The
Minnesota Vikings finished getting down to the 53 man roster late Saturday and
of course things can change sooner than later but I really thought the day was
unusual like Training Camp and its’s changes for fans.
I still was
shocked just not too long ago when the Vikes stunned me by trading for Ravens
kicker, Kaare Vednik for a 5th round pick next year. I am not sure
what it is about the Vikes and their 5th round and kickers. I was
also disappointed when long snapper, Kevin McDermott contract was terminated as
well although when the team drafted in the 7th round Austin Cutting
I had a bad feeling for Kevin.
I look forward
each year to this date and see how many rookies make the squad and if any veteran
are a surprise cut.
It has been
quite a few years where Marcus Sherels name was speculated as if he would be
released or not and he seem to make it every year until this offseason he left
for the New Orleans Saints by way of free agency. I did read Saturday that this
poor young man was out on the IR so I wish Marcus a speedy recovery even if he
is with the Saints.
Saturday
seemed very slow to me as I watched Twitter more than I normally do to see the
cuts both by the Vikings and the rest of the NFL. I know a former Vikes draft
choice, Danny Isadora was traded by the Vikes a couple days ago to the Miami
Dolphins and Miami is where Danny played college football so he gets to go
home.
I had spoken
about Marcus Sherels how each Training Camp would he make the squad or not well
the name this year was former first round pick, Laquon Treadwell and would he
survive? The answer was no but the Vikes wanted to trade him before 3:00
deadline or would release him. The team found no suitors so Treadwell will no
longer wear # 11 in purple.
This day
became more strange and strange as real no surprise cuts but to see the team
release Vednik after trading for him seemed painful as giving up a pick and
letting him go was head scratching to me. I am glad Dan Bailey will remain our
kicker but still must be honest shocked how Vednik was handled.
I was a fan
of Quarterback, Kyle Sloter and I am obviously not a GM or coach but as a fan I
really liked what he offered but the Vikes disagreed with me and let him go by
3:00 as well. I wish Kyle nothing but great wishes for his future.
The Vikes
really kept me off balance trying to predict how many players would be kept at
each positon and I see the team kept 10 offensive and 10 defensive lineman.
This makes a huge statement to me seeing the Vikes understand it’s where the
game is won in the trenches and to have depth that can rotate in is even
bigger.
I was a big
fan of Wide Receiver, Brandon Zylstra as he was the guy I watched closely as I
tend to pick one guy each camp in hope they make the 53 man roster but to my
disappointment he did not. I thought after Treadwell was released this might
give Brandon a shot but no. I am truly shocked the team went with only 4 wide
receivers as Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Chad Beebe and 2019 draft pick,
Olabisi Johnson were the chosen four for now. I do think Johnson earned his
keep having a pretty nice camp and preseason games.
The team
kept four tight ends with only one name I was shocked they kept as honestly I don’t
know much about him as Brandon Dillon is the name I speak of.
The team
kept five running backs and I love each one and what they bring as Dalvin Cook,
Alexander Mattison. Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah and CJ Ham are the running back
stable with Ham used more as a fullback.
The NFL was
draft was back in April and there the Minnesota Vikings took 12 different
players and as I check out the cuts I finally only two did not survive as of
yet and I am hoping potential practice squad as Linebacker, Cameron Smith and
Wide Receiver, Dillon Smith were the two who did not make the 53 man squad.
Another add
was when the Vikes traded for Mark Fields a defensive back from the Kansas City
Chiefs. Fields had the 9th fastest time at the 2019 combine in
Indianapolis and his Dad Mark Sr played for three NFL teams. Panthers, Saints
and Rams and played linebacker in his days in the NFL.
The 53 man
roster is set for the season but as we as fans know the roster can change
somewhat or drastically as I use the example of the Houston Texans trading
Jadaveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks which is extremely bad news for the
NFC and specifically the Vikes as the Purple sees Seattle later this season.
My hope is
this Vikings 53 man roster is ready to make a push deep in the playoffs but I
will let you know the Arizona Cardinals noon game at US Bank I left disgusted
as the third game where the starters typically play until half or maybe early
Third quarter I saw nothing I liked with the exception of the Dalvin Cook 85
yard touchdown. I just did not see a team who is ready for the season at that
point. I do have faith in Coach Zimmer and staff as I am assuming if this fan
saw bad football I would assume the coaching staff saw it to and were even more
upset than I was.
I am a
positive person and love my team so when the noon kickoff at US Bank Stadium
when the Vikings host the Atlanta Falcons I will be jacked up sky high.
