Last night’s game was carried on the NFL Network, so I actually got to hear Paul Allen (the “voice of the Vikings”) instead of the usual network announcers. It was the second preseason game for the Vikings, but the first for Tampa Bay and the very first game action for the Buccaneers’ new starting quarterback, first overall draft pick of the 2015 draft, Jameis Winston (which was probably the reason the game was being shown on the NFL Network, now that I think of it).
While the Vikings prevailed on the scoreboard, they took a more serious loss when starting right tackle Phil Loadholt had to leave the game after just two plays with a leg injury. Later it was announced that Loadholt had suffered a torn Achilles tendon and would probably be out for the season. Rookie T.J. Clemmings is now the most likely player to start at right tackle unless the team decides to sign a veteran off the street (or, less likely, trade for one).
1500ESPN‘s Andrew Krammer rounds up the game details:
Even with Loadholt’s absence, the Vikings formed a wall in front of their quarterbacks on Saturday night. Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill and Taylor Heinicke combined for just one sack and completed 81 percent of their passes. Moving forward, the task is keeping that momentum going with possibly two new starters on the right side as the competition ramps up.
“It’s part of football, guys get hurt and the next guy has to go,” Zimmer said.
The next man up was rookie T.J. Clemmings, a fourth-round draft pick (110th overall) in May. Clemmings played the rest of the first half at right tackle and will be in the mix as the Vikings decide how to reconfigure the offensive line, which is set to have a new Week 1 starter for the first time since 2012.
The current formula has Harris at right guard and Clemmings at right tackle. When asked if the Vikings would consider moving Harris, a career tackle before this offseason, back to the outside, Zimmer said the coaching staff would discuss options this week.
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Bridgewater smooth again
Bridgewater is now 12-of-14 for 130 yards in two exhibitions so far, as he was smooth again on Saturday night. He started things off by finding tight end Kyle Rudolph again early, hitting him on an 18-yard catch and run to move the chains on the first play.
His only incompletion on Saturday came on a deep attempt in the end zone to Mike Wallace.
“[Bridgewater] continues to make the right reads and takes good care of the football and he’s a good leader,” Zimmer said.
Room for improvement
The Vikings are now 5-of-23 on third-down attempts in two exhibitions after converting just two of the 10 tries on Saturday.
Backup quarterback Shaun Hill converted both of the Vikings’ third downs on Saturday, hitting Cordarrelle Patterson for a 21-yard touchdown before finding Adam Thielen for a 39-yard catch and run.
“You can’t do that,” Zimmer said. “We have to do that better, so that will be an emphasis this week.”
Three different running backs also put the ball on the ground in Zach Line, Joe Banyard and Dominique Williams.
Tampa’s Jameis Winston was intercepted for the first time in the NFL by Vikings safety Antone Exum, Jr. when he overthrew a pass, but he also scored his first rushing touchdown close to halftime. Winston ended the night with the statistical line 9-of-19 for 131 yards and a passer rating of 48.4. Teddy Bridgewater ended the evening after the second series with a 7-of-8 passing performance for 86 yards and a 111.5 passer rating. Shaun Hill completed 8-of-9 for 104 yards and two touchdowns, which was good for a 154.4 rating. Taylor Heinicke, who is battling Mike Kafka for the third quarterback spot, was 12-of-16 for 103 yards and a 91.4 passer rating. Kafka did not get on the field in this game, but had an extended appearance in the Hall of Fame game last week.
