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Saw this among Andrew Krammer's notes:

Antonio Richardson, David Yankey, Joe Berger, Jeff Baca and Austin Wentworth lined up as the second-team offensive line at practice.

Which suggests there may be some movement in the depth chart at backup OT.

I'm starting to feel a little better about the backups on the OL. No, you wouldn't want to field all five of these guys at once. And apart from Berger, it's a very inexperienced group. But there could be some real talent there to develop in guys like Baca, Yankey and Richardson.

Eli wrote:Saw this among Andrew Krammer's notes:
Which suggests there may be some movement in the depth chart at backup OT.

I'm starting to feel a little better about the backups on the OL. No, you wouldn't want to field all five of these guys at once. And apart from Berger, it's a very inexperienced group. But there could be some real talent there to develop in guys like Baca, Yankey and Richardson.

Yep, hopefully they finally addressed the Oline more then they have in the past. And the DBs. We might have to play Griffen as a CB...

Eli wrote:Saw this among Andrew Krammer's notes:
Which suggests there may be some movement in the depth chart at backup OT.

I'm starting to feel a little better about the backups on the OL. No, you wouldn't want to field all five of these guys at once. And apart from Berger, it's a very inexperienced group. But there could be some real talent there to develop in guys like Baca, Yankey and Richardson.

Thank god. The sooner we can get rid of Kevin Murphy the better. Vladimir Duccase looks like a wasted signing. I will never understand what the Jets saw in him to make him worthy of being a second round pick. I never believed all that talk about Jeff Baca not making the roster in the first place. Baca was talked up last preseason and has some nice athletic ability.

PurpleKoolaid wrote: We might have to play Griffen as a CB...

Man I am hoping Leonard clears waivers and we sign him to practice squad

jackal wrote:Man I am hoping Leonard clears waivers and we sign him to practice squad

The way he was unceremoniously cut before the first preseason games makes me think that the Vikings want no part of him. There was some other issue involved in that decision beyond just missing practices with a headache.

More rookie lessons learned as Teddy B throws three picks that should have been four

http://blog.startribune.com/sports/acce ... -been-four

He threw three interceptions, two of them during 11 on 11 competition and one during 7 on 7. There could have had a fourth pick had cornerback Derek Cox not dropped a ball thrown directly to him.

Here’s a breakdown of the picks:

. During the red zone team segment, middle linebacker Audie Cole appeared to read Bridgewater’s eyes and jumped a route to make an impressive grab of a ball intended for tight end Mike Higgins.

. Cornerback Shaun Prater grabbed a ball that bounced off of running back Jerick McKinnon. The play was over after that, but Prater still ran about 30 yards and did a somersault into the end zone.

. During a 7 on 7 drill with the first unit, Bridgewater threw late to Greg Jennings and was intercepted when cornerback Captain Munnerlyn got ideal positioning.

dead_poet wrote:

More rookie lessons learned as Teddy B throws three picks that should have been four

http://blog.startribune.com/sports/acce ... -been-four

Either the Vikes have a great defense or Teddy might not be the solution to the "problem". Was he wearing his magic gloves I thought that he looked average to poor in his first game but I am hoping and optimistic that he will get it figured out somehow.

dead_poet wrote:

More rookie lessons learned as Teddy B throws three picks that should have been four

http://blog.startribune.com/sports/acce ... -been-four

I read that this morning and it's obviously not good news but as the report pointed out, he's a rookie and making mistakes/having practices like that is just part of the development process.

I liked the note later in the report about how Peterson is looking more comfortable as a receiver. I'm hoping we'll get to see him make some big plays in the passing game this year.

Mothman wrote:I read that this morning and it's obviously not good news but as the report pointed out, he's a rookie and making mistakes/having practices like that is just part of the development process.

Yeah, in practice it really is a Catch-22 as Turner mentioned recently. Obviously you don't like watching your first-round QB throwing multiple interceptions, but on the other hand with a defense that struggled in just about every faucet (interceptions in particular), you kind of like seeing they're able to get their hands on a few. If we weren't reading about any interceptions people would be questioning the defense. Hopefully Bridgewater is learning a lot. He's a smart guy and hates making the same mistake twice. Maybe he's getting all his different mistakes taken care of so there aren't any left to make during the regular season.

No reason to panic at this point.

