Vikings find progress, in small steps

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf stood calmly on the sideline Friday evening as a late-arriving crowd filed into the Metrodome. As he surveyed his players warming up on the field in front of him, Wilf nodded his head confidently.

"We're improving," Wilf said, echoing the sentiments of coach Brad Childress and other members of the organization. "We're getting better."

Progress can be measured on any number of scales, of course, and on Friday the Vikings took small steps. Their starters held the powerful Rams offense scoreless, but the Vikings own offense managed just three points in a 13-10 loss in the preseason opener for both teams.

The Rams won on Kevin Lovell's 40-yard field goal as time expired, coming 3 minutes and 27 seconds after the Vikings' Ryan Longwell was wide left on a 42-yard attempt. Longwell had drilled a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter, capping a respectable game for quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

However, none of the Vikings quarterbacks — Jackson, Brooks Bollinger and Tyler Thigpen — got into the end zone. The Vikings' lone touchdown came on linebacker Dontarrious Thomas' 82-yard interception return in the third quarter.

The Vikings offense managed 215 yards and 13 first downs but committed no turnovers. Afterwards, Childress said he saw some "decent" things from the offense.

Said Jackson: "It's never as good as it looks and never as bad."

Jackson completed eight of 11 passes for 83 yards in three series, while also scrambling twice for 25 yards. He played without two starters: left guard Steve Hutchinson (family issue) and fullback Tony Richardson (healthy scratch).

A crowd of 50,000-plus saw the Vikings defense limit Rams starters to three first downs over two series. Rookie cornerback Marcus McCauley stopped the first drive by tackling receiver Drew Bennett a yard short of a first down. Safety Dwight Smith intercepted a Marc Bulger pass, one that was tipped by linebacker Ben Leber, at the Vikings 23-yard line to end the Rams' second possession.

Most observers were far more interested in the fate of the overhauled Vikings offense. The results were mixed.

The Vikings had some moments with Jackson, connecting three times with receiver Troy Williamson (for 32 yards) and twice with Bobby Wade (for 42 yards).

Jackson admitted he had trouble sleeping Thursday night — "I had a little more adrenaline flowing," he said — and his favorite receiver was obvious from the start. Williamson was targeted on five of his first six passes.

"That gives you some real confidence," Williamson said. "But we've got to keep everything moving. We want to keep things going for the entire season."

But not unlike their performance last season, the Vikings could not capitalize on their drives with touchdowns. The Vikings' first possession stalled at the Rams 37 when Jackson threw too high for Williamson on a third-and-5. Jackson was tackled 1 yard short of a first down on the second possession, and in the end, the Vikings moved the ball best when they committed to their ground game. They ran six times on their 13-play scoring drive, five by rookie Adrian Peterson, but were unable to convert on third-and-9 at the Rams 12.

"We need a little red area work," Childress said. "I'd like to see us get 6's instead of 3's down there."

Opening preseason games are not often accurate harbingers of the season to come. So were there any clues Friday night?

If you are into omens, consider the first play of last season's first preseason game. Williamson fielded the opening kickoff. He fumbled and lost the ball.

The opening kickoff Friday night? Williamson again was on the receiving end. This time, he returned it 24 yards. The return was nullified by a penalty -- against the Rams, giving Williamson another crack.

Well, it's progress.

Kevin Seifert • kseifert@startribune.com