The third Preseason game is typically the one in which Opening Day starters are given the most time to play, often deep in to the third Quarter.  With a healing Toe, and a slightly sprained MCL both Bernard Berrian and Tarvaris Jackson could have played in the game, and most likely would have if it counted.  By looking at the situation as a whole, Childress did more than just keep them out so they could get healthy.  Rather he exposed yellow-flag issues, was able to rebuild the confidence of Visanthe Shiancoe and let Aundrae Allision prove how great of a slot threat he can be this season.

Beyond the obvious need to get to 100% health-wise, A good amount of progress was made on Saturday Night on the offensive side of things, although I would have to admit that you may have had to dig deep in order to find it.

First, the snap "cadence" of Gus Frerotte is obviously different from that of TJack.  Three false starts on the first series?  For an offensive line that's not just superb, but played together for most of last year this was a great thing to find out in preseason rather than week 10 when, knock on wood, Frerotte needs to come in for a series.  After that first series, we didn't have additional issues with Offensive False starts and I don't believe we'll be hurt by it multiple times in a row again this season.

Generating some repoire between the first team offense and a back-up QB is a good thing to do from time to time.  One of the biggest things about letting a veteran quarterback do so in a preseason game is the ability of said veteran to boost the confidence of struggling players and aid in the development of younger ones.  Case in Point: Visanthe Shiancoe.  In order to maximize their success this year, the Vikings need a strong season from their top TE.  Running routes like he did the other night will afford great opportunities for play action, or quick passes up the seam for good yardage.  I think everyone's confidence was boosted in our TE on Saturday night as he proved he could be what we signed him for before the 2007 season.

It could also be said that Aundrae Allision was Frerotte's favorite target last night.  He is quickly demonstrating that he can be a strong 3rd WR option for TJack and the Vikings.  With both Rice and Berrian out, Allision was put into a situation where he needed to pick up the slack and make plays in order to help the Vikings succeed and he did so without pressing. 

Following Mendenhall's fumble late in the 1st Allison posted two completions that allowed first downs and put Minnesota in field goal position.  It also set up the great completion to Shiancoe that put us first and goal by looking off the safety and opening up the seam.

Now, had Childress let Berrian, Rice and TJack play, we might have seen some amazingly stellar plays from them.  More likely, we would have seen their injuries deepen and setbacks to their individual recoveries.  It might not have been the most exciting move this preseason, but it definitely was the wisest.