Vikings’ Week 1 grades

By Krupka  |   Thursday, September 14, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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The Minnesota Vikings began their season in grand fashion Monday, defeating the Washington Redskins, 19-16. More impressive than just winning was the fact that the Vikings won a road game despite playing at night and on grass.

Also, it was Brad Childress' first game as a coach, pitting him across the sidelines from Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs. And, wouldn't you know it, the first-timer not only beat the old-timer but might have outcoached his legendary counterpart. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that the team passed with flying colors in Week 1.


Offense-

Quarterback:

The cagey 14-year veteran was everything Vikings fan could have hoped for. After trading away highly talented, turnover-prone QB Daunte Culpepper in the offseason, and handing over the "ship" -- no pun intended -- to the soon-to-be 38-year old Johnson, many media pundits questioned Childress' decision making.

Monday, everyone saw why Johnson is the Vikings' signal caller. And it's not just the 16-of-30 passing for 223 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. It's also, the clichéd "veteran savvy" Johnson brings to the table. When there was nobody open, or the pocket was collapsing, never for a single moment did the oldest quarterback in the NFL panic; he instead either made something happen, or took the safe route and threw the ball away out of bounds.

And, while he is the oldest starter in the league at his position, Johnson's surprisingly decent mobility was on display, as was keen on-field awareness. Grade: A

Running game:

Starting running back Chester Taylor averaged only 2.8 yards per carry. By just looking at that stat, most would think he had a bad game. On the contrary, the fifth-year pro out of Toledo was exactly what the Vikings thought they were getting when they invested $14.1 million, including $5.6 million in guaranteed money, on the former Raven.

Taylor showed good vision, speed, hands, cutback ability and strength. He was a workhorse, garnering 34 touches (31 carries) and 131 total yards (88 rushing, 43 receiving), and a touchdown. He did the dirty work at the end to bleed out the clock and, like all good backs, wore down the defense, racking up his best carries in the game's final frame. Backup Mewelde Moore played sparingly, carrying the ball twice for minus one yard. The Tulane product did make a slight impact on special teams, though.
Grade: B

Wide receivers/tight ends:

Troy Williamson led all in yards with 77, but was bested by one in receptions by tight end Jermaine Wiggins, who hauled in five balls. Williamson, last year's No. 7 overall pick, seemed to be open routinely, and easily could have had a 100-plus-yard receiving game. He dropped a perfectly placed pass from Brad Johnson that would have accumulated at least 50 yards and possibly a touchdown. The second-year receiver also dropped two other passes, but still looked like a promising playmaker.

Travis Taylor only caught one pass, but he sure made it count. It was a terrific catch for 24 yards, in between three defenders, to convert a third down. Billy McMullen caught one pass for 22 yards and Marcus Robinson added one catch for 20 yards and a touchdown. Jimmy Kleinsasser, the second tight end, caught one ball for eight yards. Aside from just receptions, the units blocked well and looked pretty solid overall. Take away the three Williamson drops and the grade would be higher.
Grade: C+

Offensive line:

The biggest concern coming into the game dealt with the starting right side, with guard Artis Hicks and tackle Marcus Johnson. Last year, in his rookie season, Johnson was flagged numerous times for false starts; however, on Monday, he was penalty free and played well. Hicks had a solid game but did commit one penalty.

Surprisingly, former All-Pro center Matt Birk was flagged twice on the night (holding, ineligible man downfield). LT Bryant McKinnie also committed one infraction.

However, the line protected Johnson well, giving the signal caller an ample amount of time to make his reads and find the open receiver. The run blocking could have been a little better, but it certainly wasn't horrible. With basically an entire new line from last year, it is going to take time for the big guys up front to mesh, but they looked good Monday.

Left guard Steve Hutchinson had an outstanding game, earning every cent of his large paycheck, and was instrumental on Chester Taylor's four-yard touchdown plunge in the first quarter.

Also, the unit only allowed one sack.
Grade: B-

Overall offensive grade:

Against the solid Washington Redskins defense, the offense moved the ball well for the most part, gaining 309 yards. The offense isn't overly explosive anymore, but the methodical approach got the job done.
Grade: B

Defense-

Defensive line:

Going up against tackle Chris Samuels, end Erasmus James did a nice job, but had a costly "brain cramp," committing a roughing the passer penalty. On the contrary, fellow end Kenechi Udeze was pretty much a non-factor; he was contained by Skins tackle Jon Jansen.

