Titans @ Vikings Game Day Discussion Thread -- Preseason #4

[PotGoblin]

remember Walsh missed several field goals in the preseason last year to and then went on to have a season of the ages as far as kickers go. I think part of it is his new holder since Kluwe got cut.

[Raptorman]

Well, at least Ponder didn't make any mistakes tonight.

[mondry]

Just got back from the game, the things I noticed in person

1. Mauti needs to be on the team, sure his knees could give at any second but while they're intact he's been damn near the best LB I've seen that isn't one of our starters. (went to both home games)

2. Rodney Smith just seems to get the ball. He was only in for like 2 plays and what do you know, 2 catches for 52 yards. I think it was similar in the other preseason games as well. I'm 100% sure he'll be cut but I definitely hope he can land on the practice squad, I think there is something there if we can develop him. I think they might know as well, trying to keep from exposing him a bunch with minimal preseason plays.

3. Joe Banyard should be the #3 back behind toby or even as the #2.5 back as a change of pace. 13 carries for 62 yards and 7 catches for 54 and a TD. He looked perfect executing the 3 yard check down / dump off / safety valve role an didn't drop a single pass. I'm not sure how good his blitz pick up is but as a pass catcher on 3rd down I think he'd be very useful.

4. Watched a lot of Rhodes and I think he might struggle. He's very physical when they let him play man to man coverage but from the looks of it, he's still figuring out what the refs limits are. One play I watched him essentially ride his receiver into the ground but it was away from the play and the ref didn't notice. When he's playing zone or off his man is the worst though.

5. MBT I thought played a decent game. He made some nice throws like the ones to Rodney Smith but at the same time he made a couple really bad ones and overall I don't think we would be missing much if we let him go.

6. Sherels probably made himself a spot on the team. I didn't necessarily think he should make it but I'm guessing he does after tonight.

[Eli]

mondry - Wow. I'm 100% in agreement with you -- Mauti, Smith, Banyard are the guys who really shined. Desmond Bishop also had another game that clearly shows he should be the starting WILL.

I'm worried about Rhodes. From the sounds of the announcers, it doesn't seem as if Rhodes will be starting. Does that mean more of A.J. Jefferson opposite Chris Cook?

Of the three Vikings first round picks, it looks like they have one (Patterson) who obviously has some athletic ability, but isn't likely to start for a while. Another (Floyd) who will see only part-time duty and then Rhodes, who might not be as good as they thought when they drafted him.

[Just Me]

Felder didn't have a great game that I saw.

He had some good plays (defensed passes) but I think Sherels did better for this game (INT and Return for TD)

[Mothman]

mondry - Wow. I'm 100% in agreement with you -- Mauti, Smith, Banyard are the guys who really shined. Desmond Bishop also had another game that clearly shows he should be the starting WILL.

I'm worried about Rhodes. From the sounds of the announcers, it doesn't seem as if Rhodes will be starting. Does that mean more of A.J. Jefferson opposite Chris Cook?

As I understand it, the plan all along has been to start Robinson. He'll move to the slot in nickel packages and Rhodes will play outside.

[Thaumaturgist]

Amazing MBT knows how to have proper footwork in the pocket and step up in it unlike our starting QB.

Don't worry. If we keep him, I'm sure our coaches can fix that.

[Crax]

I was watching Utah/Utah State so I missed this game. I thought I read a tweet about brandon burton getting hurt. Did he? How did he look before that?

[mondry]

mondry - Wow. I'm 100% in agreement with you -- Mauti, Smith, Banyard are the guys who really shined. Desmond Bishop also had another game that clearly shows he should be the starting WILL.

I'm worried about Rhodes. From the sounds of the announcers, it doesn't seem as if Rhodes will be starting. Does that mean more of A.J. Jefferson opposite Chris Cook?

Of the three Vikings first round picks, it looks like they have one (Patterson) who obviously has some athletic ability, but isn't likely to start for a while. Another (Floyd) who will see only part-time duty and then Rhodes, who might not be as good as they thought when they drafted him.

I'm worried about him as well, not a ton but far more than the other 2 1st rounders though that's for sure. If you look at the facts he wasn't the best choice for our cover 2 system from the get go. He was also sliding in the draft which is how he ultimately was available for us, perhaps we now know why. I think Spielman also got a little too caught up in his own idea that "big corner vs megatron and brandon marshall = need." Hopefully he's just coming around slowly and still adjusting to our defense.

I think Floyd is going to get more time than he can handle, which is a good thing. This K-will thing is most likely more serious than Frazier and co are letting on and I'm guessing he'll miss at least a game or two as k-will at 100% has lost a lot but k-will at 80% shouldn't be starting.

As for Patterson I think once the regular season starts, he won't be starting but I think he's going to get his fair share of action. I think Jennings will lock down the #1 spot pretty solid but the #2 spot will probably be more like a rotation and they'll put Patterson in it often as I believe he'll be the one running the "percy playbook" type plays. I'm more concerned for Jarius Wright who I thought did more than enough to earn his fair share of action last year. He was easily the biggest spark we had in the passing game and proved a solid deep threat. I guess I'm just not sure what the Coaching staff see's in Simpson, if he doesn't show us much this year I'm hoping he sinks like a rock down the depth chart.

It sounds like Musgrave ran the most "vanilla" offense imaginable on purpose as well. Not even a double move was allowed, just extremely simple routes with no intention of giving anything away. It seems they want to keep whatever they plan to do, whether it's with simpson, jennings, patterson, or wright a mystery for now. Given that, and keeping Peterson out of the preseason, I can see why they didn't bother playing Ponder much. It's quite possible the preseason offense is 0% alike what they want to do in the regular season.

[Raptorman]

The one thing I really liked in this game is on Sherels KO return, seeing Webb blocking and then running downfield with him to the endzone. I think in about 20 more yards Webb would have caught him.

[Laserman]

is the 53 man squad already decided BEFORE the 4th preseason game?

[Laserman]

fumble: go vikes

[Funkytown]

is the 53 man squad already decided BEFORE the 4th preseason game?

Um, just because you are watching on NFL Network right now doesn't mean that game is live. That was on Thursday--just like all the rest of the final preseason games. Lay off the booze there, pal. People be cray on here. I swear!

[Texas Vike]

is the 53 man squad already decided BEFORE the 4th preseason game?

I think you're watching the replay on NFL network. This game was played on Thursday night. Cuts were just made at 5pm today.

[Texas Vike]

Um, just because you are watching on NFL Network right now doesn't mean that game is live. That was on Thursday--just like all the rest of the final preseason games. Lay off the booze there, pal. People be cray on here. I swear!

Guy made an honest mistake, no need to criticize him.

Enjoy the game Laserman!