Vikings @ Bills Game Day Discussion Thread -- Preseaon #2

[dead_poet]

First-unit offense aiming to correct fundamental flaws

By now, it’s been well documented that the Vikings’ first-unit offense was erratic at best during the first half of last week’s preseason loss in Buffalo. Sure, the Vikings had the convenient fallback excuse of not having studied the Bills’ defense leading up to the game, leaving them flummoxed when new Buffalo defensive coordinator Mike Pettine unloaded a full array of pressure and looks. But still, in film review, the sloppy execution by the Vikings was inescapable.

“It jumped out at us as we watched the film,” receiver Greg Jennings said. “Just being fundamentally sound. They definitely played faster than us. They got to the point of attack quicker than we did -- I mean as a whole. Individually, there were definitely things I feel like that I could have done better as far as precession in my route running, different things to help the quarterback. But as a unit, we just got outplayed.”

Jennings made sure to scan the bench after the first unit offense produced only three points in five drives and reminded himself of another missing component: an MVP by the name of Adrian Peterson.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 40691.html

[Eli]

It was only a preseason game. It was only a preseason game. It was only a preseason game. It was only a preseason game. It was only a preseason game. It was only a preseason game.

Ahhhh. I feel better.

[Hunter Morrow]

Preseason really doesn't mean anything.

The 2007 Dolphins won their first 2 pre-season games...

Then lost their next 2 preseason games and 13 straight regular season games. They ultimately went 2-2 and 1-15.

Even more instructive is next year's 2008 Detroit Lions.

4-0 with wins over the Giants and Bengals...

0-16 in the regular season.

[HornedMessiah]

Don't forget about the Manning/Dungy Colts from several years back. They were very dominant and chasing an undefeated record for 2-3 seasons in a row, but weren't they "terrible" in the preseason during those years?

[yezzir]

If you take anything from preseason games, just be thankful if your 1st stringers look and stay healthy. With that said, this 3rd game can yield legitimate criticism -- as it is treated the most like a regular season game out of the the 4 preseason games by both teams. If Ponder sucks for 3 quarters this 3rd game, there is legit concern for this year.

[yezzir]

Correction, winning preseason games doesn't mean anything. If they're trying to work on something and not executing during the game, then that does mean something. It is is obvious from the coaches and players comments and reaction that their performance did mean something.

I'm pretty sure the Giants went 1-3 or 0-4 during the preseason of one of the years they won the super bowl with Eli.

[DK Sweets]

I'm pretty sure the Giants went 1-3 or 0-4 during the preseason of one of the years they won the super bowl with Eli.

They went 1-3 in 2007. Going back to 2007, the only Super Bowl champions to eclipse .500 were the Saints in 2009.

[yezzir]

They went 1-3 in 2007. Going back to 2007, the only Super Bowl champions to eclipse .500 were the Saints in 2009.

Thanks for the stat.

Hmmm....

[Funkytown]

Correction, winning preseason games doesn't mean anything. If they're trying to work on something and not executing during the game, then that does mean something. It is is obvious from the coaches and players comments and reaction that their performance did mean something.

As it should.

“I was coming to the sideline saying, 'Oh my gosh, what are we doing?' Like we were struggling,” Jennings said.

I feel ya Jennings! I was wondering the same thing!

It's easy to use Peterson as an excuse, but if we are going to be a complete team...we gotta be able to do something productive out there without the man!

[yezzir]

As it should.
I feel ya Jennings! I was wondering the same thing!

It's easy to use Peterson as an excuse, but if we are going to be a complete team...we gotta be able to do something productive out there without the man!

Jennings mouth could hurt us... but it could maybe help us. Part of me wants to think, "shut the crap up" -- but, he is a veteran receiver who has played in a good system with a good QB. So Id say he has the most credibility on the offensive side to have that specific opinion. Perhaps he will help hold Ponder, Musgrave and Co. accountable; though it's probably better to speak like that behind closed doors.

[mosscarter]

hopefully jennings will catch 1 ball on sunday, that would be a start.

[The Breeze]

I simply can't recall a season where there has been soooo much rabid debate prior to the real games. Usually there is big session before and after the draft, then it starts to ramp up in camp. But this year has been constant. Maybe, I'm misremembering.....I hope we can make it the full season in one piece.

Can't wait to get the games started.....maybe we should have a crisis intervention hotline on speed dial, just in case....well, nevermind.

[Funkytown]

Jennings mouth could hurt us... but it could maybe help us. Part of me wants to think, "shut the crap up" -- but, he is a veteran receiver who has played in a good system with a good QB. So Id say he has the most credibility on the offensive side to have that specific opinion. Perhaps he will help hold Ponder, Musgrave and Co. accountable; though it's probably better to speak like that behind closed doors.

You have some points here. I don't mind him talking about the Vikings and what we're doing, but he should get over his obsession with the Packers. I have no problem with him voicing his opinions/frustrations a bit and holding people accountable. I imagine he's going to have a few frustrations not playing with a QB like Rodgers anymore...or even Favre. I'd say he's been very spoiled. He's in for a small dose of reality. With that said, he should keep a majority of his talking behind closed doors as you said. I just hope he does most of his talking on the football field! Then, I think we'll all be happy.