I thought the run game and the screen game showed encouraging signs, given the offseason focus the team placed on improving those aspects.
Lastly, I'll mention Blake Brandel, who has had quite a bit on his plate during training camp while lining up at multiple positions. Last year's starting left guard has handled Minnesota using a first-round pick on Jackson with professionalism and has kept working on his game. He played right tackle Saturday.
I'm hearing bad things on our kicking game. Can we get highlights? In Madden , the game, I don't like my Vikes J.G. (Jonathan Greenard) and Andrew Van Ginkel rated low when they were best duo last year. How you feel?
— Warren
This message was sent before Saturday's preseason opener in which the Vikings special teams had a solid day (we already mentioned punting above).
Will Reichard was good from 48 to cap Minnesota's first possession with three points and added a 38-yarder early in the second quarter. He also made both extra points and attempted a variety of kickoffs. He and the kick coverage team limited the Texans to an average of 21.3 yards on four returns.
The Texans long kickoff return was 26, and Reichard painted a masterpiece with his final kickoff of the day. He got the ball to land at the 1-yard line and in the corner, creating a moment of indecision for Daniel Jackson, who only managed 12 yards. Pinning an opponent at its 13-yard line a play after taking a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter is a tremendous example of multiple phases working together.
The worst part of the day for special teams was the unfortunate and "pretty significant" left knee injury suffered by Rondale Moore on his only play of the game. Moore gained 2 yards during his return to the outside and suffered the injury as he was tackled. Silas Bolden gained 8 on his lone punt return.
Felton handled both kickoff returns for Minnesota, averaging 18 yards and logging a long of 24.
As for the lack of respect toward Greenard and Van Ginkel — both were rated at 83 overall in this year's version of the video game franchise. I haven't played Madden in a long time. I'm talking Sega Genesis with Joe Montana playing for Kansas City and the Oilers being Houston's team, but I have spoken with others who have played it more recently, and they said 83 is about the cut line for being good, and I think both Pro Bowl edge rushers have cases for being considered better than good.
They left their handprints all over Vikings victories last season in their first campaign together, and signs are pointing to that continuing (with some other teammates also getting after the quarterback). Perhaps Madden will boost those ratings. I'd also fashion that real opponents have some respect for those guys.