Happy post-win Monday, everyone, and wellcome to Skoloholics, your home for Minnesota Vikings Discussion! Every day you can join us for the latest Minnesota Vikings news, lots of Minnesota Vikings talk, also NFL news and updates, and most anything else you may have on your mind. At Skoloholics, the real action is in the comments, so if you haven’t checked out the comments section yet, sign up and join the conversation.
Random Thoughts
Hey, it was great to meet VikingPhillip on Sunday on our way over to the Wisconsin Dells, it’s always nice to meet people in person, especially when we’ve been computer comrades for years. I can attest that he’s just as nice of a person in real life as he is on here. Cool to actually meet you, Phillip!
Vikings Discussion
Preseason Game 1: Vikings vs. Texans
First, I have to say how awesome it is to have NFL football back. It’s bittersweet, as this also signals the fast-approaching end of summer, but it sure was fun to watch football again.
The Vikings looked decent in their first preseason game. The score doesn’t matter much in these preseason games, as you’re mainly looking for performances from specific players or positional groups, and of course, you definitely hope to avoid injuries. We saw some encouraging performances, but unfortunately, were not able to avoid injuries.
The Vikings revamped O-line looked spectacular, creating pockets from which to throw, and creating holes for the running back. Jordan Addison made some nice plays and J.J. McCarthy looked pretty good on the opening drive, the only drive where the starters were on the field. After that, we saw some tremendous performances from the offensive depth players. RB Zavier Scott had an excellent game, and Sam Howell looked razor sharp at QB. The biggest surprise to me was QB Max Brosmer, who looked amazing, and may have played himself into the QB3 spot, or at least made progress toward that spot.
The defense looked a bit shaky on the opening drive, and gave up a TD. Nothing alarming or glaring stands out from that drive other than maybe a lack of pressure, but considering not all the starters were in, I don’t see much to worry about.. The Texans just put together a successful drive. After that, the Vikings defensive depth shone bright, and they only allowed 3 more points through the remainder of the game. They forced three turnovers, including two interceptions by CB Kahlef Hailassie.
This was a really fun game to watch. As I said, a win isn’t the most important thing in a preseason game, but a win is sure better than a loss. SKOL!!!!
Vikings News
Stats & highlights from the Vikings/Texans game, courtesy of ESPN.
Vikings.com has game observations from Saturday’s Vikings-Texans game.
NFL News
A former NFL QB had some insightful comments on Shedeur Sanders’ preseason game one performance, from MSN.
NFL preseason week one scores and highlights, courtesy of CBS Sports.
Dak Prescott’s sideline comments are generating buzz, from MSN. They refer to them as ‘bold comments’, I refer to them as ‘delusional’. Some folks calls it a sling blade, I calls it a kaiser blade, mmmhmm.
Media Selection
I know it’s only the preseason, but a win’s a win. STRIKE UP THE BAND!!!!!! Hey, speaking of band, I wonder what J-Dog’s up to nowadays.
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Apparently, the Bears have serious concerns about injuries in their secondary. They had 8 DBs in for a tryout today:
Kalon Barnes
Millard Bradford
Mekhi Garner
Kaleb Hayes
Keni Lovely
Mark Perry
Benny Sapp
Jason Taylor
The Bears are strange. They seem to always be able to cobble together a defense, but have serious offense problems.
They’ve brought in Ben Johnson as the head coach, who can seriously scheme an offense. We’ll see how that turns out with Caleb.
Indeed, but it’s just the Bears DNA. What other team has produced 4 HOF middle linebackers back to back to back to back. Unreal!
Benny Sapp?
Oh damn, there’s another one. I was thinking of the former Viking. I thought “holy shit, he’s still playing?”.
Hmmm… sounds like a certain QB we know…
https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1955033147935948990/photo/1
If it is not broke why replace it???
Beautiful car… and yes, if it runs good, why replace it?
My neighbor across the street had a 2008 Toyota 4Runner. He sold it and got a 2025 Truck. He said he was conflicted because the 08 was as good as the day he bought it but he figured it was getting old so replaced it.
He has a ‘commuter car’, his wife has a mini van/SUV type of car, now the new truck and an old ‘kit’ truck from a 50s Model that almost never leaves the garage.
A lot of hardware for the two of them, I guess the new truck was to tow the large luxury trailer that they in the back yard that they haven’t used the year I have been here.
