Vikings v. Raiders Game Thread - August 8th

[mosscarter]

joe how can you possibly judge bridgewater that harshly on ONE preseason game? get real here. his first play was for over 20 yds and called back, for god sake give the kid some time. you talk like cassell is the savior or something, well this just in, he really isn't that great. anyone can score on the raiders they haven't been relevant in 25 years except the one season in which they changed the rules for brady.

[Eli]

Ponder wants nothing to do with team

Maybe he just had a poor night, but I can't help get past that feeling, too. He looked like he wanted to be somewhere else the entire time he was on the field.

[PacificNorseWest]

I like McKinnon. Nah...I love McKinnon.

[Eli]

I like McKinnon. Nah...I love McKinnon.

Someone else commented on it during the game, but he wasn't quite as quick or shifty as I'd expected.

[Funkytown]

I love Zimmer's passion. I bet he's still hot over that sloppy play. He won't sleep tonight. lol

[S197]

Bridgewater needs work but I like the way he sells the fake. Whether it's play action or acting like he's throwing the hitch route before handing off to the RB, it seemed to keep the D on its toes. He's also deceptively elusive, shedding a couple of sacks. I also saw no issues with the small hands thing, he puts more than enough zip on the ball.

He does need to get the ball out faster and it did look like he missed a couple reads but that stuff comes with time. He's not ready to be the starter yet but that doesn't mean it won't come, something I think most fans seem to be in agreement with albeit expressing it in different ways. It will be interesting to see how he breaks down the tape and how he looks next week.

As for the scheme, offensively a lot more screens (not surprising) and a lot of pulling linemen. The offense wasn't as vertical as I thought it would be, a lot more crossing and out routes but it's preseason game 1 so maybe that will be installed later.

Defensively, it's a lot more aggressive which isn't all that surprising. The best example of this was oaklands first two series. On both third downs, Zimmer brought nine guys to the line. On first series, he brought the blitz from both the LBs and also from Harrison Smith. On the second series, nine on the line but he dropped them in coverage with Greenway breaking up the play. It looks like a lot more movement and disguise in the defense. Of course being more aggressive means the chance of giving up bigger plays but overall it was a good showing especially with Blanton, Robinson, Sendejo, and Sanford out. Plus Raymond leaving the game early.

Another thing I don't think was mentioned is DT Stephens led the team in tackles. He and Price are two 7th rounders who are ones to watch. I'd also like to see Audie Cole get his shot with the 1s at some point.

[John_Viveiros]

I'll echo some of the comments I saw earlier in the thread. To me Bridgewater looked the part. He looked more comfortable in the pocket than any of the other QB's, and I saw some nice multiple reads from him. I was completely encouraged by what I saw. Stat line wasn't good, but my eyes said he played well.

I agree that I was expecting more from McKinnon. He looked like he was holding back a bit. When AD runs, you know he's giving his all. McKinnon didn't look like he was going all out. I was sad that he didn't have more carries in the second half.

Ponder looked like he just didn't want to be bothered. He had a nice first pass. After that, nothing. I thought a "starting caliber QB" would have his way against a bunch of camp fodder guys that the Raiders were playing...

[PsyDanny]

I'
Ponder looked like he just didn't want to be bothered. He had a nice first pass. After that, nothing. I thought a "starting caliber QB" would have his way against a bunch of camp fodder guys that the Raiders were playing...

Ponder was recently quoted as saying something about wanting "good film" on him. I don't think other teams are going to be inclined to buy what he is selling.

[3Deep]

As they say, Brandon Weeden actually played preseason like a Hall of Famer, TB may well be a wash like Ponder has been. I think it will be interesting to see Cassel against his old team, the Patriots. I think the issue will be settled easily. TB will get preseason playing time but obviously has some corrections to make.

It's a little early to be saying anything about TB being a wash in his first preseason game, while mainly behind a terrible second string OL. I personally want him to sit this season. Let the kid learn at a good pace. We saw how well that paid off for Rogers. Sure, he was behind one of the greatest QBs ever, but TB could learn a thing or two from Cassel. It'll be interesting to see how he looks next week after studying film and making corrections.

[Purple Reign]

joe how can you possibly judge bridgewater that harshly on ONE preseason game? get real here. his first play was for over 20 yds and called back, for god sake give the kid some time. you talk like cassell is the savior or something, well this just in, he really isn't that great. anyone can score on the raiders they haven't been relevant in 25 years except the one season in which they changed the rules for brady.

No, the Raiders haven't been relevant, especially for the past 12 years. But it was more than just one season in the past 25. Also being a Raider fan I couldn't let that slide.

2000 record 12-4 Lost AFC Championship to Baltimore
2001 record 10-6 Lost AFC Division Championship to NE (which is the season you are referring to I assume)
2002 record 11-5 Lost Superbowl to Tampa

[Webbfann]

It's a little early to be saying anything about TB being a wash in his first preseason game, while mainly behind a terrible second string OL. I personally want him to sit this season. Let the kid learn at a good pace. We saw how well that paid off for Rogers. Sure, he was behind one of the greatest QBs ever, but TB could learn a thing or two from Cassel. It'll be interesting to see how he looks next week after studying film and making corrections.

Maybe he will shine next week, but I don't think we saw anything unexpected from a guy who, except in the minds of a few deluded fans, wasn't expected to start much this year anyway. What we saw was that Cassel is clearly the better quarterback choice as of today. Again, not really a surprise. Just a big disappointment for those who don't like Cassel.

But really, this should be a relief that for the first time in years we don't have a quarterback controversy. At least for one blessed week.

[Eli]

But really, this should be a relief that for the first time in years we don't have a quarterback controversy. At least for one blessed week.

When Joe Webb was backing up Christian Ponder, there was no quarterback controversy, you can be sure of that. Between bad and worse, bad was clearly the choice.

[Purpnation]

Maybe he will shine next week, but I don't think we saw anything unexpected from a guy who, except in the minds of a few deluded fans, wasn't expected to start much this year anyway. What we saw was that Cassel is clearly the better quarterback choice as of today. Again, not really a surprise. Just a big disappointment for those who don't like Cassel.

But really, this should be a relief that for the first time in years we don't have a quarterback controversy. At least for one blessed week.

Oh yea definitely, thinking Bridgewater was going to start at some point this year was "deluded".

I'm not saying he will or won't, but thinking your 1st round pick at QB is going to beat out your nothing above mediocre veteran is far from delusional.

BTW, the QB battle isn't over yet buddy.

[Mothman]

After watching the game, a few Vikings players really stood out to me in a positive way: Thielen, Patterson and Coleman. Coleman was very active and even came up with a pick. Thielen had a strong performance on special teams and had a nice play as a receiver as well (on Ponder's first series). Patterson was running his routes crisply and the Raiders appeared to be having difficulty covering him, which is a good sign.

Those 3 stood out but Cassel obviously had a good night, as did Rudolph and Asiata. Hodges blocked a field goal and made some nice tackles.

I thought Bridgewater had a pedestrian debut, not bad but certainly nothing special. That's not unexpected from a rookie and hopefully, he'll improve over the coming weeks and months.

It's good to have football back but I'll be glad when the preseason is over and we get to the meaningful games.

[Eli]

Yeah, I wonder if the Vikings may have found a starter in Kurt Coleman at safety. I have to think he's moved up a notch on the depth chart, at the very least.

Keep an eye on Isame Faciane ("ICEem FASHon"). I think he'll make the practice quad, and could even crack the 53 man roster.