Grades/First Impressions

Almost every drafted rookie was impressive.

Klug stood out on defense I thought. Real high motor and relentless. Impressed big time.

Punt Coverage needs worked on big time.

Depth behind our #3 cb is scary. I saw flashes of potential by Campbell though.

McRath got burned on a few plays, he needs to step up if he wants a starting position.

Morgan looked impressive very close to making multiple sacks.

Babineaux was pretty impressive. He looks like a big boy. Will challenge Hope for starting role.

Still need to work on defending the check down pass better.

Kern was dropping bombs last night.

Ayers looks really good coming off the edge. Plus more physical than his college highlights/lowlights indicate.

Casey and Smith will be the run-stopping DT that we need

With Damien and Hawk looking so impressive, Gage is beginning to look expendable.

Stafon Johnson has to step it up in the next 3 games if he is going to get a roster spot.

 

Was our 1st team defense out there when their Qb kept running on us?

 

Don't think so but McGrath got burnt by him a couple time. He does not look good at all

 

My thoughts...

We were "methodically impressive" overall. Aside from the Locker splash TD pass, we seem to handle business, nothing to flashy. I've tried to watch a little of every game to compare us to other teams in the first preseason and felt we're somewhere in the middle. Some teams looked better and others looked much worse. I would say we look a little better than other teams who have new HC, coordinators, QB's, etc.

I felt the offense and defense kept things basic and did well. It was nice to see Hasselbeck's up-tempo style in the offese move the ball methodically in the short passing game. Little more timing with Hawkins on the diving catch and he might've scored. (Hawk had a good game all around.) That's something we've been missing for the last five years.

I felt the defense kept things very basic/simple (rightfully so as I want to unleash Gray's blitz scheme against an unsuspecting Garrard/Gabbert) but looked good . The 3rd & 1 stop by the big DL stood out most to me. Vikings have a big OL and our DL stoned them. Tackling overall was much better than expected for the first live contact of the year. Pete Ittergsen (sp?) cost us the 3 points and alot of yards.

Locker was impressive, some rookie/preseason things obviously but one can see his instincts and playmaking ability on the TD snap after the botched snap. It's clear he's very good on the move. I liked the fact that Palmer called mostly pocket-passes to get him some work at his weakest aspect. Passed the first test with flying colors imo. That playaction-bootleg is going to be deadly with CJ.

OL looked to be back in form. Vikings had 8 in the box and we still had some room to run. Ringer's night would've been better without the fumbles obviously and the holding penalty on the first play. Harper looks good but I agree with Eddie George's commentary, he needs to be more assertive in delivering the hit as a big back and more north/south running. Reminds me of an in-shape LenDale, good feet and vision for a big back. I felt Hawkins had the best night at WR. Damian look good on his few catches but both need to do more to replace Gage, which I hope happens. Mariani struggled imo, in fairness, Locker missed him on one play.

Klug and Ayers really stood out to me on defense. Ayers was physical against the run taking on FB's but also looked pretty scary as an edge rusher. Nice vertical on the tip pass. Put me on the Ayers bandwagon, just one preseason game but the flashes of greatness is there. Klug is just a ball player. He's much better than I thought. He's going to be hard to pass on the depth chart if he keeps it up. I agree all the drafted rookies looked good. I will be shocked if Babineaux doesn't replace Hope. He's bigger, faster, younger and cheaper.

Overall, nice first game. Only a few mistakes here and there but we looked well managed and in control, I believe we usually have over ten penalties in the preseason games under Fisher. Nice to see our team in control of there tempers as several Vikings players pushed or shoved after a play and our guys kept there composure. Alot to correct and get better at obviously but a pretty clean start all things considered. Very excited for the future of this franchise, especially at HC and QB.

 

I think the biggest thing I was sort of... impressed with, though not many people may pick up on it, was the sack Locker took.

This is a guy who was known for having happy feet and forcing throws in college but he made the right decision in his first real pressure situation. You wouldn't have seen Manning or Brady play that any differently where young or inexperienced guys may just try to whip the ball out or book it backwards. He's working on his pocket presence and sometimes pocket presence means taking a sack when it's the safest option. It was only four yards or so, but it could have been a lot more had he rolled back and out and tried to make the play into something it wasn't.

 

We have to remember the Titans and Munch wanted to win more than most teams because it was his first game. We'll know what we got after September.

 

Agree on Rusty...he has a cannon for an arm, but he was way inconsistent against scrubs. He does not seem able to see beyond his first option, which last year was understandable, but this year would not be.

I think Locker's play last night, as well as Ratliffe's play, really put Rusty on the hot seat.

I also see Gage on the hot seat, and really do not see the need for us to pick up another WR at this point.

I think that LB is still average at best, and that Witherspoon, while an impressive guy, is getting long in the tooth. As you say McGrath would be a downgrade from Witherspoon. That would be an area I would try to backfill if possible.

Overall it was fun to watch a Titans game where we were not giving their offense 10% of their yardage in penalties....hopefully this keeps up.

 

Gage should be cut
Bab should be given a shot to challenge for Hope's spot
Cook looks like he's ready to blossom. That catch on 3rd & 10, WOW.
I have no clue why McRath is playing the 1st team nickel with Ruud instead of Ayers or Spoon. Maybe they're just moving people around to see what they have.

All & all, it's a great start with such a late start in the process with a new coaching staff.