Purple Reign News

Today, the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first home matchup of the year. It was just a preseason game, but my eager family willingly made the trip from our hometown of Duluth.

There are plenty of negative takeaways from the 14-10 loss, but those will be addressed in a future post. For now, I want to reflect on the positives of the game, as we had an excellent time watching everyone’s favorite football team.

I’ve been to several games at the sparkling new stadium, but each visit continues to leave me in awe. You can spot the landmark from miles across the metro, as it stands out from the skyline with it’s sharp features. US Bank Stadium has a powerful presence, and the building’s unique design is fitting of the growing legacy the Vikings are trying to showcase.

The Vikings organization has done a wonderful job of creating an energetic atmosphere for all games, thanks in part to symbols like the Legacy Ship and Gjallarhorn in and around the stadium. During the preseason, you would expect a fairly tame atmosphere and a “lesser” gameday experience since there isn’t a counted win or loss on the line. That was not at all the case, and Vikings fans flocked to the game in full force.

This atmosphere leads to an amazing experience for fans, but I would speculate that it also helps the players. The “Skol” chant has become a contagious battle cry for both diehards and first timers, and it can sway games by changing the momentum. The chant is usually used about three times per game, and I doubt anyone would complain if they did it more often.

Despite Saturday’s matchup only being a preseason game, fans like myself came and enjoyed the rowdy atmosphere. If you’ve never been to a game, I would highly recommend you take advantage of the cheap seats and check out next preseason game on the 24th – you won’t be disappointed!

Training camp is finally in the rear-view mirror, and the Vikings have already seen plenty of injuries to the offensive line. Fortunately, Minnesota’s coaching staff is adapting to adversity by teaching their lineman to play multiple positions.

In years past, major and minor injuries seemed to throw the whole offensive line into a tailspin. Like any football team, Minnesota has dreamed of season-long continuity along their front five, but I’ve watched enough linemen be carted off the gridiron to know that this isn’t really feasible.

Veterans like Rashod Hill and Mike Remmers have been missing time due to minor ankle issues, so the Vikings have already been giving new draft picks like Brian O’Neill first-team reps at both tackle and guard. The same goes for last year’s late round lineman Danny Isidora, as he has been practicing both guard positions.

Undrafted free agents have also been embracing this new “Jack of all trades” mantra; Aviante Collins’ athleticism and coachability has been invaluable, as he has seen time at nearly every position along the line. This kind of flexibility could be the cure for our inevitable injury woes.

During the off season, Vikings GM Rick Spielman made it a priority to pick up players with flexible skill sets. Thanks to Spielman’s foresight, this year’s front five will be ready to roll with the punches.

After spending a week on one of the most remote islands in the United States, I am a firm believer that the Vikings have one of the strongest fan bases in the NFL.

I just returned home from my annual family vacation to Isle Royale National Park. For those of you who don’t know, Isle Royale is a remote chain of islands in Lake Superior only accessible by boat or floatplane. The park is part of Michigan, and it lies within mere miles of the Canadian border.

Being both isolated and out of state, I was surprised by how many Vikings fans I encountered on the island. I spent most of the trip wearing my favorite faded purple Vikings hat, and it was certainly a conversation starter.

While at Isle Royale, I was stopped several times by park rangers and visitors commenting on how much they loved the Vikings. It quickly became apparent that these fans share my high hopes for the team, as the Super Bowl was always part of the conversation.

Finally, as I prepared to depart from the island, I ran into the Park Superintendent, Phyllis Green. While she was waiting for her daughter to arrive via seaplane, Phyllis got my attention and revealed that she too is a fan of the Purple. Our conversation was cut short by the loud hum of a float plane, but it was great to see yet another Vikings fan in remote Michigan territory.

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After three years of instability at the kicker position, the Minnesota Vikings have been hoping to find a solution this offseason. Saturday night’s preseason opener in Denver was our first real look at the competition between this year’s current candidates.

