Daily Norseman
It has taken me a minute to be able to post on this new WordPress site. It is going to take a little getting used to at the start but hopefully it will be much better than Chorus. The instant analysis of every practice and every rep is really a waste of time IMHO. You cannot make any judgments off of these handful of practices with various players in and out of the play. It is good to see but I would not be alarmed over anything besides the Ice Capades. We got a long ways to go. Enjoy the journey!
J.J. McCarthy and 14 other players to watch in Vikings’ preseason opener
QB J.J. McCarthy
All eyes will be on McCarthy, who will probably play anywhere from one single series to an entire half. Kevin O’Connell hasn’t revealed any specifics about the plan there, and it may depend on how things play out. McCarthy hasn’t suited up for an NFL game of any sort since last year’s preseason opener, when he bounced back from an early interception and lit up the Raiders for 188 yards and two touchdowns (but tore his meniscus in the process). He’s excited about the opportunity to be back on the field in a game setting.
LG Donovan Jackson
Even if he doesn’t play a ton, there will be plenty of attention on the Vikings’ first-round pick in his (semi-real) NFL debut. We haven’t said Jackson’s name a lot over the course of training camp, which is a good thing for an offensive lineman. He’ll look to keep it that way on Saturday.
Vikings training camp recap, Day 12: One more before preseason begins
McCarthy and the QBs
Two of J.J. McCarthy’s first three passes in 7-on-7 action fell incomplete. The first was a drop by Jalen Nailor, which is starting to become a concern again. Notably, Nailor was wearing a red no-contact jersey, which you typically only see quarterbacks wearing. The next was a near interception by Blake Cashman, who jumped in front of Josh Oliver and almost picked off McCarthy for the second straight day.
McCarthy found his groove in his next set of reps. He hit T.J. Hockenson in stride on an out-breaking route, then made a great throw to Hockenson up the seam. Cashman was in good position, but McCarthy put it away from the linebacker’s leverage so Hockenson could rotate his body and make the play. Later, in a red zone 11-on-11 period, McCarthy hit Jordan Addison in a tight window on a play that would’ve been a sack by Jonathan Greenard. He then nearly found Nailor for a touchdown, but Harrison Smith made a great diving play to break up the pass.
Vikings night practice recap: McCarthy up and down, Reichard bounces back
*How’s J.J. looking?
As always, all eyes were on J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings’ young starting quarterback in the red No. 9 practice jersey. After quite the impressive showing...
