2014 Vikings Training Camp notes/interviews

[HornedMessiah]

That's too bad. I wonder if this will just hasten his departure. I think Chad's got some good football left and Zimmer will be a good guy to get that out of him but I get a feeling that this might not be good for Greenway's future with the team (especially considering that video I saw the other day where it seems like Chad maybe just doesn't want to play MLB).

[PacificNorseWest]

Interesting. I'm glad Zimmer is the one to sort this out, because I have no idea how that group is going to look come week 1.

[dead_poet]

Jerick McKinnon - RB - Vikings

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "it seems like every day" rookie RB Jerick McKinnon "grabs your attention with his athleticism."

The top-100 pick reportedly made a sweet juke on a swing pass in Wednesday's practice to elude CB Kendall James before planting his foot in the ground and "shooting into the secondary."
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... um=twitter

[dead_poet]

What you missed at Vikings training camp today

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... um=twitter

Barr, meanwhile, spent most of the practice with the first team. He flashed a couple of times off the edge and on one play hurried Bridgewater. But Zimmer didn’t exactly give him a glowing review.

“The only time I noticed him, he was late on a blitz,” he said. “And I talked to him about it.”

Man, Zimmer really is getting after Barr. He's already said he has no higher expectations for anyone else on the team.

SPEAKING OF THE BLITZ PERIOD: We got a brief look at some of the mayhem Zimmer intends to bring in obvious passing situations. Zimmer tinkered with three-man and four-man defensive lines in his sub packages. On one play, it was Barr and Brian Robison rushing from the edges. On another, it was Robison and Everson Griffen. We also saw Sharrif Floyd on the inside. Zimmer has weapons to work with. The defense certainly won the blitz period today, either forcing errant passes or check-downs to a running back or tight end short of the sticks.

[PacificNorseWest]

Zimmer was the same way with Burfict. He's very unforgiving and uncomplementary with rookies. The knock them down then build them up type.

[dead_poet]

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Every NFL team is looking to get younger and cheaper -- well, except for maybe the Redskins or Raiders -- and the Vikings are no exception. The team has just eight players on its 90-man roster who are 30 or older. The oldest is long snapper Cullen Loeffler at 33. Guard Joe Berger is 32. Quarterback Matt Cassel, outside linebacker Chad Greenway and defensive end Brian Robison are all 31.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... um=twitter

[dead_poet]

@christomasson: Mike Zimmer on Cordarrelle Patterson "He's confident but he's not like a couple of guys we had in Cincinnati He's pretty respectful about it

[losperros]

Jerick McKinnon - RB - Vikings

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "it seems like every day" rookie RB Jerick McKinnon "grabs your attention with his athleticism."

The top-100 pick reportedly made a sweet juke on a swing pass in Wednesday's practice to elude CB Kendall James before planting his foot in the ground and "shooting into the secondary."
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... um=twitter

McKinnon seems to be lighting the place up, given what I've read from numerous stories. Good to hear the kid is so versatile.

[dead_poet]

@Andrew_Krammer: Zimmer: Barr working at multiple spots so far. End rusher in dime, OLB in base, nickel LB as well.

Zimmer: Rodney Smith started off slow, but he's impressed. Tiny Richardson also brought up as under radar performer

[maembe]

McKinnon seems to be lighting the place up, given what I've read from numerous stories. Good to hear the kid is so versatile.

I feel like I've been reading this everywhere, but then this morning some guy on the radio said that he's been pretty much buried on the depth chart behind Asiata and hasn't done much.

[dead_poet]

Emerged from a Mike Zimmer press conference with four Mr. Mankato candidates: Jabari Price, Rodney Smith, Antonio Richardson, Zach Line.

[Mothman]

What does that mean? I'm unfamiliar with this "Mr. Mankato" thing.

[dead_poet]

What does that mean? I'm unfamiliar with this "Mr. Mankato" thing.

I believe it's a term media use to describe the training camp "winner" or Camp MVP. Doesn't really carry much weight.

[S197]

What does that mean? I'm unfamiliar with this "Mr. Mankato" thing.

I think it's one of those dark horse guys to make the roster that the media talks up during its daily reports. The four above were specifically mentioned by Zimmer when asked for names. Price has been mentioned a few times by him and I think Thielen is the other "Mr. Mankato" candidate although with Smith coming on maybe there will be good competition there.

Watching the interview, Zimmer found it a lot easier to think of guys on offense than defense. He tried to think of at least another name on defense but then basically let the question go. I think Blanton taking 1st team reps is sort've a Mr. Mankato, unfortunately it looks like he'll miss a week or more now.

[Mothman]

Thanks, guys. i figured it meant something along those lines but I wasn't sure.