Preseason Game 04: Dream On

Vikings VS Cowboys Preseason Game 4, Dream On

Every time I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is gone
It goes by, like dusk to dawn
Isn’t that the way
Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay

Yeah, I know nobody knows
where it comes and where it goes
I know it’s everybody’s sin
You got to lose to know how to win

Its a tie. Vikings 10, Cowboys 10 in overtime. And ole Billy Parcells had a chance to win in regulation but decided to kick the PAT instead of going for two. Instant karma came and kicked ole Billy right in the head for that decision. Cowboys kicker Mike Vanderjagt, the most accurate field goal kicker in the league missed two 30 yard FG’s in overtime. I’m glad that added some controversy for the Cowboys. Not like they need anymore with Saint T.O. on the squad.

Brad Johnson, again, all pro performance Thursday. His stats, 11-13 for 135 yards and a TD do not give justice to his performance. Johnson has a total command of the offense and is the clear leader of the team. And he put to rest questions about his arm strength as he hit Troy Williamson for a 40 yard pass completion.

T. Jax came in to relieve Johnson and went 4-6 for 29 yards. He played very little. Had an errant pass but also checked off to the second and third receiver. I would have rather had him play more in this game especially knowing that Brooks Bolinger was signed before the game. McMahon and Sullivan are all but toast. So why let Sullivan play a quarter and a half?

The running game has not been on track all preseason. This is a concern. I predicted during training camp that Mewelde Moore would get plenty of playing time and become an equal partner in the backfield with Chester Taylor. I don’t think Fason is the answer. Taylor had some great catches out of the backfield and made several defenders miss him. OK, I’m on record right now saying Taylor will rush for over 100 yards against the Skins Monday night.

Troy Williamson showed up Thursday. Great catch. Robinson came through with a beauty of a TD catch and clutch first down catch. Jason Carter, even though his one punt return was called back, played sparingly but should make the team.

O line. Allowed some pressure on Johnson and Jackson, but did well as a unit. What a great 98 yard drive in the second quarter. Still a little cloudy on Cook and Hicks. Do we keep Cook just because he was the Culpepper compensation pick?

D line. Again, a great game. Put heavy pressure on Bledsoe and Romo and stuffed the run when the first unit was in. This is the strength of the defense. All except N. Harris. Once again he commits a stupid personal foul on Bledsoe.

Winfield was all over the field. Great technique in coverage and tackling. And did you see Cedric Griffin covering T.O. like a blanket? D. West broken bone in his arm. Do we IR him and lose him for the season or wait for him to heal? Does this give the chance for Dustin Fox to make the team?

Kluwe is healed, had some very good punts, good directional punts. Filed position will be key for the Vikings offense this season. ,p> Longwell. Well, one FG and one PAT. But he was booming the kickoffs. Several went several yards deep in the endzone. I was loving that.

Preseason is over. Brad Childress went 2-1-1 which is not bad. I know, preseason wins don’t add up to a hill of beans but the offense and defense came together quite well and quickly. We added Todd Pinkston, receiver and Brooks Bolinger, QB. we lost C.J. Mosely and a 7th round draft pick.

All the bullets are live now. Lets hope big bad Brad Johnson is the gunslinger we want him to be.

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