McKinnie suspended for four games

We all knew it was coming. Since training camp started it was inevitable that the NFL would suspend Bryant McKinnie for his brawl at a Miami night club this past February. It's not the actual suspension that bothers me, it's that fact that a player gets suspended four games for hitting another man at a night club, while another only gets one game for hitting a woman.

Earlier this week, the NFL reduced the four game suspension of Brandon Marshall to one game. This guy hit his girlfriend and still has a hearing for drunk driving coming up later in September.

So what kind of message exactly is the Commissioner trying to send here? I understand that McKinnie assaulted another man with a rope-post, but still, at least he assaulted another man. I firmly believe that his suspension is warranted, but I'm a little befuddled by the reduction in games for Marshall.

So, how bad does this affect the Vikings? Well it has Artis Hicks protecting Jackson's blind side for the first four rather important games. I say important based on the Defensive Ends he will be facing. After Kampman on Monday night, he will be lined up against the Colts' Dwight Freeney, Panthers' Julius Peppers, and the Titans Kyle Vanden Bosch. That's a daunting task for any tackle to start the season.

With the only true question mark for the Vikings being at quarterback, this does not make the situation any better and will be watched closely to see how Hicks handles this pressure.

No Action for Jackson, Defense decides to play

The third preseason game is now in the books. This is one where we get to see the starters usually play a series into the second half, and unfortunately, Tarvaris Jackson was on the sidelines all night. I say unfortunately, but at the same time, am pleased with the coaches decision to keep him out of this game. He should rest that knee until the Monday nighter in Green Bay when it really matters. After all, Tom Brady has yet to take a snap this preseason, and no, that does not mean I plug Jackson in the same tier as Brady. Now for a quick look at what I saw in the game Saturday night:

The Good

Defense

From the Bad in game one, to the good in week three. As stated already, week three has a bit more meaning, and the Vikings starting defense showed that well on Saturday. Apparently Childress was not talking out of his ass when he said they played a vanilla defense in week one and two. The front seven had Big Ben confused and flustered all night and held the running game in check as expected. What stood out even more is the way this team tackles. I don't think I saw one broken tackle from the starters and EJ Henderson looks like he might be in the talks of Best Linebacker in the NFL this year.

The Bad

Running Game

Ok, I know this team is trying to establish the passing game to help free up some real estate for MR. 28, but for the third preseason game, the running game was non-existent. This by no means is to take away from the Steelers defense, a defense that is known to stop the run. When you have the Minnesota moving company and backs like AD and Taylor in the backfield, you should still be able move the ball on the ground. It doesn't help that Bernard Berrian has been sidelined that past two games. He was brought in to help spread the field and pull the LB's and Safeties back, and so far, his little toe is bothering him. He's out with a toe injury!!?? I know turf toe is no joke, but come on, he's getting paid way to much to miss this much time. I'm also concerned with Rice, another WR that I thought was set to have an outstanding season. These injuries at wide out are, and should be a huge concern at this point.

The Ugly

Preseason Injuries

A lot of big names have been going down in preseason games around the NFL again. Some want to shorten the preseason, and add to the regular season. I have a problem with that. For years NFL teams have been preparing with the current structure, so why change? If the game is for real (taking two games from preseason and adding them to the regular season - 18 games), won't starting players be subjected to more injuries as they are on the field for several more quarters?

The Preseason is a necessary evil. Players and coaches need the time to prepare, evaluate, and train their bodies/minds for the rigors of an NFL season. I know the infirmary report looks bad, but what do you expect, it's a contact sport.

Tarvaris Jackson Sharp in Preseason Opener

Well it's here, the first preseason game of the 2008 season. This is the year we see what Tarvaris Jackson is made of and if tonight was any indication, Childress deserves many apologies. So here's a quick take on tonight's game. Not the usual Purple Pride Ponderings format as I'm not in regular season form yet either.

The Good

Tarvaris Jackson

Jackson went 8 for 11 with 118 yards and 1 touchdown. He looked poised, in control, and made all the right decisions tonight. The most interesting thing about tonight was that while Jackson was in there, they didn’t run the ball until they got on the goal-line and let Chester Taylor punch it in. A well designed test by the Vikings coaching staff for Jackson turned into a success for the third year quarterback. He used his athletic abilities to avoid the rush and made a couple of nice throws on the run. The Vikings have some potential playmakers with Berrian, Rice, and Allison so teams may be a bit reluctant to stack the box against Peterson if Jackson continues to look the way he did tonight. Another positive for Jackson tonight, he didn’t throw a single jump pass!

The Bad

Defense

It must be noted that Pat Williams was a healthy scratch tonight. With that said, the Vikings starting defense looked rather lackluster tonight. I was hoping to see early signs of a dominant pass rush but that was nowhere to be found. The Seahawks starting offense pretty much had their way against the Vikings defense on the ground and in the air the first two drives of the game. I know it’s only preseason, and the 1^st game at that, but I was still disappointed in what I saw. Hopefully it will be a different story when the Defensive line has Edwards, Williams x2, and Allen in there.

As for the reserves, they didn’t look ANY better. I’m sure this entire side of the ball will have extra duty when they get back to Mankato. I’d love to be a fly on the wall for the film session with the defense tomorrow.

The Ugly

Bollinger and Booty

He only attempted two passes and I think that was by design. He just looks awkward out there and since the Vikings will be cutting down to three quarterbacks soon, I firmly believe Bollinger is the one to go. Jackson, Frerotte, and Booty will be the three and I was almost equally un-impressed with Booty. If Jackson was to be slammed the past two years, this guy should have tomatoes tossed in his face. I’ve been hearing how Booty may have been the most pro-ready QB in the draft, but he looked horrible. His throws were way off target and he just doesn’t have the arm to get the ball downfield that Jackson has.