Expensive toys I guess.
My second son in law is driving a 2008 4Runner and claims it’s as good as new and can’t imagine trading it in. He loves it and it still looks pretty good.
I have 280,000 on my 2013 GMC. I have 190,000 on my 2014 Accord. Both run like they’re new. I’m gonna try to get half a million out of each of them.
I pull a 3,500 pound (empty) dump trailer with the GMC.
Accords are like iron too. We also had a Lexus SUV wife put 225,000 on it with city driving. It was a tank.
Yeah, love the Accord. Mine has a 6 speed manual, I love it.
My wife has an Acura SUV, she loves it. We’re on our 2nd Acura, they’re good vehicles.
Saw Kirk was driving a Mercedes on the latest episode of Quarterback. We’re on episode 3 or 4.
If I had his money I’d do better than that.
Me too, I’d have a ’69 Chevelle SS convertible.
Have to go back to DC for a couple of days later in the week. Will be interesting to hear what the folks up there think about Trump’s cracking down on the crime issues.
Know when I lived there just a few years ago, no one from the suburbs went to DC at night.
Yep. Lots of places Uber and local taxis will not go after about 8:30 p.m.
Nice Knowing You.
#nojinx
I’ll keep my fanny in NoVa west of the river.
The Vikings have been awarded Michael Gonzalez off waivers from the Falcons.
His is a Guard/Center?
Sounds like we signed an OL to replace Nelson, OL what was injured in the night practice a week or so ago.
Great defensive scheme here. Look closely how the Chargers start in a Cover two zone look, then at the snap, they go to Cover one man under, with the slot corner blitzing. Beautiful.
What do you think?
Looks like WR at bottom of the screen was doing a cross down the seem. By default he became the ‘hot’ receiver as the blitzer was coming from his coverage. If he had simply broke his route odd at the sticks and would have been wide open and QB ws actually looking their first (it appears).
Maybe why receivers need to pay as much attention to the coverage, it’s changes, and adjust routes accordingly.
This is the typical split field read in the NFL. It’s 3rd and 6, and Shough has the TE on a go 7 route inside of the 7 yard out on his right side. The numbers and alignment give him a pre-snap look that he goes with the out. He makes the “correct” read based on the pre-snap (correct side of the field to work). Because of the blitz, he has to let it go, and can’t wait to see how the go 7 route evolves.
Jay Gruden was one of the key developers of the split field read. Unfortunately, RGIII routinely went to the wrong side of the field. It was this singular flaw (along with the fact that he also routinely took the wrong number of steps on his drop) that ultimately forced Gruden to bench him.
Ultimately the throw should have been to the TE.
Really? I thought in this situation, and a lot of defenses give a QB one look and then right at snap jump to a different one. The QB and the receivers then must adjust to that defense ‘immediately’ post snap – reads and routes.
Thought McVay actually started this pre/post read /adjustments when he was in Washington and it is now a regular part of his system. Believe KOC uses it also.
So what you’re talking about is a very advanced system that no rookie is gonna execute. That, and you’re talking the ability of the whole offense to shift on the fly against the defense. That’s impossible. Watch the play in real time. What are the reads, and the route adjustments that would occur instantaneously post snap?
The QB reads as he approaches the line of scrimmage are the safety alignments. Cover two? Cover one? Cover zero? Then he identifies the Mike, to determine where the center of the defense is. From that he determines which side of the field the offense can garner a numeric advantage based on the play call. He can shift a receiver from side of the field to the other to identify zone or man coverage, as well as shift the advantage to one side or the other.
A QB with years of study and experience can know what defensive adjustments a particular DC is likely to jump to post snap. Then he can watch the players that will tell him what the defense is doing, and change his progressions. In this case the strong safety crashes down, and that tells the QB it’s going to be cover one, man under.
Still with all that, Shough went to the correct half of the field, and he had the TE. He threw the ball to his predetermined route on the out though, instead of reading the corner who was jumping the route.
I have no idea about the Chargers and their offense. But do know McVay (and KOC) require their QB’s to know both pre and post reads and receivers must adjust routes
Good defense do a good job of hiding what they are really going to be in post snap – like show single high and go into three deep right at snap.
We’ll just have to disagree on where the QB goes here. When there is a free blitzer that side of the defense is where the weakness is and a WR there should become “hot’, adjust their route and be wide open. The drawback, the QB has to get rid if the ball before he gets sacked.
