Let's assume for a moment that the NFL's third round of preseason games truly does provide the best glimpse into the progress of a team. If so, what can we say about the Vikings this morning?
Starters for both sides played the entire first half Friday, a game in which the Vikings soundly defeated Baltimore 30-7. The Vikings held a 10-0 lead at halftime, in the process making several discernible points.
Among them:
• On this night, the defense played just as coordinator Mike Tomlin would have it -- like its hair was on fire, to use one of Tomlin's favorite phrases. The Vikings held the Ravens to 12 yards in the first quarter, and overall the defense produced two touchdowns: cornerback Fred Smoot's 69-yard interception return of a Steve McNair pass in the second quarter, and Khreem Smith's 29-yard fumble return in the fourth quarter.
The Vikings also scored on rookie receiver Jason Carter's 77-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.
Ryan Longwell connected for field goals of 45, 38 and 23 yards. He missed a 40-yard attempt in the second quarter.
"We had our motors running on offense and defense coming out of the locker room," coach Brad Childress said. "That's what I want to see every time out."
Asked his assessment of the team after three preseason games, Childress said: "We've been up and down."
Baltimore was purported finally to have improved its offense, but the Vikings' starters limited the Ravens to 86 yards and sacked McNair twice. Playing without starter Jamal Lewis, Baltimore running backs Musa Smith and Mike Anderson combined for 19 yards on 11 carries.
• Carter might be forcing his way onto the team. He caught two passes for 97 yards, including the touchdown from rookie Tarvaris Jackson against what appeared to be a busted coverage. Carter, hoping to land the roster spot expected to be vacated by Koren Robinson, has caught four passes for 145 yards this preseason.
Childress said Carter's value as a punt returner -- he fielded five Friday without a miscue -- should not be overlooked.
• Once again, Vikings running back Chester Taylor did not find much room to run. Taylor totaled 27 yards on 10 carries, leaving briefly after getting poked in the eye, and caught one pass for 11 yards. In three preseason games, Taylor has gained 81 yards on 29 carries.
Childress, however, said he is more concerned with the quantity of rushing plays than the quality of them.
• Second-year receiver Troy Williamson is tougher than you might think. On the third play of the night, Williamson caught a quick out pass from Brad Johnson. He slipped underneath Baltimore cornerback Samari Rolle, losing his helmet in the process.
Undeterred, Williamson sprinted another 13 yards down the sideline until Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis knocked him out of bounds. Williamson finished with three receptions for 43 yards.
Johnson, meanwhile, completed nine of 15 passes for 95 yards. His most eventful pass of the night, a potential 32-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Robinson, was declared incomplete when officials ruled Robinson landed with only one foot in bounds.
"You can argue all you want," Robinson said. "They're not going to change the call. ... Overall, we have plenty of things in both the passing game and the running game we can work on."
Johnson's backups, Jackson and Mike McMahon, did little to settle the competition for the No. 2 quarterback spot. McMahon played two series in the third quarter, completing two of five passes for 36 yards, while Jackson completed two of four passes for 80 yards.
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