Daily Clips Monday, August 20, 2018

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 Dalvin Cook 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 Nick Easton out for the season after neck surgery, center Pat Elflein 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 Jeremiah Sirles who was able to play multiple positions. You know, Nick Easton, Joe Berger, 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 Jack Tocho. 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