Daily Norseman
I think that there is way too much over analysis on practice reps and the preseason games. Every throw, drop, missed block or tackle, etc. is being scrutinized heavily right now. There seems to be very little patience. The amount of takes over individual reps in a game is ridiculous. We really will not know until week one.
Notable PFF grades, standouts from Vikings’ preseason win over Texans
Top 5 grades on offense (minimum 10 snaps)
Jurgens and Rouse also impressing is an encouraging sign for the Vikings’ offensive line depth. Those two second-year players should have a good shot to make the roster alongside veteran backups Justin Skule and Blake Brandel if the Vikings keep nine offensive linemen.
Top 5 grades on defense (minimum 10 snaps)
“Gabe’s been a guy that has shown up daily at camp, I’ve highlighted it in front of the team,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “He’s, it feels like a man on a mission right now, in a lot of ways. And I’m just proud of him, proud of where he’s at in camp right now, and now he’s just gotta set his sights on continuing to compete.”
Williams was also outstanding. He had four pressures on 15 pass-rushing snaps. Williams, who starred at FCS Morgan State, signed with the Vikings after attending their rookie minicamp as a tryout player.
“I remember vividly (assistant D-line coach) Marcus Dixon coming to me after day one of that tryout,” O’Connell said. “And I always like to check in with all the coaches. ‘Anybody catch your eye for me to look at tomorrow?’ Just observing (Williams), the effort, had a little pop to him throughout the drills, and that’s really what’s shown up throughout training camp. He sits in the first row of my team meetings every single day. There’s a lot to like about him, and it was good to see him make some plays tonight, too.”
Vikings Training Camp Report: J.J. McCarthy Earning High Praise, Added Pressure
J.J. McCarthy has the unseen advantage of intelligence. Just ask Aaron Jones.
Jones, 30, spent six seasons standing alongside Aaron Rodgers as a member of the Packers. And on Monday after a light, cool practice before fans at the TCO Performance Center, Jones shared his feelings that from a mental standpoint, the four-time MVP and a 22-year-old without a single NFL regular-season rep are on the same plane.
*“[McCarthy] is a very, very hungry and driven player, but also a leader,” Jones says. “He’s different. In terms of the...
