Vikings vs. Seahawks— Preseason Game Thread

[fiestavike]

I didn't see him get hurt... what did it look like?

Looked like leg. Was in on next play and made good catch, got up grimmacing, limping, shaking head, went off and didn't return.

[jackal]

it looked his legs got bent underneath him, he was limping
going off the field and i would think high ankle sprain or twisted ankle.

[dead_poet]

Post-game analysis:

http://coldomaha.com/2016/vikings/excru ... ngs-depth/

God, it's going to be the same offensive line crap again this year, isn't it. Only 2% of the time (like four passes) will all five guys give Teddy a clean enough pocket to throw. I already hate Andre Smith and for what I've read this far on Clemmings he's still awful. I could really use some positive Harris news about now.

[Norv Zimmer]

I thought the offensive line played pretty well, considering we had the Shaun the statue hill at QB. I mean I don't think Hill was ever sacked.

[Mothman]

Post-game analysis:

http://coldomaha.com/2016/vikings/excru ... ngs-depth/

God, it's going to be the same offensive line crap again this year, isn't it. Only 2% of the time (like four passes) will all five guys give Teddy a clean enough pocket to throw. I already hate Andre Smith and for what I've read this far on Clemmings he's still awful. I could really use some positive Harris news about now.

It's early and the OL has a new coach and some new players so perhaps they will gel and play better over time but yes, I expect it to be another season of the same offensive line crap. The run blocking so far has been terrible.

I'm concerned the run defense will still be somewhat vulnerable too. It hasn't been a liability under Zimmer but it's been a vulnerable area at times and based on what we've seen so far, that could continue this season.

Zimmer's stubbornly refusing to say why he held Bridgewater out. I can't help thinking back to 2013, when Leslie Frazier was absolutely blasted here for only playing Christian Ponder for one series in the first preseason game. He was still being criticized for it at the end of the season! Somehow, I don't think we'll see the same kind of criticism directed toward Zimmer over this move.

Zimmer ruled out disciplinary reasons for sitting Bridgewater and we've heard nothing about an injury so I'm guessing he made the move for one of the following reasons:

— lack of confidence in the o-line's ability to protect his starter against Seattle's defense
— He was having doubts about Hill and wanted to see him "under fire", on the road, against a good defensive team

I'm leaning toward the latter explanation but it could be a combination of both or perhaps even something else. Hill made some good plays but I'd still be concerned about how he'd fare if he needed to play for an extended stretch of games during the regular season.

Patterson looked good when he got the ball in his hands (more of that please). Rudolph looked terrific as a receiver. Thielen continued to impress. Joseph showed well on defense, as did the Vikes pass rush as a whole.

I'm worried about Rhodes' injury.

[Mothman]

I thought the offensive line played pretty well, considering we had the Shaun the statue hill at QB. I mean I don't think Hill was ever sacked.

I wasn't timing him but it seemed like he got rid of the ball pretty quickly most of the time. He was pressured though and the run blocking was bad.

[Mothman]

http://www.espn.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/ ... s-decision

One reason to be concerned: The Vikings allowed Michael to gain 55 yards on 10 carries, and their backups also struggled to contain the Seahawks' running game. Troymaine Pope gained 86 yards on 10 carries, putting the Seahawks on the board with a 4-yard touchdown run that came after his 27-yard scamper to the Vikings' 8-yard line. Antone Exum's unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty at the end of the play put Seattle at the Vikings' 4. Zimmer wanted to see better run defense from the Vikings after the Bengals game, and Thursday's performance left some things to be desired.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

http://www.espn.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/ ... s-decision

There really shouldn't be an excuse for a defense of our caliber to struggle against the run. Something schematically must be putting players slightly out of position. Maybe not, but, I really would like to know why exactly we struggle against the run.

[Cliff]

Hill is a good backup for the team, I think. Shouldn't lose the game if he has to come in but won't win it. I suppose that's about as much as you can ask for a number 2 but his 15 years in NFL really shows on the velocity of his passes.

[dead_poet]

There really shouldn't be an excuse for a defense of our caliber to struggle against the run. Something schematically must be putting players slightly out of position. Maybe not, but, I really would like to know why exactly we struggle against the run.

Honestly it sounds like a lot of it is Tom Johnson. He's quite good against the pass but a liability against the run. From what I've read everybody else on the starting line had a good game. It wasn't until Stephen came in did the run-D solidify. I also sounds like the linebackers weren't particularly great, with little competent DB assistance. Where's Winfield when you need him?

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Honestly it sounds like a lot of it is Tom Johnson. He's quite good against the pass but a liability against the run. From what I've read everybody else on the starting line had a good game. It wasn't until Stephen came in did the run-D solidify. I also sounds like the linebackers weren't particularly great, with little competent DB assistance. Where's Winfield when you need him?

I like Tom Johnson quite a bit. You are right, Tom isn't the best against the run. If he is out of position in his gap, that is all an NFL running back needs to exploit the defense for a sizable gain.

The mystery still remains though when Sharrif and Linval are out there. Last year was much better than 2014. However, there are still those times where the run defense gets exploited. I try to watch the d-line carefully when the team is on defense, but, it is way too hard to guess the defensive responsibilities without having any sort of clue about the defensive call.

[Cliff]

— He was having doubts about Hill and wanted to see him "under fire", on the road, against a good defensive team

I'm leaning toward the latter explanation but it could be a combination of both or perhaps even something else. Hill made some good plays but I'd still be concerned about how he'd fare if he needed to play for an extended stretch of games during the regular season.

I think so too. From Zimmer's press conference;

It was great for Shaun to play, we had to take a good look at him. You know, go into the season with a backup that we can feel good about.

[Mothman]

There really shouldn't be an excuse for a defense of our caliber to struggle against the run. Something schematically must be putting players slightly out of position. Maybe not, but, I really would like to know why exactly we struggle against the run.

I would too. Is it scheme? Lack of discipline? Are too many players just unable to get off blocks? It seems like the talent is there to perform better.

Hill is a good backup for the team, I think. Shouldn't lose the game if he has to come in but won't win it. I suppose that's about as much as you can ask for a number 2 but his 15 years in NFL really shows on the velocity of his passes.

It sure does.

You know me, Cliff, I think a team can ask a lot more from a #2 QB. I wish the Vikings would handle their depth chart at that position differently but i won't beat that dead horse today.

[Mothman]

I think so too. From Zimmer's press conference;

Thanks for sharing that. I have a feeling Zimmer gave us our explanation right there.

[fiestavike]

I like Tom Johnson quite a bit. You are right, Tom isn't the best against the run. If he is out of position in his gap, that is all an NFL running back needs to exploit the defense for a sizable gain.

The mystery still remains though when Sharrif and Linval are out there. Last year was much better than 2014. However, there are still those times where the run defense gets exploited. I try to watch the d-line carefully when the team is on defense, but, it is way too hard to guess the defensive responsibilities without having any sort of clue about the defensive call.

Sharrif's not very good against the run either. He very often turns to try to get off the block, which is a rookie move.

I suspect Stephen and Joseph are the future of the DT position for the next couple years.