Vikings to Play No Starters in Pre-Season Finale

by Gonzo on Aug 26, 2008 6:45 PM CDT in Vikings Comment 6 comments

Just when you thought that the final pre-season game of the year couldn't get a whole lot less exciting, the announcement was made today that the Vikings won't be playing any of their starters in Thursday night's game against Dallas.

The entire first-string offense and first-string defense will take a seat in 48 hours, as will backup quarterback Gus Frerotte. Brad Childress is basically saying "We're ready for September 8th." I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, I love the confidence that Childress is showing in his team, basically giving the first-string a full 15 days to rest up prior to the Vikings' opening night victory at Lambeau Field. On the other hand, you have to wonder if he might not be overconfident right now. Usually the starters get a little bit of work in the pre-season finale, but not this season.

As far as the quarterback duties on Thursday, Brooks Bollinger and John David Booty will each get one half as a final audition to run the offense and lock up a spot on the Vikings' final roster.

So, it appears that the main intrigue for this Thursday's game will be the battles for the various roster spots. We'll take a look at a few of the spots that will be up for grabs tomorrow. We hope to see you back here then! Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday in the meantime.

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Genius/Idiot

Depending on whether the Vikings win the first game in Green Bay, Childress will either be a genius for resting the starters or an idiot for doing the same.

Personally, I would have liked to have seen Booty get a quarter with the first team offense. It is a little hard to judge how he is handling the transition to the NFL behind a porous O-Line made up of guys who have no shot at making the NFL.

by Iceland-Viking on Aug 27, 2008 2:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like the move...

I believe this team has all the motivation it needs to be ready for GB on Sep. 8th. I don’t expect these to be lackadaisical times of sitting around and chewing the fat. We’ve sustained some hits this preseason, and I think it’s probably going to turn out better for us if everyone comes out fresh and on the same page in less than two weeks. Better than to go into the Dallas game half prepared, make some stupid mistakes, and be trying to solve “problems” that may not actually be problems. Get your starters focused on GB now, and forget Dallas. They’re a non-issue.

by Anthony Carter on Aug 27, 2008 9:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Playing it a little too safe?

I understand not wanting to have your first team take more hits than they have to in the course of a season, especially when the game doesn’t count. I understand wanting to get an encompassing look at the guys you’ll choose to flesh out the roster backups.

Instead the starters will go 2+ weeks without seeing game speed. They won’t have the opportunity to work on game-speed rapport with backups. And when that happens, no matter how prepared you think you are, when you see game speed again it’s always just a little faster than you remember it being—especially for guys who don’t have a lot of experience. I’d rather see the starters get their reps, even if it’s just two or three series, because even though it’s the Packers this game is still about being prepared and you can only do so much in practice.

It’s no different than resting your guys before a playoff game. I like the confidence, but there’s no substitute for game day.

by Jesse on Aug 27, 2008 9:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Clearly the right move

The Vikings are too veteran heavy of a team. If Jackson was 100%, I’d like to see the O have a pass-only series but that’s it. The only player in my mind that would benefit from the experience enough to offset the risk of injury is Tyrell Johnson. Everyone else on the team has too much experience to bother with this stuff.

Judging our 3rd team performance up to this point, I’d say this will be one extremely boring game in which the Vikings lose something to zeroish. Maybe I’ll watch it to laugh at how bad booty and bolly are.

by Sand0 on Aug 27, 2008 12:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

why even consider playing the 1's???

this shouldn’t even be an issue….in fact, it’s one the first smart things that Childress has displayed….unless Jackson can get work with the entire first team, don’t even suit him up….in fact, I wouldn’t even let him watch the game….there’s absolutely no reason to play any of the first team….

as far as not seeing “game speed” for two weeks….these guys dont practice at half speed…..sure, the hitting is laid off, but the speed is the same….

the fewer times AD, TJ, BB, and Sidney get hit, the better……

by Hilton Head viking on Aug 27, 2008 11:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sort of agree.

as far as not seeing "game speed" for two weeks….these guys dont practice at half speed…..sure, the hitting is laid off, but the speed is the same….

No, it isn’t. Practice is no substitute for game speed. If you don’t think the starters need it, that’s fine I can respect that opinion, because they’re professionals and they should be able to handle it. But game speed is a league of its own.

by Jesse on Aug 28, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs