The Viking Age
FanSided

Minnesota Vikings: Top 5 cut day takeaways

By Josh Clarke

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 18: Head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 18, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 18: Head coach Mike Zimmer of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on August 18, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Minnesota Vikings scrambles with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Taylor Heinicke #6 of the Minnesota Vikings scrambles with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Three is a crowd

Just like last year the Minnesota Vikings decided to roll with only 2 quarterbacks on the 53 man roster, unsurprisingly the 2 selected were Sam Bradford and Case Keenum. With Teddy Bridgewater only just cleared to resume practice he has been placed on the PUP list and will miss at least the first 6 games of the season.  Marc Sessler of NFL.com provides us with an in-depth explanation of how that decision affects Teddy.

"Under the rules of the PUP, Bridgewater would be given a five-week window to practice after sitting out the first six games. The Vikings would then have a three-week space to activate the quarterback to the 53-man roster. If either of those deadlines pass, Bridgewater would remain on the PUP for the rest of the season."

2 Vikings quarterbacks fell by the way side as both Mitch Leidner and Taylor Heinicke were released. Leidner’s release was to be expected, his signing late in preseason suggested he was only on the team to make up the numbers and would have needed a preseason miracle (or a succession of injuries) to make the Vikings’ roster.

Whilst Heinicke’s departure probably doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone who watched him play this preseason it does come with a tinge of disappoint due to his unfulfilled potential. The undrafted quarterback out of Old Dominion had an impressive showing in the 2015 preseason and after missing the 2016 season through injury, he had been expected to challenge Keenum for the back-up gig this year.

The preseason went in drastically different directions for Keenum and Heinicke leading to Keenum securing the back-up role with ease. Heinicke failed to kick on from his 2015 performances and the 4th preseason game against Miami highlighted his lack of progression. Though he made some plays with his legs, Heinicke completed only 9 of his 20 pass attempts. On his incompletions he often never gave his receivers a chance at the catch demonstrating wild inaccuracy by overthrowing, underthrowing and missing wide.

Heinicke was released with an injury designation and there are rumours that once healthy he could be a practice squad candidate. I for one think there are other developmental quarterbacks available so will leave you with something to remember Heinicke by.

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