Here are five newcomers to watch on Saturday night when the Vikings open their preseason schedule in St. Louis: quarterback Joe Webb, running back Toby Gerhart, linebacker Nate Triplett, cornerback Chris Cook and kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd.
With a big learning curve, watch to see how comfortable Webb will be in his first NFL game. Will Gerhart show the blocking and pass catching skills needed to backup Adrian Peterson? Triplett might emerge as a standout tackler on special teams and make the roster. Cook’s size, 6-2, potentially can bother receivers. Lloyd, the only non-rookie among the five players, is supposed to put so much oomph in his kickoffs they can’t be returned.
Several Rams have local connections: Linebacker James Laurinaitis is a Plymouth native and safety Craig Dahl is from Mankato. Guard Mark Setterstrom is a Northfield native. Offensive tackle Adam Goldberg, from Edina, played for the Vikings in 2004 and 2005.
Rams Linebackers coach Paul Ferraro was the Vikings special teams coordinator from 2006-2008. Defensive line coach Brendan Daly was the Vikings assistant defensive line coach during the same period. Wide receivers coach Charlie Baggett held the same position with the Vikings from 2000-2004. Offensive line coach Steve Loney was the Vikings offensive line coach from 2002-2004 and the team’s offensive coordinator the next season.
Think about this: the most important positions on an NFL offense are quarterback, running back, wide receiver and left tackle. The Vikings are hoping (praying?) Brett Favre shows up to play quarterback. Adrian Peterson had a leg injury in training camp and although he should be fine the team still needs a No. 2 running back to emerge. Wide receivers Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin have been sidelined during training camp. Left tackle Bryant McKinnie has long been regarded as an underachiever.
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany was in Minneapolis this week and Bill Lester said he expected to talk to him regarding the city hosting the conference’s championship football game. Lester, executive director of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission that operates Mall of America Field, wants to encourage the commissioner to consider a three or four city rotation to host the game that will be played for the first time ever next year. Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis will be the site in 2011.
Lester said schools like Nebraska and Michigan have huge fan followings and excite the Meet Minneapolis visitors and convention organization because of the economic impact that can be made on the community.
Lester also said the new artificial turf has been installed at the dome. Eight high school bands will practice on the turf to “tamp” it down prior to the Vikings first game at the dome on Saturday, August 28.