Post-Game thoughts
The Vikings didn't do one thing to impress me Friday Night.
The First Team Defense let a Chargers First Team Offense, without Antonio Gates, and Ladanian Tomlinson move down the field at will. Included in that drive were two conversions on 3 and 10, the first of which was made from a 2 and 19. Then they let Keenan McCardell walk into the End Zone uncontested on third and 10. EJ Henderson did play a good game. But their were two many times the Linebackers and Safeties left the middle of the field uncontested. This rarely happens against Good Defenses like the Patriots last year. The second team Chargers Offense still sort of moved down the field a bit, and I was gasping as the Vikings First Team D got carved up for three plays in the second half by Cleo Lemon, Raef Perkins, and Ahmeed Galloway. The Galloway play was atricious linebacker coverage. The question is the Vikings D better than last year? They should be based on talent but their safety play needs to greatly improve. We will learn that September 11.
Mewelde Moore had only 6 carries for 21 yards. Moore's 12 yard run was pure him, as he found room with none there. He did have a six yard run which was actually keyed by a nice-block by Marcus Johnson. Other than that he had nothing. Moore is still their best running back, barring how seriously his ankle is dinged up. Next Friday in Sunday it could be Moe Williams and Adinome Echemandu getting the bulk of the carries. If the Vikings don't run the ball better, they will have a hard time getting the offensive production to be better than a .500 team.
The O-Line has gotten better every week. They did do a nice job of Pass-Protection yesterday, granted it was against San Diego's backup D-line, but they did pretty well in the first drive. They actually had runs springed by nice blocks Johnson's block as I mentioned earlier, and Adam Goldberg who sprung loss Echemandu on his touchdown.
I think Adam Goldberg should get a look at starting Center. He's a better run-blocker than Corey Withrow, and that's what the Vikings really need. Although he is a far cry from Matt Birk. I will watch this battle, next friday versus Seattle.
Brad Johnson despite what people think isn't very good. He has no arm strength. He did side-arm a pass to Keenan Howry I believe that was a nice throw. But his arm just isn't there anymore. If Culpepper was lost for the season tommorrow the Vikings would win around 6 games.
I would note about Culpepper that his preseason performance is going against a lot of looks that aren't all that creative. So basically I am saying I don't expect Culpepper to play against Tampa like has in the Pre-Season. Though I do expect a very good season.
Ralph Brown is better in coverage than Brian Williams, he should be the Nickel Corner, and that's the end of that conversation.
I think I might be willing to admit I sold short Troy Willamson, his speed, and balance will make him a player in the NFL. The Vikings WR's are actually pretty good. They are down on my list of problems. I would rather have him than Braylon Edwards, or Mike Williams based on what I have seen so far.
The Minnesota Vikings kicker will be Paul Edinger after the way he kicked last night. I think the punting battle could still be up for grabs. I do think if Aaron Elling is healthy he will be on an NFL roster.
The Vikings have atricious kick coverage, and needs to be fixed pronto. I don't know that they get any benefit from putting players like Antoine Winfield on the field here. Either the techinque is bad or something. The problem was the Kickoffs Paul Edinger was having.
We probably will not see more than a quarter out of the first time next week, so the emphasis will be on players trying to make the team.
The First Team Defense let a Chargers First Team Offense, without Antonio Gates, and Ladanian Tomlinson move down the field at will. Included in that drive were two conversions on 3 and 10, the first of which was made from a 2 and 19. Then they let Keenan McCardell walk into the End Zone uncontested on third and 10. EJ Henderson did play a good game. But their were two many times the Linebackers and Safeties left the middle of the field uncontested. This rarely happens against Good Defenses like the Patriots last year. The second team Chargers Offense still sort of moved down the field a bit, and I was gasping as the Vikings First Team D got carved up for three plays in the second half by Cleo Lemon, Raef Perkins, and Ahmeed Galloway. The Galloway play was atricious linebacker coverage. The question is the Vikings D better than last year? They should be based on talent but their safety play needs to greatly improve. We will learn that September 11.
Mewelde Moore had only 6 carries for 21 yards. Moore's 12 yard run was pure him, as he found room with none there. He did have a six yard run which was actually keyed by a nice-block by Marcus Johnson. Other than that he had nothing. Moore is still their best running back, barring how seriously his ankle is dinged up. Next Friday in Sunday it could be Moe Williams and Adinome Echemandu getting the bulk of the carries. If the Vikings don't run the ball better, they will have a hard time getting the offensive production to be better than a .500 team.
The O-Line has gotten better every week. They did do a nice job of Pass-Protection yesterday, granted it was against San Diego's backup D-line, but they did pretty well in the first drive. They actually had runs springed by nice blocks Johnson's block as I mentioned earlier, and Adam Goldberg who sprung loss Echemandu on his touchdown.
I think Adam Goldberg should get a look at starting Center. He's a better run-blocker than Corey Withrow, and that's what the Vikings really need. Although he is a far cry from Matt Birk. I will watch this battle, next friday versus Seattle.
Brad Johnson despite what people think isn't very good. He has no arm strength. He did side-arm a pass to Keenan Howry I believe that was a nice throw. But his arm just isn't there anymore. If Culpepper was lost for the season tommorrow the Vikings would win around 6 games.
I would note about Culpepper that his preseason performance is going against a lot of looks that aren't all that creative. So basically I am saying I don't expect Culpepper to play against Tampa like has in the Pre-Season. Though I do expect a very good season.
Ralph Brown is better in coverage than Brian Williams, he should be the Nickel Corner, and that's the end of that conversation.
I think I might be willing to admit I sold short Troy Willamson, his speed, and balance will make him a player in the NFL. The Vikings WR's are actually pretty good. They are down on my list of problems. I would rather have him than Braylon Edwards, or Mike Williams based on what I have seen so far.
The Minnesota Vikings kicker will be Paul Edinger after the way he kicked last night. I think the punting battle could still be up for grabs. I do think if Aaron Elling is healthy he will be on an NFL roster.
The Vikings have atricious kick coverage, and needs to be fixed pronto. I don't know that they get any benefit from putting players like Antoine Winfield on the field here. Either the techinque is bad or something. The problem was the Kickoffs Paul Edinger was having.
We probably will not see more than a quarter out of the first time next week, so the emphasis will be on players trying to make the team.
posted by Stew at 10:50 AM
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