By Matthew Coller
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up their preseason on Friday night. It was an another underwhelming showing (being very polite). Let’s get into what stood out.
Starting lineups
Offense
QB: Carson Wentz
RB: Demond Claiborne, Chaz Chambliss
WR: Dillon Bell, Tai Felton
TE: Ben Yurosek
OL: Ryan Van Demark, Walter Rouse, Joe Huber (center), Vershon Lee, Henry Byrd
Defense
DT: Elijah Williams, Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange
OLB: Tyler Batty, Jake Golday
LB: Bengaly Kamara, Jacob Roberts
CB: Charles Demmings, Zemaiah Vaughn, Jay Ward
S: Jacob Thomas, Jakobe Thomas
Mixing in: Bo Richter
JJ McCarthy
After Kevin O’Connell said earlier this week that he was hoping McCarthy could play after suffering an ankle injury in last week’s game, he was not in the lineup on Friday night. Alec Lewis of The Athletic reported he was “not comfortable” enough to play.
It would have been good for him to get some more work in preseason action after the first two games didn’t go to plan. But, as has often been the case during his career, he’s missing reps due to injury.
Also as usual, we’re left with a lot of questions surrounding McCarthy. Does this mean he’s going to be QB3? Did they elect not to play him due to a potential trade? Or was this simply a precautionary measure?
Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange
Banks opened the game with a decent pass rush and held the line on a third-and-short, though the Broncos did convert.
Orange was in on a couple of run stops on the first
On the second drive, both players got moved out of the way for an easy 10-yard run up the middle. At the goal line, the Broncos scored easily running right at the two DTs.
Both players were in for just the first two series. Overall, not particularly promising for either.
Tyler Batty
Was shot out of a cannon on the opening play and made an impressive tackle to cut a run for the Broncos short.
Charles Demmings
Was one-on-one with Troy Franklin on a jump ball and he was able to go up and break up the pass.
On the second drive, Demmings missed a tackle on an outside run where he was one-on-one with the RB. He was later targeted on a deep ball where he had strong coverage.
Jacob Thomas
On Denver’s first drive, he went up to make a play and tumbled hard on the sideline and needed medical attention. The Vikings’ safety room has been banged up, so they didn’t need another injury. Thomas has also been the story of camp as a UDFA who fought his way into getting first-team reps.
Jakobe Thomas
Saw his first preseason work after dealing with an injury and got banged up on the second drive but he did return. Played into the third quarter and had a good tackle.
Carson Wentz
On the first third down of the game, Wentz had Dillon Bell open over the middle of the field and missed him, throwing the ball too far out in front of the UDFA receiver.
Wentz got a drive moving by completing a pass to Chambliss.
Max Brosmer
Came in for the second quarter. Finally got the offense going in the second quarter but had to throw the ball away three times in the red zone and settled for a field goal.
Overall he wasn’t particularly accurate and the offense sputtered for most of the night.
Gavin Bartholomew
Caught back-to-back passes on the second drive of the night, one on a screen and the other over the middle underneath the coverage. He’s put together a strong camp overall and the Vikings have to make a decision on him vs. Ben Yurosek for TE3.
Caught a pass on a Brosmer rollout for 12 yards and forced a missed tackle for a first down.
Demond Claiborne
Another unexciting game for Claiborne. He gained 21 yards on 8 carries.
Chaz Chambliss
Started at fullback. He is set to be the backup fullback for Max Bredeson. On the second drive, he caught a pass for a first down.
Kahlef Hailassie
Jumped a hanging Sam Ehlinger pass for an interception.
He also blew up a pass behind the line of scrimmage in the red zone.
Brett Thorson and Johnny Hekker
The rookie punter has done a lot to make his case this preseason. He opened the game with a monster punt that traveled 54 yards and had no return.
Hekker has stepped up the last two weeks. His first punt came from around mid-field and ended up inside the 20. His second punt was also a boom and went inside the 20.
Thorson got another one inside the 20 early in the third quarter but Hekker had another in the fourth.
Dillon Bell
Committed a penalty that negated a first down. Tried to run in reverse on a screen and got tracked down from behind.
Caught a pass late in the second quarter but couldn’t stay in bounds.
Bell dropped a pass in the third quarter.
Kenny Dyson
Had a sack last week and got a pressure midway through the second quarter that caused a throwaway on third down.
Dontae Fleming
Made three grabs in the second quarter to spark a long drive. Flashed impressive speed with the ball in his hands. Caught a pretty fade ball from Max Brosmer for an explosive play in the third.
Jahvaree Ritzie
Made several tackles for loss in the third quarter.
It was a brutal game to watch
Any update on Jacob Thomas or Jacob Roberts? Both looked good so of course they get banged up.
A bit disappointed by Caleb Banks
We have one hell of a punter competition (Thorson stan here)
I feel very uninspired after that game.
Obviously and historically, optimism and the Vikings have been a dangerous mix.
But, aside from l’enfant bête, every contributor who was on the roster at OTAs is healthy. Darrisaw seems to be himself. Murray seems to be operating the offence. It’s damned hard for camp go better than that.
We’ll see if anyone not currently on the roster makes the 53, but we shouldn’t worry about results in “games” between guys who will be bartenders, bouncers and stevedores next month.