Zimmer Press Conference

Hello from MavBlog! 

What a gorgeous day today was for training camp. Here is a view from the sidelines.

Head coach Mike Zimmer spoke following practice

Today during morning practice the coaches worked on drills with special teams. Then they split into offense and defense and worked on some drills that got each quarterback some good reps. Afterwards, Coach Zimmer talked at his Press Conference. 

The first question to Coach Zimmer was, “How much have you installed at this point? How is the game plan for the rest of camp in how you get these guys to do what you want them to do?”

Zimmer responded, “We’re going to keep installing until about the week before we play. I try not to get anything else in about two weeks before the Rams game.”

“So once we get that in then we’re pretty good unless there’s something else obviously that we need game plan wise. I want our guys to play fast in the game and not think.”

Next question from the media was on the officials being there today to break down the contact rules, and how he has interpreted what the league has done and how he can convey that to the team.

“I think there’s going to be a bigger emphasis on some of the illegal contacts this year coming in and some of the holding for the defensive backs. But it’s good to get them in and the good thing about us, I think as coaches here, we adjust to the rules and try to play within the rules.  We try to do things the right way. Try to do what we have to do, in order avoid penalties and still be able to play a tough, physical brand of football.”

A question was then asked,  “How much have you gotten to know Everson Griffen personally and how would you describe him?”

Zimmer responded, “I like Everson a lot. He’s very eager. That’s one of the things I like that he would be. He’s very eager. He wants to please and do good. He’s very excitable. He wants to do things right and he’s a good kid, and I’m glad we have him.”

Another question for Coach Zimmer was, “What do you see from Anthony Barr in coverage?”

He replied, “Coverage is great. He moves well and he’s got a good idea. Somebody was telling me that he takes copious notes in the morning. He’s got pages and pages of them as we talk so he’s very, very into trying to learn what we’re trying to do and teach. He’s got a lot of raw, athletic ability that helps in the coverage aspect of things.”

Another question for Zimmer asked about who he thought has flown under the radar this spring and into camp.

Zimmer replied, “Jabari Price has done a really nice job I thought. He has played some in the nickel, he has played some outside. Rodney Smith started out slow, and in the last two or three days he has shown a lot better. He is running off the ball better now and running better routes. Tiny Richardson has been doing a pretty good job at left tackle and Zach Line has done a good job at fullback.”

A reporter then asked what impresses Zimmer about Jabari.

“He is covering guys pretty well. He is tough and not scared. A lot of time young guys, they come in and play a little tentative but he is not playing tentative at all. He has a little stuff inside him.” “He is good sized, he is competitive, and he can run real well.”

Last question asked were on his expectations for Saturday night.

Zimmer responded, “Honestly we are going to have a few more situations in practice on Saturday, it won’t be live, unless I decided to go a couple plays here and there. I will see how the health is in terms of where we are going. It will be a lot more situations, red zone, move the ball, we got another blitz period. We are just trying to get better each and every day.”

“We are trying to make this football tough, physical, and smart. We want to make sure we don’t make mistakes and we don’t’ want to beat ourselves. We want to play real hard.”

“Like I have said a million times, and I am going to keep saying it; I want our fans, when they watch us play on Sundays, when they turn the TV off, or leave the stadium, they say wow I can't wait to watch these guys next week. They play real hard, they play with a passion, and they do things right. They play the game the right way."

During afternoon practice coaches ran drills such as 11-on-11, individual position drills, two-minute drill, 7-on-7 and kick-off returns.

Some Vikings photos from today:

McKinnon With Teammate Dominique Williams

Adrian Peterson Taking A Selfie

Fan Excitement After Practice

Teddy Bridgewater 

Adam Thielen At Wide Receiver

Captain Munnerlyn Hiding Cookies

Peterson With Young Fans

Thielen Links

In case you are interested, a ton of stories and videos have been put together on former Maverick wide receiver, Adam Thielen.

After spending last season as a member of the Vikings' practice squad, he's now in his second training camp with the NFL club and the Detroit Lakes, Minn., native continues to make and impression. 



Here is a sampling of what the media is saying Adam. Enjoy!

Adam Thielen:  The Next Step.

Adam Thielen impresses Vikings, Rick Spielman

Vikings receiver Adam Thielen making a strong early impression

Thielen Impresses At Vikings Training Camp

Minnesota Vikings 2014 Training Camp Profile: Adam Thielen 

Thielen enters training camp fighting for WR spot

Detroit Lakes native Adam Thielen looking to make Vikings 53 man roster out of training camp

Norv Turner Media Conference

This morning’s walk-through practice ended with a press conference with offensive coordinator, Norv Turner. Turner addressed the media tent with a warm hello and welcome.

