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Vikings Notebook: Preseason Game 2

By Jake Andersen

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 18: Quarterback Russell Wilson (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 18: Quarterback Russell Wilson (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 18: Quarterback Sam Bradford (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 18: Quarterback Sam Bradford (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Offense:

  • Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and Michael Floyd were the top three receivers with Laquon Treadwell out. Floyd made the first catch, a 12-yard pass from Sam Bradford for a first down. Later, Floyd missed a chance to win a contested pass deep down the sidelines. Nevertheless, he replaced Jarius Wright in three receiver sets with the first unit, not a surprise. He ended the game with two catches for 16 yards.
    • I still think Wright makes the roster since depth at the position is weak. He caught three passes for 16 yards.

    • Speaking of starting receivers, Diggs had a fantastic game. In the Vikings’ first drive, Diggs caught three passes for 54 yards, highlighted by a 39-yard catch in which he was wide open after getting behind Pro-Bowl safety Earl Thomas. On the day, Diggs had four catches for 65 yards, tops on the team.

  • The Vikings were without starting left tackle Riley Reiff and left guard Alex Boone, but surprisingly, they looked better with Nick Easton taking over at guard and Elflein at center. After allowing a couple sacks last week, the starting unit didn’t allow a sack this week. They also paved the way for starting running back Dalvin Cook, who had a nice day.
    • Pat Elflein had a great day as the starting center, allowing only one QB hit. Easton also had a great day at guard. He actually seemed to be a good fit there. Maybe he can take over at the right guard spot once Berger retires? (Rumors suggests he could after this season) Anyways, it’ll be interesting to see how their battle for the center spot plays out. Ultimately, I believe Elflein is going to win it with Easton being the sixth man on the line. Yet, this is a good sign considering how well Easton has played in training camp and the preseason. With the Vikings’ history of offensive line injuries, Easton is a luxury to have.
    • After struggling last week in limited action, Mike Remmers had a quiet day. A good sign for a lineman. Same for Rashod Hill, who was in place of Riley Reiff.

    • Dalvin Cook ran seven times for 40 yards, 5.7 yards a carry. The first drive was rough, only producing 6 yards on three carries, but on the second drive, Cook broke a couple big runs with a long of 15 yards. On the 15-yard run, the left side of the line did a masterful job of creating a big hole for the rookie. Cook also added a catch for 10 yards on three targets. Overall, the run game clearly opened up the play-action pass game, so if the Vikings can establish a run game with Cook in the regular season, they’ll be far better off.

    • Jerick McKinnon returned to action after missing the first preseason game, but was demolished for a loss of 6 yards on his only carry.

    As for Sam Bradford, he went 7-for-11 for 95 yards, but couldn’t lead the Vikings’ first unit on a touchdown drive. Bradford looked more comfortable against Seattle, mainly due to improved pass protection.

    David Morgan had a good day. As usual, Morgan blocked well and also made a nice play-action catch in the flat resulting in a 10-yard gain.

    • As for the rest of the tight end group, Kyle Rudolph had a big penalty that helped stall a 76-yard drive that resulted in a field goal. Nick Truesdell made a catch for 7 yards on two targets, but showed great speed for a man of his size. Finally, Bucky Hodges was relatively quiet until exploding for a couple of huge catches late in the fourth quarter. On back-to-back plays, Hodges caught passes of 33 and 21 yards down the middle of the field, the latter a touchdown pass.

    Rookie Stacy Coley didn’t have the week he had last week, but had a couple catches for 17 yards. He dropped a pass and also, took a kick return out of the end zone resulting in the Seahawks pinning the Vikings deep into their territory. Coley still seems to have a good hold of one of the last receiver spots considering other receivers haven’t stuck out so far.

    Another rookie, Rodney Adams, made four catches for 24 yards, a solid day offensively for the young wideout. Yet, Adams fumbled a kick return resulting in a Seahawks field goal. Battling Coley, Jerick McKinnon and Marcus Sherels for kick return duties, Adams hasn’t done well thus far. There’s still time, but at the moment, Adams is missing a huge opportunity to assure himself of a roster spot by winning the kick return job.

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    Isaac Fruechte had a big drop resulting in a Seahawks interception. On the play, the ball hit him right on the numbers and popped up into the air before being caught by Tedric Thompson. Mike Zimmer was not happy about it. In my opinion, Fruechte has already lost himself a roster spot.

    Willie Beavers looks far better at right tackle than he looked at guard last season. I kept my eye on him and he seemed to move his feet well against opposing defensive ends in pass protection. So far, he’s looked better than veteran tackle Jeremiah Sirles, who had a better day against Seattle.

    Taylor Heinicke and Case Keenum had decent days. Heinicke was 6-for-9 for 84 yards, while Keenum was 12-for-18 for 70 yards. Heinicke led a touchdown drive late, throwing a 21-yard strike to Hodges. He also threw a pick, but Fruechte should have caught the pass. Nevertheless, Keenum should still have hold of the backup job.

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