Everything that stood out in Vikings' preseason opener
The Vikings faced off with the New York Giants
By Matthew Coller
The Minnesota Vikings opened their preseason slate on Saturday afternoon. Here’s a look at the lineups and individual performances that stood out…
Starting lineup on offense:
O-line: Christian Darrisaw-Donovan Jackson-Blake Brandel-Will Fries-Brian O’Neill
QB: Kyler Murray
RB: Aaron Jones, Max Bredeson
WR: Tai Felton and Jordan Addison
TE: TJ Hockenson
Mixing in: Josh Oliver, Jauan Jennings
Kick return: Demond Claiborne and Tai Felton
Starting lineup on defense
DL: Levi Drake Rodriguez, Ty Ingram-Dawkins, Jalen Redmond
OLB: Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner
LB: Eric Wilson, Blake Cashman
CB: Isaiah Rodgers, Byron Murphy Jr., James Pierre
S: Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson
Mixing in: Jamal Adams
Second-team offense
O-line: Ryan Van Demark-Joe Huber-Michael Jurgens-Henry Byrd-Caleb Tiernan
QB: JJ McCarthy
RB: Demond Claiborne
WR: Tai Felton, Myles Price, Jeshaun Jones
TE: Gavin Bartholomew, Ben Yurosek
Second-team defense
DL: Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange
OLB: Ty Ingram-Dawkins, Ty Batty
LB: Ivan Pace, Jake Golday
CB: Chuck Demmings, James Pierre
S: Jamal Adams, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
Mixing in: Isaiahh Loudermilk, Chaz Chambliss, Eric Johnson, Elijah Williams
Players who stood out
Kyler Murray
Murray only played one series and it resulted in a field goal. He took his first three snaps under center. Not that preseason tells us much but it does seem like that’s going to continue to be part of the offense this year.
Murray completed a good anticipation throw to Jordan Addison to keep the chains moving early in the drive but he missed a third down throw underneath to Aaron Jones. It looked like he might have expected Jones to break outside. KOC mentioned on the broadcast after halftime that that was the case.
The first-team run game
The Vikings ran six times for 44 yards on their first drive with explosive runs from both Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones. The Mason run saw the offensive line move the Giants’ D-line to create a massive hole. In particular guard Will Fries delivered the big block. Fries has been looking more spry this year after having a healthy offseason.
Max Bredeson
The Vikings opened up the game with a 17-yard rush by Aaron Jones with Bredeson leading the way by sealing the edge. On the second play, he caught a quick pass out into the left flat.
Dallas Turner
On third-and-long, the defense dialed up a blitz and Blake Cashman got a pressure. Dallas Turner ended up tracking down Jaxon Dart for the sack. Turner has looked good in camp with noticeable physical gains this offseason.
JJ McCarthy
First drive: Ran on the first play, which looked like it might have been a miscommunication. On third down, he overthrew Jeshaun Jones.
Second drive: Completed a 17-yard pass to Myles Price on a throw off his back foot. Got a little short changed on a missed pass interference and then a drop by Tai Felton. However, on third-and-20 he tried to check down under pressure and threw the ball over his target.
Third drive: Completed a quick throw to Felton over the middle and then got sacked on third-and-6.
Myles Price
Caught a 17-yard pass as he was being held by the defender. Should have had another reception on a crossing pattern but he was hit early (no flag).
Opened the second half with a very strong reception on a throw from Carson Wentz. He jumped up in tight coverage and then turned up field for a big game.
Toward the end of the third quarter, Price made a ridiculous one-handed catch for a touchdown, further making his case as a receiver.
Demond Claiborne
Ran to the edge on his first play and showed very impressive burst for a big gain on his first carry.
Shot forward for a first down on a third-and-1 run.
Played into the third quarter and had a good pass block on a completion by Carson Wentz and then had another explosive run around the edge. But he got stuffed twice at the goal line.
Jamal Adams
Knifed into the backfield for a tackle for loss on the second series but he suffered an injury. He left the field on a cart. The broadcast described a sad scene of teammates and Kevin O’Connell coming over to talk to him and have an “emotional moment” with him.
KOC’s comments on TV following halftime did not seem promising for Adams’ future.
“You’re crushed for him,” O’Connell told the broadcast. “We’re going to miss him, we’re going to see some guys step up.”
Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange
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