DAILY CLIPS

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018 LOCAL NEWS: Monday, August 20, 2018

Star Tribune

Lower your heads and ponder new NFL rules By Mark Craig http://www.startribune.com/lower-your-heads-and-ponder-new-nfl-rules/491229931/

As Mike Boone shines against Jaguars, Vikings' RB competition heats up By Ben Goessling http://www.startribune.com/as-mike-boone-shines-against-jaguars-vikings-rb-competition-heats-up/491209591/

Pioneer Press

With injuries piling up, proving to be utility man Vikings need By Dane Mizutani https://www.twincities.com/2018/08/19/with-injuries-piling-up-aviante-collins-proving-to-be-utility-man-vikings-need/

Vikings.com

Monday Morning Mailbag: Battle For Third RB Spot, Situation at Offensive Line, More By Mike Wobschall https://www.vikings.com/news/monday-morning-mailbag-battle-for-third-rb-spot-situation-at-offensive-line-more

VIKING Update

Sunday slant: Backup linemen quickly learn value of versatility By Tim Yotter https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Vikings-linemen-quickly-learn-value-of-versatility-120820568/

Vikings backups gained valuable experience, team ‘wakeup call?’ By Tim Yotter https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Vikings-vs-Jaguars-Backups-gained-valuable-experience-starters-get- wakeup-call-120819992/

1500 ESPN

Where every position battle stands after the Vikings’ second preseason game By Matthew Coller http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/08/every-position-battle-stands-vikings-second-preseason-game/

Zulgad: When is a sack not a sack? Answer won’t thrill most By Judd Zulgad http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/08/zulgad-sack-not-sack-answer-wont-thrill/

Report: Vikings CB Alexander ‘escaped serious injury’ with ankle issue By Matthew Coller http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/08/report-vikings-cb-alexander-escaped-serious-injury-ankle-issue/

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 8/20/18

Lower your heads and ponder new NFL rules

By Mark Craig

Halfway through the NFL preseason, the Vikings haven’t lowered their heads.

But they sure are scratching them as they try to understand the league’s new rules on player safety.

“At the end of the day, this whole rule deal is sketchy, at best,” Vikings defensive end Brian Robison said after Saturday’s 14-10 loss to Jacksonville at U.S. Bank Stadium. “I don’t think we know exactly what’s supposed to happen. … I think we’re all confused about it. You ask the refs and they might be confused about it.”

In two preseason games, no Viking has been flagged for lowering his helmet to initiate contact. Opposing teams have been called for it three times, including twice on Jacksonville.

But Vikings backup linebacker Antwione Williams was penalized for what, apparently, was a violation of another point of emphasis this preseason: driving the quarterback into the turf.

With five minutes left in Saturday’s game and the Vikings leading 10-7, Williams made what appeared, in real time, to be exactly what the NFL wants in a sack. His head was to the side of Cody Kessler. Contact was initiated by the shoulder.

The perfect midfield sack to secure field position late in a game, right?

Not exactly. Roughing the passer. Fifteen-yard penalty. Goodbye, field position. Goodbye, lead. Hello, confusion, controversy and conflicting views on the future of the NFL.

Coach Mike Zimmer was angry. He yelled at the officials while pointing to the replay on the big screen.

But, by the time he spoke to reporters after the game, Zimmer was in agreement with the officials.

“If [Williams] had just rolled [off Kessler],” Zimmer said. “But he kind of pumped him into the turf. So, I think that was a good call.”

Zimmer probably knows that any complaining he does about the new rules just makes it tougher to continue teaching the players how to accept and abide by them. Asked how tough it would have been for Williams to do what Zimmer explained, the coach shrugged and said, “That’s the rule, so we have to do it.”

Williams accepted the penalty as a learning experience in a new league order.

“I just have to try and lay to the side more,” he said. “Just try to get used to the new rules. The refs are trying to get used to it, as well. We’re all in the learning process right now.”

The Jaguars were flagged 13 times for 140 yards. Four of those were 15-yarders for the kinds of hits the NFL wants out of the game. Besides the two for lowering the helmet, Jacksonville was flagged for a blind-side block and hitting a defenseless receiver.

The first flag for lowering the helmet came early in the first quarter when cornerback A.J. Bouye initiated contact with Vikings fullback C.J. Ham. Ham also lowered his helmet to brace for contact right after catching a short pass.

“That could have easily been called on me, too,” Ham said. “But playing the game, the first thing you do when bracing for contact like that is to lower your whole body. I suppose both of us could have done a better job keeping our heads up in that situation. We’re all learning.”

Bouye told reporters after the game that he was just trying to go low so he wouldn’t be run over by a bigger player. He also said Ham should have been penalized as well.

Another week, another feeling-out process for the players, coaches and officials.

“It’s leading to less aggressive play,” Robison said. “Now guys are slowing up on a play, they might get hurt. To me, if you slow up on a play, it’s going to weaken the strength of our game.