FWIW I also like seeing Audie Cole's name popping up.

dead_poet wrote: Yeah, in practice it really is a Catch-22 as Turner mentioned recently. Obviously you don't like watching your first-round QB throwing multiple interceptions, but on the other hand with a defense that struggled in just about every faucet (interceptions in particular), you kind of like seeing they're able to get their hands on a few. If we weren't reading about any interceptions people would be questioning the defense. .

They kept dropping interceptions, so I'm sure that their hands kept slipping off the bathroom faucets too! (Except for Cook who would be in perfect position in front of the sink, but never turn around to actually try to grab the faucets). I kid...I kid... (I'm just glad I'm not the only one who makes typos )

On a serious note, I'm hoping this is more of the defense getting better, than Bridgewater really having some shortcomings. Some may not like to here this but: There is a reason why Ponder was given enough time to prove he's not up to the job. Simply put: Most Rookie QBs (not named Andrew Luck) are going to face a steep learning curve. If Bridgewater is having these issues half-way through the season, then maybe I'll get concerned. OTOH, as an optimist, if Zimmer has really managed to convert our "D" into a top ten defense, then it's somewhat understandable a Rookie QB (even a relatively good one) may struggle a bit. In the long run, it will make him a better QB. As a pessimist, if the defense is only marginally improved over last year, then Teddy's "easiest time" will be in practice, and that leaves me a little apprehensive if he will be able to be "our guy" at QB. Again - this is too early to tell. But, by around mid-season, we'll know more of what we have in our defense, and with Bridgewater.

Just Me wrote: They kept dropping interceptions, so I'm sure that their hands kept slipping off the bathroom faucets too! (Except for Cook who would be in perfect position in front of the sink, but never turn around to actually try to grab the faucets). I kid...I kid... (I'm just glad I'm not the only one who makes typos )

I'm happy to see this at this point. I want our defense improving, and I'm okay with Teddy sitting for a while. I honestly think he needs a year or two before he's ready. He need to add some bulk, he needs to fully grasp his system, and honestly, he needs to get a NFL QB's command. I think he's a bit too laid back right now, and I'm sure a few years hanging around Adrian and becoming comfortable around the team can improve that quickly.

But today?

dead_poet wrote:

More rookie lessons learned as Teddy B throws three picks that should have been four

http://blog.startribune.com/sports/acce ... -been-four

This is news no one wants to hear. Still, I am not concerned. If anything, this takes the pressure off the coaching staff to start Teddy week one. I have said it more than once: I think Bridgewater should sit and learn this year as much as possible. There is really no need to rush him into a role if he is not ready.

I am also not concerned because it is practice. How many times did we hear how great Christian Ponder was looking in practice over the years? You can only simulate so much in practice.

Late hits

• Blair Walsh connected on 8-of-8 field goal attempts ranging from 32 to 48 yards.

• Linebacker Anthony Barr worked as a defensive end in third-down passing situations as the Vikings shifted Everson Griffen back to three-technique. We wrote about that strategy on Sunday.

• One of Bridgewater's interceptions bounced off the hands of rookie Jerick McKinnon and into Shaun Prater's arms.

• Second-year guard Jeff Baca worked at center again in both under center and shotgun formations.

• Captain Munnerlyn also intercepted Bridgewater in 7-on-7 passing drills.

• Safety Chris Crocker worked with the first-team defense alongside Harrison Smith.

• Special teams is a major outlet to make the 53-man roster for fringe players. On the top kickoff unit Monday: Kurt Coleman, Adam Thielen, Michael Mauti, Larry Dean, Audie Cole, Jamarca Sanford, Gerald Hodges, Rhett Ellison, Andrew Sendejo and Shaun Prater.

• On the kickoff return unit: Mauti, Jabari Price, Sendejo, Prater, Dean, Jerome Felton, Joe Berger, Ellison, Matt Asiata and Thielen. Cordarrelle Patterson, Jarius Wright and Joe Banyard fielded returns.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Prac ... ater081114

Blair Walsh connected on 8-of-8 field goal attempts ranging from 32 to 48 yards.

Struggled last year. First preseason game? Spielman outsmarted himself more than once.

On the kickoff return unit

No Patterson. Get him in games. Doesn't need the injury risk and the drain of returning. Let him focus on being a receiver. The next guy down the line can hold his own. Said the same on AD. Get him on the field. Don't need him missing snaps because he's catching his breath after a return.

Start Cassell until we're eliminated mathematically. If Bridgewater can't do better than that in a meaningless game I'm scared about a meaningful game. Doubt he'll be better when it matters but damn it, I want to see watchable football, start Cassell!