Thank you
for reading
Go Vikes
Purplestick
SKOL!!!!!!
Sunday
August 18th was the day of the Steele County Free Fair and on top of
that was the Minnesota Vikings first home game of the preseason. These two
events I love but the Vikes get the nod as I can’t wait to get to my home away
from home.
The weather
was absolutely beautiful and with that we came within sight on our walk to US
Bank and saw the enormous doors open. My heart was already pounding with
excitement and add the doors open and I was ready for football. I could not believe
how many fan were outside the stadium with so much energy. It is nice as we
enter the west side of the stadium we do not have to look into the sun. It’s a picturesque
night and fans taking selfies and regular pictures was abound.
We got to
our seats and the stadium seemed empty and as we looked to our left which is
the big open doors there was hundreds of fans waiting to get in.
The
introduction of the Minnesota Vikings team by way of the PA along with the Skol
chant gives me chills just thinking about it. I will add the Gjallahorn was
blown by a young man from Minneapolis North High School and I had no idea about
him but as it was made clear later in the game this young man was involved in a
house fire and was badly burned but his desire to play football was made
evident here. This young man overcame so much after being badly burned and now
today he is a High school football player at North.
All this has
gone done and we have not even kicked off the ball but soon we had as Paul
Allen from KFAN would say “we have the boom.”
The first
two preseason games has shown us a glimpse of the new offense and with that said
we are seeing Kirk Cousins roll out instead of hanging in the pocket and with
that being said no sacks as of yet.
The connection
we have seen between Cousins and Adam Thielen is almost like there was no offseason
and the connection continues. I love sitting in the upper level because of
throws like Cousins did to Thielen. I watched Cousins throw it deep and even
better watched Thielen get under and catch it. If anyone saw the game you had to laugh
because Seahawks coach Pete Carroll threw the challenge flag saying Thielen
should have been called for Offensive pass interference. Thielen stood on the
sideline next to Carroll and the Seattle bench laughing as he appeared to be questioning
the challenge when clearly Adam did not push off.
It was Week
one in New Orleans the Vikings were called for 13 penalties and even though it’s
preseason this is unacceptable so it was nice to see the team cut the number to
six.
The
offseason, Training Camp and Preseason is a chance for each player to show why
they belong on the 53 man roster and with any good team on any level it’s so
important to have quality depth.
It’s an
argument where there is no win but when guys stand up and make great plays
usually the comeback is well it was against the 2nd, 3rd and 4th
team. It may be so but still the player has to make a play.
I watched
the game because it’s what I love to do but I also lool for guys that stood out
to me. I will start with the Quarterbacks and you may disagree with me but I am
really liking Kyle Sloter over Sean Mannion. Sloter is a very exciting and very
athletic player to watch plus I like his arm.
I know
Dalvin Cook is the starter and has not played yet so I have go to watch Mike Boone
and Alexander Mattison run and run hard plus showing their receiving skills.
I am a big
fan of Tight End, Irv Smith Jr. amd hos hands and add he caught his first NFL
TD granted n preseason. I am so excited for Kyle Rudolph and Smith Jr as a one
two punch for Cousins.
Wide
receivers are always fun because after Thielen and Stefon Diggs there is no
real clear cut 3rd receiver yet. If I was the GM I would whole
heartedly easily keep Brandon Zylstra and Chad Beebe as 3rd and 4th
receiver. I know Laquon Treadwell was the leading receiver but I will not be
shocked on one of the cuts if we read # 11 was released.
The
defensive side of the ball one player really stood out and he is not a rookie
but #27 Jayron Kearse had a monster night. I am a big fan of his special teams
play the last couple years but hopefully he will see the field more.
I was
concerned with the first team pass defense as Russell Wilson seemed free to run
and find wide receivers. I know one throw it appeared Trae Waynes got turned
around. It seemed like communication was lacking at times but then comes
Harrison Smith from his deep safety to lay a perfectly timed hit on the receiver
to knock the ball free.
The kicking
game will be interesting because I really liked the punting from newly acquired,
Kaare Vedvik minus his last punt that seemed flat and returnable. I did like
Vedvik’s kickoffs and Dan Bailey being successful on the extra points. This
battle with the kickers will be real intriguing.
One of the
rookies showed me extreme toughness and that was #81 Bissi Johnson who failed
to fair catch a punt and paid the price yet did not fumble and I thought he had
a nice tough run on a kickoff. I know on the post-game show KFAN Coach Zimmer
mentioned Johnson’s name as well.