“And I understand what the NFL is trying to do. They’re trying to cut down on a lot of the head injuries and stuff like that. But it’s just confusing, to be honest with you.” PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 8/20/18

As Mike Boone shines against Jaguars, Vikings' RB competition heats up

By Ben Goessling

In the Vikings’ first preseason game, Roc Thomas stole the show with a pair of receiving touchdowns, including a 76-yard score off a screen pass that highlighted the rookie free agent’s versatility as an option to help replace Jerick McKinnon in the Vikings’ offense.

On Saturday, it was Mike Boone’s turn. The Cincinnati product gained 91 yards on 13 carries, including a 26-yard burst that turned out to be the Vikings’ longest play of the day. And a week after allowing a sack when he reacted late to a blitz up the middle, Boone appeared to take a step forward in pass protection in the Vikings’ 14-10 loss to the Jaguars.

“Mike stepped up on that last drive on the fourth down and blocked the defensive end,” quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “You could hear the pads pop; he displaced the guy and gave Kyle a chance to step up and make the throw. It’s stuff like that too, with a trained eye, you love to see from a young running back.”

And so the Vikings’ competition for the third running back spot is on, with Thomas chipping in another 37 yards from scrimmage on Saturday. The Vikings will likely give their starters more playing time on Friday night against Seattle — and while coach Mike Zimmer continued to play coy after the game about using in the preseason, it stands to reason the Vikings would do so Friday night if they decide to use the running back before the regular-season opener.

That might leave fewer opportunities for Boone and Thomas against the Seahawks, but they’d have plenty in the preseason finale on Aug. 30 in Tennessee. The running back competition figures to remain close until then.

“That’s what we come here to do: to compete, to make plays,” Boone said. “That’s the goal every game — not just because Roc played well in that game [against Denver]. I try to come every game and put my best foot forward.”

Here are some other quick-hit thoughts after the Vikings’ second preseason game:

Busy day for Aviante Collins: The second-year tackle started on the right side in place of Rashod Hill on Saturday, playing ahead of second-round pick Brian O’Neill. “I just thought he had a better week,” coach Mike Zimmer said. “He battled all week long, I thought he had a better week. Aviante is a very good athlete, got good strength and size to him. The way they were rushing some of the guys, some of the power rushes, I felt like he would be better.” Collins shifted to left tackle after Riley Reiff came out of the game with the rest of the Vikings’ established starters, then moved to left guard after injuries forced the Vikings to shuffle the group further. In total, he played 49 snaps, more than any other offensive player. The Vikings kept Collins on their 53-man roster last year, and he’d seem like a good bet to make the team again.

Vikings keep moving Hughes: First-round pick Mike Hughes got some work with the Vikings’ top nickel defense after Mackensie Alexander left with an ankle injury in the first quarter, and the Vikings followed by playing Hughes for a few snaps at left cornerback with their top base defense. Before Alexander was injured Saturday, the Vikings returned to a similar plan at the nickel spot to the one they used last year, playing Terence Newman when they were in nickel in potential running situations and bringing Alexander in on obvious passing downs. Hughes took that role after Alexander left, and the fact the Vikings gave him some work at Trae Waynes’ normal spot is another step in the indoctrination process for a rookie who continues to be impressive. X-rays came back clean on Alexander’s ankle on Saturday, according to a league source; he will have a MRI on Sunday. But even if he avoided a serious ankle sprain, the Vikings know they can never have too much cornerback depth, and Hughes being ready to go in Year 1 would be a big help.

Run game continues to succeed: Before Latavius Murray’s first fumble on Saturday, the running back burst through a big hole on the left side of the Vikings’ line for a 13-yard gain. That turned out to be the most explosive play the Vikings’ first-team offense generated in five series of work, and while Murray’s two fumbles are notable for a back who fumbled just once last year, he’s continued to find room on downhill runs after breaking two for 20 yards or more against Denver. “We’ve run the ball well, I think, in the first two preseason games and really throughout all of training camp,” Cousins said. “I’ve been really pleased with how we’ve run the football.”

Beebe shines late again: A week after catching a fourth-quarter touchdown from Kyle Sloter on a corner route, wide receiver Chad Beebe made another late play that put the Vikings in position to take the lead. Sloter found the rookie for 14 yards after Beebe beat his man on a crossing route, giving the Vikings 1st-and-10 at the Jaguars’ 22 with 55 seconds left. The diminutive rookie still might be a long shot to make the Vikings’ roster, but he’s impressed with his crisp route-running skills and fluid movement throughout training camp, and could stick as a practice-squad player. PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 8/20/18

With injuries piling up, Aviante Collins proving to be utility man Vikings need

By Dane Mizutani

As Aviante Collins got padded up in the Vikings locker room before Saturday’s preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he listened closely while his locker mate CJ Ham read a scripture aloud.

