Preseason Game 1: Five Minnesota Vikings Who Helped Themselves

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Audie Cole (57) against the Chicago Bears at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

3. Audie Cole

Audie Cole in the preseason is pretty much money. Though Cole didn’t do anything as spectacular as house a pair of interceptions (the plays upon which his preseason legend was originally based), he did show up as expected, collecting four tackles on the night.

Cole has a nose for the ball and a knack for making plays, and we know he has the right mentality to be a backup LB/special teams ace. If there was any doubt in Mike Zimmer’s mind about what Cole brings to the table, those doubts should have been put to rest against the Raiders. Cole may not be the most athletic player in the world but he just knows how to get it done on a football field.