Years ago, the Vikings thought they struck gold in drafting Blair Walsh as he started his career with unbelievable accuracy and consistency. Unfortunately, we all witnessed his untimely hiccup in the 2015 playoffs that sent the pigskin wide-left and the Vikings home. Walsh was never the same after that shocking miss.

Walsh’s struggles continued in 2016, so the Vikings eventually released him and turned to an outside veteran in Kai Forbath. While “Cobra” Kai has had two decent seasons, he certainly hasn’t lived up to his cool nickname.

In Minnesota, coaches and fans alike strongly believe that this is a Super Bowl caliber team. With that said, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman wanted to address any potential remaining weakness, so he drafted Daniel Carlson to compete with Cobra Kai at the kicker position.

It is rare to actually draft a kicker without the intent to make them your starter, so it is certainly Carlson’s job to lose. That being said, he will have to prove this preseason that he can stand the pressure at the NFL level.

On Saturday in Denver, Carlson was perfect on both extra points (4/4) and field goals (2/2). After seeing this performance, I am definitely rooting for Carlson to win the job.

3 receptions
102 receiving yards
2 TDs@xroct6 is feeling it tonight! pic.twitter.com/ZhhUdq6wsw

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 12, 2018

Since the departure of Jerrick McKinnon to San Francisco, there has been a looming question as to who will take over the third running back position on the roster. After Minnesota’s preseason opener against Denver, fans and coaches may have a clue.

The number one and two spots on the depth chart are set in stone with the return of Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray. With those spots solidified, the Vikings purposely created a competition at running back by bringing in two undrafted rookies (Roc Thomas and Mike Boone) to compete with last year’s holdover, Mack Brown.

Throughout training camp, there were no apparent leaders in this competition. Mike Zimmer has mentioned in press conferences how each back brings a different skillset to the table, and that the Vikings will ultimately choose the one that best fits their needs.

Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Broncos was our first real look at this competition, and rookie Roc Thomas put on quite a show. Thomas racked up two flashy touchdowns through the air, and he also led the three running backs in yards per carry (3.6).

With the competition so close through OTA’s and training camp, Thomas increased his chances with a strong showing on Saturday night.

(Photo Credit – Thearon W. Henderson)

I was excited that the Jets/Falcons game was on tonight, as it gave me a chance to watch my favorite football player of all time: Teddy Bridgewater.

For those of you who haven’t read the about section of my blog, Teddy was the reason I became a Vikings fan in the first place. He has always been known as a humble quarterback, which is rare in today’s big-ego NFL landscape. Teddy was by no means considered the top dog of the 2014 draft class, but he led the Vikings to a division title by his second season.

Unfortunately, Bridgewater suffered a career-threatening knee injury only weeks before the 2016 season opener. It was devastating news to the fan base, and especially head coach Mike Zimmer who loved Teddy like a son. Despite Teddy making a miraculous recovery, the Vikings opted to move on when his contract expired. Zimmer actually teared up when the announcement was made.

While Teddy was in Minnesota, I called him the “chosen one.” To this day, I think he could have led the Vikings to a Super Bowl if the circumstances had been different.

I’ll always remember him in a purple jersey, but tonight it gave me goosebumps to see Teddy leading the New York Jets down the gridiron and into the end zone.

(Photo Credit – Darron Cummings)

While getting my fix of Vikings news today, I was shocked to learn of the loss of Nick Easton.

I had recently read (per Courtney Cronin) that Nick Easton, the left guard turned fill-in center, would be seeking a second opinion on back and neck issues. Unfortunately, his visit to the doctor’s office quickly turned into a full-blown surgery to repair a herniated disk. I’m no doctor, but it looks like Easton’s season is likely over.

This is sad news for both Easton and Vikings nation, as he posted a solid 2017 season and looked to bounce back after a previous ankle injury.

