Doesn’t Sound Good For Bradford
September 21st, 2017
Game status unknown.
Some interesting developments out of Minnesota as the Bucs prepare for the Vikings Sunday.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, a former Vikings beat guy who has been hanging out and snooping around Vikings headquarters, reports the status of quarterback Sam Bradford is basically unchanged from last week.
Pelissero, in the video available below, claims the Vikings are saying everything they said last week about Bradford, who Pelissero claims just threw a handful of passes in practice Wednesday after missing last Sunday’s game.
Pelissero did report Bradford’s knee injury was a non-contact injury but offered no further details.
Defensively, Pelissero noted the Vikings aren’t sure where to play stud cornerback Xavier Rhodes — former college teammate of “America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Last week Rhodes all but shut down Antonio Brown of the Steelers but the Vikings apparently aren’t sure who to sick Rhodes on, Mike Evans or DeSean Jackson?
See what adding Jackson had done for the Bucs? Opposing defenses now have to pick their poison. In other words, who do you want to get fried by?
From today’s “Up to the Minute” on @nflnetwork, talking Sam Bradford’s knee, Case Keenum’s issues and good signs for #Vikings defense. pic.twitter.com/BGkqNQHtgC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 20, 2017
September 21st, 2017 at 5:12 am
Rhodes on Mike Evans, that’s a no brainier, at least I would game plan that way.
I’m looking at my BSPN app matchup and GMC is listed as questionable along with Alexander ??
September 21st, 2017 at 5:15 am
Whether it’s Bradford or Keenum or Rhodes covers Evans or Jackson are issues that matter in this game, but not as much as who controls the line of scrimmage. If the Vikings are able to get Cook going we could be in trouble. I know we shut down the Bears, but that was with a healthy d-line. Latest injury report has McCoy nursing a bum ankle and Baker battling an illness. Hopefully they’ll be good to go by Sunday, but it has me worried. Maybe we could win in a shootout, but the Vikings defense is pretty respectable. No easy games in the NFL.
September 21st, 2017 at 6:00 am
I hope Bradford plays. Hit him a few times and he’ll fold. Week one was a fluke!
September 21st, 2017 at 6:18 am
It really doesn’t matter which qb goes against our defense. I’m betting on our defense.
Since Winston is not sharp on the deep ball yet, I wouldn’t be surprise to see Rhodes covering Evans.
September 21st, 2017 at 6:42 am
The guy on the left is “all ears” on who starts for the Vikings, which will drag this out as long as they can until they are forced to name a starting QB.
September 21st, 2017 at 7:21 am
I hope its Keenum.
We can use a similar strategy as last week. Shut down the Run, force Keenum to pass.
Cant do that with Bradford. He can best you with his arm. Badly.
As far as Offense- I bet we see a ton of Brate and Howard.
Vikings are gonna focus on Evans and Jackson.
They cant cover everyone. And that will help Jameis start honing his accuracy, and get to midform shape sooner
September 21st, 2017 at 7:31 am
Capt Tim, my thoughts exactly. Give Bradford some protection and he’s going to pick you apart.
On O, our TE’s should shine but we need to get a running game going too. The Bucs need to see what Barber can do.
September 21st, 2017 at 8:28 am
Bradford listed as “Probable” which means he will likely play.
September 21st, 2017 at 8:36 am
If I’m the Vikings put Rhodes on Evans with a double team and force Winston to prove he can connect with DJ over the top on low percentage passes.
September 21st, 2017 at 8:40 am
I don’t think anyone can stop Evans one-on-one. I would put Rhodes on Jackson and give a lot of safety help towards Evans, basically double ME. Maybe we will see a lot of James to Brate/Howard this Sunday? I am good with that!
September 21st, 2017 at 8:42 am
Bradford is deadly accurate, especially on short passes, and he lit it up in week 1. Judging by how VH was getting owned on short slants last week, it would be a good thing to have Bradford sit this week.
September 21st, 2017 at 9:00 am
Wouldn’t mind seeing a few screens to Humphries underneath while Evans and Jackson are on go routes. That’ll loosen things up too.
September 21st, 2017 at 9:08 am
Nobody is listed as anything. NFL teams do not classify players as probable/questionable, etc. until the Friday injury reports are released.
September 21st, 2017 at 9:12 am
I really don’t care. NOBODY can cover ME13 by themselves
September 21st, 2017 at 9:32 am
Bradford is listed as “female” but that can easily change by the Friday report or could be gametime decision. We need to be ready to face whoever shows up behind center. Either way Kwon gets his.
September 21st, 2017 at 10:56 am
🙂
September 21st, 2017 at 11:23 am
Biff Barker
Agree! I think Barber might have what it takes, to be our featured back Sunday!
September 21st, 2017 at 11:34 am
I would expect to see quite a bit of Rhodes on Evans with them rolling safety coverage over the top to help on Jackson. Use Evans to clear space on crossing routes for Godwin, Brate, and OJ. Read the safeties and throw it to the open man Jameis! Go kick their ass boys!
September 21st, 2017 at 12:00 pm
We’d better hope Bradford plays. His backup has been..The BUC killer!!
September 21st, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Just watched coaches film of both of the Vikes games.
Put no stock on the offensive performance of the Vikes vs. Saints. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a worse defensive team than the Saints.
I predict a low-scoring, defensive game. The Vikes have a stout DL with Joseph completely clogging up the middle and speed & quickness at DE & LB. Sound familiar? Like the Bucs?
Keenum thrives on the dink and dunk passing game. The Vikes aren’t the Rams. The Rams had playmakers that the Vikes lack. Cook looked good but reminded me of Barry Sanders (except not as great): For every 20yder he reels off (one needs to discount the Saints game), he gets stopped behind the Los three times. He has not been consistent, and I hope that trend continues.
I suspect we’ll see more blitzes by the Bucs on Sunday, not just to get sacks, but to confuse & rattle Keenum. His progression seems two deep and making him think too much plays into the Bucs plan. Keenum tore the Bucs apart in the past because of that horrible scheme Lovie ran in ’15 and was marginally effective in 2016, both with a different team…and before the Bucs D caught fire.