I am more positive after that loss.

Cooks game is going to be elusive and speed, he aint going to truck anyone ala Earl Campbell...But he can still be scrappy and move the chains. That's why we got LM though too.

Been great to see Dalvin get the rep's. I think he's pretty much cemented himself as RB1 (knock wood) and he & LM should make a nice combo! 

I am more encouraged by the OL. There was actually blocking. I like Ham (the player as well as the food). It was nice to see Cook do more. I was wondering about his footing a bit though. Sam had time to make some things happen so that was a plus as well. That will help add more balance during games. Hunter of course was a beast. The defense needs to continue to work. It was nice to hear Coach Zimmer happier with the offense.

I was somewhat encouraged, though it sucks to be in Seahags territory during and after a loss like that.

The o-line, down starters, looked better.  Sam looked better, and a couple of his misses looked like missed routes more than anything else.  I also got a feeling of extreme vanilla in the overall playcalling, so preseason remains kinda infuriating when it comes to evaluating the team at this point.  I love preseason because I get Vikings football again, but I hate it because it's at least 50% dedicated to teams evaluating their new acquisitions, so actually game intensity is rare and inconsistent.

I think the team will look about 500% more vicious against New Orleans, and the playcalling will be much more intriguing.

Same here,  I will take a Vanilla preseason and lose all of them for no injuries and a great season when it matters

@"Vikergirl" said: I am more encouraged by the OL. There was actually blocking. I like Ham (the player as well as the food). It was nice to see Cook do more. I was wondering about his footing a bit though. Sam had time to make some things happen so that was a plus as well. That will help add more balance during games. Hunter of course was a beast. The defense needs to continue to work. It was nice to hear Coach Zimmer happier with the offense.

Could not watch the whole game, but I did notice the OL was engaging the DL more and getting some movement.  In the first game, they were getting stood straight up way too often, especially the interior line.  They are making progress.  Berger did better than I expected and I wonder if the era of Boone is already passing.

@"Ponifan" said:

@"Vikergirl" said: I am more encouraged by the OL. There was actually blocking. I like Ham (the player as well as the food). It was nice to see Cook do more. I was wondering about his footing a bit though. Sam had time to make some things happen so that was a plus as well. That will help add more balance during games. Hunter of course was a beast. The defense needs to continue to work. It was nice to hear Coach Zimmer happier with the offense.

Could not watch the whole game, but I did notice the OL was engaging the DL more and getting some movement.  In the first game, they were getting stood straight up way too often, especially the interior line.  They are making progress.  Berger did better than I expected and I wonder if the era of Boone is already passing.

I thought the offense looked pretty good on the whole.  Bradford looked sharp, amazing what some pass protection will do.  Dalvin Cook is going to be a good one.  However, they have to figure how to stop the drive killing penalties in the red zone, a definite bad carry over from last season.

Didn't think the defense looked too good, gave up way too many yards in the air.  However, I'm assuming some of that was due to the fact that Sendejo (really never thought I'd utter those words) and Waynes weren't playing.  Alexander has a ways to go and will hopefully improve.

Hopefully we'll see some of the dinged up starters next week and get a little better look at what the team's going to actually look like this season.

@"1VikesFan" said: I thought the offense looked pretty good on the whole.  Bradford looked sharp, amazing what some pass protection will do.  Dalvin Cook is going to be a good one.  However, they have to figure how to stop the drive killing penalties in the red zone, a definite bad carry over from last season.

Didn't think the defense looked too good, gave up way too many yards in the air.  However, I'm assuming some of that was due to the fact that Sendejo (really never thought I'd utter those words) and Waynes weren't playing.  Alexander has a ways to go and will hopefully improve.

Hopefully we'll see some of the dinged up starters next week and get a little better look at what the team's going to actually look like this season.

This was the first I got to see of them.  Its great to have football again, but preseason sucks, kinda like drivers training, ya never get the feel of a stomped accelerator.
 Watched GB and KC and gotta say, its better to see an offense that is practicing stuff they already do well as oppressed to watching new stuff being tried.  We gotta get the O-line and what our offensive game plan established.
Watched the D more, watching Hunter, Gedeon and Bower was the best part.  That sack by Hunter, BRob was playing tackle, heard someone mention that was a great combo.

On one hand, preseason sucks because everyone is waiting for the regular season. But on the other hand, preseason is necessary because they have to work the kinks out before the regular season. Every step from mini-camp and ota's to training camp all serve a purpose. And each game of the preseason is supposed to be something to build on. I know it's vanilla and we don't get to see everything but it's a bit of a preview. And some guys are fighting for a roster spot. So as much as we moan and groan, it's one step closer to the regular season. 

@"Bezerker88" said:  I will say BRob playing DT still gets the respect of the O.  He ate up a double team that left Hunter one on one for his sack.  Hunter was in the backfield more than just that one time so I'm not taking anything away from him... just noting that BRob is a complete football player and will be missed when he hangs up his cleats.  #20 isn't ready to be a starter, he had a bad night.  Newman looked old during the first 2(?) series. 

The OL did look better during the game, but the secondary play was ugly. Hopefully, Waynes and Sendejo can smooth over most of those issues, but I have concerns about our depth there. I liked Alexander in college and while he had a rough rookie season, I definitely expected him to step up more this season. Still time for him to get on track, but losing Munnerlyn will hurt at least in the short term.