The “free blitzers” receiver is picked up by the safety JR. There isn’t any vacated receiver left open by the blitzer. That is old adage stuff… not real football. The defense blitzes a guy, and another guy takes his area or responsibility. That’s today’s NFL.
Again, in the split field read, the idea is numbers, and matchups. Shough went to the correct side of the field, he just went to the wrong receiver.
He was picked up past the first down marker. He was open from LOC to the marker and QB could have hit him any time on the route and he would have gotten a first down.
Again JR, the correct read was to the QB’s right side. He selected the correct side of the field to work. He makes the read, sets up, and makes the throw. He’s executing the play as designed. It doesn’t matter what is happening on his left. This is all about giving a QB two options max on any given play. A system Jay Gruden pioneered, way back in the day. Now every offense in the league uses this concept.
As the play unfolds, he is looking at the receiver, and throwing the ball as he makes his break. He expects the CB to sit back so he doesn’t get beat deep. The CB is just sitting there watching the throw, and he jumps the route and is gone.
Every QB in the league is going to initially execute that play to the right side of the field, because that’s the design of the offense. That’s where he was supposed to go. Unfortunately, he stared down the route, didn’t read the CB, and made the wrong throw.
Except for the free blitzer from the right which ‘should’ change his read.
And as you point out, they are playing two deep with tight five man coverage under. The corner has help over the top so of course he can sit on the short route. With this coverage, against this defense, there is no throw to the right.
NFL cutdown day is Tuesday, Aug 26, 4pm EDT.
All NFL rosters down to 53.
Two weeks from tomorrow.
2 games, not sure you see a starter.
Not many for sure.
39 players removed, signed to PS or IR.
I understand the injury aspect but it seems in week one chemistry is a issue.
Apparently, Stafford has a herniated disc. Guess we’ll see how bad it is, and how it pans out. As I understand it, surgery is pretty rare, but we’re talking a pro athlete here. Gotta do something significant.
Easy money… make the bet, then go to the game and throw a dildo out onto the court.
No news yet on Rondale Moore’s MRI.
Awesome!
Found this video of GF….
Awesome trick. Not sure how you practice that.
I know how you practice it, I’m just not very good at doing it.
Laughing…
I couldn’t even land a 3 foot jump without breaking myself.
Brad.
At least the kid hit grass.
So did I, had the ramp set up on the concrete but landed in the grass. I’m dumb but I’m not stupid.
Pretty much
I’m not sure I would use the word collision to describe this.
It looks like it was done on purpose.
Seems to be plenty of time for the ships to move out of the way of each other.
Chinese naval vessel rams Chinese Coast Guard vessel chasing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. Looks like the PCG vessel Captain brilliantly pulled off a maneuver to get the two Chinese vessels to collide.
I think he was zig zagging and managed to get the 2 Chinese ships to zig and zag opposite of each other.
I saw another video that showed the naval vessel alongside the PCG ship prior to the collision.
Maybe the first encounter was chi coms trying to board peacefully, but the PCG just took off.
WTH was the Captain of 164 doing. He’s lucky he didn’t get hit broadside.
That makes sense.
Dolphins RB Alexander Mattison had season-ending neck surgery after a scary injury this weekend.
He’s expected to make a full recovery and “full strength and motion”.
With the way Darnold played last year, would McCarthy have been installed as QB1 last year?
Probably not. Sam was the man until he wilted.
Yep, what I think, too. He’d have had to really screw the pooch to get McCarthy onto the field.
I think so. There was a pretty good stretch there where Sam was struggling, but the defense was bailing him out.
At the very least, JJ would have played the end of either of the last two games.
I think JJ would have gotten some playing time, but I’m not sure he would have become the starter.
My coworker said JJ will likely not play anymore this preseason. It seems there is a quote in the Pioneer Press alluding to this, too.
Seems overly precious to me, but Vikings preseason has been week since Fraiser.
No reason to play him…have controlled scrimmages against New England coming up…that will do.
Vikings are no fun. KOC probably rubs hand sanitizer on JJ’s hands when he comes to the sideline.
KOC has been very careful in preseason. I guess the risk/reward equation doesn’t add up for him.
