Jags @ Vikes

[Vin+ 3,121]

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been doing everything possible to return from a severe knee injury.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is finally back, but it's not on his terms.

 

It's uncertain how much either with play - if at all, in Peterson's case - as these teams meet in Sunday's season opener at the Metrodome.

 

The NFL leader with 6,752 rushing yards since he entered the league in 2007, Peterson could return a little more than eight months after undergoing reconstructive surgery on a torn ACL and MCL suffered Dec. 24 at Washington.

 

The four-time Pro Bowler did not play in the preseason, but he's listed as questionable for Sunday and has been participating in practice as the Vikings try to rebound from their second straight losing season (3-13).

 

"Despite what everyone else had to say, that was my vision," Peterson said of playing in the opener. "I knew it was going to be a journey, a path, to get closer to that vision, and I'm closer. I see it. It's closer now. It was far away in the beginning, but I've been working hard and just moving forward."

 

Coach Leslie Frazier said Friday that the Vikings will wait until game-time to determine whether Peterson plays. With Peterson's workload to be limited even if he does take the field, Toby Gerhart is likely to be the featured back.

 

"With Toby we can run our offense even if Adrian isn't in there," Frazier said. "We feel like we don't have to change any of our plays. We're very confident and comfortable with Toby being our lead back if that's the case. The same runs that Adrian would have would be the same runs that Toby would have."

 

New Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey has the same confidence in third-year back Rashad Jennings, who had a solid preseason with 209 yards on the ground as Jones-Drew - the NFL leader with 1,606 yards last season - skipped offseason workouts and training camp in a failed attempt to renegotiate his contract.

 

Jones-Drew ended his 38-day holdout last Sunday and could get some touches in Week 1.

 

"I have to kind of get acclimated to the offense," Jones-Drew said. "I have to show them the work to get my job back. That's all it is. No one has ever given me anything in my whole life. This is just something that I've been used to. I like it. The competition is going to be great. ... I have a lot to catch up on and get back to my old self."

 

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert feels that he's ready to rebound from a difficult rookie season. He completed 50.8 percent of his passes for 2,214 yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and he has two new wide receivers to work with - free agent pickup Laurent Robinson and fifth overall pick Justin Blackmon, who made news this offseason for a DUI arrest and brief holdout.

 

"I think our guys want to see where we're at," said Mularkey, who spent the last four seasons as Atlanta's offensive coordinator. "We did some good things in the preseason. We just want to see if we can do that for four quarters. ... I think this will be a good test up there in this environment. I think it's going to be good for us to see where we're at."

 

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder is also preparing for a better effort in his second year. He threw 13 TDs and 13 INTs last season after taking over the starting job from Donovan McNabb.

 

"We're putting that pressure on ourselves that we want to do a lot better than 3-13," Ponder said. "We want to make the playoffs. We want to be competitive in the NFC North."

 

But with Peterson's status unknown, plenty of questions in the secondary and a lack of a No. 2 receiver behind Percy Harvin - newcomer Jerome Simpson is suspended the first three games for a felony drug conviction for a marijuana shipment to his home last fall - the Vikings could face a tough time in a division with Green Bay, Chicago and Detroit.

 

"In most people's eyes, we're just not talented enough, not as good, not as experienced," linebacker Chad Greenway said. "... It's going to be exciting, because I think we're going to be a lot better than what people think we are, and I think that we have a chance."

 

The Vikings are expecting a big year from rookie left tackle Matt Kalil, the fourth overall pick who can seemingly only get better going against All-Pro Jared Allen in practice. Allen, who was one-half sack shy of tying the NFL single-season record of 22 1/2 last season, helped Minnesota tie for the most sacks in the league with 50.

 

The Jaguars allowed 44 sacks last season, tied for seventh-most in the NFL.

 

Minnesota improved to 3-1 against the Jaguars after winning 30-12 in its only visit to Jacksonville on Nov. 23, 2008.

 

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press.

 

Now that the preseason is over, my biggest concern heading into the season is our defense. And now that we're going into this game without Daryl Smith and Derek Cox, my opinion hasn't changed. I still think we'll win, but it wouldn't surprise me to see our D suck enough to cause us to lose.

