Stillers vs.
Vikings Post-game:
The B&G were
thoroughly trounced last night 24-10 in a game that was not nearly as close as
the score might suggest.� The Stillers
turned it over (5) times; the defense got (1) pick.� Lose the turnover battle, lose the game and, while wins and
losses mean little in pre-season, two disturbing factors did emerge in the Twin
Cities.� Consider that the D-side
starters have now had (7) series, (2) in Hotlanta and (5) last night.� They have been scored on (5) times, yielding
27 points in about 3 � quarters.� Not
good.
Then there�s the
passing game.� Excluding the 1st
possession, when Coach Mularkey mixed dinks and dumps with the Bus�s power
running, the Stillers did nothing through the air.� Not good, the Vikings were 28th in the league last
year defending the pass; the Stillers were 29th throwing the ball
and, in this battle of dwarves, the Vikings did not so much dominate as the
Stillers capitulate.� The play calling
was poor (again excluding the 1st series), the QB lacked poise
(excluding Tee) and the receivers apparently sunk their arms to the elbows in
bear grease just prior to game time.���
Here are some salient facts, position by position:
Quarterbacks:
Stewart:�
I have him at 5/9 for about 36 yards; the TR reported 6/9 for 50.� No matter, both tally less than 5 yards per attempt;
add an INT and a fumble and there is your Playmaker.� Kordell was active and effective in the 1st series
running several solid play action fakes and, once, actually hitting Bruener
while rolling left.� Very nice but
things went downhill fast.�
�The Stillers began their second series after
Hank brought a punt back 27 yards to inside Viking territory.� The Bus rolled over Marvel and Tylski for 6,
giving him 6/39 on the night.� Second
and short, with the Vike defense reeling; a perfect down and distance for a
play action to the EZ.� Instead, Coach
Mularkey called a little square out and, while Spike had the CB on his hip,
Kordell flipped a duck that dropped about 5 yards short.� Very poor, naturally, Stewart next locked
onto designated 3rd down WR Bobble Shaw who, naturally, failed to
come up with the tough catch.�
This was about
it for the night; overly conservative play-calling combined with miserable
execution and the Stillers went 3 and out.�
Josh pooched about 25 yards to the 16 and the Vikings went 84 yards on
17 plays.�� Contrast that Stillers 2nd
possession with the Vikes 4th when, following Kordell�s outstanding
throw to OLB Ed McDaniel, Culpepper went up top to Moss for 59 yards to the
Stiller 3.� That�s aggressive play
calling; that�s the kind of passing game that would perfectly complement the
Stiller�s power running attack; sadly, there is no evidence that the Stiller�s
have the personnel to achieve this balance.
Tee
Martin:� Tee was 3/11/31 with an INT; most of the
yardage came on screens.� Tee competed
but was victimized by absolutely dreadful play from his WR.�
Tommy
Maddox:� A horrific 2/8/22 with a pick.� The worst aspect is that Maddox looked
nothing like the confident, determined field general who reached under center
in Atlanta.� Maddox had the deer-in-headlights-look
that has been a feature at QB here for some seasons now.� Maybe, Maddox got dinged early when, under a
heavy rush, he did hit Blackwell for a 1st down.� I have no clue but would point out that
Tommy�s next (3) passes were as poor as any hurled anywhere in the history of
the National Football League.� Maddox
ended his night when, again under pressure, he flipped what was intended as a
middle screen but, in fact, was a toss that actually traveled backwards.� Ruled a fumble, this abominable effort was
plucked by DE LeManzer Williams and returned for the final score.� The results matter less than the fact that
Maddox showed poise zero in this game.�
Very troubling.
Running
Backs:� Good
effort by all; the Vikings are helpless against the run.� Witman returned to action and actually
looked fairly energetic during his brief stint.
WR:�
Spike:� Had
(2) balls thrown in his direction; neither was catchable.� Maddox and Spike had some chemistry in
Georgia; Spike�s best game last year was the opener against the Ravens with
Graham under center.� It is troubling
that Stewart and Burress seem to have no connection established.
Hines:� Damn
good; made a tough snatch early and ran hard on a double reverse.� Two touches, 20 yards.� Ward may be the only football player in the
WR corps.
Bobble Shaw: Poor; (1) drop and no receptions.
Toy:� One
reception for about 5 during the 2-minute abortion.� Tiptoed for 14 on a KR.�
Had a pass interference penalty and a crucial drop from Tee resulting in
an INT.� Toy is no factor at all and
that is entirely on merit.
Blackwell:� A
catch from Maddox, (2) drops from Tee and a holding penalty.� Just the veteran presence needed.
Brown:� Nice
catch from Maddox for about 19; some miscommunication late when he went inside
while Maddox threw out.� The out route
was open.
Baker:� Crucial
drop inside late.
TE:
Bruener:� A
catch early; solid run blocking as usual.�
A professional performance.
