Vikings’ quarterbacks impressive in victory

By Krupka  |   Monday, August 21, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

Minnesota Vikings
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress didn't have to wait long to get his first preseason win. Just five days after losing to the Oakland Raiders, and four days after losing its No. 1 receiver, the team came out sharp and ready to play against the defending Super Bowl champs, defeating the Steelers, 17-10.

If there were any thoughts that losing Koren Robinson would be a distraction, those can be nixed now. The offense looked better than it did Monday, and both quarterbacks were impressive.

After suffering a three-and-out their first drive, starting quarterback Brad Johnson engineered a touchdown drive, connecting with tight end Jermaine Wiggins on a tipped ball for a 12-yard touchdown.

The 14-year veteran played into the second quarter before giving way to rookie Tavaris Jackson. Johnson finished 9-for-11 passing for 71 yards and a touchdown, leaving the game with a 10-7 lead.

Last Monday, Jackson excited the home crowd with his arm and his legs, scrambling like current Falcons quarterback Mike Vick, or former Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham in his heyday, but showing the powerful and accurate arm needed to be a complete quarterback.

Saturday, the rookie signal caller continued his rise up the depth chart with more stellar play. This time he put his arm on display. Entering the game midway through the second quarter, he played a series with the starting offense.

Early in the third quarter, Jackson's second drive of the game, he led a scoring march of his own, finding wide receiver Jason Carter for a six-yard touchdown, the first of hopefully many in the young quarterback's career.

Like Johnson, Jackson finished 9-for-11 with 80 yards and a touchdown. Surprisingly, he had zero rushing attempts.

The questions arose after Monday's game about the rushing offense. Saturday was better, but still not where the team would like it to be. Running back Chester Taylor carried the ball 10 times for 36 yards, not exactly a great performance statistically, but he had one of his two 17-yard gallops called back for holding, and as a team the Vikings rushed 35 times for 130 yards. Taylor also showed his versatility in hauling in three passes.

Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield said he's excited about the team's defense and gave them a B-minus grade for its performance Saturday night.

Aside from the Steelers' first drive of the game, the defense again showed why it will be a strength this year. Darren Sharper picked up where he left off last season, stepping in front of a Charlie Batch pass deep in Vikings territory. Although he didn't register any of the defense's four sacks, Erasmus James continued to bring pressure from the end. The defense also forced and recovered a fumble.

The big hit of the game came from rookie safety Greg Blue on the second to last play of the contest, when he blasted Steelers receiver Lee Mays on a 27-yard gain.

There's what went well. The only real negative was Vikings third-string quarterback Mike McMahon. The 28-year-old looked uncomfortable and overmatched. He completed just 1-of-7 passes for 42 yards and threw an interception. After his uninspiring play, the Rutgers product was benched.

Clearly, Jackson has outdone the five-year veteran and looks to have a stranglehold on the No. 2 job now.

The victory evens the Vikings record to 1-1 in preseason.

The Baltimore Ravens are next for Minnesota on Aug. 25.

Eric Krupka can be contacted at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

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