Post by Funkytown on Aug 17, 2018 20:32:35 GMT -6
Okay Purple Pain peeps, what are you looking for in Game 2 of the preseason? What storylines have you most intrigued?
Some things to get you started:
New Stories to Eye in Vikings’ Second Preseason Game by Sam Smith
Link: fullpresscoverage.com/2018/08/17/new-stories-to-eye-in-vikings-second-preseason-game/
Some things to get you started:
New Stories to Eye in Vikings’ Second Preseason Game by Sam Smith
Hughes and first team reps?
Fans wanted it, and the Vikings finally obliged. Mike Hughes was outstanding in his first NFL action last Saturday, and in practice this week, he actually bumped starting nickel Mackensie Alexander for a few reps. It is still early, but the sky appears to be the limit for Hughes, given how quickly he has taken to NFL defense. The question is how many, if any, snaps Hughes gets against the Jaguars’ first offense in week two. And furthermore, if Hughes keeps boosting his stock as a corner, will the Vikings feel a little itchy about having him return kicks?
Back end of receiver group
There are a few injury questions with the receiver group, but the outlook seems to be that Stacy Coley and Kendall Wright have the fourth and fifth receiver spots more or less cinched. The sixth and final spot, however, seems to be wide open. Just a few of the names in play: Chad Beebe, Brandon Zylstra, Jeff Badet, Tavarres King, Cayleb Jones and Jake Wieneke. The most likely scenario is one of those names makes the roster and one makes the practice squad. Last week, Beebe had three catches and a touchdown. Zylstra was the star of spring practice. Wieneke is the hometown kid with tremendous college production. King is the veteran with game experience. Badet has the 4.27 speed. Jones was on the team last season and had a great camp before being cut. Every single one of these guys has a case to earn one of those spots on the Vikings roster. These next three games will play a major role in separating them.
Forbath answer?
Rookie Daniel Carlson already has the fan vote in the kicker competition for several reasons. One, he was a fifth-round selection, so cutting him would ultimately make it seem like a wasted pick. Two, his leg power is enormous. And three, Kai Forbath did not exactly set the world on fire last season. Plus, if those reasons were not enough, Carlson went out and made all five of his kicks last week, including a 57-yarder. While that seems to have all but put a lid on the competition, Forbath is probably going to get the chance to match against Jacksonville. But if he misses even one kick, this could be an open-and-shut case.
New-look offense stacking against elite defense...
Fans wanted it, and the Vikings finally obliged. Mike Hughes was outstanding in his first NFL action last Saturday, and in practice this week, he actually bumped starting nickel Mackensie Alexander for a few reps. It is still early, but the sky appears to be the limit for Hughes, given how quickly he has taken to NFL defense. The question is how many, if any, snaps Hughes gets against the Jaguars’ first offense in week two. And furthermore, if Hughes keeps boosting his stock as a corner, will the Vikings feel a little itchy about having him return kicks?
Back end of receiver group
There are a few injury questions with the receiver group, but the outlook seems to be that Stacy Coley and Kendall Wright have the fourth and fifth receiver spots more or less cinched. The sixth and final spot, however, seems to be wide open. Just a few of the names in play: Chad Beebe, Brandon Zylstra, Jeff Badet, Tavarres King, Cayleb Jones and Jake Wieneke. The most likely scenario is one of those names makes the roster and one makes the practice squad. Last week, Beebe had three catches and a touchdown. Zylstra was the star of spring practice. Wieneke is the hometown kid with tremendous college production. King is the veteran with game experience. Badet has the 4.27 speed. Jones was on the team last season and had a great camp before being cut. Every single one of these guys has a case to earn one of those spots on the Vikings roster. These next three games will play a major role in separating them.
Forbath answer?
Rookie Daniel Carlson already has the fan vote in the kicker competition for several reasons. One, he was a fifth-round selection, so cutting him would ultimately make it seem like a wasted pick. Two, his leg power is enormous. And three, Kai Forbath did not exactly set the world on fire last season. Plus, if those reasons were not enough, Carlson went out and made all five of his kicks last week, including a 57-yarder. While that seems to have all but put a lid on the competition, Forbath is probably going to get the chance to match against Jacksonville. But if he misses even one kick, this could be an open-and-shut case.
New-look offense stacking against elite defense...
Link: fullpresscoverage.com/2018/08/17/new-stories-to-eye-in-vikings-second-preseason-game/
