During a lackluster loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday afternoon, a few members of the Minnesota Vikings played very well. Here are our defensive standouts of the game.
The Minnesota Vikings defense played well on Saturday, as did their counterparts from Jacksonville. It wasn’t the type of game that gets a lot of media highlights, but there were definitely some plays and players that stood out positively for Viking fans.
Defensive MVP vs. Jaguars:
Danielle Hunter, Defensive End
It didn’t take a highly astute eye to judge Hunter as a dominating factor in this pre-season game. In fact, Hunter hurried Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles so often that it’s not unrealistic to consider moving him to the right defensive end position over Everson Griffen.
What would you do with Everson? Well, that’s what they call a ‘good problem’ for a guy like Vikings head coach, Mike Zimmer. No doubt, he’d work it out.
Hunter has come of professional age. As a blind-side defender, he looks a lot like a young Bruce Smith. In his one sack, he pulled down the 6’4”, 240 lb. Bortles with one hand while being blocked away from him.
Hunter so menaced Bortles during the game that the quarterback was forced him into a simple interception by free safety Harrison Smith and a near pick-six by slot cornerback MacKensie Alexander.
In a word, wow.
Honorable mentions:
Anthony Barr, Linebacker
Barr was shedding blocks and attacking at will during his playing time against the Jaguars. He shut down several plays and used his rare blend of speed and height to disrupt the flow of the Jags offense.
No doubt, Barr is healthy and displaying his worth to the Vikings’ brass.
Jaleel Johnson, Defensive Tackle
Johnson showed strength and quickness in the center of the defensive line during most of the second half. He wasn’t playing against the Jacksonville starters, but his dominant play was impressive all the same.
Mike Zimmer has obviously had success with his middle-round draft players (Danielle Hunter foremost among them) and Johnson may prove a worthy spell replacement for defensive tackle Linval Joseph and as well a jewel for the future on the Vikings’ defensive line.