[RazorStar 4,025]

This game is intriguing, there are a lot of young players on both sides, untapped potential in teams that are basically written off as contenders. It's still week 1, so there is some optimism going around, so here are my Things to Watch.

 

1. Overshadowed Backs, Time to Shine

 

Most people don't think of much when they see Toby Gerhart, and instantly write him off as inferior to most backs in the league. When you watch him play however, it's a different story. He set the league on fire when Peterson went down, and if the preseason is an indicator of continued success, Minnesota has no reason to rush Adrian Peterson. On the other side, MJD is highly likely to lose his job and future earnings because he held out, Rashad Jennings just wants it more than him, and his play will show it. Expect a heavy focus on the run game, as both teams draw interesting parallels.

 

2. The Other Second Year QB's

 

Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder were probably the two worst starters from last year's draft class, not including Locker since he barely saw the field. While both looked overwhelmed as rookies, there have been flashes of brilliance from both guys over this offseason. Ponder is a bit more decisive and Gabbert grew some testes and is showing he's not afraid to step up in the pocket and get hammered. Their growth will be a microcosm of each team's growth this year.

 

3. Jared Allen vs. Eugene Monroe and the Jags OLine

 

Allen looks to be a big part of the sack race this year, but how will he handle one of the young up and coming blind side protectors in this game? He'll need every move in his repertoire to get past this physical monster.

[Dutch 874]

I think the Jags take this one. Hard to determine a score though because we are uncertain if Adrian Peterson is playing. Honestly I believe they should set him out and let him recover longer; I think they are rushing him too fast off an ACL injury. Longevity career wise > Short term success

 

20

 

17

[WindyCitySports 407]

This is kind of a tough one to predict. I don't see either team making much of a run this year.

 

21

14

[AllYouNeedIsLovie 377]

Probably gonna be a pretty bad game with 2 young QB's starting. I think the Jags take it in a close one.

[AllYouNeedIsLovie 377]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/08/no-way-peterson-doesnt-play/

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will play on Sunday against the Jaguars. A source with knowledge of the situation say there’s “no way” Peterson won’t. (Hopefully it’s not the same source who once told a prominent NFL insider that there’s “no way” the Texans won’t take Reggie Bush with the first pick in the 2006 draft.)

[TealFTW 1]

I'm very excited about this game. People wrote off Gabbert way to early, last year was his first year, played on a team with a HC that was bound to be fired, and in an offense that was just a no win situation especially with the WR corps. He's already showing this year what he can do with some weapons and a coaching staff that worked with him and improved some aspects of his game, one big one that I notice has been greatly improved is his footwork.

 

I think we take this one, 24-14. Good to see other people see us winning this as well. Not having D.Smith or Cox is going to hurt us a solid amount, hopefully Boz/Middleton step up and play well.

[Dutch 874]

Gabbert looked totally different in the preseason. I know it's preseason and all but that doesn't mean you can't notice when development has taken place. He was getting the ball out quickly at times, making accurate throws and looked way more comfortable back in the pocket. If Gabbert looks like he did in the preseason, I think the Jags will win more games then ppl thing. The Jags defense is already solid. Granted MJD still performs to his normal standard, with Gabbert playing at a somewhat elevated level connecting with Blackmon, Laurent, and his TE Mercedes Lewis, they can pose a threat. They can be a sleeper but it all revolves around Gabberts play.

[BradyFan81 404]

All depends on Gabbert for me. I haven't watched any Jags preseason so I'll take your word for it on his development. I like the Jags D a little bit honestly so if they can get some solid QB play out of Gabbert I could see them having a decent year, and be much better than last year.

 

I'm taking the Vikes here though cause I have no idea and they're at home.

[Bay 2,003]

 

This one is so hard to predict a score.

[Vin+ 3,121]

Adrian Peterson is active and in the starting lineup for Sunday's opener versus Jacksonville.

 

Although Peterson is receiving the start, he is expected to share carries with Toby Gerhart in a bit of a fantasy quandary.

 

The Vikings' Week 1 inactives are QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Wright, CB A.J. Jefferson, S Andrew Sendejo, LB Marvin Mitchell, LB Audie Cole, and C Mark Asper.

