Welcome everybody back to another Weekly Q & A. This week we have another great coach up on the slate, Viper Fujax. Viper Fujax is the head coach of the Denver Broncos. Viper has had a great start to the season, as of right now his record is 6-1. Viper has kind of shocked us all this year. With him ending last season ranked number 15 with the New Orleans Saints. Nobody really gave him a chance this year, cuz of Jiggs and Vapor being in the same division. But he has made all of us notice him, being tied for first place in the AFC west right now is huge. Even Jiggs said a couple of weeks ago, that he was more worried about Vapor coming into the season, but Viper has came out of nowhere and blindsided him. Well Viper you no longer have the leg up on people, everybody is going to be gunning for you now.

After a great start like Viper had, I had some questions I was itching to ask him. So I decided to take my chances and head up to Denver. Now you all may be wondering why I said chances. Well all I really have to say is: Raider fan here! I have heard stories of Raider fans going to Denver to catch a game….but never to return home….disappearing like they never existed. I know, sounds like something out of the twilight zone but I am usually not one to take chance’s. So with that I give you the interview (You all better damn well enjoy this interview, cuz I walked though the valley of death to get it!).

M22j: Well Viper Fujax the first half of your season has been almost perfect. With your only loss coming to Minnesota (27-21) in the second week of the season. From there on out, you have won all of your game’s (Week 8 game not played yet at time of writing.). Bring your total of win’s to 6. Not a bad way to start the season. I know in week one you squeaked out a win against the Green Bay Packers, 16-13. But fate turned on you the next week at Minnesota, with you losing a close one to the Vikings. What did you and your Broncos work on after the lost to the Vikings? I am sure you were not very happy with the way your team played. Whatever you said to them must of worked…

Viper: Well, I found my team's weak point off the bat, with Randy Moss getting huge gains on my secondary. He had to have had about 150 yards after two catches with the speed of Moss, and my guys missing the tackles, ending up in some huge gains. So for the rest of the season I worked on having my safeties having a bigger part in my defense. Before I mainly relied on my corners to cover the wide receivers, but we have now adapted to give the corners some help. We still have a long way to go with this, since teams with low quality QB's and WR's like the Bengals and Lions (all respect to the owners) were getting over 300 passing yards. But, that’s what practice is for and we've improved a lot since our lesson in week 2.

M22j: Yes I can see Moss doing some damage. Hell as long as he keeps his pot smoking to a minimal, nobody can stop him. But it sound’s like you are working hard to stop the bleeding of your secondary and it does look like you are improving it a lot. But lets chat about your QB’s. You have two very alike QB’s on your team, Brian Griese and Steve Beuerlein. It must have been a very hard choice at the beginning of the season to pick who would be your starting QB. How did you pick between them and are you happy that you went with Griese?

Viper: It was actually a lot easier than I had expected. As some saw my frustration with my preseason game against the Falcons and Brian Griese, I was looking more into how Steve would do against opponents. But I later discovered after more and more preseason games that Griese was the man for the job, and that there’s no other person better to be a backup then Beuerlein. Griese's been having a great season making the Who’s Hot Who’s Not list and has been keeping strong every game thus far.

M22j: Yes it does seem you made the right choice. Griese has 1152 yards, 14 tds, and only 4 ints (weeks 3-7, makes the stats even better). But it is a good thing you have Beuerlein waiting. I hear Griese is very easily injured. Your week 9 opponent is Ixlr and his Oakland Raiders. Now this is going to be a pretty important game for you, not because Oakland is right on your tail right now, but simple because the Raiders are in your division. And I do believe the AFC west team’s divisional record’s are going to be big time for them. I would not be surprised if there is a two or even three team tie at the end of the regular season. But back to the Raiders, some week’s the Raiders just can’t lose, no matter what they do. Then in other week’s, the Raiders stink as bad as last week’s garbage on a hot summer day. Plus Viper you get to see the Raiders again two week’s from now, right after your bye week. I have a feeling this first game is going to be more important then the second game. If the Raiders win this one against you, then they are going to be even twice as hard to play the second time around. So how are you and your team preparing for the mystery Raiders?

Viper: Well, as you've pointed out, I am in one of the tightest divisions in the league being tied in first with Jiggs, Vapor barely behind, and the Raiders now winning two in a row. The main thing I need to see is Ixlr’s week 7 results. There was a slight dispute in his game and would like to see how the statistics turn out cuz I’ve never seen this guy play before. From the looks of it, Brown and Porter are his favorite targets. But we also can't forget about good ol' Jerry Rice and a good running back in Garner who can not only run, but catch the ball also. During practice I'm mainly working on my defense changing in the middle of plays and being prepared for anything with the amount of huge players they have. If someone is one step behind any of their receivers, it could turn into a very long day.

M22j: True Viper, in your only lose this season to the Vikings, you said you had problem’s containing Moss. Now you have at least four guys to contain. Brown, Porter, Rice, and Garner. With four to contain, it is going to be hard for your safeties to help out with everybody. Unless you somehow sneak a couple of extra safeties in the game. Good luck. Well speaking of your division Viper, who are you more worried about? Vapor with the Kansas City Chiefs, Jiggs with Voodoo Sam featuring the San Diego Chargers, or even Ixlr with the Oakland Raiders….

Viper: I’d have to be more worried about Jiggs and his Chargers. The reason for that is because he knows the most about his team's individuals. Who excels where and who doesn't. He's also related to a top coach in snoop so the madden skills run in the family. Our division is going to come down to these last games since we play each other in the period of 6 to 7 weeks. Jiggs, Vapor, and I would all be in the playoffs if the season ended right now, with one winning the division and the other two in the wildcard, making this probably the closest division. Not to forget about Ixlr, who seems to be turning his team around. We'll see in his week 7 game (not played at the time).

M22j: I also think your division is going to go down to the wire. Lucky for all of you guys in the AFC west, you have not had to play each other yet. Unlike the NFC east, where they have been beating up on each other from week 1. Well Viper one last question then I am out of here (twilight zone keep’s running though my head). Let’s just say Viper, you win your division, move into the playoffs, and you get pitted against the defending Champs, Ricky Trotter and the Tennessee Titans. Do you feel your team has a good chance against Ricky? Do you feel that you can be the one that brings down the all mighty Titans?

Viper: I have played Ricky twice and lost both times. The first time I lost by seven, but he owned the fourth quarter so there was no way I could’ve gotten the touchdown. And the second time I lost by 10 but his touchdown was scored near the end to seal the victory. I think I have a chance at beating him, because if I can turn my passing defense around and make him punt more than I did in the two practice games, I would be able to get an extra couple of scores to possibly win the game. But it would obviously be the toughest game of my madden life.

M22j: Ricky does have the way to make you think you are in the game. Then comes the second half and WAM you’re a goner. That’s what I get when I play him anyways. But with your core of receiver’s and not to forget Terrell Davis in all of the passing hype. If is was not for other team’s worrying about TD taking it to the house for a TD, then I have a feeling Griese’s life would be much harder. Well Viper thank you for your time. It was fun. But I am out of here. Good luck to your season…

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For Last Weeks Q & A with Atlanta Falcon's Head Coach: Dajo click here