Vikings Territory: Closing Arguments On The Vikings Preseason

Press release from Vikings Territory:

2021-08-30

Under Mike Zimmer, the Vikings were used to doing well in preseason games. This year, however, things were different.

The Minnesota Vikings have really high expectations this season, and we all know why. The offense was great last year, and the team invested in the offensive line once again. Darrisaw, our first-round pick, will theoretically be healthy by week 1, but the team will be cautious with him. Davis was a third-rounder, but, as a former All-American, he clearly possesses the talent to be a guard in the NFL. However, one of the biggest surprises of camp – if not the biggest – earned the starting job. Oli Udoh received tons of praises after sliding inside and secured the right guard spot. If Rashod Hill can hold (please not literally) his own until Darrisaw is good to go, the OL should be much better. On the other side, the defense got a ton of new faces, and this revamped unit has everything it needs to be great again.

This is something I already mentioned during my post-week 1 game overreaction, but it still rings true. At the same time we have great depth at running back, defensive line, and, at least to me, wide receiver, we’re screwed if we miss a safety for a couple of weeks, e.g. At most positions we looked a little thin, like tight end, safety, and, of course, offensive line. Quarterback is one too, but it will have its own section.

C’mon people, this wouldn’t be the Minnesota Vikings without kicking woes. Greg Joseph won the job with literally no competition – Riley Patterson was injured basically the entire time. And he can lose the job also with no competition. He struggled in the games, hitting only one attempt longer than 35 yards and missed both 50+ kicks. I wouldn’t be shocked if Zimmer looks around to see who’s available, but, hopefully, Joseph’s mishaps were only during the preseason or we sign a good kicker. We can’t have another season with bad kicking.

This was well known after the Dalvin Tomlinson signing, but this defense may end up as the number one against the run. Pierce and Tomlinson are as movable as a mountain, leaving Eric Kendricks to just flow to the running back. Even if Barr has to miss some games with his undisclosed injury, our defensive line is good enough to make whoever substitutes him sustainable.

This press release was produced by Vikings Territory .The views expressed here are the author’s own.