked up a special teams tackle. My brother, a Hachette booster, seemed disappointed when it became apparent that Sherm Lewis has special plays drawn up for Walsh.
Week 15 | Vikings vs. Rams 29-40 L
	Two Minnesota sports teams have used "Bobble Head" dolls of star players as a promotional gimmicks to get fannys in seats. Against St. Louis, Walsh did his best bobble head impersonation. As Walsh made a 13 yard catch for a first down, he was clobbered by three Ram defensive players simualtaniously. As he was crushed, Walsh's head bobbled about like it was on a swivel. He also fractured his cheek bone but continued to playing until he noticed a dimple in his cheek bone that wasn't there before. Walsh just missed a touchdown catch when Rams defensive back Dexter McCleon just barely tipped the ball away. Walsh is expected to be out be out 2-4 weeks with injury.
Week 16 | Vikings vs. Packers 28-33 L
	According to the illustrious Darin Lund: "Walsh hot - Vikes not!" So much for the 2-4 weeks. Apparently Walsh should fracture bones more often being that Walsh has his best game of the season. Walsh made three receptions for 44 total yards, all for first downs while picking up 2 special teams tackles and one assist. Walsh made one reception to the 2 yard line but couldn't quite get in the end zone. For one special teams tackle, Walsh went in head first with no fear. Because of Walsh's tough play, he was featured in several newspaper articles and TV news segments. Walsh played his 99th game as a Viking, which surpasses Ahmad Rashad's 98. Walsh moves into seventh place in team history among WRs