Concerns

[PurplePorsche]

Special teams are NOT my biggest concern, but it is a glaring weakness with the Vikings.  If you believe that the standard of excellence needs to reach all three phases of the game, surely the Vikings have been lagging on special teams.  Consider the following from last season:

As a team, the Vikings were:

-- #31 in the NFL in kick return average
-- #32 in the NFL in punt return average

Will Reichard was:

-- #32 in FG percentage

Ryan Wright was:

-- #25 in gross punting average
-- #22 in net punting average
-- tied for the 7th worst touchback percentage 
-- #30 in punts inside the 10
__PRESENT__PRESENT__PRESENT

__PRESENT

[StickierBuns]

As others have mentioned, typical concerns: JJ, the new O-line and what will the D really be like. A healthy team is always my top concern every single year. I see Detroit has already lost 2 defensive players for the year, just sucks.

[MaroonBells]

Special teams are NOT my biggest concern, but it is a glaring weakness with the Vikings.  If you believe that the standard of excellence needs to reach all three phases of the game, surely the Vikings have been lagging on special teams.  Consider the following from last season:

As a team, the Vikings were:

-- #31 in the NFL in kick return average
-- #32 in the NFL in punt return average

Will Reichard was:

-- #32 in FG percentage

Ryan Wright was:

-- #25 in gross punting average
-- #22 in net punting average
-- tied for the 7th worst touchback percentage 
-- #30 in punts inside the 10
__PRESENT__PRESENT__PRESENT

__PRESENT

Good points. Didn't realize Reichard was quite THAT bad. That post-injury slump really hurt him. Never been a fan of Ryan Wright. Strong leg, but he can't land a punt inside the 20 to save his life. Haven't heard much about the kid we brought in to compete with him. Oscar Chapman. 

Tomorrow's game will be interesting for special teams. Not just for the kickers, but the returners as well. Vikings have a bunch of options at KR and PR, but I haven't heard about anyone taking the lead at either position.

[greediron]

Jefferson's hammy is up near the top for me. If he isn't healthy this year, that sets our offense back quite significantly. Addison is out for 3 games, so that would be Nailor and Lucky starting?

[Bullazin]

We’ve covered this, but with the new beef up front and adding Mason, will KOC pound the rock enough to keep his great passing scheme lethal and provide great relief to his young QB? All the great teams, Philly, Chiefs, 9ers, Ravens pound it up in there, great back or not.

[MaroonBells]

Jefferson's hammy is up near the top for me.  If he isn't healthy this year, that sets our offense back quite significantly.  Addison is out for 3 games, so that would be Nailor and Lucky starting?

For sure, with Addison out the first three games, Jefferson being out as well would be a massive blow to the offense. But I have to think Jefferson and the team are just being super careful about this, and with 4 weeks and 3 days to go before before the opener, I can't imagine this will still be a problem by then. Fingers crossed.

[greediron]

For sure, with Addison out the first three games, Jefferson being out as well would be a massive blow to the offense. But I have to think Jefferson and the team are just being super careful about this, and with 4 weeks and 3 days to go before before the opener, I can't imagine this will still be a problem by then. Fingers crossed.

Yeah, not expecting it.  But he has missed time with a hammy before, so this gets a bit more concerning.  Have no idea if it is part of the issue, but hopefully diet/stretching/workout gets figured out so this doesn't crop up again.

[MaroonBells]

Yeah, not expecting it.  But he has missed time with a hammy before, so this gets a bit more concerning.  Have no idea if it is part of the issue, but hopefully diet/stretching/workout gets figured out so this doesn't crop up again.

This is interesting...

Kevin Seifert
@SeifertESPN
Vikings WR Jalen Nailor wore a red no-contact jersey Thursday during practice, rare for a non-QB. My understanding: there is no specific injury. Just preserving depth at a position where Justin Jefferson (hamstring) has been out and Jordan Addison has a 3-game suspension.

[Kentis]

On Jefferson’s injury, he said he just felt tightness & immediately shut down & informed the staff. Also of note, this is the opposite leg that caused all those missed games.

[Mattyman]

 

1. The offensive line.

Kelley and Fries have played together (4 years) ....IMO that matters.


As a rookie Jackson is gonna  sort out his NFL game playing  between Darrisaw and Kelly, that's very doable and he can  win his . march-up   

The eyeball test and extreme  difference between Jackson and Ingram will be apparent and  neatly cleared up in Chicago..

2. JJ arm talent.

Because of how last year went down JJ will make fewer mistakes this year, his accuracy will be better because of it.  he won't have to think  he can just play and sling it. He'll make mistakes but they'll be fewer. 

3. Defensive back play.

This will get sorted out in preseason .

About now is when the Vikings will decide if they want Gilmore?

  Kwesi has the draft picks and cap space to make any immediate move he wants to.

Of the  players cut between now and regular season , I wanna see how many of them approach o the Vikings?

Every  player saw where Daniel Jones chose to go last year.  I think that same kind of thing is gonna happen again.