Making the cut...
Many of you will turn the Dallas game off at halftime, after the starters are removed from the game. But here are some reasons to watch the second half:
1) Tarvaris Jackson could punctuate a brilliant preseason with another strong performance. He also could further discourage any veteran quarterbacks from even wanting to come here. There will be some recognizable names cut in the coming days. But if the Vikings try to upgrade over Mike McMahon, they will have slim pickings because any decent quarterback is going to want to sign with a team where they have a chance, albeit remote, to play.
The problem in Minnesota is that Brad Johnson is the clear-cut starter, and Jackson is the clear-cut franchise quarterback of the future. And given Johnson's modest salary, the backup would have to settle for something in the neighborhood of the veterans' minimum, with maybe a small, six-figure signing bonus.
2) I listed receiver Chris Jones as a long shot. But that's not based on my thinking. After watching him on the practice squad last year, I think he could be a solid contributor on the roster. He started strong in training camp, but his performance tapered off, and he didn't haul in some opportunities for big plays.
With a strong outing tonight, though, Jones could compel the Vikings to keep six receivers -- that is if they aren't attracted to a more proven player who has not yet been cut.
3) I'd say four players have a shot at landing what I think would be the final spot on the defensive line. The favorites, in my mind, are C.J. Mosley, Ross Kolodziej, and the other possibilities are Khreem Smith and DeQuincy Scott.
I'd have a hard time believing Mosley doesn't make it, because he has some good athleticism for his size. But Kolodziej has been the most consistent of this bunch throughout the preseason, and he's a relentless player.
4) A handful of veteran Vikings are on the bubble and need a strong performance tonight. Players like Mike Rosenthal, Chris Liwienski, Adam Goldberg and Willie Offord have one more chance to make an impression on Brad Childress and his staff.
1) Tarvaris Jackson could punctuate a brilliant preseason with another strong performance. He also could further discourage any veteran quarterbacks from even wanting to come here. There will be some recognizable names cut in the coming days. But if the Vikings try to upgrade over Mike McMahon, they will have slim pickings because any decent quarterback is going to want to sign with a team where they have a chance, albeit remote, to play.
The problem in Minnesota is that Brad Johnson is the clear-cut starter, and Jackson is the clear-cut franchise quarterback of the future. And given Johnson's modest salary, the backup would have to settle for something in the neighborhood of the veterans' minimum, with maybe a small, six-figure signing bonus.
2) I listed receiver Chris Jones as a long shot. But that's not based on my thinking. After watching him on the practice squad last year, I think he could be a solid contributor on the roster. He started strong in training camp, but his performance tapered off, and he didn't haul in some opportunities for big plays.
With a strong outing tonight, though, Jones could compel the Vikings to keep six receivers -- that is if they aren't attracted to a more proven player who has not yet been cut.
3) I'd say four players have a shot at landing what I think would be the final spot on the defensive line. The favorites, in my mind, are C.J. Mosley, Ross Kolodziej, and the other possibilities are Khreem Smith and DeQuincy Scott.
I'd have a hard time believing Mosley doesn't make it, because he has some good athleticism for his size. But Kolodziej has been the most consistent of this bunch throughout the preseason, and he's a relentless player.
4) A handful of veteran Vikings are on the bubble and need a strong performance tonight. Players like Mike Rosenthal, Chris Liwienski, Adam Goldberg and Willie Offord have one more chance to make an impression on Brad Childress and his staff.
posted by Unknown at 3:27 PM
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