FAN or MANkato 2023 | Preseason Week 1

[Bundy]

FAN or MANkato 2023 | Preseason Week 1

Offseason with the Minnesota Vikings

Week one of the Vikings preseason kicked off with the team flying out to joint practices with the Las Vegas Raiders. Through these practices, the Vikings and Raiders agreed to terms on a trade, with Minnesota sending RB Dominic Love to the Raiders, receiving QB Jeffrey Gingerich back in return. Sources confirm the trade is complete, though the league office has yet to file the trade.

While the joint practices went smoothly, Vikings individual practices and temperaments heated up in the heat of the desert. In a crowded defensive tackle room that has already seen the dismissal of Marvin Scott, things broke down quickly amongst the backups. During a line technique drill between the interior linemen, things especially escalated, as undrafted rookie DT Cayson Rodgers bowled over late-drafted guard Mike Wynn, sending the offensive lineman into the legs of ex-Commanders DT Michael Fumagalli, who had drawn a stalemate with converted-tackle Braden Anger, Fumagalli slumped over, his helmet smashed into the ground awkwardly and coming off his head. A tirade of expletives was sent Rodgers' way, and as Rodgers extended a hand to help the vet up, Fumagalli instead answered by throwing his helmet at Rodgers, turning into a round of punches being thrown by each defensive tackle. It took Marcus Sirles and Neil Henry to pry Fumagalli out of the scuffle, where he was led away to the coaches offices.

 

 

Rookie Report

With the Vikings and Raiders #1 units squaring off in the game, there wasn't room for many low-level rookies to strut their stuff for the TV cameras. Rookie 6th round RB Doug Brothers led the Vikings with 32 rushing yards on 6 carries, and 3 receptions for 17 yards on 4 targets. Fellow drafted rookie Ty Mizzell showed out in practices, earning the shot at the WR3 role over higher drafted rookie Brock Scott, but come game time Mizzell hauled in just 1 of 3 targets for a measly 6 yards. 

Defensively the Vikings started Sirles, 2nd rounder Kyle Wilson, and linebacker Ryan Hicks. The trio combined for just 5 tackles, though the Raiders ran a pass heavy gameplan. 

4th round tight end Connor Pence has been fighting the media label of being overdrafted. Pence was lobbying offensive coaches to run with the starters, but the Vikings opted for veteran Carl White instead. Pence made a few decent plays in practice, beating Raiders LB Justin Freeman, but in game saw just 1 target, which he caught for no gain.

 

Last year, the Vikings saw an impressive rookie showing from Austin Clark, a midseason pickup who made his name on the special teams unit. This year, the biggest chance at making the Vikings roster again appears to be through the special teams unit.

Aldrick Ynoa is all but a lock for the roster as a 3rd rounder, but the Vikings were looking to get him involved in the return game. Ynoa had several 27 yard kick returns, finishing with 113 yards across 5 total returns. WR Danny Cichy appears headed to the practice squad at best, but after a mediocre 8 yard punt return, ripped off a 15 yarder that was called back by a penalty. That penalty, running into the kicker on Brogan Teague, marred an otherwise solid ST performance by Teaque, who had returned a kickoff 25 yards.

 

Overall, a relatively quiet week when it comes to those fighting to make the squad. However, even with the Vikings starters out of the way for the preseason, the team doesn't appear to be set when it comes to the 90-man roster. Despite the (pending) acquisition of Gingerich at QB, the team brought in college notables Dexter Reed and Bronson Morel for workouts, though they failed to agree to terms for the time being. The Vikings have extended offers to Jaguars castoff LB Peter Kiefer, and 2nd year players OT Justin Paul and WR Allen Bagley III. In corresponding moves, the Vikings have released OT Ricky Gonzalez. OG Fernando Zapata, and OLB James Bates. 

[kwheele]

Nice recap and insight @Bundy