08-15-2021, 04:06 PM
At least the kicker didn't miss.
In an otherwise utterly awful Vikings preseason opener, journeyman Greg Joseph didn't add to coach Mike Zimmer's considerable postgame angst. He nailed field goals from 34 and 25 yards as the Vikings — sans 21 starters and 31 players overall — were thumped by the Broncos 33-6 at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday.
Unfortunately for Zimmer's blood pressure, the news wasn't all good on special teams. Trying to resurrect one of the league's worst units under new coordinator Ryan Ficken, the Vikings gave up a 62-yard kickoff return, struggled per usual in the return games and lost promising rookie fourth-round draft pick Kene Nwangwu to a knee injury after a game-opening 18-yard kickoff return.
Even veteran punter Britton Colquitt drew Zimmer's ire with duds of 35 and 36 yards, and an ugly 44-yarder that had a fortunate roll.
"Three very poor punts," Zimmer said of Colquitt's four attempts, which also included a 48-yarder.
Asked if it was just a bad day for Colquitt or reason for concern, Zimmer essentially put Colquitt's employment status on notice.
"It's cause for concern," Zimmer said.
K.J. Osborn and rookie Ihmir Smith-Marsette each returned two kickoffs. Osborn had returns of 20 and 31 yards, the latter of which came 6 yards deep in the end zone and didn't reach the 25. Smith-Marsette had an ugly 12-yard return in which he slipped, and a decent 30-yarder to the 32.
Veteran Ameer Abdullah had the only punt return, a 6-yarder reminiscent of last year's weak returns. He also had a fair catch.
Joseph, with his sixth team in four years, has played only 16 NFL games, none since 2019, and his only field goal attempts came in 2018 when he made 17 of 20 for Cleveland.
Undrafted rookie kicker Riley Patterson did not play.
https://www.startribune.com/greg-joseph-...600087968/
In an otherwise utterly awful Vikings preseason opener, journeyman Greg Joseph didn't add to coach Mike Zimmer's considerable postgame angst. He nailed field goals from 34 and 25 yards as the Vikings — sans 21 starters and 31 players overall — were thumped by the Broncos 33-6 at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday.
Unfortunately for Zimmer's blood pressure, the news wasn't all good on special teams. Trying to resurrect one of the league's worst units under new coordinator Ryan Ficken, the Vikings gave up a 62-yard kickoff return, struggled per usual in the return games and lost promising rookie fourth-round draft pick Kene Nwangwu to a knee injury after a game-opening 18-yard kickoff return.
Even veteran punter Britton Colquitt drew Zimmer's ire with duds of 35 and 36 yards, and an ugly 44-yarder that had a fortunate roll.
"Three very poor punts," Zimmer said of Colquitt's four attempts, which also included a 48-yarder.
Asked if it was just a bad day for Colquitt or reason for concern, Zimmer essentially put Colquitt's employment status on notice.
"It's cause for concern," Zimmer said.
K.J. Osborn and rookie Ihmir Smith-Marsette each returned two kickoffs. Osborn had returns of 20 and 31 yards, the latter of which came 6 yards deep in the end zone and didn't reach the 25. Smith-Marsette had an ugly 12-yard return in which he slipped, and a decent 30-yarder to the 32.
Veteran Ameer Abdullah had the only punt return, a 6-yarder reminiscent of last year's weak returns. He also had a fair catch.
Joseph, with his sixth team in four years, has played only 16 NFL games, none since 2019, and his only field goal attempts came in 2018 when he made 17 of 20 for Cleveland.
Undrafted rookie kicker Riley Patterson did not play.
https://www.startribune.com/greg-joseph-...600087968/