Well…as long as JJ says hi to everyone in the hallway, I guess we are okay…
It’s said there is practice speed, preseason speed and then game speed. And while preseason speed isn’t quite game speed it’s closer than practice speed.
JJ hurt his knee last year and wasn’t even touched – could have happened in practice.
I heard that it happened in college, the Vikings FO kinda knew it was a lingering issue. Can’t remember where I heard that, maybe someone else has that info.
I’ve heard the college injury story as well.
No clue if it’s true or not.
Yeah, I can’t remember where that came from. Was worried it was something I created in my own head, glad that isn’t the case.
Found this, not directly related to this convo, but….
Kirk Campbell says people don’t know how hurt JJ McCarthy was – “He was a warrior”
Interesting article. Would think Vikings would check out his knee status pretty big time before drafting him.
The article suggest they were coaching him to throw differently so he wouldn’t have to plant on bad leg. That seems rather serious.
The joint practices are more like a controlled preseason game and they tend to get more out of them. If he was just sitting and they were only practicing alone I don’t think I’d agree with the approach, but I’m good with this. No sense it putting him in a preseason game with guys scraping to make the team and potentially going a little extra and hurting him.
I wouldn’t play anyone who isn’t fighting for a roster spot. Nothing more useless than getting a starter injured in the preseason.
If a player NEEDS reps, I get it, but it sucks to lose a player for the year in a meaningless game. That Rondale Moore injury sucked, had high hopes for him, especially in the first 3 games with Adderall out.
I think JJ needs reps, but I get if they don’t give him them.
Personally, since JJ is a rookie and on a rookie contract and hasn’t proved himself yet, I’d throw him out there. If he can’t make it through preseason twice, he ain’t the man. Better to find out ASAP.
But he IS the man. They’ve communicated that in more ways than one. The season could very well hinge on him and his availability. No need to risk throwing a wrench in the whole season in the preseason.
It’s a long season, and JJ will have a learning curve no matter what, especially early on. Ensure he stays healthy and can play when his whole solid OL is playing.
Yep. He is the starter.
We will find out soon enough.
No need to risk injury.
I get both sides of it, be nice to see him get some reps, but would be pissed if he got knocked out for the season in a meaningless game. Hard to find the right balance.
Eagles Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson was helped off the field and carted indoors after suffering an apparent right leg injury during the team’s open practice Sunday night.
Dickerson is expected to undergo an MRI on his right knee today.
Never like to see anyone hurt….but I don’t feel sorry for the Philly fans – they are truly the worst.
I’m the same. Hate to see injuries. It definitely comes with the territory though. Every year we see guys go down in training camp.
Amen, Philly is the ass hole of America.
Thanks for the kind words Brad. It was great to meet you and your family also. Have a great time in the Dells.
We will, just got up a bit ago, getting ready to go get wet soon.
I served up a softball there.
Good morning, SKOL!
FTP!
So we lost a WR and a 3rd string Center to injuries? ugh
Off to watch JJ highlights to see how he did…
That was a short watch.
I accidentally watched JJ’s preseason highlights from last year’s preseason, and he looked great. Then I realized I was watching the wrong game.
So, I watched the Saturday highlights. It was like watching a totally different guy. He looked a LOT better last year.
I wish they would have gave him more than one series. Hopefully, he gets more playing time in the next one. Play the dude, KOC!
He threw a pick early last year. This year he went 3 for 3 right away and eventually got a first down with his legs…in his first game action after a lengthy leg injury.
I was pretty satisfied overall, especially considering the nerves he must have felt after that long recovery.
He definitely needs some reps from being out of action so long. In last year’s highlights, he looked poised. In Saturday’s highlights, he looked a lot more high-strung.
Hopefully, they let him play a lot more in the next game, so we can see how he settles in.
He mentioned that going against our high pressure defense, he was used to having to get the ball out quicker, and that affected him in the game. He said he had more time and could have held the ball a tick longer.
The fact he’s going against our defense in practice is good for him.
That makes sense. That is exactly how he looked to my eye, like he was a note ahead of the beat.
Agree, he did sail a couple throws high, but he was probably pretty amped up in his first action back.
Happy Monday,
FTP
Skol
That’s one of those things I love about that show. While I am not a scientist, I am a somewhat nerdy indoor fellow. After one of the scenes of them playing a game like that, Leonard encourages Sheldon to take his turn because, “we said we were going to get more fresh air.”
FTP Auto Rec.