A few links from the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Appears that these two practices plus the game should be a much better gauge of the progress for the 2025 Patriots.
There were a few things that stood out to me in the past weekend’s preseason game. The first thing is the massive increase in size of our offensive line. I mean, it looks nothing like it did the previous season. We are moving out of the zone running scheme era that was tailored to one of the Vikings’ greats, Dalvin Cook, and upgrading to a powerful line that can bully opposing defenders. Bradbury and Risner are gone and have been replaced by a couple of guys who probably crush beer cans on their own heads at Sunday Brunch. Blake Brandel isn’t a small dude, but in comparison, Donovan Jackson looks like a giant over there at left guard.
The second thing that caught my attention is the depth that we have on the defensive line. Gabriel Murphy has been turning heads at camp and made some impact plays on Saturday as well. Tyler Batty had a deflection at the line of scrimmage. I didn’t fully go through the stat sheet because, well, it’s the preseason. However, we got a sense of what the Vikings’ defense is going to look like in 2025, and I fully expect that it will be the same suffocating scheme that had even the most veteran quarterbacks struggling to make reads.
Speaking on depth, the Vikings seem to be taking a page straight out of the Eagles’ playbook, which is to load the defensive line with more than 4 great players. With Murphy emerging as a rotational player in this unit, along with offseason additions, and the continuing development of Dallas Turner, this could be our best front that we have seen since the magical Favre season. Greenard, Allen, Hargrave, Phillips, Van Ginkel, Turner, and Redmond are at the top of the respective depth charts. Being able to rotate all of these players throughout the season will reduce wear and tear and ensure that we continually have fresh bodies on defense throughout the course of each game. It is what many Vikings fans have been calling for, well over a decade, and it looks like this is going to be the season in which it finally happens.
The Vikings kick off their preseason slate on Saturday afternoon against the Texans.
www.si.com
This week’s joint sessions will provide key evaluations of both first teams — likely more significant than Saturday’s preseason game at noon at U.S. Bank Stadium.
If Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is any indication — he emerged with blood on his face after a scuffle last week at a Patriots-Commanders joint practice — fans should expect a hard-hitting, no-holds-barred atmosphere. With several former Vikings on the Patriots roster, including receiver Stefon Diggs and center Garrett Bradbury, there’s also added familiarity.
J.J. McCarthy vs. Vrabel’s “violent” defense: McCarthy played just 12 snaps in Saturday’s preseason game against Houston but showed solid command of the offense. This week, he’ll face a revamped New England defense featuring free agent additions Harold Landry III (edge), Robert Spillane (ILB) and Carlton Davis III (CB).
Vikings receiver depth: With Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension, Rondale Moore sidelined by a season-ending knee injury suffered Saturday and Justin Jefferson still recovering from a hamstring strain, the options for McCarthy are looking thin. Key receivers to watch this week include Jalen Nailor, Lucky Jackson and T.J. Hockenson.
Surprise standout Zavier Scott: The Vikings running back has emerged as a player to watch. Scott impressed in Saturday’s preseason game with 47 yards and four first downs on six touches. This week gives Scott another opportunity to solidify a roster spot.
Donovan Jackson vs. Patriots defensive tackles: Like McCarthy, the rookie left guard logged just 12 snaps Saturday. Jackson, who’s still adjusting to the pros, will be tested by New England’s Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.
Dallas Turner vs. Will Campbell: Turner, a 2024 first-round pick, had a quiet game against the Texans despite steady offseason improvement. This week, he’ll get a chance to impress against Patriots offensive lineman Will Campbell, selected fourth in this year’s draft.
