Preseason Game 1 - Game Day Thread

[Boon]

In the first drive, Teddy held the ball too long on one play (I think it was the sack) where he had McKinnon open for probably a 15 yard gain. On another play the line blew it and didn't give Teddy time (I think it was the 3rd down play). There was one play "fail" for each of them.

But, they really played well the second drive, particularly McKinnon.

Second drive they had a 3 and out pinned back near the end zone. Matter of fact he escaped a safety after the left side of the line collapsed again, then came a 1 yard pass after two guys pushed the guards in teddys face , and a punt.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Just a few observations I had from last night. Obviously, we still have three games to go yet and it isn't the regular season. No reason to get bent out-of-shape or make hyperbolic statements:

- Matt Kalil did ok. He never was beat across his face (a very good thing), but he was a little slow on one play and almost got beat outside. However, as an offensive tackle, if you get beat, you better get beat outside. There is simply zero excuse for getting beat across your face. Hopefully we see consistency from Matt this year.

- Concerning the rest of the starting offensive line - they were were disappointing. Specifically, Brandon Fusco and Andre Smith were the main culprits of allowing pressure. Geno Atkins beat BERGER *EDIT* like a drum. Again, it is the first game of the preseason, but it wasn't a welcoming sight.

- Teddy was very effective - even under duress. Teddy's passes always have that weird arc on them, but they always seem to be on target.

- Trae Waynes did well tonight. No major complaints.

- Laquon did some very nice things tonight. From the routes I was able to see he was efficient out of his breaks.

- The Clemson boys (Kearse and Alexander) had nice moments tonight, but also had their 'to be expected' rookie moments.

- Antone Exum had a very nice game. It is a little disappointing that he is projected as the back up FS right now instead of being in contention for the SS spot.

- I cannot help but wonder if the team is going to move on from Jarius Wright. Thielen seemingly finds the way to stick around every training camp.

A win is always a nice way to start the preseason!

[PurpleKoolaid]

Wow O-lines gets the blame again. I watched that first series, personally I put the blame more on Teddy than the O-line. Teddy has got to develop his pocket aware much more. Even slow footed Tom Brady can dance around the pocket to make his O-line look better.

Oh well 1st pre season game, still a lot of time.

yeah the poor play in the start of the game was Teddy's fauly. even the defensive struggles. lol

[Texas Vike]

I firmly believe Teddy could break 5 tackles and deliver a strike into a tight window that gets dropped and get the blame.

Totally agree. The Oline on that first series looked like it was still waking up from hibernation. The Bengals Dline, on the other hand, was very ready.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Line is Worthless.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I disagree. Line is very valuable out of the backfield. Blocking is still up and down at times but the guy was the all time leading rusher at SMU. He's better than some give him credit for

[Pondering Her Percy]

Very much a preseason game. But that Teddy to CJ pass was fun. Just like old times, when CJ was Teddy's main target.

Oline still scares me. I have a feeling it will all year.

Like I said before, the OTs are what scares me. Smith was always know for being a good run blocker but not the best pass blocking in the world. Very similar to Loadholt. Kalil is a mystery but I like our interior

[Pondering Her Percy]

Trust me when I say Tyler Boyd is an animal. I have first-hand experience watching him torch us this past season when Pitt came to Iowa City.

I don't see Jabari making this team.

I put him in a lot of my mock drafts and had us drafting him in the second. He was one of my man crushes this year

[Mothman]

I firmly believe Teddy could break 5 tackles and deliver a strike into a tight window that gets dropped and get the blame.

Totally agree. The Oline on that first series looked like it was still waking up from hibernation. The Bengals Dline, on the other hand, was very ready.[/quote]

They manhandled the Vikes OL on that first series.

Regarding Bridgewater: on first down, it seemed like he did what he could. On third down, he had no chance. On second, he did have McKinnon wide open but TB was clearly looking upfield, going through his progressions. So, the argument becomes: should he have been going through his progressions at that point or should he have already sensed and adjusted to the pressure and looked to dump the ball off to McKinnon?

[Mothman]

I disagree. Line is very valuable out of the backfield. Blocking is still up and down at times but the guy was the all time leading rusher at SMU. He's better than some give him credit for

He improved as a blocker last year too. It seems like he's developing into a solid, versatile fullback.

[halfgiz]

1. Fusco didn't play againest the Bengals. But he still getting the blame

It's only preseason but I'm sure Zimmer can't be happy and is going to be doing some arse chewing.
Kalil I thought had a bad game.
Special teams a bad game.
Brothers had some good plays but he seems Greenaway slow.
End of first quarter we had a total of 1 yard of total offense.

Good:
Teddy had nice pass to CJ!
Ham was doing some hard running...good job!
Stave done better than expected.
Mackensie Alexander and Jayron Kearse both got interceptions tonight.
Treadwell and Morgan some nice Receptions.

Sparano has his work cut out for him.

[halfgiz]

Players who got the longest looks.
Defense
https://mobile.twitter.com/Andrew_Kramm ... 120897?p=v

Offense

https://mobile.twitter.com/Andrew_Kramm ... 486720?p=v

[Maelstrom88]

Thought the offensive line was subpar especially Kalil. Also the defense was on the field too long. It'sjust preseason but they definitely have room to improve.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

1. Fusco didn't play againest the Bengals. But he still getting the blame

It's only preseason but I'm sure Zimmer can't be happy and is going to be doing some arse chewing.
Kalil I thought had a bad game.
Special teams a bad game.
Brothers had some good plays but he seems Greenaway slow.
End of first quarter we had a total of 1 yard of total offense.

Good:
Teddy had nice pass to CJ!
Ham was doing some hard running...good job!
Stave done better than expected.
Mackensie Alexander and Jayron Kearse both got interceptions tonight.
Treadwell and Morgan some nice Receptions.

Sparano has his work cut out for him.

Yeah, yikes. My bad. I meant Berger in my earlier post. I didn't catch my mistake.

[Texas Vike]

Sparano has his work cut out for him.

That was my main takeaway too. The only silver lining, and it needs to be put in perspective since it was against the Bengals' backups, our OL depth seemed to do quite a bit better and allowed Teddy and Hill to get set up in the pocket and do their thing. Again, that's easier to do when Atkins isn't on the field.

[halfgiz]

Yeah, yikes. My bad. I meant Berger in my earlier post. I didn't catch my mistake.

Hardcore I was just messing with you...it's still preseason so your excused