With Pat Elflein on the PUP list and Mike Remmers missing time, Easton’s leadership at center will surely be missed. After going undrafted, many fans have been rooting for Easton, and I’m sure this support will only grow as he recovers from surgery.

Here’s to wishing Nick Easton a smooth recovery and strong return to the field.

During the Leslie Frazier era, the Vikings were not known to have a shutdown defense, but that all changed after Mike Zimmer was hired.

The Minnesota Vikings have risen to stardom over the past couple years, and this is largely thanks to their smothering defense. With general manager Rick Spielman’s help, the new coach quickly brought in carefully selected free agents such as monster nose-tackle Linval Joseph, and the ageless cornerback Terence Newman.

That said, Zimmer doesn’t like to bet big money on prestigious free agents. Instead, he is known for using high draft picks on smart defenders (Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks). The majority of his defensive draft picks have earned high praise in a short period of time, and fans can expect that trend to continue with new acquisitions like first-round corner Mike Hughes.

After boasting the best defense in the NFL last season, it seemed impossible for the group to improve. Instead, Zimmer and Spielman have bred an even stronger purple monster.

Laquon Treadwell started his NFL career with two underwhelming seasons, but he may be poised for a breakout year.

After entering the league as a first-round pick out of Ole Miss, expectations were high for the new Vikings receiver. That being said, many fans are rightfully disappointed that he has only had 21 receptions in two full seasons, especially when you consider his successful college career (21 touchdowns, 200+ receptions).

To his defense, Treadwell has been splitting reps with one of the best receiving corps in the league, including Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Besides that, devastating knee injuries (Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford) have likely made it tough for him to develop a rapport with a Vikings quarterback. Speaking of Diggs, the star receiver had plenty of praise for Treadwell on twitter.

Don’t forget my guy @athielen19 bonafide BALLER ! @KyleRudolph82 is slept on for no reason smh… and we got a secret weapon in @SuccessfulQuon https://t.co/NzOGHdksYz

— DIGGS (@stefondiggs) August 7, 2018

Having been shamed for his lack of production, Treadwell has came back to camp with a chip on his shoulder. His routes are a lot crisper, and his overall confidence and maturity are fitting of a third-year pro. New quarterback Kirk Cousins has taken notice, and is throwing plenty of passes his way, especially in the red zone. Cousins recently complimented Treadwell’s progress:

“He had a great OTAs and minicamp, and he’s off to a great start at training camp…”      – Kirk Cousins

With opposing defenses keeping close tabs on Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, don’t be surprised if Kirk Cousins starts to target Treadwell. Perhaps after struggling through his first two seasons, Laquon can learn to tread water in the NFL.

The Minnesota Vikings are only a couple of weeks into training camp, and injuries are piling up on the offensive line. Players and coaches alike are loving their new digs in Eagan, but the injury bug is also in attendance.

Pat Elflein (center) and Nick Easton (left guard) both suffered almost identical foot/ankle injuries late in the 2017 season. Many fans shrugged off that news, assuming both players would be ready to roll come camp. When the team reunited in late July, Pat Elflein was placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Play) list, and it was revealed that he also underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason.

Additionally, Courtney Cronin from ESPN is reporting that Nick Easton will consult a doctor about new neck/back injuries.

Vikings left guard Nick Easton will seek a second opinion this week for neck and back injuries, a source tells ESPN. Easton missed Saturday's practice and is being held out today along with starters Pat Elflein and Mike Remmers. Third-string center Cornelius Edison is working…

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 6, 2018

To make matters worse, right guard Mike Remmers has also been on the sidelines for several days after hurting his ankle.

Although this kind of news may leave fans fearful for the safety of Kirk Cousins, I want to remind the Purple faithful to look for the silver lining. Injuries are commonplace in the NFL, and the Vikings are known for losing linemen every season. With starters out, the backups will receive extra reps against the first-team defensive line. I would prefer to see these players tested for the first time in training camp rather than the playoffs.

That said, we wish all of our injured players a quick recovery.