Preseason Game 2: Titans @ Vikes
Aug 18, 2023 10:57:52 GMT -6
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Post by Funkytown on Aug 18, 2023 10:57:52 GMT -6
What are you watching for in Game 2?
Cousins said that the starters are “not necessarily expecting to play” this Saturday, according to Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune.
“There are so many young players on our team who haven't played at U.S. Bank [Stadium] before, and I think it's important they get this experience,” Cousins said, via the Star Tribune.
“There are so many young players on our team who haven't played at U.S. Bank [Stadium] before, and I think it's important they get this experience,” Cousins said, via the Star Tribune.
1. QB Jaren Hall
2. RB DeWayne McBride
3. LT Vederian Lowe
4. TE Nick Muse
5. DL Jaquelin Roy
6. WR Jalen Reagor
7. CB Andrew Booth Jr
8. ILB Troy Reeder
9. S Theo Jackson
10. CB Tay Gowan
2. RB DeWayne McBride
3. LT Vederian Lowe
4. TE Nick Muse
5. DL Jaquelin Roy
6. WR Jalen Reagor
7. CB Andrew Booth Jr
8. ILB Troy Reeder
9. S Theo Jackson
10. CB Tay Gowan
Player you’re most looking forward to watching
Lewis: Ty Chandler. Can the running back continue his march toward securing not only the backup running back spot but also a share of the regular-season snaps? It seems like he’s on his way. He impressed the Vikings’ coaching staff with his performance against the Seattle Seahawks, and he has transferred that performance to the practice field this week. On Thursday, Chandler stood firm in pass protection — another sign of his potential reliability. Stay healthy and continue to run as hard as he has, and Chandler should put himself in prime position for touches come September.
Krawczynski: Trishton Jackson. I’m sure there are good reasons he’s further down the depth chart right now, but the dude just looks like a player. Good size, good hands, and a knack for making plays when he has an opportunity. He was at it again Thursday, catching at least three touchdowns, including a jaw-dropping snag in the corner of the end zone during a red zone period. I want to see if he can parlay his good plays in practice into the game, and he should get plenty of chances Saturday night.
Player with the most to prove
Lewis: Jalen Reagor. He caught a team-high four passes against the Seahawks and filled in for Jordan Addison this week as the team’s No. 3 receiver. With Jalen Nailor still nursing a lower left leg injury, Reagor might be in line for a spot on the 53-man regardless. I still think he must earn the spot, especially with Brandon Powell’s reliability throughout training camp. Reagor cannot afford to line up in the wrong place or run the wrong route. He’s been in the offense too long for those types of mistakes.
Krawczynski: Lewis Cine. I know he’s coming back from a major injury and patience is required as he works to get his legs back underneath him. But it would be nice to start seeing him put some things together. So far, he has looked a little heavy-legged. Watching him in a special teams drill Wednesday, he had some difficulty keeping up with the smaller, quicker Titans he was tasked with blocking. It’s all understandable. He shouldn’t be expected to be back at 100 percent in his early days of camp or his first preseason game. But other safeties like Bynum, Metellus and Theo Jackson are having some really good moments. Cine could use a couple himself.
Which player injury (besides Blackmon) are you most concerned about?
Lewis: T.J. Hockenson. An ear infection has sidelined him for most of the competitive periods of camp the last few weeks. He even admitted that the illness has affected his equilibrium. Whereas Ivan Pace Jr. has established a level of trust in the event Brian Asamoah does not return, the Vikings do not have an obvious replacement for Hockenson. Johnny Mundt is reliable and Josh Oliver will be a force as a blocker, but neither player can navigate passing concepts like Hockenson. Minnesota has no reason to rush this. The team’s starters are not likely to play much in the preseason anyway. But Hockenson’s presence is too important to the offense to not select him here.
