There is no doubt that Peterson would be ready for the season without a single preseason snap. We learned that last year. But football is a team game, and based on what coach Leslie Frazier told reporters, the Vikings put at least some value in getting live-game action for the full group that will take the field in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.
"Without Adrian Peterson in our scheme, it impacts our offense tremendously because he's the focal point,” Frazier said, according to Mark Craig of the Star Tribune.
In other words, Peterson's presence could give the Vikings a more genuine opportunity to work on the other parts of their offense -- namely the passing game -- against defenses more similar to the ones they'll face in the regular season. Or something like that.
Coach Leslie Frazier said it will be "very valuable" for his team to face a read-option quarterback like Kaepernick.
"I think there are about four or five teams on our schedule that we know are going to run that offense, some form of it," Frazier said. "Seeing it this early in the season, we're hoping it's going to pay dividends for us down the road.
"Even the up-tempo offense, we're going to see some of that as well. We think all of that should help us."
Frazier sat down with Chris Ault -- Kaepernick's coach at Nevada who is credited with creating the Pistol offense -- in the spring.
"We did sit down and talk about that offense and how it kind of derived," Frazier said. "He gave me a little bit of the history."
San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said he plans to play quarterback Colin Kaepernick a little longer in the 49ers' third exhibition game Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
Kaepernick has played only one series in each of the team's first two games, throwing six passes total.
Harbaugh didn't say how much longer that will be. He'll have an idea of how much he wants him to play, but the actual decision will "be a feel."
In his limited action, Kaepernick has completed 5 of 6 passes for 35 yards and rushed once for 6 yards. Both of his drives resulted in field goals.
The third preseason game is typically the one teams take a little more seriously and the Vikes will be facing one of the deeper, more talented teams in the league so it should be interesting (at least for a preseason game).
Thanks for the links. I think it was a very smart/shrewd move by Frazier, sitting down with Ault. Of course, understanding the philosophy of defending the scheme is one thing...teaching it and having your players execute are different things entirely. One thing is certain, they need to execute better. We can't have another RGIII-type defensive "showing" against these QBs. Heck, Rodgers is notorious for running circles around our defense with his frilly little scampers. Mobile QBs like Kaepernick worry me, especially in the read-option, where I think our weakness at linebacker will be even more glaring.
“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” --- Bill Shankly
It's a good move to put AD in the game even if it's as a decoy just so they see a more "honest" defense. It's amazing how much he changes th game from the RB position.
We faced Kaepernick last preseason too and I think he burned us for an 80yd TD.
It's going to a real test for our defense....LBs especially.
I'm glad that week 3 of the preseason is against SF. There's not many teams better, so it will be a very good test of where they are. Might even be a possible playoff preview.
PacificNorseWest wrote:I'm glad that week 3 of the preseason is against SF. There's not many teams better, so it will be a very good test of where they are. Might even be a possible playoff preview.
I don't know... do you really think SF will make the playoffs?
Mothman wrote:
I don't know... do you really think SF will make the playoffs?
Jim
It's possible but I'm not holding my breath. They'll need to be a wild card most likely as I don't see them taking the division over seattle but there are quite a few teams who could beat them out for it. chicago, green bay, minnesota. Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa. Dallas, Philly, Washington, Giants.
Without Crabtree I don't see their offense doing very well as their aren't enough threats there now and teams will be able to focus more on kaepernick directly. The 9ers know it trading with the Chiefs today to try and get any help at all, they're very desperate.
mondry wrote:
It's possible but I'm not holding my breath. They'll need to be a wild card most likely as I don't see them taking the division over seattle but there are quite a few teams who could beat them out for it. chicago, green bay, minnesota. Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa. Dallas, Philly, Washington, Giants.
Without Crabtree I don't see their offense doing very well as their aren't enough threats there now and teams will be able to focus more on kaepernick directly. The 9ers know it trading with the Chiefs today to try and get any help at all, they're very desperate.
It's not like they throw it all around the yard anyways, they added Boldin, still have Davis, Gore still seems effective although he is getting up there in carries.
That is exactly it. Without Crabtree who is Kaepernick’s one read? Can that one read get separation like Crabtree was able to do? Boldin could be that guy to some extent, but I’m not sure I’d call him a 100% replacement. Then you have to ask if Kaepernick evolves to being a multiple read QB, what does the extra time do to in terms of his ability to use his legs?
I think a lot of it will come down to the ability of our guys to play solid coverage at the start of a play. If they can do that, then the Front 7 will need to be sound in the gap control and areas of responsibility.
Just my opinion, but I think the real strength of SF is their defense, not their offense. Before Kaepernick was on the scene that O was more about pounding the rock and good ball security. They had guys at the skill positions, but they were never the kind of home run offense vs. say the Saints or Packers. Kaepernick adds some of that spark to their offense, but I still think they overall game is predicated on the play of the defense.
Note the similarities betwee the pre-Kaepernick 49ers and the current Vikings roster… I would argue in MN there is less onus on the QB to be a spark with #28 in the backfield, but I would also take SF’s LB situation over ours any day of the week.
Winning is not a sometime thing it is an all of the time thing - Vince Lombardi
The 49ers have sent A.J. Jenkins to the Chiefs for Jonathan Baldwin. Basically both guys are first round busts and they're just exchanging them, pretty odd / weird but unless something incredible happens I don't see Baldwin saving them.
mondry wrote:It's possible but I'm not holding my breath. They'll need to be a wild card most likely as I don't see them taking the division over seattle but there are quite a few teams who could beat them out for it. chicago, green bay, minnesota. Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa. Dallas, Philly, Washington, Giants.
I was just making a joke, implying the Vikes were the sure thing and SF was the question mark. You're right though, competition for a playoff spot in the NFC will be stiff so SF could miss out. There are no sure things.
Mothman wrote:
I was just making a joke, implying the Vikes were the sure thing and SF was the question mark. You're right though, competition for a playoff spot in the NFC will be stiff so SF could miss out. There are no sure things.
I hope Seattle doesn't win that division.
haha I know! I just used it as an opportunity to go in a different direction
mondry wrote:The 49ers have sent A.J. Jenkins to the Chiefs for Jonathan Baldwin. Basically both guys are first round busts and they're just exchanging them, pretty odd / weird but unless something incredible happens I don't see Baldwin saving them.
I thought it was odd, too. Was it an even player-for-player swap? If so, weird for the Chiefs to accept it. At least Baldwin has done a little something in the NFL. Jenkins hasn't done squat.
MelanieMFunk wrote:
I thought it was odd, too. Was it an even player-for-player swap? If so, weird for the Chiefs to accept it. At least Baldwin has done a little something in the NFL. Jenkins hasn't done squat.
Sounds like it! I think he was in Andy Reids dog house and this was the best way to get rid of him AND his salary.
mondry wrote:
Sounds like it! I think he was in Andy Reids dog house and this was the best way to get rid of him AND his salary.
In the dog house for what? And Jenkins was in the dog house for sucking, so what is the difference? Odd trade, but maybe both players just needed a fresh start. I think I'd rather have Baldwin, though. Maybe Smith had a small say in this. I'm sure he has chemistry with AJ from San Fran--practicing with the second string offense. Poor guy.
The trade makes sense to me. Both players disappointed, and were maybe even going to be cut by their respective teams. Maybe a change in scenery will do them good. They're also physically very different, so they may fit different needs with their new teams. Baldwin is 6'4", about 230, Jenkins is 6'0", 190.
