Written by Sam Ekstrom
The end result — in Friday's case, a 10-6 Vikings win — isn’t usually the most important takeaway from a preseason game, but if one compares the Vikings’ and Raiders’ starting groups, there was a clear winner: the Purple. Minnesota put together two scoring drives in the first quarter with their first-team personnel, using rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for the second drive to get him some work with the 1’s.
Matt Cassel looked the part in his lone drive, completing 5 of 6 passes, including two to Cordarrelle Patterson. The drive culminated with a Matt Asiata 1-yard touchdown plunge.
“I wanted to know if they could play fast and smart, and I think we did that for the most part,” said head coach Mike Zimmer in the postgame press conference. “I wanted to be great in execution right off the bat in the first drive.”
Bridgewater was serenaded by chants of “Tedd-y! Tedd-y!” as he took his first NFL snaps midway through the first quarter, but athletic rookie Jerick McKinnon stole the show with five carries on the drive that ended in a Blair Walsh field goal. Bridgewater finished his opening drive 1 for 2 passing with a fumble that was pounced on by LT Matt Kalil. Bridgewater, who said on Wednesday he had no jitters leading up to his first game, struggled with the second team offense and led three fruitless drives in the second quarter. Bridgewater finished the game 6 of 13.
“There were a couple times in the game when he just didn’t act like a veteran,” said Zimmer. “Things happened that he hadn’t seen before.”
The Vikings’ starting defense didn’t provide much to write about in their two brief appearances. Oakland self-destructed with two drive-killing first-quarter penalties which helped the Vikings get off the field quickly. Minnesota’s first team didn’t show anything too exotic in its limited defensive reps, perhaps because head coach Mike Zimmer doesn’t want to put anything significant on tape at this point in the preseason.
Rookie LB Anthony Barr, who started and then played several downs with the second team defense, ended the first quarter with his first NFL sack.
Safeties in shambles
Coach Zimmer may need to reconsider his plan to keep more corners than safeties. Robert Blanton and Jamarca Sanford, the team’s top two strong safeties, did not dress due to injury, and Mistral Raymond left in the first quarter with a concussion. Former Philadelphia Eagle and offseason acquisition Kurt Coleman got the start and played well, making a diving interception of young QB Derek Carr in the second quarter. Having arguably three of the team’s top five safeties sidelined is a concern. However, it’s a great opportunity for Coleman to shine.
“Some things you can control,” said Coleman. “Being injured is something you can’t control. I tried to put myself in a great amount of shape going into training camp, so when I’m in training camp nothing happens. But there’s some things that are out of your hands. I’ve been blessed to be healthy so far, and it’s helped out because I’ve gotten a lot of reps.”
Veteran safety Chris Crocker was brought in on Monday to shore up the secondary and finds himself in a great spot to compete for the starting job. Because Crocker is not fully caught up to speed – and probably not in ideal game shape – Zimmer held him out of Friday’s game.
Thielen shines on special teams
Local product Adam Thielen has been flashing in Mankato, and on Friday night, he brought it to the next level with a sparkling performance that lent itself well to Thielen breaking camp with the squad.
The former Minnesota State Maverick returned three punts for 52 yards, brought in one catch for 15 yards and made a full-speed open-field solo tackle in punt coverage. Thielen still believes he could have done more.
“There’s some things I know I’m going to see on film that I wish I would have had a couple of them back,” he said after the game, “but it was fun to be out there. It’s been since college that I’ve gotten in a game situation like that. It was fun to be out there, and I look forward to next game.”
Thielen projects to be a fourth or fifth wide receiver and special teams guru on the final roster. Ironically, he’ll be competing with fellow Minnesotan Marcus Sherels for reps in the punt return game.
TCF Bank Stadium a capable host
Just under 52,000 souls filled The Bank Friday night, which now has a capacity of 52,500 after the addition of seats behind the west endzone. Here were some of the similarities and differences to the Metrodome experience:
—Fans no longer had to squint to see the glorified big screen TV that the Metrodome called a Jumbotron. TCF Bank Stadium provided high definition coverage on its gigantic screens at each end of the field.
—The pregame plaza was nicely arranged just outside the main gate, filled with interactive activities for fans and a number of ticket giveaways. It probably wasn’t as extensive as the Metrodome pregame party, though.
—The field featured purple “MINNESOTA” lettering in the endzones and the signature Vikings head at the 50-yard line.
—Instead of using the customary inflatable ship to bring the team onto the field during the pregame pyrotechnics, the Vikings emerged through a medieval-looking gate that they used in London last season.
Stat to Remember
Gerald Hodges blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter, becoming the first Viking to do so in a preseason game in 15 years.
Quote of the Night
Mike Zimmer on Jerick McKinnon: “Jerick’s got great acceleration, he’s got great hands, he’s tough, he’s thick, he’s powerful, and it showed.”
McKinnon rushed the ball 12 times for 45 yards on the night.
Next Up
The Arizona Cardinals come to town next Saturday for the second preseason game.
Sam Ekstrom is a staff writer for Cold Omaha at 105 The Ticket. He has previously served as a play-by-play broadcaster in Iowa and South Dakota and has covered Minnesota sports since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @SamEkstrom for further insights.