Vikings vs Seahawks – GMG In The Raw!

Good morning Horners! We have the Vikings versus Seahawks game reaction and recap on this episode of “GMG In The Raw.” You can watch and listen to how Ted Glover, Drew Bunting, and Dave Stefano react immediately following the game. Dave even took copious notes blowing Drew’s mind away in the process.

Kirk Cousins was showing some mobility, a good thing. We like that! We wanted to see a better running game, better run defense and see fewer wide receivers being open against that defense. These things were still there and we wondered could it be because the Minnesota Vikings were running their base, or bland defense, stuck in a simple zone scheme, could it be because Linval Joseph and Shamar Stephen weren’t playing, or just that it’s the preseason and head coach Mike Zimmer doesn’t want to show anything?

Drew noted that when the second team defense comes in, they show more fire and that the level of excitement goes up in the stadium. “Their energy jumps.” Ifeadi Odenigbo did an outstanding job all night. Cameron Smith blitzed but whiffed on the sack. The scariest point of the evening came on the offense when Alexander Mattison had his leg bent in a very awkward position. All of us thought with Vikings fan dread, that he was going to be injured on that play, but he got back up and continue to play just fine. We’ve noted how he seems to get stronger as the game goes on. Oh, and what a night Mike Boone had! We felt he secured the RB3 spot with that performance, and Zimmer liked his special teams play even more.

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Kyle Sloter had a very good game. We discussed why he should relieve Kirk Cousins as the QB2 in this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Both Dave and Drew were adamant that he earned that look, but Ted wasn’t as convinced. He still thinks that Sean Mannion did nothing to lose his QB2 status. Yes, he threw the pick 6, but he drove down the field and scored on the next series. We are all to use to the team laying down after something as adverse as of miss-ran route that results in a pick and causing a huge swing in the scoring. After seeing the game Dave doesn’t think Sloter’s status has to do with the games. It has to do with practices and what support he brings to the rest of the QBs in the support role. He may be too inexperienced to see and help, at least in Zimmer’s mind.

On the defensive side of the ball, there was a pass from Russell Wilson to Tyler Lockett that was rejected from Harrison Smith. It looks already like the Hit Man is back to form, and that is a very good thing. Jayron Kearse looked like Joey Browner and was dominant when he came into the game having one of the best performances we’ve seen by him to date. There was Holton Hill’s attempted decapitation of Paxton Lynch that had our headshaking. That hit was unnecessary and dangerous not only for Lynch but also Hill and will bring undesired attention to the young man who already is starting the season on an 8 game suspension. He has the skills to play corner in this league, but his decision-making ability so far is being questioned.

When it came to the wide receiver battle, it looks like Brandon Zylstra may have secured himself a spot on the team, most likely it WR4. Irv Smith Jr. continued to make progress and had a very nice night. He was wide open and the end zone for his first touchdown. Now rookie, go get that in week one. We saw for the first time Kaare Vedvic doing kickoffs, an extra point, and the punting. Dan Bailey looks good not missing. Matt Wile, the same on his one punt, so the kicking battle continues.

The absolute funniest moments of the night were when Mike Zimmer gets caught sneaking contraband onto the sidelines in the form of chewing tobacco that he stashed in the bag labeled for sunflowers seeds. Not exactly the good example the NFL wants to be portrayed on national television. Speaking of television, it caught Dru Samia irate after what looked like a gruesome horse-collar tackle. It looked as if he was ready to take on the entire Seattle Seahawk team, then realized he shouldn’t and would get in trouble. The camera had focused in on his face and we saw his expression as he shot daggers at the offending defender. We absolutely love the fire in this kid’s belly and are so glad we have attitude coming back to the offensive line.Lastly, the guys think Dave should die his beard purple for week one. Should he?

Like, subscribe, and rate us on your favorite podcast aggregator. Then shout SKOL!

As always, enjoy the watch and listen!

BREAKING NEWS!!! The Daily Norseman and the Climbing The Pocket Network are joining forces to create a one-stop-shop for Vikings podcasts delivered to your eardrums daily. This collection of shows promises to deliver the top independent voices covering the Vikings from every angle.

Subscribe below:

• Click here for iTunes
• Click here for Stitcher
• Click here for iHeartRADIO
• Click here for YouTube
• Click here for Google Play Music

You can follow GMG hosts Dave at @Luft_Krigare and Ted at @purplebuckeye. Unfortunately, Drew is behind the power curve and doesn’t have a Twitter handle… yet.