Vikings Territory: The Rookie Silver Lining To The Vikings Poor Preseason Showing

Press release from Vikings Territory:

Dustin Baker Dustin Baker

2021-08-15

Disregard the player on the right side of the photo for the time being. His performance versus the Denver Broncos in the first preseason game of the year was lackluster.

Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman drafted Davis from Ohio State after a trade in the 2021 NFL Draft that also netted left tackle Christian Darrisaw and quarterback Kellen Mond. At the time, the trade and subsequent draft haul were considered wonderful, but all men have been beset by injury or virus this summer. The enthusiasm on Davis, Darrisaw, and Mond — at least for a while — is dampened a bit.

But the former Buckeye did not see much action with first-team players in training camp, causing the Vikings to pivot toward Oli Udoh for possible starting RG responsibilities. And for now, betting money suggests Udoh will indeed be the starting right guard when the team travels to the Cincinnati Bengals in a month for Week 1.

Head coach Mike Zimmer rested 30 starters, enabling 60 other players — most of whom will not make the final roster — to see quasi-meaningful time. Davis will make the team, and he was quite good against Denver’s backup personnel.

On an afternoon that was grotesque for the team, Davis wanted no part of the unsavory dealings. So, he did his thing — an encouraging sight for folks that foresee him as the right guard of the future. He even improved after an early mistake:

August 14, 2021

Under Zimmer, the Vikings have preferred a lean-bodied offensive line approach whereas other NFL teams fancy the big-bodied, bruising men as a company philosophy. But with the 2021 NFL Draft, the Vikings changed course. Darrisaw and Davis are larger men than the “power forward types” Minnesota sought in the last five or so years. Because the offensive line has not been productive from a pass-protecting perspective, the shift to bigger dudes is auspicious for followers of the team.

In any event, the Davis optimism was one of the few non-cringeworthy events from the 33-6 loss to the Broncos. He will eventually get a look as RG1 — and his first action in an organized game was commendable on an otherwise lousy day for the team.

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