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Week 2: vs Tampa Bay
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Vikings News
-Donovan McNabb has been blamed for the loss against the Chargers by many fans and if he doesn't step up his game soon, it looks like he might lose the fan base completely before the season has even really started. So far, the "Give us Hope!" signs and slogans that fans brought to training sessions during the week seem to be more of a good-minded jest than trying to stir up a real controversy, but still, Hope Turner has predictably become the main attraction at most Vikings training drills, with most fans openly cheering for the first unit to get off the field so they can see her play. How much of this is out of the serious expectation for her to play better than McNabb, and how much is just for fun of the novelty of having a woman on their team, remains to be seen.
-The depth chart seems to be clearing up a little, during the week, Hope Turner has taken almost all the snaps in practice with the second team, with sophomore Joe Webb being relegated to third team and practice squad rookie. As expected, he has remained tight-lipped and refused to comment on his feeling on being bumped down the depth chart of a professional football team by a girl.
-At running back, Noel Devine seems to be outplaying Lorenzo Booker and has the second halfback slot locked up for the moment, but Booker still seems to be the preferred back on third down, although overall, the Vikings running back situation seems to be pretty fluid and prone to change ever week without a clear-cut feature back to carry the load.
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Around the League
-Quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Matt Hasselbeck both went down with injuries in week 1 and are not expected to play this sunday, with Dalton probably being out for at least 3-4 weeks with a broken toe.
-Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams tore his quadricep in the first half against the Cardinals, there is no timetable for his return but he is expected to miss at least half the season.
-This weeks opponent, the Buccaneers, are missing both starting center Jeff Faine (meniscus) and cornerback Ronde Barber (hip), both key players that should make it easier for the Vikings to keep sophomore running back LaGarrette Blount contained and open up the passing game down the field, although how much quarterback Donovan McNabb will be able to capitalize on the latter remains to be seen.