Vikings at Broncos: Preseason Game 3 Notes

Expecations:

Aloha, fellow skoloholics! I’m just going to update this as I watch the game, take notes while they’re fresh in my mind. Prior to the game, the general consensus seemed to be that the score doesn’t matter a whole lot, but there are specific things you hope to see (or not see) throughout the game. For me, I was hoping to once again see the O line perform well and give us reason for optimism, the tight ends to make some plays and at least show that there is some form of life behind Irv, and for the defense, especially the run defense, to try to limit the opponent’s offense. I also hoped to see Mond put together a more consistent performance when he got the time. CBS Sports has the stat line from the game.

Results

To begin with, the Vikings, for some insane reason, started Mannion at QB. Other than one decent drive, Mannion looked like Mannion, he was slow in the pocket, not nimble enough, and he created a lot of sacks where they shouldn’t have occurred. It was as expected. The offense mostly sputtered, but the O line looked pretty good, in my opinion. It was 17-10 going into the half, thanks to a sack-fumble-TD given up by Mannion. I mean, the blitz was right in front of him, I don’t know how he didn’t see it. Anyway, the 1st half was fairly boring from the offensive side of the ball.

Mond

Mond is looking better in the 2nd half, but is not getting much help at times, Muse has dropped two easy receptions so far. Fruechte also hauled in a long beautiful throw from Mond in the 3rd. Mond has made some very nice throws, but he’s also thrown a couple passes several yards overhead. He’s looking more consistent this year, but still needs some more reps. I really wish they’d have given him this entire game, because it seems like a waste to put Mannion out there when you know he’s going to be released this week. UPDATE: After watching the 4th quarter, Mond has a ways to go. His situational awareness needs work (seriously, 4th and goal, you throw the ball, do NOT take a sack there. He has a great arm and can flash at times, so I could see the team holding on to him to see how he develops. He’ll either be the QB3 or on the practice squad (if he clears waivers).

Defense

The run defense was fairly pourous for most of the game, and looked much worse than I’d hoped they’d look. I get that they’re the backups, but that doesn’t matter, you go out to perform and you should perform better than they did.

Tight Ends

Davidson made some nice plays at tight end, making some nice receptions and making some plays with his feet after the catch. We discussed Muse above. The rest of the TEs performed somewhere in between those two. Trishton Jackson made some noise at the WR position as he fights for a spot on the final 53.

Special Teams

Ryan Wright is our new punter. If you listened to the broadcast, you spent half the broadcast listening to the announcers talk about his size, so I won’t bore you, BUT I would like to talk about how well he punted. He hit some booming punts, and planted a couple inside the 10 yard line. One was a monster 70 yard punt that he buried on the two, an absolute thing of beauty. Joseph continues to have a stellar preseason, and it seems like the Vikings might actually have their special teams whipped into shape this year.

All in all, I wasn’t disheartened by the performance. I expected more out of the defense, but we saw some of the youngsters shine at times, too.

Items of Note:

• Koback is not a very good running back. I think it was chief who commented during the game that he was heavy-footed, and I think that’s an apt description.
• Ty Chandler IS a good running back, and I hope he makes the 53.
• Nick Muse should NOT make the 53, that performance on Saturday should seal his fate.
• Mond has a long way to go. He flashes at times, but needs to work on his awareness. I expect the Vikings to try to get him to the practice squad.