Krawczynski: Kene Nwangwu. The writing is on the wall. It seems like every other day the Vikings are bringing another running back in for a workout: Kareem Hunt, Mike Davis, etc. Some have said it’s because the Vikings have concerns about Alexander Mattison as the starter, but I don’t believe that’s the case. I think it’s a direct reflection of their views of the depth behind Mattison. As Alec pointed out, Chandler is having some nice moments, including in the preseason opener in Seattle. Nwangwu has not been on the field yet. He’s a special, special kick returner, but that position has become less and less of a focus across the league. I was hoping to see Nwangwu get a real role in the backfield as well and see what he could do with that athleticism and speed. But we just haven’t been able to get any glimpses so far, and he’s running out of time.
Position group you’re keeping an eye on
Lewis: Safety. How many can the Vikings take for the 53-man? Smith, Bynum, Metellus and Cine are locks. Adofo-Mensah picked Jay Ward in the fourth round, so it’s hard to fathom letting him go. And then there is Theo Jackson, who got time Thursday with the first team. I’m mainly interested to see how Cine, Ward and Jackson are used Saturday and if any of the three separate from the rest.
Krawczynski: Offensive line. The group got manhandled by the Titans at practice Wednesday, with Jeffrey Simmons having his way and barking at them all day long. It wasn’t as glaring Thursday, but it does seem clear that coaches would like to see the offensive line assert itself a little more forcefully. Coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday that he can’t make any blanket evaluations yet while Brian O’Neill is still working his way back from an Achilles injury. O’Connell said he expects O’Neill to be back on the field next week against the Cardinals, and that will be a big help for the unit overall.
Under-the-radar storyline you’re following
Lewis: How about some love for Thayer Thomas? The undrafted rookie wide receiver from N.C. State snagged a pass from Nick Mullens in the 11-on-11 period Thursday. Afterward, Justin Jefferson nudged him, then offered some tips. Thomas appeared to misplay a punt return in Seattle, but overall, he has turned in a commendable camp. Last year, the Vikings kept five wide receivers. Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Addison and Powell feel like locks. Trishton Jackson has also put together a great camp. And yet it feels like Thomas deserves more praise than he has gotten.
Krawczynski: Ryan Wright was absolutely crushing his punts in practice Wednesday. One of them appeared to travel almost 90 yards, smoking the Titans return men. O’Connell did point out that he had the wind at his back, but it wasn’t just the distance that was impressive. Wright was using different techniques to change the spin and the flight of the ball: some tight spirals, some end-over-end floppers. It was, no joke, maybe the most fun thing to watch in an otherwise dull practice. Hey, what’s more under the radar than the punter?
Lewis: Ty Chandler. Can the running back continue his march toward securing not only the backup running back spot but also a share of the regular-season snaps? It seems like he’s on his way. He impressed the Vikings’ coaching staff with his performance against the Seattle Seahawks, and he has transferred that performance to the practice field this week. On Thursday, Chandler stood firm in pass protection — another sign of his potential reliability. Stay healthy and continue to run as hard as he has, and Chandler should put himself in prime position for touches come September.
Krawczynski: Trishton Jackson. I’m sure there are good reasons he’s further down the depth chart right now, but the dude just looks like a player. Good size, good hands, and a knack for making plays when he has an opportunity. He was at it again Thursday, catching at least three touchdowns, including a jaw-dropping snag in the corner of the end zone during a red zone period. I want to see if he can parlay his good plays in practice into the game, and he should get plenty of chances Saturday night.
Player with the most to prove
Lewis: Jalen Reagor. He caught a team-high four passes against the Seahawks and filled in for Jordan Addison this week as the team’s No. 3 receiver. With Jalen Nailor still nursing a lower left leg injury, Reagor might be in line for a spot on the 53-man regardless. I still think he must earn the spot, especially with Brandon Powell’s reliability throughout training camp. Reagor cannot afford to line up in the wrong place or run the wrong route. He’s been in the offense too long for those types of mistakes.
