Daily Norseman
Observations from today’s practice
The Minnesota Vikings held another practice this afternoon at TCO Performance Center with lots of fans in attendance.
Brian Flores gave a press conference today talking about Mekhi Blackmon’s and Dwight McGlothern’s development, what he’s seen from Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen since the pads came on, Jonathan Greenard’s improvement, Isaiah Rodgers and his potential role as a kick returner, and Jeff Okudah’s development.
Flores said Okudah is strong in getting his hands on people in press coverage, but it’s about consistency with that, his ability in off coverage and different zone coverages that is a part of his evaluation.
Flores also mentioned that with Hargrave and Allen, he’s learning which alignments they like and overall building chemistry together and along the entire defensive front including linebackers and their ability to change the call and being able to adjust and adapt to that.
Practice opened up again with special teams drills and once again Silas Bolden led the group of punt returners, followed by Rondale Moore and Myles Price. That’s been the order since the start of training camp and so it looks like those are the top contenders for the punt returner job.
Tai Felton was out there as kick returner in the first kick return drills I’ve seen. He muffed his first return but was given another shot and caught the second. Those were the only two kick return reps. It would seem that Felton is the leading candidate for kick returner at the moment, but it’s early and I’m sure there will be others that get opportunities.
In QB-WR individual drills, there was a stretch when Howell, Rypien, and Brosmer all had inaccurate throws in a row in what are normally pretty return completions.
I point out the above because it ties in with a theme so far in training camp that all the backups have been under whelming. It’s not all bad all the time by any means, but worrisome in that there doesn’t seem like the Vikings have a backup at the moment that could bridge the gap reasonably well should McCarthy go down.
Howell has had his share of inaccuracies and picks so far in training camp- along with a few nice throws too- but I don’t come away with the impression that he’d hold up well if called upon. Still a bit tentative at times- although that seemed to improve a bit today- and trying to find his rhythm.
Max Brosmer has been disappointing. He’s thrown several interceptions and is often late processing or getting the ball out on time.
Brett Rypien hasn’t played as much but doesn’t seem in danger of losing his QB3 spot at this point. He’s looked better than Brosmer when he’s been out there but that isn’t saying much.
The good news is that J.J. McCarthy looked sharp today with a number of nice throws in team drills - including some fairly difficult ones...
