Daily Norseman
No matter who starts for the Vikings, the Eagles are coming into this game in a fowl mood. They do not want to have three straight losses. If the Vikings run defense is seriously a problem then the 4th ranked Eagles offensive line (per PFF) could really allow Saquon Barkley to go off. Now you could argue that the Eagles rush attack is not that good so afar and the offense overall has not been that good. While true, I think they are going to look at what the Falcons were able to do and try to repeat it. I really do not like to see a team coming off two staright losses. Oh well, three straight losses never hurt another team right?
Kevin O’Connell Outlines Focus of Work as J.J. McCarthy Returns to Practice
“It was great to get back on the grass and have some good sessions out there, kind of getting back to a lot of the principles of lower-body mechanics and things that had been really good parts of his early journey here,” O’Connell said Monday at his first media availability since the club’s Week 6 bye. “[It] didn’t even hit me till we were out there (together) – he had practiced one time since we left Chicago.”
…
McCarthy will rejoin his teammates at practice this week in some capacity, according to O’Connell.
“I don’t necessarily want to put a percentage on where I think he’s at health wise,” the coach commented. “I think this week will be massive for our whole team, but just to see J.J. back out there getting reps and working through the process of building that foundation back up [will be encouraging].”
O’Connell said he was “very fortunate to get that time” with McCarthy over the bye week, considering the 2024 No. 10 overall draft choice doesn’t possess an extensive body of work, yet. They predominantly worked on throwing mechanics from the ground up, talking through repetitions in pursuit of consistency.
“Quarterback play is about the foundation of getting to that premier base and body position at the top of your drop, whatever that drop is,” O’Connell clarified what he wants McCarthy to refine as he ramps back up. “That could be quick game, that could be a five-, seven-step drop. That can be a play-action pass where you turn your back to the defense. Whatever it is, you’re still getting to that optimal position at the top of your drop so then you can read with your feet and eyes tied together and play in rhythm.”
A key element to McCarthy’s maturation into Minnesota’s franchise quarterback will be his processing speed, which is something O’Connell believes he has been able to connect with watching Carson Wentz.
Wentz, the 2016 No. 2 overall pick, has gone 2-1 in McCarthy’s stead with a 99.5 passer rating, and owns the league’s quickest average Time to Throw among qualified passers per Next Gen Stats (2.55 seconds).
Conversely,...