That’s all
for now as Game three is Saturday at home noon vs the Arizona Cardinals. I
always love the 3rd game because typically the starters play to the
half.
Thank you
for reading
Go Vikes
The preseason
games gets us closer and closer to the regular season but as a fan it’s a
chance to see the potential starters for a series or so and then the fight of a
lifetime as 90 players are doing everything they can to show why they belong in
the NFL. Yes, players will be cut but if these guys do enough on film the other
31 teams may just pick them up.
Yes the game
was in New Orleans but I can’t help but reflect back on the NFC Championship
game otherwise known as Bountygate. Oh well that’s over and it’s time to look
at the future.
The Vikes
come out with a win in a very entertaining high scoring first game of the
preseason game. I saw so many positives out of the purple with very few
negatives.
I will start
with the negatives because it’s an easy one if anyone saw the game and that was
way too many penalties. I know at
halftime we saw the interview by Greg Coleman with Coach Zimmer and Coach made
the same point and even called out a player, Laquon Treadwell wo made the
blindside block which was called. If you saw the interview Coach stated we even
talked the night before how you can no longer block like that. I don’t know if
I have ever heard a coach use a player’s name in regards to a penalty in a preseason
game. This does not bode well for Treadwell as the much talked about former
first round pick is trying to keep his hopes for the third receiver.
I want to
look at the positives out of both the veterans and rookies starting with the
Vikes first drive lead by Kirk Cousins who took the first team down the field
and ended the drive with a TD.
The drive
saw a couple penalties that set the offense back yet they overcame them and
still scored. I thought the offensive line looked decent in that drive and one
particular play a hole was opened and Kirk took the ball up the hole and
managed to get a first down with a nice safe slide. Kirk’s ability to roll out
and hit Kyle Rudolph was nice to see and even nicer seeing Rudolph get the
extra yards after the catch although I was nervous as he did not seem to secure
the ball at times of the run.
The deep
ball from Cousins to Adam Thielen was one of beauty and mystical and how he
caught that in double coverage. It’s just another day on the job for Adam. I
was disappointed the touchdown was ruled short although a correct call was made
but nice to see Kirk roll out and hit a wide open Alexanders Mattison for his first
NFL TD.
The extra
point by Dan Bailey I was anxious to see being it’s been a concern way to many
times in the past. The kick was right down the middle and in fact another positive
out of the night was all extra points were drilled right down the middle which
was extremely gratifying to see.
Friday night
was a night of so many positives and I will start with the running backs. I
loved how hard all ran and most importantly only one fumble but in this case was extremely bad
judgement by Ameer Abdullah trying to switch arms shortly after getting the
handoff. The power Alexander Mattison ran with was impressive and Mike Boone’s
64 yard burst was awesome to watch.
The Tight
Ends came to play as well as it’s been said and written about the Tight Ends
would be used more than ever. I loved a pass from back up Sean Mannion to Tyler
Conklin who not only caught the ball but used his speed to extend the play 30
more yards. We got to see Irv Smith Jr. in action as well and I do not feel he
disappointed. This group of guys will be a tough group to cut I guarantee it.
I know Sean
Mannion is a veteran and brought in to back up Kirk Cousins and I did think he
played well including a nice touchdown pass but I am still intrigued by Kyle
Sloter as was pointed out by the broadcast team Sloter is a little more quick
on his reads. This will be a battle to follow.
Preseason is
a chance like I said for players to make plays who may not make the team but
will be on tape for others to watch and in this case Vikes # 44 Nate Meadors
was Johnny on the spot as a Saints tight end bobbled the pass and went right
into Nate’s awaiting arms and there he goes to the house and was even able to
do a little celebration. I have to be happy for a young man who is in a fight
for the very least a practice squad spot.
One name who
is getting a lot of notice in camp and spoke highly of last night in the
broadcast was # 51 Hercules Mata’afa. It was pointed out he is a player who is
rare and that is he uses no gloves. Hercules made an incredible sack and by
that I man the guy was being held the whole time and he still gets to the
quarterback. Hercules did take a bad penalty last night but I thought overall
he was way more positive than negatives in his play. The know is he I listed as
a DT but is 6’2” and 254 so you can see he is undersized but is he ever quick.
I am going to camp this week and will be sure to keep an eye on him.
I loved the
performance overall and know there is a ton to work on but It made for a great
night of sleep. I will add one thing in closing and that is Coach Zimmer need to
wear more sun screen in Eagan.