“It said God was going to challenge me with adversity today,” Collins recalled after the game. “It was like God only only gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. I feel like today was just another challenge for me.”

It was a whirlwind of a day for the 25-year-old offensive lineman, as he got the start a right tackle, then shifted over to to left tackle and finally finished his day with some snaps at left guard.

“That was definitley a first for me,” Collins said of playing three positions in one game. “Usually it’s been just on the left side, (switching between) left tackle or left guard or something like that. I’ve never played three positions before in a game. It was definitely challenging. It was all right, though.”

With left guard out for the season after neck surgery, center still on the PUP list, right guard Mike Remmers slowly working his way back from an ankle injury, and right tackle Rashod Hill also out, the Vikings entered Saturday’s game already devoid of healthy players on the offensive line.

That depth, or lack thereof, took another hit when reserve offensive linemen Cedrick Lang and Josh Andrew left the game because of injuries.

“I just have to be prepared for everything,” Collins said. “It sucks moving around. I’ve just got to get used to it. I’m glad (I can do it) because I can help this offensive line out being able to move around and stuff like that.”

Collins has had to mind his Ps & Qs more than ever recently, essentially learning two positions at once. That said, Collins knows being flexible could help him in the long run.

“Just being versatile in general helps out the whole team,” Collins said. “It’s valuable to have somebody like that. We have had people like that in the past with someone like who was able to play multiple positions. You know, Nick Easton, , and even Pat (Elflein), they all can play multiple positions. It just helps out the team having those people that can do that.” PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 8/20/18

Monday Morning Mailbag: Battle For Third RB Spot, Situation at Offensive Line, More

By Mike Wobschall

Any chance the Vikings can keep both Roc Thomas and Mike Boone? These two can play! Trade? No fullback and use a tight end instead? -- Dan Schroeder Perham, MN

Yes, there are ways the Vikings can keep both Boone and Thomas. But you know how this goes – it’s a numbers game and there are other positions and surprise standouts to consider keeping, too. There’s no doubt, though, that this RB3 battle has really heated up! They have three touchdowns between them and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Mack Brown flash a few times before the preseason is over. And how about the blitz pickup by Boone late in Saturday’s game? There are several ways the “numbers game” can play out with regard to the RB3 spot and at this stage any speculation by anyone other than Rick Spielman or Mike Zimmer is pretty worthless. We’ll just have to watch and see how it plays out.

In your opinion, will the new kickoff rules lead to more players attempting a return even if the ball is to the back of the end zone? -- Chris Kulak

I don’t think so. I feel return teams will keep the same strategy as in year’s past where the teams with great returners will be more aggressive in bringing kickoffs out of the end zone and the teams with more pedestrian return groups will be more cautious. I believe the new kickoff rules will cause greater variance in the strategies of kickoff teams, not the kickoff return teams. Some teams will bang the kickoffs out of the end zone just as they always did. Some teams will mess around with short kicks, such as the kickoff the Vikings executed on Saturday night that was nearly recovered by . And then teams will use both strategies at different times based on a number of factors from weather to score to caliber of return group they’re facing.

Despite what many people might think, I think we played pretty well against the Jaguars. For starters, they do have one of the best teams in the League because not only is there defense top notch but they only gave up 24 sacks last year, which means they have a stout offensive line. Setting that aside, it seemed like the Jaguars played their first team on both offense and defense through the 2nd quarter where our starters were already on the sideline. I think that shows the quality of our backups and depth. What are your thoughts? -- Arvind Gavali Chesterfield, MO

Valid points. The second-team defense did show up on Saturday night while facing many of the Jaguars starters. There were also some elements of the offense that were solid, including both Boone and Thomas, and then I like what I saw from Daniel Carlson once again. Ultimately, though, I know head coach Mike Zimmer has a high standard set for this team and he’ll be looking for more from everyone on Friday night when Seattle is here for the preseason game No. 3.

Do you think starting offensive linemen Rashod Hill, Mike Remmers and Pat Elflein will be ready to start for Week 1? After watching the first few drives of the Jaguars game, it looks like the offensive line can use as much help as possible. Skol! -- Eric Hendrickson Culbertson, Montana

That’s certainly the hope. Zimmer expressed optimism that Remmers would be back this week and that Elflein would be back soon. He was unsure on a timeline for Hill. Those three combined for 38 regular season and postseason starts in 2017, so their experience working together in addition to their ability to pass block and run block is key to the offense’s ability to be at its best.

I keep hearing that Kirk Cousins loves to throw to his tight ends. And I know he thinks Rudy is a great target (“Like throwing into a mattress!). Why do you suppose he’s not targeting Rudy more? I know it’s a small sample, but still. -- Steve Crescenzo

Cousins did have success throwing to tight ends such as Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed in Washington, but the truth is he also had good seasons throwing the ball to receivers and backs. He’s an equal opportunity thrower and he’ll get the ball to anyone who is open, regardless of position. I wouldn’t look at Rudolph’s lack of receptions or targets in the preseason as anything other than the stars just not aligning for him. He’s caught a lot of balls in practice and he’s going to catch a lot of them in the regular season, too. Hopefully many of those catches are in the end zone.

