5 Takeaways from the Vikings 2017 Preseason 1. First-team defense, offense have work to do before Week 1 The Vikings carry with them in 2017 one of the best defenses the NFL saw in 2016 and they used the offseason to aggressively fill needs on offense with the drafting of running back Dalvin Cook and center Pat Elflein and the free agent signings of running back Latavius Murray, left tackle Riley Reiff and right tackle Mike Remmers. In their four preseason games, however, the first-team offense didn’t reach the end zone and the first-team defense allowed more big plays than head coach Mike Zimmer is willing to accept. That doesn’t mean all the progress the Vikings made on defense and offense during the offseason is for not. Rather, it means Zimmer and Co. have 10 days to make corrections and be ready for Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson and the New Orleans Saints. 2. Draft picks, undrafted rookies played well The moment wasn’t too big for more than a handful of Vikings rookies this preseason. Drafted and undrafted, the Vikings had several youngsters stand out on both sides of the ball. Defensively, an already-deep group up front appears to be getting deeper, with fourth-rounder Jaleel Johnson opening eyes in each game at defensive tackle and undrafted Tashawn Bower flashing consistently at defensive end. At the second level, it appears as if fourth-rounder Ben Gedeon is poised to earn a starting role at outside linebacker. On offense, running back Dalvin Cook continued to shine and center Pat Elflein saw action with the first team. Rookie receivers Stacy Coley and Rodney Adams were productive, too, with Coley hauling in 10 receptions for 165 yards and Adams totaling nine receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns. 3. Depth is developing along the offensive line Could the Vikings be developing depth along the offensive line? It’s still a work in progress, but there are several quality pieces in place. The starting five for the third preseason game was (from left to right) Riley Reiff, Alex Boone, Nick Easton, Joe Berger and Mike Remmers. That lineup didn’t include Elflein, who earned reps with the first team in practice and got the start in the second preseason game. Also, offensive tackle Rashod Hill saw plenty of time with the first team while Reiff was on the mend during training camp and the first two preseason games. Undrafted free agent Aviante Collins has flashed potential, head coach Mike Zimmer had positive things to say about rookie offensive guard Danny Isidora, the Vikings know what they have in versatile veteran Jeremiah Sirles and Willie Beavers and TJ Clemmings – draft picks from last year – are battling for spots on the depth chart. 4. McKinnon really can do it all We already knew Jerick McKinnon could run, catch, block and tackle. He’s been a quality change of pace back capable in both the running game and the passing game (as a blocker and receiver). He’s been a member of multiple phases on special teams, both as a blocker on return groups and as a member of kickoff and punt coverage teams. But now you can add kickoff returner to his resume. McKinnon ripped off a 108-yard kickoff return for touchdown against San Francisco in the third preseason game, perhaps solidifying his role as the returner for the regular season. There aren’t many players in the whole league who can do as many things to help their team as McKinnon can do to help the Vikings. 5. For the most part, health is intact In football, health is a relative term. No one is completely healthy once training camp starts. But generally speaking when it comes to the Vikings two-deep roster in all three phases of the game, the Vikings exit the preseason relatively healthy. That is nothing to take for granted. Every season, teams across the League lose players to injury before the season even starts, just as the Vikings did a year ago with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. So for as many issues as there are to correct for the Vikings (and every other team this time of year), one thing they aren’t dealing with at the moment (knock on wood) is a rash of injuries to key contributors. (courtesy of Wobshell - Vikings.com)
I'm glad they are healthy and ready to go. Its going to be fun. Lots of things to look forward to and keep an eye on. I'm really pulling for the new running backs, especially Dalvin Cook. Hope he turns out to be a beast and thrive in the NFL like he did in the NCAA.
If Dalvin Cook can be like he was at FSU it will a good thing,Boone no big loss he wasn't all that..i hope Stacy Coley has breakout year oh sorry about my posting this year injury bug PLEASE stay away
I hate to say it as much as I love the Vikes they are gonna struggle this year, realistically at this point I don't think they even finish 8 - 8
The Vikings waive Bucky Hodges I really thought they would keep him,I'm getting PO that they can't take the next step up 9 and 7 maybe with some LUCK 10 and 6 seems like front office shake up is needed
Thank you... I'm torn, you are a VIKES fan so that's great but you are also a Wings fan, I hate the Wings! lolzzz
Chad Greenway is saying why Alex Boone got cut is because he was out of shape,kinda explain his so so playing at times last year he wasn't what I thought would be
It's long overdue time for Tre Waynes to sit on the bench,the Vikings are in Big Big trouble if Case Keenum is the qb...the Falcons STADIUM looks Bad Azz!!!!!! Fantastic
Getting a qb is looking like the Vikings no.1 thing something they got to address can they ever get it right,after this past Sunday somebody HELP!!!!
The way it's looking 8 and 8 is a real possibly this bone bruise of Sam Bradford could keep him out for a couple of weeks,are the Vikings going to make some kind of a move or is it the Case Keenum show now...Tricky Ricky job is danger IMO
Teddy Bridgewater is eligible to practice in three weeks Vikings quarterback Case Keenum had yet another strong performance against the Buccaneers on Sunday. But the Vikings won’t be playing the Bucs every week; they’ll need someone who can get it done against other teams. They have Sam Bradford, who continues to be day-to-day with a knee injury he suffered against the Saints two weeks ago. But Bradford wasn’t even in the building on Sunday, and it’s hard to know exactly when he’ll return. Here’s one thing we know: In three weeks, Teddy Bridgewater will be eligible to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list and to practice with the team. One source with knowledge of the situation says that Bridgewater will be ready to go, but that the Vikings likely will proceed with caution. At some point, however, necessity may supersede caution. If, for example, Keenum gets injured and Bradford doesn’t get healed, the Vikings may decided to do what they have to do to get Bridgewater back on the field. The Vikings are 2-1 through three games, with upcoming games against the Lions and Bears.
He's made that much progress he's all healed up huh? I wonder how he will look I hope he's not gun shy and thinking about his injury,I really hope Kyle Slotter doesn't see the field this year the way this is going get him ready just in case....cause with the Vikings you never know
The Vikings just can't catch a BREAK it's always something man it's like there cursed not to have any luck,looks like an ACL tear for Dalvin Cook ( sigh )
