I didn't get to watch the game tonight, but I have been completely underwhelmed with the "revamped" offensive line and the offense in general. In the small sample size we saw, Reiff looks okay at LT...but Remmers has really struggled in pass protection. The interior seems to be undecided on who is going to ultimately play where. I really would like to have seen less spots up for competition and more cohesiveness by just picking a starting 5 (not unreasonable out of training camp) and letting them play in the preseason. To me there is just zero familiarity going into the season and I think that is going to be trouble.

I'm going to give my take on the line I would like to see:

LT- Rashod Hill: The coaches have been high on his ability and he has shown pretty well in the game action he saw last year and so far this preseason. I think you have to put your 5 best players on the field and that might include Hill. Give the kid a shot and let him sink or swim. It's worth the risk because it can strengthen the line as a whole if he is able to hold down the job.

LG- Alex Boone: I have been luke warm on Boone since he came over. Seems to always be dinged up and can get beat. With that said, he is a veteran who gives the line some attitude and size. If he doesn't revert back to the player he was...his time as a Viking might be short because Easton is coming.

C- Pat Elflein: The kid has maybe been the best player along the line this preseason. Moves well and is stout in pas protection. 3rd round pick should start right away.

RG- Mike Remmers: Yeah we are paying him tackle money, but Spielman mentioned when he signed that he had the ability to kick inside to guard. I don't know how much we have experimented with that in training camp, but I think he might be better inside. He moves people in the running game, but has struggled in pass protection at tackle which was his MO coming over from the Panthers. If it comes down to starting Hill or Remmers at one of the tackle spots....I'm taking Hill right now.

RT- Riley Reiff: I loved the Reiff signing, but his best position is still probably at RT. He has been injured so we really haven't seen much of him to assess him at the LT position. I think he is a really solid player at RT....not so sure on the other side.

This game to me was a complete waste of time on everybody's part.  Was there anything we learned?  Who played themselves off the team?

Is the chat room working tonight?

im getting close to retiring (4 yrs) so I'm thinking about how I'm gonna close out my golden years.
we are planning on selling our big house for a small one or condo in Hawaii......but along with that I've got a few things I'm listing 
before I go to that great drum corps in the sky....
of course winning the SB is the ideal....but I can't control that....


i only have two Vikings "bucket list" items.......
First, I've gone to all away games for 45 years....never made it to a Vikes home game.....that's one.
the second?     Well.....uh........ Let's just say somehow some way I'm gonna "leave my mark" on Lamblow field.

heh heh

DLine



Wide Receivers



OLine

Happy Birthday to Koolaid of the VWO!
Koolaid gives his thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings team of today and his favorites of the past! Happy Birthday Koolaid! Hope it is a good one!!!!

Read the full story here

Thanks to Diggz and all the VWO faithful for taking some time with us before the game!



SKOL!!!

Hey this is the last night some of these guys might see the field.

Pretty much sums it up:
Since 2002: 
Packers: 150-89 (.627) 
Vikings: 118-121 (.494) 
Bears: 114-126 (.475) 
Lions: 85-155 (.354)
Other than day dreaming or peering thru purple glasses, anyone expect this season to be any different?

Kind of a fluff piece, but it does give an idea how the top rookie RBs (including Cook) are looking so far this preseason: link

This from running back Jonathan Stewart
sums up what most in the organization think: “I can tell you now
there’s not going to be anybody in this league that can cover him
one-on-one.’’ Everyone, from coach Ron Rivera to middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, says McCaffrey is “special,” particularly with his first move, which Kuechly calls “shake.”