What I am seeing with the new contact rule, it’s going to put the referees in situations where they are deciding the outcomes of games. This is a rule that is making me not want to watch. Never felt like this before. So frustrated! -- John McGuire Lone Pine, CA California

I understand the frustration. There were a lot of penalties in Saturday’s game. And some plays that we’re used to seeing as legal are now illegal, so that can lead to frustration, too. But this happens a lot when the League implements new rules and focuses on points of emphasis. The officials are getting used to it, too, and they typically call those infractions a lot more during the preseason than they will in the regular season. The bottom line is these rules are promoting safety, and we should all be on board with that. We want the game to be safe but we also want the game to maintain its nature. Sometimes those are two contradictory desires. The League, with the rules and referees as its vehicles, is doing its best to satisfy both extremes and still make the game entertaining. I think the League is doing a good job. After all, you were watching a preseason game and you took the time to write in about a concern. I’m confident you’ll be more than satisfied with the product on the field in 2018.

I’m a big Laquon Treadwell fan, but very disappointed in his after-catch run attempts Saturday. Any updated opinions or comments on Laquon as a Viking? I’m losing confidence he’s going to reach his potential. -- Randy Olthoff Mason City, IA

Treadwell has had a very good spring and summer and he’s followed it up well with a solid debut in Denver and two catches against Jacksonville. I don’t have any updated opinions on him from what I’ve shared recently, and I also don’t think you should be losing confidence in him. This is as good as he’s looked with the Vikings and I’m looking forward to seeing him against this week on Friday night against Seattle when the first team offense is likely to play the first half and perhaps even into the 3rd quarter. PUBLICATION: VIKING Update DATE: 8/20/18

Sunday slant: Backup linemen quickly learn value of versatility

By Tim Yotter

Offensive line is generally the underappreciated (until it fails) position of football.

Protect the quarterback and open lanes for the running back and those players get the glory, not the linemen – see: Roc Thomas and Mike Boone. Fail to protect the quarterback and the season could be over for the entire team in a heartbeat.

Young linemen on both sides of the ball are quickly learning that their versatility could be the difference between a job in the NFL and hunting for employment in another industry many of them never hoped they would have to experience.

As injuries devastate Minnesota’s offensive line, it has forced versatility upon the younger backups. Aviante Collins, a relatively unknown man on the 2017 roster, probably has been interviewed more in the past two weeks than he was his entire rookie year. We’ve since learned just how affable he is, saying his “nastiness” on the field was nurtured in South Houston, his athleticism came from track and field and his first name is both unique and beloved, smiling and joking throughout many conversations.

On Saturday, there wasn’t much time for talking during the game. He was too busy playing wherever he was needed. The Vikings didn’t want to expose their “starting” offensive line to too much violence and they lost backups Cedrick Lang, who will need surgery, and Josh Andrews to injuries.

Collins played three different positions on the offensive line, starting at right tackle, moving to left tackle after starter Riley Reiff left the game healthy and then moving to guard after injuries to other backups. He’s never played that many different positions.

“That was definitely a first for me. Usually I play left side, left guard,” he said. “I have never played three positions in a game before. It was definitely challenging, but it was alright though.”

The Vikings have already lost starting left guard Nick Easton after he had surgery 10 days ago to repair a herniated disc. He is on injured reserve and likely done for the season. Pat Elflein hasn’t come back yet from offseason shoulder and ankle injuries and remains on the physically-unable-to-perform list. Although head coach Mike Zimmer said he believes Elflein will return “pretty soon,” he said that at the start of training camp, too, and all he has done if rehab drills to strengthen his shoulder. And Mike Remmers hasn’t played at all this preseason after an ankle injury took him out early in training camp.

The Vikings’ “starting” offensive line on Saturday featured only one lineman – Reiff – who was expected at the opening of training camp to be a starter in Week 1 of the regular season.

“It’s not ideal, but I’ve never gone into a season expecting ideal circumstances or ideal outcomes,” QB Kirk Cousins said. “You learn to just roll with the punches in this league. You can’t start to say, ‘Well, that’s not how you drew it up so now we are not going to plan on doing great things.’ You have to just play and whatever is thrown at you and that is the only way you have a chance to have success.”

Perhaps in the long run, the experience that players like Collins and Cornelius Edison, who is Elflein’s fill- in starter since Easton’s injury, will pay dividends during the regular season. The injuries have also forced new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo to adapt, much like the Vikings did in the second half of the 2016 season under protection duress with Pat Shurmur.

“Coach DeFilippo has done a really good job with the game plan and play-calling to accentuate our strengths and try to protect us from some of our weaknesses,” Cousins said. “That is what a great play- caller does. This next week will be a great test for us with a week of preparation, probably some scout- team type reps. Getting ready for the Seahawks, get to go through another game, dress rehearsal type setting. I think that will be really good for us as an offense.”

