Player Grades - S13 PW2 vs Colts

majesty95

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The Vikings dropped game two of the preseason 42-32 to the Indianapolis Colts. Even though they lost, the Vikings were able to get a good look at a lot of their 2nd and third string guys. They also put up 459 yards of offense, including 389 passing, so there were definitely some positives in the loss. We sat down and watched the game back and graded each of the players one the roster who are either competing for a starting spot or a roster spot in general. Here are the grades for week two of the preseason:

OFFENSE

QB Joel Stave - 65

Stave started the game and only played the first quarter so didn't get much work. He did throw an INT on one of his few passes and graded poorly for the second-straight game. His position with the team is in doubt.

QB Tom Savage - 81

Savage threw for 368 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT while completing 20 of 31 passes. It was an overall solid effort although the INTs are worrisome. Savage seems locked in as the team's #3 quarterback unless something drastically changes in the last two games of the preseason.

HB Jerrick McKinnon - 75

McKinnon started and only had two carries so didn't have much to grade. However, he looked just OK when he was in. The thought is that he will once again back up Adrian Peterson but the addition of Royce Freeman and play of Jhurrell Pressley could call that into question. We'll have to see how the rest of the preseason shakes out.

HB Jhurrell Pressley - 80

The second-year back out of New Mexico got the majority of the carries in this one and totaled 61 yards on 14 carries including a TD. Pressley did have a few runs where he missed lanes and was stopped for short or no gains that he could have got a little more from. Overall it was a solid effort though and he seems in line for a roster spot as the fourth back on the roster.

HB Dwayne Washington - 74

Another back in his second year, Washington wound up with only two carries for four yards in this game. He was inconsistent as a blocker allowing a sack and yet preventing another one. He also shows some good vision on punt returns. As of right now it looks like Washington may be in line for another season on the practice squad.

WR Adam Humphries - 76

Humphries didn't see a lot of action in this one but did haul in a nice 16-yard pass in the first quarter. He was expected to be the team's #3 receiver and seems sure of a roster spot. However, the play of Josh Reynolds may bump him down to #4.

WR Josh Reynolds - 97

The rookie 6th rounder out of Texas A&M continues to impress and had a terrific performance in this game. Reynolds caught a team high eight passes for 209 yards and two TDs. His only negative in this was a drop which was his first of the preseason. Reynolds not only looks to have secured a roster spot, but also may be in line for the #3 WR job and may even be pressing Laqoun Treadwell for a starting job. The Vikings have not been playing Treadwell much as his starting job was assumed to be a given but Reynolds is doing everything he can to make them reconsider that.

WR T.J. Jones - 79

Jones has a pair of grabs including a nice 30 yard catch. He seems to be a good bet for the #5 WR job as he's seeing most of the playing time in that role. We'll have to keep and eye on that as the preseason moves along but he looks like the ods on favorite at this point.

WR Tyrell Williams - INC

Williams played in this game but very little. Jones is getting a majority of the snaps as the 2nd team slot receiver which doesn't bode well for the Western Oregon alum.

TE Mycole Pruitt - 84

Pruitt finished second on the team with five catches for 50 yards and hauled in a nice TD in the back of the send zone. All signs point to him being the team's third TE this season.

TE Cameron Clear - INC

Clear did not play much in this game which was likely because the Vikings were trailing much of the game. Clear is a blocking tight end who's trying to push Pruitt for a roster spot however he's not seeing enough action to make a decision either way. Either that or the decision has already been made...

LT Jake Long - 82

Long had a solid game and had a nice seal block on a long run. He also held up pretty well in the pass game. He looks to be a solid backup option at both tackle positions.

LG Willie Beavers - 82

Beavers game looked much like Jake Long's for the most part. Solid overall with a nice block in the run game. Beavers' job is probably a little less secure though so he may want to stand out a little more in the next two games.

C Mason Cole - 84

The rookie second rounder out of Michigan did not impress in his first NFL game. However, he rebounded nicely in this one managed the highest lineman grade on the team. He's not likely to be cut but it was nice to see him open up a couple of nice hole sin the run game.

RG Geoff Schwartz - 73

Schwartz is a nine year veteran and has a decent penalty if cut. However, he hasn't done much to earn the confidence of the coaching staff. Maybe he isn't playing his best because its the preseason but the team would sure like to know he can step in and play well if there happens to be an injury.

RT T.J. Clemmings - 66

Clemmings had a pretty miserable game. He allowed a sack, missed a block in the run game and drew a penalty flag. He had a nice showing in week one but this game put his future with the team in jeopardy.

