For those who may not know the rules of the PS, here is a brief overview:
"Each NFL team may keep up to ten members on its "practice squad" in addition to the 53-member main roster. They consist mostly of rookies who were cut in training camps and borderline NFL-caliber players. Both rookies and young veterans are eligible for the practice squad. However, a player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons; he is eligible for a third season only if the team has at least 53 players on its active/inactive list for the duration of that player's employment, or have no prior accrued seasons in the NFL (an accrued season is six or more games on the active roster); or if he has accrued a year of NFL experience on a club's 53-man active roster. If the player was on the active list for fewer than 9 games during their "only Accrued Season(s)", he maintains his eligibility for the practice squad. Games in which a player is listed as the third-string quarterback (a designation that has been abolished as of 2011) do not count as being on the active list."The roster at the end of last season was as follows:
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
From Wiki
| Offensive line
Defensive tackles
Defensive ends
| Linebackers
Safeties
Cornerbacks
Special teams
| Injured Reserve
Practice squad
|
I think the final roster is a starting point when trying to determine how the latest iteration of the squad will break down but estimate there will be at least 8 new members of the 52 come September 5. So check back after the game to see who I think stuck out and who fell flat.
Then after the preseason is wrapped, I'll compile my final prediction of who I think makes it and who gets the axe.
After winning the coin toss and deferring, the Vikes Defense took the field. After the kickoff return the Bengals started at near the 30 yard line and made some quick hitters with AJ Green, Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill but then after crossing mid field, the defense held up. On consecutive pass plays, Trae Waynes held up nicely going against AJ Green, ultimately being instrumental in forcing a long field goal attempt that was missed by Cincy.
On the Vikings first offensive possession the O - line showed that it is still a work in progress. On first down the pass rush got through and, as Teddy rolled to his right, made him do a scramble drill until he found MyCole Pruitt for a short gain. The next 2 snaps went for pretty bad sacks which lead to the first punt of the year.
The Bengals have the ball again and we'll see how some of the top reserves perform.
Danielle Hunter and Trae Waynes are the two potential starters left in with the second unit to get more reps.
So far the run defense has been a weakness and Cincy is working to expose it.
At just past the 6 minute mark Waynes is again flashing a little bit. First on deep coverage of the speedy Tyler Boyd then on a short pass where he latched on and wouldn't let go, preventing a first down.
Exum with an exceptional pass break up to Tyler Eifert. The only way it could have been better is if the interception had been completed.
Lamur with a nice ankle tackle on a short pass.
Ending the first quarter on a TFL by big Shamar Stephen is a fine finish.
Kentrell Brothers and crew with a great stop on fourth and 1 inside the Bengals own five yard line.
After the putrid first possession the starters stay in to do some more work.
On the first hand off McKinnon evades a disastrous safety and makes it out to the eight yard line then gets a short pass for the first down.
Another McKinnon hand off after a chop block put them at a first and 17. Then another reception for number 21. Teddy seems to be honing in on McKinnon right now.
Huge pitch and catch to Thielen!
Diggs with a nice catch and short run but then lost the ball after he went down. No fumble but still too close of a call!
Great pass to Charles Johnson for the end zone! Flag on the defense. So much for Teddy's strength and accuracy! Just a beautiful throw by the QB and a great finish by CJ!!
Holding on Trattou. Standing out negatively is still standing out...
Michael Griffen with a nice pass break up that could and maybe should have been intercepted.
Trattou makes up for his penalty with a nice sack!
After a tepid offensive possession a punt got pushed back by a false start then a poorly called horse collar tackle advanced the return.
The ugliness of preseason ball is already in full effect. Now we'll see who is able to flash!
Jabari Price with good position but Tyle Boyd with a better reception from AJ McCarron.
Going quick the Bengals score. Jayron Kearse in poor position. Kearse playing this early in the game makes me think that the team wants him to prove he belongs so that they don't have to risk him as a practice squad guy. Those kind of mistakes may make it a moot point.
Pruitt and Fruechte with a couple of receptions. Not sure if they want to score.
A 16 yard hook up with Treadwell shows they want to. okay!
Walsh nails the 51 yard FG but a flag. UGH.
Off side on the Defense. The half's over: 10 - 7, Vikings.
On the Vikings first possession of the second half Troy Stoudermire kept having his name called, first on the kick off return then on some offensive possessions.
No one has splashed on the first defensive series of the half, yet.
Brief intermission to watch our fish (Phelps and Ledecky) dominate.
Missed it live but a nice TD by CJ Ham!
I may have missed it, but there haven't been any big returns allowed by the coverage team.
A bad interception and then allowed for a very easy scamper by the QB on defense. Someone needs to make a play.
Zimmer dials up a blitz in the fourth quarter of a preseason game, it was executed beautifully and exemplifies how things are going to be again this year!
Zach Moore with the opportunity to get a late sack, whiffed badly.
Three minutes to go. Fumble but Stave fell on it...practice squad.
A nice punt by Locke but terrible tackling on the coverage and a return TD. Great.
The coverage on the ensuing two point conversion was questionable but no flag was thrown so classify it as ugly but effective.
Exum with the safety blitz sack to close out the game on defense. That's the kind of splashy play we needed!
Jayron Kearse with the interception on the ensuing hail mary. Game!
Take Aways
Bridgewater to Johnson was the most significant because of the consternation surrounding our QBs deep ball ability.
Beyond that one play, I think that Trae Waynes was the best of the players with things to prove. Progress still needs to be made but step by step, it seems to be happening.
I can't help but think that the late plays by the two fringe safeties may make a difference when the roster gets trimmed, if they both continue to make plays.
I know the level of competition needs to be considered but CJ Ham looked good in the opportunity that he had. He may be a victim of the numbers game but if he keeps going like he did tonight then he will surely end up somewhere.
Miscellaneous other take aways - Thielen continues to prove he belongs, Stoudermire may take Patterson's spot, the run defense needs work, as does the offensive line with pass blocking.
It's only game one but we're that much closer to Tennessee!
What do you think? How much did I miss when I switched to the Olympics? Any other take aways worth noting?
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