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Friday, Aug. 17, 2001
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Come together
Vikings turning negative into positive with fast preseason start
By Jeff Agrest, Senior editor
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| With a heavy heart, the Vikings returned to the
Metrodome on Thursday night for their first home appearance of the 2001 season. Korey
Stringer still was on their minds, but the Vikings were able to channel that energy into
the game, and it resulted in another win. Granted, it was merely a preseason win, but
Minnesota’s 2-0 start to the exhibition portion of their schedule might be just as
important as a 2-0 start to the regular portion of their schedule. The team is showing the
ability to come together during a crisis, to rally around each other.
After its 41-0 NFC championship loss to the Giants last season, who would have thought
such a statement could be made?
"When someone dies, it makes you take a second look at the game," Vikings
second-year RB Doug Chapman said after his team’s 24-10 victory over Pittsburgh.
"Considering what happened, I think our team pulled together, coach (Dennis) Green
did a good job of getting everyone together as a family."
Mentally, the Vikings are still coming to grips with Stringer’s death. But
physically, they’re putting forth an effort out of remembrance. As the looks on their
faces revealed during the moment of silence held before the game, it’s not easy to
take negative energy and turn it into positive energy.
But they’re doing it.
The Vikings’ offense, particularly the passing game, hasn’t missed a beat. WR
Randy Moss has caught five passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns. QB Daunte Culpepper
has thrown for two touchdowns and run for two touchdowns. Rookie RB Michael Bennett had an
impressive debut, rushing for 79 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.
Thursday night, the defense rose to the occasion, recording five takeaways, three of
which led to Vikings points. In the first half, LB Ed McDaniel intercepted a Kordell
Stewart pass, leading to a Moss touchdown. Then DE Talance Sawyer’s sack forced a
fumble that led to a field goal with five seconds left in the half.
The performance was a good sign for a unit that recorded a league-low 18 takeaways last
season and finished minus-10 in turnover differential, tied for fourth-worst in the
league.
"The big satisfaction is when the offense turns that turnover into points,"
McDaniel said. "That is both teams working together, and you have to have that
throughout the year."
Especially this year. |
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