DEFENSE

DE Charles Henderson - 77

The rookie 7th rounder doesn't have high expectations but is in contention for the 4th DE job. He did get a nice QB pressure but otherwise wasn't a big factor in the game. He's young and has some room to grow so he could stick with the team but he hasn't done much to this point to warrant a big role in the defensive end rotation should he make the team.

DE Daeshon Hall - 78

Like Henderson, Hall is a rookie fighting for a spot on the team. However, Hall is a 3rd rounder so a little bit more if expected of him. Like Henderson, Hall was largely quiet outside of knocking down a pass at the line. Both he and Henderson will need to up their games as the Vikings plan to use a rotation at defensive end and will need solid production from them if they are one the team.

DE Paul Hazel - INC

Hazel is battling with both Henderson and Hall for a spot on the team yet doesn't get the playing time of the other two. He has some skills but hasn't been able to show anything thus far in the preseason. He's likely to see more playing time in the last two games so we'll likely have a better gauge of his possible production then.

DT Hassan Ridgeway - 82

Ridgeway stood out with a sack and a forced fumble but otherwise was fairly quiet. That seemed to be a theme with most of the linemen in this game which is probably why the Vikings lost. He was brought in to be the #3 DT possibly but just hasn't shown enough to know if that's still in the cards through two games.

DT T.J. Barnes - 90

Barnes was the one linemen who stood out in this game earning the top defensive grade on the team. Barnes had six tackles, two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also recovered the fumble caused by Ridgeway. He likely jumped ahead of Ridgeway in the rotation at this point but its still too early to make any definite assessments on either.

MLB Gerald Hodges, Jr - 73

The four-year veteran had an up-and-down game as did most of the defense. He recorded five tackles including one for a loss yet allowed a couple of 1st downs in coverage and missed a tackle. He probably has the edge over Kevin Reddick at this point but neither is inspiring confidence in the team should Eric Kendricks get hurt.

MLB Kevin Reddick - 64

Reddick finished with six tackles and two TFL but was pushed out of the play on a TD run and overall looked to be unaware of his surroundings in pass coverage. He wasn't overly impressive on special teams either. The team was excited to bring he and Hodges into camp and thought at least one of them would make the team and prove a valuable backup. However, two games into the preseason the team is starting to question the depth at what they thought would be one of their strongest positions.

OLB Bruce Carter - 67

Carter is the kind of player that can be a game changer one week and kind of disappear the next. We've seen that already in his first two games. He followed up a strong game where he picked off a pass with a game that was largely unimpressive. He did record three tackles but also allowed a couple of catches in coverage. He's still likely to make the team because of his big play ability but the team would like to see more consistency from him.

CB Dee Milliner - 80

Milliner didn't get thrown at much as Charles James seemed to be the focal point for the Colts offense. Milliner did pick off a pass immediately after breaking up a pass on the play before which was the last time the Colts threw at him. It was a good game overall but he did allow a catch on one of his few targets which kept him from a higher grade.

CB Charles James III - 59

James was picked on early and often after Milliner's INT. James gave up two TD catches and another long completion and generally looked lost in coverage. He showed some flashes in his first game but looked completely unprepared in this one. The Vikings don't have much depth at corner so he may make the team but he's might be the #5 corner at best.

CB Marcus Sherels - 80

The long-time punt returner is showing a lot of promise this year as a cornerback. Typically an afterthought at corner, Sherels is showing good coverage and run support ability. He could very well take the #5 CB spot from James and may even push Milliner for #4 if he keeps playing the way he has in the first two weeks.

FS Anthony Harris - 71

Harris tied for the team lead with seven tackles but also missed an assignment in coverage, missed a tackle and let an easy INT sail by his head. He can be a decent option to replace Harrison Smith should he get injured but is mostly a run stuffing safety and a liability in coverage.

FS Ed Reynolds - 73

Reynolds has god skills but is inconsistent. He can come up and fill vs the run one play and then get washed out and allow a TD run on the next. He hasn't got a ton of playing time early on so expect to see more in the last two games but, as of right now, looks like a guy clinging to a roster spot by a thread.

FS Bennett Jackson - 68

Jackson hasn't see a lot of action either and he missed a tackle on a TD. He's known for being a solid coverage guy but we just haven't seen enough from him right now. Expect to see more of him in the last two games as the Vikings are going to have to decide between him and Reynolds at least if not he, Reynolds and Harris.

SS Justin Evans - 88

Evans, like Josh Reynolds, is making a big name for himself and Texas A&M. Evans had seven tackles, a TFL and a sack on 3rd down. He also broke up a pass and made a special teams tackle. He's almost assured of a roster spot and might also be making the team question whether they want to start him or Antone Exum this year.
 
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