The offense wasn’t good on Saturday, but it was short-handed and facing an excellent Jaguars defense. In addition, the Jaguars kept their starting defense in for the entire first half, facing off against Minnesota’s backups for the final three drives. The Vikings were winning an early battle for field position before Latavius Murray’s second fumble of the first quarter flipped the script and led to Jacksonville’s first touchdown.

The Vikings have generally seen much better health on the defensive side of the ball, but injuries to defensive ends Everson Griffen and Tashawn Bower, who didn’t dress on Saturday, and rookie Ade Aruna, who was carted off the field in the second quarter, forced another alteration.

Danielle Hunter and Brian Robison were already done for the night, so the Vikings called on , who was moved to defensive tackle in the offseason, to play end.

“Before last year got done, I was right around 255. My coach was like, ‘Hey, Ifeadi, how much do you weigh?’ and lied to him and said I’m 268, 267. He was like, ‘Are you ready to play three-technique’ and I’m like, ‘Oh, [expletive],’” Ifeadi said. “So during that break and everything I got bigger and bigger and bigger and got to 270, 275. So I was playing D-end on the first day but we had so many D-ends on the depth chart because Ade [Aruna] and B-Rob [Brian Robison] and they’re like, ‘Ifeadi, I’m being real with you. I think I can develop you as a three-tech. Let’s see what you can do.’ That’s just what I’ve been doing. If anyone goes down we can move you back to D-end because they felt comfortable with me at D-end. I think it’s a testimony to my coach because Coach [Andre Patterson] is the one that knows all.”

Odenigbo said he hadn’t practice at defensive end since the first day of organized team activities in May. But dire circumstances required him shift back to an emergency end on Saturday. His work at defensive tackle had him laughing all way to the bank of sacks.

He had seven tackles, two sacks and three quarterback hits against Jacksonville.

“It feels great. I’m not going to lie to you. For my self-esteem it felt good, especially since I haven’t played D-end since last year,” he said. “… When I got moved to D-tackle, I was getting double teams. I have a greater appreciation for all my three-techs [defensive tackles] out there, all my nose tackles, because you’re putting 600 pounds on your back. So going out to D-end, I’m going against these little tight ends and I’m like, ‘God, none of you tight ends know what the trenches are. Tackles, you guys aren’t that strong.’ The guards and the centers, I have tremendous respect for them. They’re hunters.”

But it was Odenigbo who turned into a Saturday hunter of Jaguars quarterbacks.

“When your name is called, you’ve got to show up. He had a heck of a game,” Robison said. “Obviously we’ve got to go back and look at the tape and be sure he was doing everything he was supposed to do, but anytime you can get to the quarterback the way he did, that’s great.”

Jaleel Johnson is another young lineman who has been showcasing his versatility. This year, he’s backing up at both nose tackle and the three-technique, much like Shamar Stephen did for several years before leaving for Seattle in free agency this offseason.

Robison has been versatile enough to be used as a pass-rushing defensive tackle throughout much of his career, despite being a defensive end by trade. Ifeadi could be the next guy in that role, and he and Johnson are likely to earn roster spots because of their versatility.

So is Collins on the offensive line. Tom Compton has made a decent career of versatility as a swing offensive lineman with Washington and Chicago, and now the Vikings. Second-round pick Brian O’Neill, mostly a right tackle, has even begun to get some looks at guard because of all the injuries on the offensive line.

It’s not always ideal to have to use players at multiple positions on the offensive and defensive lines, but the early injuries in training camp and the second preseason game could pay off with more experienced and versatile linemen for the long haul of the regular season.

“Being versatile in general just helps out the whole team. I think it is valuable to have somebody like that,” Collins said. “I mean, we have had people like that in the past, like Jeremiah Sirles was able to play multiple positions, Nick Easton, Joe Berger and even Pat – they can all play multiple positions. It just helps out the team.”

It’s not always ideal, but it is often necessary. The Vikings are developing that versatility by necessity.

PUBLICATION: VIKING Update DATE: 8/20/18

Vikings backups gained valuable experience, team ‘wakeup call?’

By Tim Yotter

Minnesota Vikings fans will have to find a balance in their assessment of Saturday’s 14-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the Vikings had several players injured and three of them taken off the field on a cart, imagine the uproar that would have ensued had those been star players.

The Vikings took a different approach than the Jaguars, with Minnesota playing their starters only four series, despite one of them ending after just one play when Latavius Murray fumbled for the second time. Jacksonville, meanwhile, played their starters for the entire first half.

The first-team offense had one extended drive, ending in a field goal. The others were short and gave the ball back quickly to the Jaguars.

“It is a combination of factors, certainly. There were a couple misthrows, a couple fumbles, a couple penalties. I think it was kind of the gamut,” QB Kirk Cousins said. “When you do that, it’s hard to move the football.”

