QB's hurried entrance might've been avoided

A day after the Vikings' 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions, two main topics of discussion centered around backup quarterback Brooks Bollinger and a couple of sequences in overtime.

The first came when quarterback Tarvaris Jackson hobbled off the field because of a groin strain early in overtime and forced Bollinger to literally run into the game. The second was the failed exchange between Bollinger and center Matt Birk later in the series that led to the Lions' game-winning field goal.

Bollinger downplayed having to enter the game in quick fashion, but there was little doubt Jackson would have done his teammate a favor if he had remained on the turf at Ford Field.

"That's a tough deal, and it made it even tougher when Tarvaris tried to get off the field," said veteran Kelly Holcomb, who was the Vikings' emergency quarterback Sunday. "If he would've stayed down instead of coming out, [Bollinger] could've got a chance to warm up."

Coach Brad Childress refused to second-guess Jackson, citing the pain he was suffering from the injury.

"I guess I am not that deep strategywise," he said. "When a guy is hurt -- Have you ever been kicked in the groin? -- I don't know if those other processes are working."

Another option would have been for the Vikings to use a timeout.

"We like to hold on to those timeouts," Childress said. "As you move back up the field those things are like hen's teeth. I hate wasting them."

As for the botched snap, which was recovered by Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and ultimately led to Jason Hanson's 37-yard field goal, both Bollinger and Birk attempted to accept responsibility.

"Just going forward, I've got to make sure he gets the ball -- especially in a critical situation," Birk said.

Added Bollinger after watching the film: "It's hard to see, it's hard to tell. It's just obviously something that can't happen, and as a quarterback you've just got to get the snap first."

Questionable flag?

Childress wasn't happy with a third-quarter roughing-the-passer call that went against defensive tackle Spencer Johnson. The Lions were facing a third-and-22 from the Vikings 43-yard line when Johnson hit Detroit quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan, who threw an incomplete pass. But instead of having to punt the ball, the Lions received a fresh set of downs and the ball moved to the Vikings 28.

O'Sullivan's 7-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Calvin Johnson ended the drive and gave the Lions a 17-7 lead.

"I mentioned to [referee] Bill Leavy something about that, and I'll probably have [NFL vice president of officiating] Mike Pereira review it," Childress said. "We had a still picture of the quarterback with the ball still in his hand and Spencer around his waist. At the point you've committed yourself I really feel like it's difficult for you [to pull back]."

Johnson said he would do the same thing again. "I thought it was a clean hit," he said. "I hit him pretty good, and then he hit the ground. I guess that's why he called it because his head hit the ground so hard. ... I didn't know if he threw the ball or not."

Etc.

• Childress did not reveal all the Vikings' injuries coming out of Sunday's game but said there were "a bunch of guys" that were scheduled to get MRI exams Monday. Among those banged up were safeties Darren Sharper and Dwight Smith. Receiver Troy Williamson, who had a hamstring spasm and left the game, is expected to be fine. Childress said the team would have an update on running back Chester Taylor (hip) on Wednesday. Taylor did not play Sunday.

• How did Childress feel about Sunday's loss, which included five turnovers by his team and 12 penalties against? In his opening statement during Monday's news conference he referred to the game as "that debacle."

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com