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5 things to watch for in Vikings/Steelers Hall of Fame Game

By Adam Carlson

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It is one week until the Minnesota Vikings take the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2015 Hall of Fame game.  It will be the first game of the preseason and will also be the first time that many fans get a look at the young players on the team’s roster.  It also symbolizes the return to football for those that couldn’t attend training camp.

While the 2015 Hall of Fame Game will likely not have former NFL MVP Adrian Peterson in action, there are plenty of other reasons to tune in, as both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings have a lot of positive energy surrounding them entering this season.

Here are the top 5 things I’m looking forward to seeing in the Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2015:

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Trae Waynes (Michigan State) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 11th overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The play of rookie cornerback Trae Waynes.  There have been several reports of Waynes struggling with underneath routes, but the encouraging play of his at Vikings Family Day makes him a fun one to watch.

  • Middle linebacker competition.  Will it be Audie Cole or rookie Eric Kendricks getting the first looks in the base defense?  And will Kendricks fill in on the passing downs?
  • Mike Wallace in a Vikings jersey.  I can’t wait to see Wallace compete against another team now that he’s in Minnesota.  I don’t expect him to go deep too many times, but just getting a taste of the impact a field-stretching presence could have will be amazing.
  • The battle for the punt return job.  Will it be Marcus Sherels?  Rookie Stefon Diggs?  Or maybe even a wild card like Adam Thielen getting some returns?  The winner of the competition will lock up a roster spot while the others continue fighting for a role.
  • The new look offensive line.  Will Matt Kalil look improved?  How will Brandon Fusco look at left guard?  And how is the competition for the right guard spot with Mike Harris. Joe Berger, David Yankey and several others coming along?

    • Those are the things I’m most looking forward to.  What do you want to see?  And what does the Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame Game mean for those itching for the 2015 NFL season to start?  Let me know your opinion in the comments below.

    ***UPDATED 8/4/15 for Fusco’s left guard position

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