The tackles, Pat and Kevin Williams, were solid in the run game. Rookie end Ray Edwards made a terrific play, reaching up and knocking down a Mark Brunell pass late in the fourth quarter. Although the unit didn't have any sacks, it was stout in the run game, holding Ladell Betts to 22 yards on eight carries and Clinton Portis to 39 yards on 10 carries.
Grade: B-

Linebackers:

E.J. Henderson seemed to be all over the field. He tied with cornerback Antoine Winfield for the team lead in tackles with seven. His training camp and preseason really seem to have carried over, and the linebacker is playing with plenty of confidence. Ben Leber and Napoleon Harris were both OK.

Last year tight ends dominated against the Vikings, and Chris Cooley, one of the best in the game, was held to two catches for minus three yards. Certainly, an outstanding job was done covering him.

The trio seemed to at least be in the right position to make plays, which is something that couldn't be said for the Vikings' linebacking corps last season.
Grade: B-

Secondary:

Rookie fifth-round pick Greg Blue stepped in at FS for Dwight Smith, who was left inactive for off-field conduct. Blue, making his first career appearance, did a tremendous job considering the former Georgia product was playing in front of 90,000 fans. SS Darren Sharper laid the pine to the Redskins' Santana Moss, making the receiver drop what could have been a touchdown.

In his return to Washington, CB Fred Smoot played terrific, making six tackles and performing admirably in coverage. Starting opposite of Smoot was Antoine Winfield, who was his usual tough self, flying all over the field, hitting opposing offensive players and wrapping up on tackles.

The unit held quarterback Mark Brunell to 163 yards and didn't allow any touchdowns.
Grade: B+

Overall defensive grade:

The new look "Tampa 2" Vikings defense was impressive. The group only surrendered 266 yards of offense, and was dominant in the red zone, holding the Skins to three field goals of 27 yards or less. The defense didn't register any sacks or turnovers, but the tackling was good, everyone was in the right position and the halftime adjustments worked.

After Santana Moss burned the unit for a 23-yard screen pass on the Redskins' first offensive play, it never worked again for Washington. Holding Clinton Portis to 39 yards and Betts to 22 was also quite impressive.
Grade: B+

Special teams-

Second-year punter and first-year holder Chris Kluwe botched his first attempt at a hold following the team's opening-quarter touchdown. However, Kluwe got the rest of his holds down. Ryan Longwell's kickoffs weren't great, but he made a game-winning field goal. The coverage units were solid, holding Antwaan Randle El to a long of just 15 yards. Troy Williamson added a 44-yard kickoff return. The special teams was, by no stretch of the imagination great, but they weren't awful either.
Grade: C-

Coaching:
It's hard not to be impressed with the new coaching staff after one game. Childress' play calling was superb and the team was ready to play. The penalties that plagued the Vikings in the first half were corrected; and the defense allowed just 105 yards and three points in the second half. The decision to attempt a 54-yard field goal was questionable, but the defense did its job in stopping the Skins and getting the ball back. A victory in your first game as a pro head coach can't be overlooked.
Grade: A-

All in all, the Minnesota Vikings looked hungry and like a team poised to challenge the Bears for the NFC North crown. Winning a game they were expected by many to lose is always a great way to start off the season.

The Carolina Panthers (0-1), whose Super Bowl aspirations were put on hold Sunday when they were easily defeated by the Atlanta Falcons, come to Minnesota on Sunday. Of course, the Panthers were without standout wide receiver Steve Smith, whose Week 2 availability remains up in the air. If he plays, Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot gets his chance for revenge against the Pro Bowler, who racked up 201 yards and a touchdown against the defender last season. In any event, it should be an electric home opener as the fans usher into the Metrodome.

Can the Vikings go 2-0? With the type of coaching and execution displayed Monday, it's certainly well within reach. Soon enough, we'll find out.

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

Check back each day for more news and insights on the Minnesota Vikings at RealFootball365.com
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