Krawczynski: Lewis Cine. I know he’s coming back from a major injury and patience is required as he works to get his legs back underneath him. But it would be nice to start seeing him put some things together. So far, he has looked a little heavy-legged. Watching him in a special teams drill Wednesday, he had some difficulty keeping up with the smaller, quicker Titans he was tasked with blocking. It’s all understandable. He shouldn’t be expected to be back at 100 percent in his early days of camp or his first preseason game. But other safeties like Bynum, Metellus and Theo Jackson are having some really good moments. Cine could use a couple himself.
Which player injury (besides Blackmon) are you most concerned about?
Lewis: T.J. Hockenson. An ear infection has sidelined him for most of the competitive periods of camp the last few weeks. He even admitted that the illness has affected his equilibrium. Whereas Ivan Pace Jr. has established a level of trust in the event Brian Asamoah does not return, the Vikings do not have an obvious replacement for Hockenson. Johnny Mundt is reliable and Josh Oliver will be a force as a blocker, but neither player can navigate passing concepts like Hockenson. Minnesota has no reason to rush this. The team’s starters are not likely to play much in the preseason anyway. But Hockenson’s presence is too important to the offense to not select him here.
Krawczynski: Kene Nwangwu. The writing is on the wall. It seems like every other day the Vikings are bringing another running back in for a workout: Kareem Hunt, Mike Davis, etc. Some have said it’s because the Vikings have concerns about Alexander Mattison as the starter, but I don’t believe that’s the case. I think it’s a direct reflection of their views of the depth behind Mattison. As Alec pointed out, Chandler is having some nice moments, including in the preseason opener in Seattle. Nwangwu has not been on the field yet. He’s a special, special kick returner, but that position has become less and less of a focus across the league. I was hoping to see Nwangwu get a real role in the backfield as well and see what he could do with that athleticism and speed. But we just haven’t been able to get any glimpses so far, and he’s running out of time.
Position group you’re keeping an eye on
Lewis: Safety. How many can the Vikings take for the 53-man? Smith, Bynum, Metellus and Cine are locks. Adofo-Mensah picked Jay Ward in the fourth round, so it’s hard to fathom letting him go. And then there is Theo Jackson, who got time Thursday with the first team. I’m mainly interested to see how Cine, Ward and Jackson are used Saturday and if any of the three separate from the rest.
Krawczynski: Offensive line. The group got manhandled by the Titans at practice Wednesday, with Jeffrey Simmons having his way and barking at them all day long. It wasn’t as glaring Thursday, but it does seem clear that coaches would like to see the offensive line assert itself a little more forcefully. Coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday that he can’t make any blanket evaluations yet while Brian O’Neill is still working his way back from an Achilles injury. O’Connell said he expects O’Neill to be back on the field next week against the Cardinals, and that will be a big help for the unit overall.
Under-the-radar storyline you’re following
Lewis: How about some love for Thayer Thomas? The undrafted rookie wide receiver from N.C. State snagged a pass from Nick Mullens in the 11-on-11 period Thursday. Afterward, Justin Jefferson nudged him, then offered some tips. Thomas appeared to misplay a punt return in Seattle, but overall, he has turned in a commendable camp. Last year, the Vikings kept five wide receivers. Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Addison and Powell feel like locks. Trishton Jackson has also put together a great camp. And yet it feels like Thomas deserves more praise than he has gotten.
Krawczynski: Ryan Wright was absolutely crushing his punts in practice Wednesday. One of them appeared to travel almost 90 yards, smoking the Titans return men. O’Connell did point out that he had the wind at his back, but it wasn’t just the distance that was impressive. Wright was using different techniques to change the spin and the flight of the ball: some tight spirals, some end-over-end floppers. It was, no joke, maybe the most fun thing to watch in an otherwise dull practice. Hey, what’s more under the radar than the punter?
And what the hell is the 33rd team smoking? How much weight are they putting on the tackles? Because it looks like they got the depth right.
Man, if our defense doesn't feed it's time to get out the 
How many former Vikings do they have on their line?
... and neither is this Chris guy.