School's out for Vikings, ending on winning note

If you blinked early Thursday night, chances are you missed anything of moderate significance at the Metrodome. The Vikings offered but a quick glimpse of their regulars in the preseason finale, and almost no insight into the true makeup of their team on an evening light on drama.

The Vikings held out six starters, while the Dallas Cowboys rested 16, in the home team's 23-14 victory. Reserves flooded the field midway through the first quarter, their final performance before final cuts this weekend.

Vikings coach Brad Childress is expected to make at least some move today; he must trim the roster to 53 players by noon Saturday.

The Vikings finished the preseason with an ambiguous 2-2 record.

Afterward, Childress said: "We haven't set the team yet, but I can tell you that I think they've gotten better through every practice of training camp."

Asked if the Vikings are prepared for the regular season, safety Darren Sharper said they have little choice.

"We have to be ready because it's time," Sharper said. "It's time to play for real. Our test will be on Sept. 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. We'll find out then."

As has been the case for most of the preseason, Thursday night's results were mixed. The good news: The Vikings' nominal No. 1 defense forced a three-and-out in its only series, and overall the Vikings forced five turnovers and a total of 14 in the preseason.

The bad news: Their coverage teams continued to struggle, giving up a 95-yard punt return to Dallas' Jerheme Urban less than five minutes into the game.

And, finally, news that is open to interpretation: The No. 1 offense, playing without tailback Chester Taylor (healthy scratch) and receiver Bobby Wade (ankle), managed one first down but did not score in its brief appearance. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson completed one of five passes for 13 yards, narrowly missing two interceptions and coming up short on a deep pass to Troy Williamson.

Jackson finished the preseason with 20 completions in 38 attempts for 225 yards, but he did not throw for a score and led the team to only two touchdowns overall.

Before Thursday night, in fact, the Vikings' offense trailed its defense in touchdowns scored this preseason, 4-2. Offensive backups saved their brethren from a dubious distinction by getting two touchdowns in the second quarter against the Cowboys: Artose Pinner's 1-yard run and a 4-yard pass from Brooks Bollinger to rookie Sidney Rice.

Placekicker Ryan Longwell, meanwhile, made field goals of 47, 27 and 37 yards.

Longwell was the bright spot for a special teams that never got its coverage groups straightened out this summer. The lowlight came with 4 minutes, 6 seconds gone in the first quarter.

Urban fielded Chris Kluwe's 59-yard punt at the Cowboys' 5-yard line. Two Vikings, Heath Farwell and Cullen Loeffler, were in place to pin Urban deep in his territory.

Just as they were ready to pounce, Billy McMullen crashed into Farwell, knocking all three men to the ground. Urban raced up the right sideline, made a move on Kluwe and dashed across the field for a 95-yard touchdown.

The Vikings have rolled numerous players through their coverage units during the preseason, but Childress said, "You can't ever allow a 95-yard punt return. I don't care who is covering."

Childress challenged the play when replays indicated Urban's right foot touched the right sideline, but officials upheld the score.

Entering training camp, Childress told players to make his roster decisions as difficult as they could. Thursday night, he told players: "Memories weigh ounces. Regrets weigh pounds."I didn't want them to carry those pounds with them," Childress said.

Rice was one who listened. He caught Jackson's only completion, a 13-yard reception to convert a third down, while also making a nice adjustment to reach back for Bollinger's pass in the end zone. Rice, a second-round draft choice, already was guaranteed a roster spot, but he couldn't wipe the smile off his face after the game.

"It was good to get the score," Rice said. "But now, this is the real thing. The season is now upon us."