Top 5 Vikings Items to Watch in Second Preseason Game
Dustin Baker
|
The Minnesota Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts this Saturday in a contest that figures to be the most interesting preseason game on the 2021 docket for both teams.
Why? Well, if starters are to see playing time at any point in the preseason, betting money suggests that will happen in this game. The final preseason games occur next week, presumably with first-teamers nominated for rest leaguewide.
The Vikings were smoked by the Denver Broncos last Saturday, a totally anemic performance in which head coach Mike Zimmer rested 30 players. He likely won’t rest that many men this time.
During the last two times that Indianapolis and Minnesota hooked up for regular-season action, the Colts thoroughly bashed the Vikings – once in 2016, then in 2020.
The stakes for this game won’t quite feel like that, but here are five items to monitor when the Vikings and Colts square off at U.S. Bank Stadium.
How Many Starters and How Long Do They Play?
Jun 9, 2021; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kellen Mond (11), quarterback Kirk Cousins (8), and quarterback Jake Browning. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
It is unclear if the Vikings will showcase their starting-caliber players at any time this preseason. Zimmer is notoriously “maybe” on the topic, making it difficult to forecast the roster on the field this weekend. In all likelihood, Minnesota starters will play at least one quarter. If they do not, the 2021 preseason will effectively become the 2020 pandemic preseason for the starters. And the Vikings want to avoid a Week 1-like performance from 2020. The Green Bay Packers teed off on Minnesota – in Minneapolis – to start the underwhelming 2020 season.
Should Zimmer play his starters for a quarter or more (or at all), it will probably be the one time that fans get a glimpse at first-teamers until September 12th when the Vikings travel to Cincinnati.
Count on seeing some Vikings starters. Otherwise, Zimmer has completely changed his preseason philosophy.
More Clarity on WR3
Jaguars #12, Dede Westbrook gets instructions from wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Dede Westbrook is getting healthier, increasing his odds to snatch the WR3 job currently held by K.J. Osborn. Zimmer gave Osborn the WR3 gig for a minute when the first unofficial depth chart hit the wire.
But Westbrook is the guy with the resume – he’s produced WR3 numbers on a stinky team like the Jacksonville Jaguars, so he should be capable of replicating that with the Vikings.
If he plays, look for Westbrook to separate from Osborn. He’s more experienced and has “ties to Keenan McCardell,” the Vikings WR coach. The job should be Westbrook’s unless he’s still hampered by his 2020 ACL injury. The job sliding to Osborn would signal Westbrook heading to the ash heap of WR3 plans the Vikings have laid for a few years – none of which really worked out.
Wonnum or Weatherly?
Everson Griffen could be signed by the time the Vikings and Colts kick off. Or – he could not rejoin the Vikings at all. That’s where we’re at with Griffen news. Minnesota worked him out a few days ago, but no formal contractual finality has trickled from those meetings.
In any event, someone needs to win the right defensive end job. The frontrunner is probably D.J. Wonnum, derived from his splashy play this summer. Weatherly can be considered “safer,” but would you rather have “safe” or “high upside?” Wonnum is the upside guy.
What’s more, Wonnum is more versatile. Zimmer tried funky stuff with Wonnum in training camp – mainly molding him into a linebacker – whereas Weatherly is a prototypical hand-in-the-dirt defensive end.
Clues should be on display versus the Colts to determine the identity of the Vikings starting RDE.
The Punter Hot Seat
Jun 15, 2021; in Eagen, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings punter Britton Colquitt. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
Zimmer was vocally disillusioned with the presentation by punter Britton Colquitt against Denver. The lovably ornery Vikings coach even referenced the punting putridity after the game. For the rest of the team, he spouted angry generalities – but the punting was narrowly chided.
And that means Colquitt must rebound. Zimmer has about as much patience for kickers and punters as a child that announces she has to go to the potty. Colquitt could be jettisoned if he has another bad day at the office. That’s how mad Zimmer sounded about last weekend’s punting.
He’s done it before. Zimmer waived kicker Daniel Carlson after two games with the franchise in 2018. Carlson then went to the Las Vegas Raiders, where he’s orchestrated a fairly decent few seasons.
Colquitt will probably do just fine versus the Colts – he’s a professional after all – so this may be moot. But it warrants monitoring.
Good Taste or Bad Taste after Game?
Image Courtesy of Twitter
The Vikings looked so silly in the first preseason game, that this Colts showdown has to feel better for viewers. Another gruesome showing would send even more fans toward panic attacks. Of course, preseason is meaningless to the implications for a regular season, but fans would rather see some semblance of proficiency. The first-teamers on the field can bring this to life – if they’re afforded the time.
This is the chance for the Vikings to change the dialogue about the first preseason game. The coaching staff all but announced that the Broncos game was wretched. It’s safe to assume a better product will be on the field Saturday.
If not, Minnesota is staring down the barrel of a miserable preseason. The next game is against the Kansas City Chiefs on the road.
You must be logged in to post a comment.