Vikings preseason game #3

Vikings 20
Cardinals 9

The "big" preseason game, i.e. the one the starters play the most, was also no doubt the ugliest of the 3.

Zimmer was none too happy about the first half, with the unproductive offense, a handful of defensive lapses, and, naturally, kicking woes.

The Cousins haters among both the fanbase and the media of course jumped on his 3 for 13 performance. Funny how when he played very well against the Saints and Seahawks you heard nary a peep from these people. But it was Kirk's worst performance of the 3 games. I don't think it's at all a coincidence that it was also the worst the OL has looked. Plus there were.a couple big drops.

The only thing on defense that was worrisome was Xavier Rhodes getting smoked pretty badly on a couple plays. I do think Rhodes is probably just part his peak. I wouldn't be surprised if he is gone after this season if the money works. But for all the doom and gloom about the first team defense, they looked very good in the preseason. And that was without Linval and at times some other starters.

As for the kicking game, well, Vedvik got his shot to do field goals today. And he blew it. He missed a 40 some yarder quite badly, then later missed one from over 50. At this point, I have just accepted that we will never have a trustworthy kicker again. It will never happen. Every field goal try, and probably every PAT try from now until the end of time will cause high anxiety. Vedvik probably still makes the team as a punter/kickoff specialist/long FG guy I suppose, but Dan Bailey won the main job today.

The 2nd half was highlighted by another rousing effort by folk hero Kyle Sloter. Look, I get the appeal. He's fun to watch, but he's playing against 3rd and 4th stringers every single time. Now, I am not opposed to him getting a shot to run with the 2nd team like Mannion gets, but they're not going to suddenly so that after not doing so all camp. I think that, if Kirk gets hurt, Mannion has a better chance of keeping the team afloat.

Mike Boone is easily RB3. I don't think that's even a real debate. The WR spots are a lot more undecided. Chad Beebe has kind of blown his shot, I think, at that #3 spot. Olabisi Johnson has looked great. Maybe Treadwell still has a shot. I mean, if nobody else claims a spot you might as well keep Laquon and not have that dead cap money.