 

 

Justin Blackmon is active for Week 1 at Minnesota, as expected.

 

Blackmon was listed as probable with an ankle injury. He'll be all systems go after practicing fully on both Thursday and Friday. The Jaguars' Week 1 inactives are DT Jeris Pendleton, WR Brian Robiskie, injured CB Derek Cox, LB Daryl Smith, OG Josh Beekman, DE George Selvie, and DE Austen Lane.

 

 

A lot of depth on D out for the Jags, don't like that at all.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Jags draw first blood, 3-0 atm.

[Vin+ 3,121]

9-7 Jags at the half.

 

Our offense and defense have looked good for (except for the final drive by the Vikes before the half). Vikes have sucked for the most (again, except for the final drive before the half). Hopefully we can keep this up and come out with a W.

[Vin+ 3,121]

I hate Percy Harvin. He is single-handedly winning this game for the Vikes.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Well the Vikes just blew a chance to seal the game, let's see what the Jags do with ~90 seconds.

[Vin+ 3,121]

Now that the preseason is over, my biggest concern heading into the season is our defense. And now that we're going into this game without Daryl Smith and Derek Cox, my opinion hasn't changed. I still think we'll win, but it wouldn't surprise me to see our D suck enough to cause us to lose.

Good prediction, Vin.

 

Valiant effort from the offense, especially considering what we had last year. The D just collapsed at the wrong times. You can't let the Vikes march down the field before half, you can't let Percy Harvin run wild, you can't let AP bust open some long runs.

 

Overall though, I've still got hope. If the offense can continue to improve, and we can get Smith and Cox back, I think we'll be alright.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Decent but nothing special out of the performances of Gabbert and Ponder, which is what I was looking for in this game. Definitely some improvement out of both, though, and I think that's what fans (of those teams) want to see most.

[RazorStar 4,025]

I dunno, that 4th quarter final drive by Gabbert was pretty special. Excellent game all around though, and Blair Walsh is already making a name for himself as a kicker.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

If all he needs is one good drive a game, the Jaguars must be set! lol

 

He's gotta throw for a higher completion percentage. Just has to. I am sure he will improve, because as I said, it's a promising start. But there is room to get even better.

 

Under 60% completion and 6 YPA with two scores gets trumped by Over 70% completion and 10 YPA without a score.

Edited September 9, 2012 by Favre4Ever

[TealFTW 1]

23/39, 260 yards, 2 TD's, 0 INT's...all that needs to be said.

[Vin+ 3,121]

If all he needs is one good drive a game, the Jaguars must be set! lol

 

He's gotta throw for a higher completion percentage. Just has to. I am sure he will improve, because as I said, it's a promising start. But there is room to get even better.

 

Under 60% completion and 6 YPA with two scores gets trumped by Over 70% completion and 10 YPA without a score.

There were six or seven drops. And hey, it's about time the one good drive rule gets applied to someone other than Tim Tebow. And I'd still take Blaine's statline over Ponder's TD-less line.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Considering what Gabbert was last year, a 6.67 YPA, and approx 60% completion percentage is a major improvement.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

There were six or seven drops. And hey, it's about time the one good drive rule gets applied to someone other than Tim Tebow. And I'd still take Blaine's statline over Ponder's TD-less line.

 

Lol. Unfortunately I don't I think Gabbert will get his own segment on Sportscenter. And I would rather take Ponders line. You should not have to throw that much to get the production you did. It's vastly inefficient.

 

But again, it's a great improvement from being one of the two worst QBs in the league last year. It's promising, but ya gotta get more.

 

Considering what Gabbert was last year, a 6.67 YPA, and approx 60% completion percentage is a major improvement.

 

 

Absolutely... lol. Dunno if the Jags can sustain constant success on a line like that though.

[TealFTW 1]

Haha, wow, this is so pathetic. Hating on Gabbert after a 23/39, 260 yards, and 2 TD with no pic's game? That's just pathetic.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

How exactly am I hating? He had a nice game, I said there is tons of upside... There is no hate. Take off the teal tinted glasses, bro. lol

 

Efficiency at the QB position will win you games.