That’s all
for now
Thanks for
reading
Go Vikes
Purplestick
As you may
know I am a huge Vikings fan and had spent 25 years at Mankato Training Camp
using two to three weeks of vacation to watch my favorite team practice not one
but twice a day. A major change occurred as you know and that was the Training
Camp was moved to TCO in Eagan, Minnesota. It was honestly a tough, tough
transition for me as something new and I had no choice but to go with the flow.
Camp is important to me because it’s where I see the Adam Thielen’s or Marcus
Sherels make the 53 man roster the hard way. 2018 Camp ended I honestly kind of
liked the new complex and had a very good time but never as good as the times
in Mankato.
2019
Training Camp comes knocking on my door once again but this time news I would
really not sit well with me. I have spent literally hundreds of hours through
the years and then I get an email from the Vikings that fans would be allowed
two days max to go. I was beside myself thinking why on earth would there be a
two day limit? I also noticed the schedule by way of email earlier before camp
and there I see goodbye two a days for fans. Yes, I know the morning practice typically
is a walk through and very manila but it’s a chance for me to see my guys and
take pictures from the stands. I had a goal every year to take at least one
picture of each player at camp and make my own year book. This team has challenged
me to see if I can get my normal pictures of players in a one practice per day and
only come to Eagan twice. I am such a fan I know my hands are tied but I will
make the most of it as this is my team I cheer for each and every Sunday. This
2019 season is my 20th year of season tickets and proud to say I
have missed only two games ever.
I finally
went to Camp the first Sunday and sat through rain but I tell you I feel like a
kid in a toy store watching the team do its work. I had familiarity from last
year where to go and where the best spot to watch practice. I had read like
most of you about the draft picks but I was so excited to see them in person. I
left camp that day really impressed with rookie Alexander Mattison the young
Running back out of Boise State. It was strange to see # 25 not be Latavius
Murray rather Mattison. I really felt he looked like he is extremely quick and
has a nice glide through the hole. I was also impressed with last year rookie
free agent, Chad Beebe who is looking to lock up the number three receiver
spot.
I watched the offensive line to see how the
potential starters would be and they were from left to right: Riley Reiff, Pat
Elflein, Garrett Bradbuy, Joe Kline and Brian O’Neil. It was also great to see
on the defensive side of the ball, Everson Griffin and his great personality
out there smiling and whooping it up. It was strange seeing a new number 35 as
Marcus Sherels has left for New Orleans Saints in the offseason.
The day was
nothing special other than my own satisfaction sitting in the bleachers and
taking in a practice that was supposed to be 2:00-4:25 but the weather forecast
was not looking good so a n announcement was made that practice would be
1:00-3:25 and that worked just great for me as I was so eagerly waiting the start
of practice.
The next
time I went was family night on Saturday August 3rd and I believe it
was my 22nd straight family night an event I hope you can make it to
some year.
I am in
heaven as the team came to the stadium field and practiced in front of a sold
out crowd. It’s so hard to watch at times because I watched the defensive line
destroy the Offensive line at times which is great for the D but concerning for
the Line. I watched Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen time after time make crazy
athletic catches. Yeah Diggs and Thielen but not yeah for Trae Waynes and
Xavier Rhodes. I really liked the accuracy of Kirk Cousins most of the night
except when he threw right to the linebacker, Eric Wilson.
I have learned
through the years to remind myself to stay calm and don’t get my blood pressure
up by seeing greatness or disappointment. It is truly practice making the guys
better for the team sake.
I am real
intrigued by Irv Smith Jr, Tight End from Alabama and seeing him on the field making
catch after catch I only envision him down the seam from Cousins. He is a big
kid with nice speed. I will watch how he blocks when it comes to preseason
games.
I know the
last couple years the kicking game has been awful to say the least and then the
team signs Dan Bailey late last year who was supposed to be very accurate saw
his accuracy as times questionable. It’s a new year and now a full Training
Camp for Dan to see how he does. The family night he looked good minus hitting
the upright twice.
This whole
Training Camp and Preseason games have me very excited as I can’t wait to see
this new offense put to work. I have read the team may only keep two
quarterbacks and keep an extra tight end,
In referring
to Quarterbacks we know Kirk Cousins is locked into number one and the team did
sign Sean Mannion in which I was not that impressed the two days I went rather
the Quarterback that caught my eye was Kyle Sloter who wears number 1. It’s a
guy I want to pay special attention in preseason games.
Camp is the
best time of year and now I find out the two day max was lifted so I of course
took 2 more days to take in the 2019 Minnesota Vikings.
Thank you
for reading
Purplestick
Go Vikes