The Vikings’ starters were full of errors, but the coaching staff was determined to get a longer look at their second-tier players, taking a different approach than Jacksonville’s coaching staff. Both teams advanced to their respective conference championships in the playoffs, but the Jaguars were focused on improving the performance of their starters while the Vikings let their early mistakes linger for what is expected to be a week full of correcting mistakes.

“It wasn’t very good football on our part today. I don’t think we did much offensively; we fumbled the ball twice, we were 0-for-12 on third downs,” head coach Mike Zimmer said. “We were fortunate that they got some penalties that allowed some of our drives to continue on.

“To be honest with you, I’m glad we didn’t win that game today because we didn’t deserve to win. We didn’t play well enough and we’re going to get back to work and get going here.”

The Vikings didn’t deserve to win with multiple egregious errors on offense and special teams, but the extended time for the second-tier players could pay off when depth is needed in the regular season.

Riley Reiff came out when Cousins and the rest of the skill-position starters did after four drives, but the interior offensive linemen, who could all be primary backups when the starters return from injury, were given in the game extensively.

Zimmer sees a definite advantage to his backups playing against Jacksonville starters for three series in the second quarter. They were tested against one of the AFC’s best teams last year.

“It’s great evaluation for us. I know that a couple teams that played yesterday had their third teamers in there against the first team,” Zimmer said. “Part of it was, we had two pretty hard days of practice with them, so I wanted to evaluate some of the younger guys and I felt like I could get some of the older guys out a little bit sooner.”

Reiff and the skill-position starters played 17 snaps or fewer, about a quarter of the total snaps for the Vikings on offense. The Jaguars’ starting defense, meanwhile, played half the game and almost half of their snaps on defense.

Most of the Vikings’ starting defense played 19 snaps, about a quarter of the snaps. Bortles and four of his starting five offensive linemen played between 52 percent and 85 percent of the offensive snaps.

The 7-3 halftime score certainly didn’t provide high-level entertainment, but getting to see the Vikings’ backups against the Jagaurs’ starters could help later. For now, the Vikings found plenty to correct and found benefit in losing a preseason game like that.

“I think the preseason has always been hard to take a lot from. I think as much as we say that, people are always going to draw a lot from it and that is fine,” Cousins said, referencing last year’s Week 3 preseason game when the Vikings beat the 49ers by one point but trailed 14-0 at half. “… You would’ve thought the tale of the season was being written there, and it certainly was very much the opposite for the Vikings. You just have to use it as a chance to get better, make corrections, and get back to work. Like Coach Zimmer said, probably not the worst thing in the long run to realize we have got a lot of work to do. If you want to call it a wakeup call, that is fine. It’ll get us ready to go when we get back on Monday.” PUBLICATION: 1500 ESPN DATE: 8/20/18

Where every position battle stands after the Vikings’ second preseason game

By Matthew Coller

The ’ second preseason game was far less entertaining than their opening win over the Denver Broncos, but there was plenty to learn from the result. Let’s have a look at how each position is shaking out now that two games are in the books…

Quarterback The battle at quarterback isn’t Trevor Siemian versus Kyle Sloter, it’s more of Kyle Sloter versus himself. Last year the Vikings made quite an effort to keep the developmental quarterback around, giving him a significant sum of money to sign after getting cut from the Broncos and then keeping him on the roster even when Sam Bradford returned for the playoffs.

Thus far in a handful of camp reps per day, Sloter hasn’t made a super strong case for himself. While he was solid against the Broncos, throwing one touchdown and running for another, he wasn’t as effective against the Jaguars. Overall Sloter is 19-for-26 passing but averages just 5.8 yards per attempt matching up against opponents’ third and fourth teamers.

Right now it’s up in the air whether he will get a roster spot.

Running back In Week 1 of the preseason, Roc Thomas exploded for two touchdowns, and then in Week 2 it was Mike Boone‘s turn to stand out. Against the Jaguars, Boone ran for 91 yards on 13 carries and had an excellent block in pass protection late in the game. Thomas was still solid, gaining 5.0 yards per carry and catching a 16-yard screen pass. Mack Brown did not play.

The Vikings have been very interested in Boone’s freakish athleticism since Day 1, which may give him the slight edge over Thomas for a roster spot, but that depends on how each running back plays over the next two games. Both have likable skills. Boone is explosive and proved he can be tough to tackle, while Thomas is a natural runner with solid receiving ability — he was even targeted out of the slot on one play but could not bring in the pass.

Whichever player gets the job, it would make sense that the other is signed to the practice squad.

As far as fullback goes, it appears CJ Ham’s spot is secure and he will be a regular part of the Vikings’ personnel groupings and special teams.

