Favre’s Viking Debut

Yeah so I know this is a little past due, but the Vikings beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Preseason game two by a score of 17-13 at Metrodome. It really doesn’t matter that they won, but it was the debut of Brett Favre as a Minnesota Viking.

Not gonna lie, it does look weird to see Favre in purple. Favre only played two series and went 1 of 4 for four yards. The Chiefs showed some blitzes and besides Favre looking a little rusty, the Vikes offensive line looked shaky at best.

Favre said after the game he was really nervous and was happy how things went. No major injuries to speak of for the Vikes and now with only two Preseason games left, Favre needs to get on the same page as the Minnesota receivers.

Now Vikes backup Sage Rosenfels didn’t play in the game due to an ankle injury. Tarvaris Jackson played rather well going 12 of 15 for 202 yards including two touchdowns. Visanthe Shiancoe caught a 13 yarder and Darius Reynaud scored on a 64 yard pass.

Adrian Peterson carried the ball ten times for 44 yards.

NEWT’S GAME BALLS
Offense – Tarvaris Jackson
Defense – Jasper Brinkley
Special Teams –Percy Harvin

Favre Signs with Vikes

Been to busy celebrating to blog, Brett Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings yesterday. This is GREAT news. I’m seriously now so excited for the upcoming season. More on Favre later.

Super Bowl homeboy!

Harvin Helmet

Not totally sure why I thought I needed more Vikings swag, but I did. Above is the latest addition, a Percy Harvin signed Minnesota Vikings helmet.

SKOL VIKES!

Vikes Top Colts in Preseason Opener

Thanks to a solid outing by Vikings starting quarterback (for the game) Sage Rosenfels, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Colts in Indianapolis 13-3 in the Preseason opener for both teams.

Rosenfels led the Vikes on a long first drive that included two fourth down conversions, to a touchdown. Chester Taylor had a great five yard sweep to the left side to put Minnesota up 7-0.

Rosenfels ended the day 10 of 13 for 91 yards. Most of the passes were quick hitters and play action passes. The once goat, Vinsanthe Shiancoe had a nice game (first quarter), that included four catches for 55 yards. Shiancoe really turned it on last year and GULP, may be a legit tight end in this league.

Adrian “All Day” Peterson only played the opening series and had four carries for 20 yards. AD showed his burst on his 13 yard carry. Can’t wait to watch Purple Jesus in the regular season!

The Vikes defense looked solid as the starters sacked Peyton Manning three times on the Colts opening series. Ray Edwards, Jared Allen and Fred Evans all got to Manning early. Granted the Colts O was without Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, but the Vikes starting D looked good.

Unfortunately we didn’t get a look at Percy Harvin due to a minor shoulder injury. He was a game time decision and didn’t play. I was looking forward to watch P-Harv, but I guess something to look forward to next week.

The only real injury during the game was that Bernard Berrian appeared to have injured a hamstring. The result of the injury has not yet been disclosed. Hope it’s nothing major!

For as good as Rosenfels looked, Tarvaris Jackson was the opposite. T-Jack looked terrible going 7 of 15 for 39 yards. Granted he was with the second and third teamers, but T-Jack is a mess. Is he athletic? Yes. Can he read a defense/blitz or realize when pressure is on him? HELL NO! Jackson will get the start next week, but I’m guessing Rosenfels is the Vikes starter Week One.

Vikes kicker Ryan Longwell was two for two with field goals of 35 & 36 yards.

South Dakota native kicker Taylor Mehlhaff missed a 51 yarder. He made it at 46, but there was a penalty.

Another bright spot for the Vikes was running back, Albert Young. Young rushed for 58 yards on 14 carries and appeared to have a nice burst in him. Young appears to have a lock on the third running back spot for Minnesota.

All in all not an amazing game, but kinda what you expect in the Preseason. Rosenfels was solid. New center, John Sullivan played well, rookie Phil Loadholt was iffy starting at right tackle and the starting Vikes defense looked good.

Next game is next Friday, August 21 versus the Kansas City Chiefs at Metrodome.

NEWT’S GAME BALLS:
Offense – Sage Rosenfels
Defense – Ray Edwards
Special Teams – Ryan Longwell

Camp Update

ALLISON
In a somewhat surprising move, the Vikes cut wide receiver, Aundrae Allison. Allison was a 5th Round pick by the Vikes in 2007. Allison was mainly used as a kickoff/punt returner, including a 104 yard kick return against the Lions in 2007.

Allison was picked up by the Jets. I was surprised because earlier this off-season I read how Cris Carter was hyping Allison up and saying he thought he could really step it up this year.

Allison was behind Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin and Bobby Wade on the wide receiving depth chart.

T-JACK IS BACK
Tarvaris Jackson is back practicing and he says his knee feels good. T-Jack is back splitting reps with Sage Rosenfels and the first team offense.

HARVIN LOOKING GOOD
Percy Harvin caught some nice balls today from both Rosie and T-Jack. Harvin appears the “real deal”. Minnesota even worked on their version of the Wildcat today with both Harvin and Chester Taylor taking snaps at quarterback.

WILLIAMS WALL
Although legal proceeding are still ongoing, it appears both Kevin Williams and Pat Williams are going to beat the NFL in the Starcaps case. The NFL wants the Williams Wall suspended for four games, but the Williams’ keep winning legal battle after legal battle, to which the NFL always says they will appeal.

Vikes Sign Harvin

Percy Harvin, the Minnesota Vikings First Round pick signed a five year deal with the team today. Harvin will battle for a starting wide receiver spot and is a dynamic player that can be used out of the backfield and at quarterback ala “The Wildcat”.

This is GOOD news. Harvin is expected to be at practice yet this afternoon. Personally I can’t wait to watch Harvin play. I think he is the real deal and adds another huge playmaker to the Vikes Offense.

Who’s gonna get him the ball? Now that’s another story!

T-Jack Hurt

Not exactly the ideal start to Training Camp. On Day 2 of Camp, Vikings quarterback, Tarvaris Jackson was tripped/rolled into by defensive tackle Letroy Guion. T-Jack hobbled off the field and appears to have a sprained MCL.

If only a Grade I sprain as it appears, then Jackson will be day-to-day. If it proves to be more severe, Jackson couple be out multiple weeks.

I guess now it’s time for Sage Rosenfels to shine.

Vikes Open Camp

The Minnesota Vikings opened up Training Camp in Mankato, MN yesterday. They were without Brett Favre (yes, I’m done with that story. Favre is DEAD to me) and without First Round pick, Percy Harvin (remains unsigned).

Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels split reps with the first team as the quarterback battle will be the most interesting one going on at camp.

Second Round pick, Phil Loadholt (OT) is signed as likely will start at right offensive tackle. The o-line likely will be Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson, John Sullivan, Anthony Herrera and Loadholt.

Cornerback, Charles Gordon was waived. He just never could recover from his leg injury from last year. Too bad to year, Gordon showed signs of promise. It now appears his NFL career is over.

On a related sad note, Kenechi Udeze (DE) announced his retirement. Udeze’s cancer remains in remission but he has struggled with neuropathy in his feet. That has been one of the side effects of his chemotherapy treatments. Best wishes to Udeze outside of football.

More on Camp as it continues.

Also can’t forget, eight years ago today… RIP Korey “Big K” Stringer.