As one of the longest tenured players on the Viking’s defense, Griffen has become one of the leaders on the team.
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Nonetheless, here are five things to keep an eye on during Thursdays’ game at CenturyLink Field. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner needs to play to Teddy Bridgewater’s strengths more by getting the ball out of his hands quicker.
It was just as encouraging to see Bridgewater completed a 22-yard throw on third-and-7 to Adam Thielen. He’s stronger than he was a year ago. “We were trying not to huddle as much as we could”.
Vikings fans can probably remember how fast paced offenses once embarrassed them on a regular basis, including one bad Monday Night outing against New England that still haunts my dreams, but I also have faith that a Zimmer-led defense will be far better prepared to combat such a wrinkle. The next play, when the Bengals sent only four rushers, Atkins sacked Bridgewater when Joe Berger, filling in for Brandon Fusco at right guard, and Kalil allowed pressure. “Tonight, we wanted to get some of the work in on the road”. The Vikings have a sound offensive line and a pair of young receivers in Treadwell and Stefon Diggs. Now, he believes he has shown enough to get increased time on offense. Adrian Peterson didn’t play so C.J. Ham was Minnesota’s leading ball carrier with 35 yards and Jerick McKinnon had 14 yards but no one was impressive running the football. The Seahawks got the win in week one and while we didn’t see much of the starters, this team will have to play better if they hope to continue winning.
Cordarrelle Patterson is still recovering from a minor shoulder injury, we break down the fantasy implications.
That leaves little room for Patterson to make an impact as he enters the final season of his rookie contract. “I think he’s done a good job when he’s been in there”.
Trae Waynes, the 11-overall pick in the 2015 draft, got the start last Friday because veteran Terence Newman stayed in the Twin Cities due to an undisclosed injury. After a good year, teams on the schedule don’t look over you anymore.
After being a surprise victor of the NFC North last season, can the Minnesota Vikings find a way to get to 10 wins this season?
Waynes played pretty well against the Bengals, but Zimmer wasn’t entirely happy because there were times the corner played too far off his man. The Vikings have made improvements in the offseason and here are the five most important players they will look to lead them this season.
Zimmer has no interest in seeing his corners give wide receivers room to catch passes and that’s one area he will be looking for Waynes to improve in during this second preseason game.
One thing that could certainly help them make up for roster holes, and mask the disappearance of Calvin Johnson, is the fact that head coach Jim Caldwell is looking to take one of the NFL’s slowest offense’s from past year and turn them into a no-huddle wild card in 2016.
“We obviously have gotten a lot better since we’ve (started)”, Smith said.
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Morgan could make it hard for the Vikings when it comes to cutting down to the 53-man roster. “It doesn’t matter who you are playing against, if it’s on (practice) cards, if it’s against the Vikings defense, up against Cincinnati”, Sullivan said this week.
