The Vikings and Dallas Cowboys – each with high expectations for the regular season - will conclude the preseason on Thursday night at Texas Stadium. Thursday night will mark the tenth time Minnesota and Dallas have met in the preseason, with the Vikings holding the overall edge 5-3-1. The last time the two teams faced off in preseason action was last year at the Metrodome, a game the Vikings won 23-14.
Both teams are expected to play their starters for only a series or two, meaning younger players and projected backups will see extended time as they try to earn a roster spot. NFL teams must cut their rosters from 75 to 53 players before September 1.
Although he is making progress in recovering from a knee injury suffered against Baltimore on August 16, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson’s status for Thursday night seems doubtful. It’s likely Gus Frerotte will start in his place and see limited action, at which point Brooks Bollinger and John David Booty will play as they fight for the third quarterback job.
Of the three non-starters, Frerotte has looked the best, completing 21 of 35 passes for 262 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Booty and Bollinger have unremarkable numbers, but each player will have a shot to improve their stock as the preseason comes to a close.
Other offensive players who will likely see extended time on Thursday include running backs Maurice Hicks and Albert Young, receivers Jaymar Johnson, Nate Jones, Martin Nance and Darius Reynaud, tight ends Braden Jones and Garrett Mills, and offensive linemen Brian Daniels, Chase Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Tim Mattran, Dan Mozes and John Sullivan; depending on his health, Drew Radovich may also see extended time.
After an impressive performance against the Steelers last weekend, the Vikings starting front four defensive lineman will see limited, if any, action against Dallas. Reserves such as Martail Burnett, Leger Douzable, Fred Evans, Otis Grigsby, Letroy Guion and Ellis Wyms will see most of the reps in their place. Also, young linebackers Rufus Alexander, Erin Henderson, David Herron and J Leman will try and prove they are capable of backing up Chad Greenway, E.J. Henderson and Ben Leber.
In the secondary, 2008 draft pick Tyrell Johnson and special teams ace Eric Frampton continue to compete for a starting spot while prized free-agent acquisition Madieu Williams recovers from a neck injury. Charles Gordon, Marcus McCauley and Benny Sapp are also battling for the third corner spot, although all three players seem poised to make the roster.
Special teams is another area where young players can prove their worth. The more phases and responsibilities a player can adequately execute, the more likely he is to make the team.
The Cowboys are likely in a similar situation as the Vikings – looking to fill out their roster and find out which players can be capable backups and reserves. Star players such as running back Marion Barber, receiver Terrell Owens, quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten will likely see little or no playing time. Former Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson could see extended time against his former team, while the electric Felix Jones, a rookie running back out of Arkansas, will see action on offense as well as special teams.
Defensively for Dallas, look for star players such as Greg Ellis, Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Roy Williams to receive some rest, while young players such as linebacker Bobby Carpenter, defensive back Mike Jenkins and outside linebacker Anthony Spencer see extended time.
The Vikings open the 2008 regular season on Monday Night Football at the Green Bay
Packers on September 8, while the Cowboys begin at Cleveland on Sunday, September 7.
Did you know?
-- The Vikings defense has not allowed an offensive touchdown over the past seven
quarters of the 2008 preseason, allowing only four field goals during that time. The last
touchdown Minnesota gave up was on the Baltimore Ravens opening drive in Week 2.
Together Baltimore and Pittsburgh made a combined four trips inside the Vikings red zone and came away with 13 total points from those drives.
-- Over the past two games, the Vikings have notched eight sacks of opposing quarterbacks. In Week 2, the Vikings brought down Ravens quarterbacks five times and last week against the Steelers, the team collected three more. Currently the team’s biggest offseason acquisition, Jared Allen, is tied with fellow defensive end Otis Grigsby for the team lead with two sacks.