Geason:� Looks
smooth catching the ball, can block in-line but has no clue at H-back.� In the 2nd half, Ross was beaten
outside but Cory, rather than chipping, avoided all contact so as to get into
his pattern.� Not a good effort then but
overall I like this player.
Tuman:� A
waste of space.
OL:
Marvelous:� Took
the night off early when, on the Stillers 4th possession he gave up
a pressure and then a sack to Talence Sawyer.�
On the sack, Marvel set up in a position where he could not possibly
defend an outside rush.� Sawyer accepted
this gift, stripped Stew and the Vikings capitalized with a FG.� Smith has the tools but hasn�t yet developed
under Grimm�s tutelage.�
The rest of the
starters played okay, though Hartings gave it up late to Hovan.�� Faneca�s return made a big difference; off
the Atlanta game, there is no future for Mylinski.
Oliver
Ross:� Played ROT in the 2nd half;
can stick but gives up the outside.
Keydrick
Vincent:� Huge and aggressive, very unpolished but
seems to want to play.�
Defense
Overview:� The Stillers played a soft zone for the most
part.� As predicted, they had no answer
for TE Byron Chamberlain nor could they deal with #3 WR Jake Reed.� The OLB weren�t featured in any rush package;
therefore, the B&G got little pressure on Culpepper.� Unit by unit:
DL:
Hampton:� A
good performance; knifed in and blew up a dive on the Vikes 3rd
possession; combined with Clancy to stuff the Viking�s surge 1st and
goal; brilliantly diagnosed a screen in the 3rd quarter running
through blockers to crush the receiver.�
Casey is coming on but still has a way to go.
Smith:� Got
some push and had a sack to close out the Vikes 2nd possession when
the Stillers sent 5.� Made a fine play
on an option right late in the Vikes 3rd drive.� Smith is developing into a solid DE.
KVO:� Played
hard and fairly effectively; still best as a top backup.
Bailey:� Showed
some energy and some quickness but did little.
Combs:� See
Tuman previous; may have gotten bigger but hasn�t gotten better.
LB:
Porter:� MIA.
Gildon:� As
above but worse.� On the 1st possession,
Culpepper bought time to hit Chamberlain for a 1st down by simply
running past Big Sack as if he were a B&G traffic cone.� Sack got no pressure but did contribute on
the option stop, staying in coverage to force the pitch and then coming up to
turn Bennett towards Smith.� Smith did
the heavy lifting but Pro Bowl OLB Jason Gildon performed adequately on this
play. �
Holmes:� Not
his kind of game.
Bell:� Great
stick at the goal line; had a PD; plays with energy but does get lost
sometimes.
Jones:� See
Tuman previous.
Fiala:� Leads
the 2nd unit effectively.
Kurpeikis:� Runs
around but doesn�t do much.
Haggans:� Nowhere
to be found.
Knight:� Nice
beard; love the prophet look but if this guy is the 2nd ROLB then
the Stillers will step off a cliff the moment Porter goes down.
DB:
Chad: �I
felt Scott competed effectively with Moss.�
On the Vikes 2nd possession, Moss broke off a� go-route and Chad stuck.� Later, Moss ran the go and Chad stuck.� Moss beat him in the EZ once but, whether by
luck or vet guile, Chad got his feet tangled with the great WR and the ball
fell incomplete.� Later, again in the
EZ, Chad broke hard on a slant route, beat Moss to the ball and nearly made the
pick.� All in all, Scott matched up
decently against the magnificent Moss.
Poteat:� This
guy can have impact.� Brought a punt
back 27 yards; had a pick late off a bobble.�
Strong effort, good results.
Flowers:� As
usual, played effectively downhill but remains laterally challenged.
Alex:� Late
getting over on the long ball to Moss.
DW:� Abused
here when he was a Viking; abused again last night.� Victimized deep by Moss and, earlier, similarly beaten on an
(intentionally) under-thrown ball.� That
was good execution by Culpepper and Moss; DW did break up (1) pass but his
night ended with a concussion.� A tough
game for a solid CB.
Logan:� This
man needs to close the deal.� In Atlanta
bobbled a tough INT and later failed to come up with a fumble during a punt
scrum.� Last night, came through on
Culpepper but couldn�t bring the big man down.�
Too bad, that was a 3rd down situation and the Vikings were
able to continue their very impressive 17-play drive.� Mike has some ability but, if the Stillers are to improve deep,
has to be able to convert.
Codie:� Shows
some energy.
DeShea:� Had
some decent moments dealing with Carter, generally, in a chase position but managed
to defend a couple balls. �Victimized by
a questionable PI call with Moss that did keep the Vikes 1st scoring
drive alive.
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Summary:�
The Stillers have done nothing in either PS-game to suggest that they
are playoff worthy.� In fact, they�re
making the under, at 7 �, look like a lock.