Wide receiver It wasn’t a banner day for any of the Vikings’ depth wide receivers. Things are still up in the air behind Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Laquon Treadwell, so here’s where we stand with each receiver:

Cayleb Jones had two catches, including a nice back-shoulder adjustment on one. He’s had a strong camp and has a good shot to make the team, but he’s also suspended for the first four games.

Tavarres King received his first preseason action. He caught one pass and dropped another. Without a special teams presence, there’s a chance he may not make it.

Kendall Wright has failed to make any noise during camp or preseason, making it possible the Vikings cut him. However, they are short on receivers with injured did not play for the second game in a row. He will likely get a shot against Seattle on Friday. He’s in line for a job if he plays well.

Chad Beebe saw time with the twos and played well in special teams opening the door a crack for him to make it on the back of his special teams work

Jeff Badet appeared to suffer a concussion after a big hit. He has blazing speed, but hasn’t found a way to show it off during preseason

Korey Robertson was a highly-paid UDFA. In practice and games there hasn’t been much that has stood out about his performance.

Jake Wieneke had three catches late in the game against the Jaguars. It’s hard to see him making the team at this point but there will be practice squad jobs available.

Tight end Tyler Conklin caught one pass for 10 yards. With Blake Bell as his only competition, Conklin is in position to win the No. 3 spot, though he hasn’t been a standout in either preseason game.

Offensive line Aviante Collins started at right tackle against the Jags, which came as a surprise since had appeared Brian O’Neill was No. 2 on the right tackle depth chart behind Rashod Hill, who sat out with an ankle issue. O’Neill, who performed well with the twos, also practiced last week at guard for a handful of reps.

Tom Compton started at left guard and was on the right side, giving credence to the idea that Compton will be Nick Easton’s fill-in if the Vikings can’t find anyone on the waiver, trade or free agent market.

The Vikings are likely to get Mike Remmers and Pat Elflein back in action, making the line appear more secure for the time being, but don’t be surprised if Mike Zimmer continues to experiment with different ideas. Could Remmers move to the left side and O’Neill play guard? Could Remmers end up back at right tackle if Hill struggles in the third preseason game? The door is open to almost anything at this point.

Defensive line is working toward solidifying himself as a swing player between nose tackle and three technique. He had a strong game against the Jags while David Parry, a pure NT, took a ton of snaps. Ifeadi Odenigbo has been working on the inside throughout camp but moved outside because of injuries and performed exceptionally well with two sacks and seven tackles. Stephen Weatherly had his second straight solid game as he makes an argument to be part of the D-line rotation. Tashawn Bower did not play, but appears to be in good shape for a roster spot. worked into the game earlier than in Week 1 and found a way to pressure the Jags’ quarterbacks on several occasions. He might be the type of project player who makes the team but is rarely active in his first year barring injury. Ade Aruna suffered what looks like a season-ending injury.

Linebackers Eric Wilson had an outstanding game. With his special teams ability, Wilson is looking like the fourth linebacker behind Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and . While Antwione Williams reportedly had a DWI arrest earlier this year, he remains on the team and picked up a sack — though it was negated by a roughing call. Devante Downs, the Vikings’ seventh-round pick, is in the mix for a depth job. It’s unclear whether the Vikings will keep Kentrell Brothers. He is also suspended for the first four games. Players like Garrett Dooley and Brett Taylor remain long shots for a job.

Cornerbacks Mackensie Alexander suffered an ankle injury that does not appear to be catastrophic. If he’s out for the rest of the preseason, that may open the door for Mike Hughes to see first-team snaps this week against Seattle and in practice — though Terence Newman took over with the first team when Alexander left the game against the Jags. Holton Hill had a better Week 2 than Week 1, but he has not been a major standout in camp thus far. If the Vikings do not elect to keep him, they will likely stay with Marcus Sherels, who is a versatile backup corner and outstanding punt returner. Horace Richardson is a dark horse for a depth job. He was in with the twos against Jacksonville. Craig James played well, giving him a shot at a practice squad gig.

Safeties Jayron Kearse did not play on Saturday, allowing Tray Matthews to play nearly the entire game aside from when the first-teamers were in the game. Matthews is on the outside looking in because Anthony Harris is locked into a backup safety spot and Kearse is an exceptional special teamer, but the former Auburn safety could be a practice squad candidate.

Special teams Kai Forbath missed a 41-yard field goal, putting him behind in the competition with rookie Daniel Carlson. It isn’t quite over yet, but it was interesting to see Carlson take the final extra point of the game for the Vikings. PUBLICATION: 1500 ESPN DATE: 8/20/18

Zulgad: When is a sack not a sack? Answer won’t thrill most

By Judd Zulgad

There were a mind-numbing 20 penalties called in Jacksonville’s victory over the Vikings on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium but only one stood out.

It was this fourth-quarter roughing the passer call on Vikings linebacker Antwione Williams.

Field Yates ✔ @FieldYates 15-yard penalty for playing football.

