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.”

Vikings 53-Man Roster Preview
As the Minnesota Vikings enter their 4th and final preseason game on Thursday night, all eyes will be on the bottom ⅓ of the team’s 90-man roster. On Saturday the team will cut down from 90 m…

Read the full story here

I admit I love AD; always have, always will.  I know many here think Cook will easily make us all forget about AD, but I don't buy it.  I'll accept it, but I'll believe he's that kind of player when I see it.  Cooks looks ok after 3 games, but I don't see the splash plays that AD and Moss made in the preseason of their rookie years.

Anyway, here's a nice article about Cook: link
“It was definitely fun, getting that first carry,” Cook said after
the game. “Once you get that out of the way, you can really get going
and play football.”
He prides himself on versatility.
“Going
out there and catching balls,” Cook said. “If they split me out wide,
if they free-release me out of the backfield, whatever it is, I just
have to help my team win games. That’s what they brought me in for.”
Here's article on the "humble" AD.  He's just another player on that Saints team.

“Of course it’s strange, but anything you want, you work for,” Peterson
said. “I’m not the type of guy – no matter my status – to come in and be
like, ‘Hey, I’m the first guy now.’ Mark, he’s been here for a long
time, so I’m OK with that. I’ve been the guy for 10 years. I’m
comfortable and confident with my ability and what I’m able to do, so I
don’t let things like that bother me.”

How come it always seems like we play late in the season AT Green Bay?  I thought it was suppose to be an alternating schedule, like every year it would switch, this year early in MN late at GB, then the following year it would be early in GB late in MN, as well as with other divisional teams? When did this change that every year we are in GB at the end of the season?? 

1.  2009 Vikings at AZ.  Yeah we lost that game...along with EJ Henderson. But Sass had an incredible tailgate, mets lots of good PT folks...but most importantly it was the last game I watched with my dad before he was diagnosed / passed from cancer.
honestly nothing better than being with your family at a football game. Miss him, would give everything I have for five minutes with my folks again.

runner up

2.  1986-1987 season at Rams in Anaheim.  Wade Wilson hits Hassan Jones to win the game in the closing seconds.  I was getting razzed all game (as usual, because I go to west coast away games). With a minute left some smart ass says "better luck net time"
and the Rams fans all laughed.  Wilson hits Jones for the game winner and you could hear a collective groan from the home crowd.

that was the last game before the four game players strike.

what say you VikeFans?

V83

Not going to try and be polly anna but their have been "some" positives this preseason and last game:

On the free agent front:  Both Reiff and Murray looked good in limited action. The first quarter when Reiff and Boone played vs 49'ers the left side was very solid.  Murray came in the late second quarter and immediately made his an impact with a nice chip block and some nice blitz pickups and screens.  

On the Draft front:  Cook, Elflein might start with heavy play from Gedeon and Jaleel.  Then you add the two late WR's and Hodges.  Most of these guys will probably not contribute as much as we might expect but still this looks to be an infusion of young talent that will contribute early and often.

UDFA - Bower looks like a real find he made some standout plays last week - but against second teamers - still he is on the roster if not gone off waivers.

Young players - Hunter looks ready to go.  Something/anything from Tread like last game would be nice.  Diggs was ripping up camp (according to most) but of course had the 2 crucial drops that I don't expect to happen regular season.  Theilan looked good.  

Late cuts:  Looking experienced Mike type thumper LB, Safety, RG/RT for depth. A lot of good players will become available so we are doing our homework.

The problems have been duly noted repeatedly on here so I wanted to put some positives out there.

I think we are going to be in a fight with GB/Rodgers for the Division crown.   

Teddy Bridgewater‏Verified account @teddyb_h2o  3m3 minutes ago

Soliciting thoughts on a couple of scenarios passing through my head:

1. If you could trade Tom Johnson to a team needing a pass rushing DT for a 5th round draft pick, would you?  My thoughts, Tom Johnson is 33 years old and probably in the last year with the Vikings.  He is a poor run defender but very good rusher.  Trading him would permit the Vikes to keep some of the younger players at DT.
2. If you had to choose between Beavers or Sirles on the Oline, who do you keep?  Sirles is more game tested and have greater versatility but we have seen his upside.  (I can't believe I am writing this) Beavers is just scratching his potential.  I also think Sparano is more invested in Beavers.
3. If you could trade Boone for a 4th round draft pick, would you?  I don't think Boone has played particularly well this preseason (opinions differ on this).   You could slide Eason into his spot but then you loose valuable depth on the line -- and Vikes fans know how valuable depth is on the line.
4. If you could trade Jarius Wright to the Pats for any draft pick, would you.  Just throwing that open because of the recent Pats injury.
5. Ham or Hodges?  If you had to choose between a 4th TE or a fullback, who do you keep?  I think Ham has the additional benefit of special team player and I have not noticed Hodges on ST to date.  I still think Hodges has upside that Ham does not have and I think Morgan can do almost the same things as Ham on offense.

We will provide pre-game reports, in-game thoughts and post-game locker room interviews.   Mostly, we will update real-time on Twitter, so check us out on @vikefans on Twitter

We hope to interview Rodney Adams, Stacy Coley, Case Keenum, and she of the other young players who are sure to play.  Harrison Smith said he will speak to us after the game, but we will likely limit how many starters we talk to, as surely, most won't play on Thursday night.

Interact with us on Twitter - you ask a question about a player or scheme, we will try to find out.

All it took was FIVE F@CKING MONTHS, but I've got a job in my field again (IT Business Analyst)! Job market in Florida is just brutal, this was only the second position in SEVEN FREAKING YEARS that I interviewed for that was a direct hire and not a contract...

It's been just exhausting mentally...for anyone going through a tough time, try to stay positive...My mantra was "you're a day closer to this being over"...And "I've survived 100%of the difficult times in my life, including two battles with cancer, you can survive this"...

Be strong, be resilient, and persist...