The first question asked was on his impressions of Greg Jennings.

“Greg is a pro. He’s a hard worker. He obviously has great experience and great understanding. He is, like the rest of the guys, in the middle of learning a new system. I think he’s done really well with it since we’ve started camp the last four days. He’s really zeroed in.”

 In his last comment Turner replied, “I like what I’ve seen. He’s a guy that can move around and you can create some matchup things with him.”

The next question asked was how he was going to be delegating the quarterback reps.

He responded that those were issues meant for Coach Zimmer, but to give some feedback he said, “We will have these guys ready. Whoever ends up being the starting quarterback, he will be ready to play on opening day.”  

“I’m pleased with the four days, the progress they have made and where they are at, Turner said. “Obviously, you cannot work three for a long time, so the reps will be getting divided up differently.”

A question on Teddy Bridgewater was how does he look so far when he feels pressure?

“I have seen all of Teddy’s college films and one of his strengths, and one of the best things we like about him is how he handles pressure,” Turner said. “He has been outstanding.”

Following that question, someone asked how Teddy has been in the classroom.

“He has been outstanding,” Turner said. “I think that for any of these guys, it does not matter if they have been here for nine years or it is their first year. You’re putting in a new system, new terminology, and new language. We are grinding on them and they are grinding to learn.”

The next question was one interestingly for Turner’s specific coaching style. The question stated, “Some of the players were saying you were one of the nicest mean coaches they have ever had, and they love working with you. What has helped you develop your coaching style?”

Turner responded, “I think your personality is what it is. I have been fortunate to be around a lot of coaches and I think there is a big part of this thing that has to be extremely demanding. I would say the guys on offense would tell you they need to be very precise in what they do, but you know it’s a grind, it’s a long deal and you find different ways of creating an atmosphere that guys feel good about and are motivated to work in and we grind on them, but we don’t want to beat them up. We want to encourage them. I think my background has probably influenced me the most.”

Vikings At Minnesota State

Welcome Vikings Fans! 

We at MavBlog are introducing our first ever Vikings Blog, where we will provide you with daily updates, highlights and stories from the 2014 Vikings Training Camp. Join us as the Vikings return to Mankato for their 49th consecutive year and as we share our insider news with you. Let's take a look at what's happened so far. 

Going Into Camp and What to Look For 

Training camp expectations are high this season with all of the exciting new additions to the organization that will exude a fresh start and new atmosphere. The Vikings introduced Mike Zimmer, as the team’s new head coach, and Norv Turner as the new offensive coordinator. 

The next big thing everyone is watching for is the quarterback competition. The race for the starting position will be a heated battle between the three candidates, Teddy Bridgewater, Matt Cassel, and Christian Ponder. From last season, Cassel proved he's a capable starter, and is predicted to get the starting position for Minnesota’s week one game against the St. Louis Rams, however training camp will be the deciding factor.

Bridgewater, Minnesota’s first-round draft pick from Louisville, will also be in the hunt for the starting position come week one as the coaches evaluate him throughout training camp. Ponder, who has been under a lot of scrutiny over the past year still has a good shot, as Norv Turner has confidence that he has the physical ability to step up, otherwise he wouldn't be in the line-up. 

One player we’d like to focus on later this week is one of our own former Maverick football players, Adam Thielen. Last year, Thielen joined the Vikings at training camp and was named to the team’s practice squad. The coaches said he was probably the most improved player this offseason. Thielen’s work ethic, which Maverick fans are familiar with, is greatly admired. So far he has been making some catches that have amazed his teammates, coaches and fans, as he looks poised to earn a roster spot for the upcoming season.

On the offensive side, some players to watch for are second-year wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, veteran receiver Greg Jennings, newly resigned tight end Kyle Rudolph, rookie playmaker Jerick McKinnon and of course the fan favorite, Adrian Peterson.

Not always talked about are the offensive linemen, which will play a huge role in the offense’s success for the upcoming season. Most notable are the Vikings solid left tackle Matt Kalil and right tackle Phil Loadholt. The Vikings are looking to get a solid group with good chemistry. One you’re also going to want to watch for is rookie David Yankey battling to get a starting guard position.

Some defensive players to watch for, starting with the defensive line, are second-year player Sharrif Floyd, Everson Griffen who signed a new contract in the offseason and rookie Anthony Barr who is taking reps at defensive end and outside linebacker. At the linebacker position, veteran Chad Greenway, and the battle for middle linebacker between Jasper Brinkley and Audi Cole.

For defensive backs, Captain Munnerlyn, who was acquired in free agency this off-season, and Harrison Smith. Also, watch for Xavier Rhodes to a have breakout year in his second season in a hands-on Zimmer defense.