4:39 PM - Aug 18, 2018 30K 13K people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy The call by referee Shawn Hochuli’s crew falls under the NFL’s decision to penalize defenders 15 yards if it is ruled they drove a quarterback into the ground unnecessarily. This comes, of course, after Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr broke Aaron Rodgers’ right collarbone last season by completing a tackle on the Packers quarterback in Week 6.

I’ve watched Williams’ sack of Jaguars quarterback Cody Kessler several times and have a problem finding how a play that should have made it second-and-17 from the Jaguars 42-yard line, ended up as a first-and-10 for Jacksonville from the Vikings’ 36-yard line.

One would have thought Mike Zimmer would agree — he certainly seemed upset after the flag was thrown — but the Vikings coach clearly did not want to have to write a check to the NFL. “After I calmed down a little bit I looked at (the replay) and he was … his head was to the side and he was going to the side and if he would have just rolled, but he kind of pumped him into the turf,” Zimmer said. “I actually think that was a good call.”

Zimmer said this with a straight face but there is no way he could have actually believed this or that he would have been this calm if the same penalty was assessed in a regular-season game.

“At the end of the day, this whole roll (on the quarterback) is sketchy at best,” said Vikings defensive end Brian Robison, who is in his 12th NFL season. “I don’t think we know exactly what is supposed to happen. I mean, we’ve seen the tape and some of the plays look totally legal to me and they are saying they are fouls. I think we are all confused about it. I think if you ask the referees they might be confused which ones they are supposed to look for to throw (the flag).”

Robison is right.

As much as I’d like to find fault with Hochuli — he’s the son of the recently retired Ed Hochuli and clearly loves having an open mike as much as his old man — the issue here is that referees have spent the preseason trying to make it clear they have been instructed to call penalties for two things that require snap judgments and can’t be looked at on replay.

One is the attempt to punish defenders for driving quarterbacks into the ground, or landing on them with too much of their weight, the other is the crackdown on players who lead with their helmets. That might not only result in a penalty but also an ejection. Former Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, now head coach of the New York Giants, wasn’t happy to see linebacker Mark Herzlich get called for unsportsmanlike conduct on Friday against Detroit for leading with his head on this block.

Scott Burke @Scot557 Mark Herzlich just got called for “leaning with his head” on this block with Theo Riddick. #embarrassing #NFL #Giants #Lions

7:25 PM - Aug 17, 2018 20 17 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy Shurmur, like his former boss, did not want to get fined so he stayed away from criticizing a call that took away a Giants sack. But he made it clear he wasn’t happy.

“I have a very strong opinion of that play,” he told reporters. “We’re going to send that play in to get evaluated and we’ll see what they say, and what they do tell me, I won’t tell you. Here’s the thing — we want to teach a physical, safe game, played by the rules, and things happen fast in games, and we all certainly see things differently in real speed, so sometimes it gets left to interpretation when you replay it in HD very slowly, so we’ll just see. Part of the preseason is everyone getting used to the new rule. Not only how to play the game, but how to officiate it; and I’m hopeful I’m going to get an answer on that play.”

The reality is if the preseason is any indication of what we are going to see when the regular-season opens, we are going to have games that go on forever and we are going to see coaches and players probably getting more unsportsmanlike conduct penalties because they will be melting down.

Robison said there’s another issue when it comes to how aggressive a player can be. “If it leads to less aggressive play now you start looking at the fact of now we got guys slowing up on a play and might get hurt,” Robison said. “To me if you slow up on a play it will weaken the strength of our game. I understand what the NFL is trying to do, they are trying to cut down on a lot of the head injuries and stuff like that. It’s just confusing to be honest with you.”

The hope has to be that the NFL has told its referees to go over the top in the exhibition season but then will pull back on the flags once the season opens. That is something that former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, who spent 2012 with the Vikings, pointed out.

Geoff Schwartz ✔ @geoffschwartz Can we wait to overreact till the regular season? The refs overcall all new rules in the preseason.

Field Yates ✔ @FieldYates The new helmet rule is causing a confusion and frustration in basically every game this preseason.

Imagine what the reactions will be in the regular season, when wins and losses matter and it impacts the outcome of a game.

12:43 PM - Aug 18, 2018 36 See Geoff Schwartz's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy Hopefully, Schwartz is right. If he’s not, the pace of play problem in baseball will look like nothing compared to what the NFL will be dealing with in 2018. PUBLICATION: 1500 ESPN DATE: 8/20/18

Report: Vikings CB Alexander ‘escaped serious injury’ with ankle issue

By Matthew Coller

Minnesota Vikings nickel corner Mackensie Alexander left Saturday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with an ankle injury. On Sunday he underwent an MRI, which came back with no serious signs of injury, according to KSTP-TV’s Darren Wolfson.

Alexander is earmarked for the starting slot corner job. Last year he was a rotational corner, backing up veteran Terence Newman.

Rookie Mike Hughes took some first-team reps at nickel last week and may see more action there in this week’s practices.