Daily Norseman
The confidence is building slowly but surely!
It’s been great to read all the reports about practice. I have to remember to not get too concerned about anything right now since the players are just getting back into it. There is plenty of time for them to improve. It appears that the defense is ahead of the offense at this point based on yesterday’s padded practice. They caught a break though. Jettas did not play which surely would have changed up some coverages. Some of the sacks have come against Justin Skule. There is no shame in getting beat by Greenard, Van Ginkel, or even Turner. We shall see how it goes throughout the preseason heading up to the first game. KOC may have to slide help once in awhile so that JJ does not take too many hits. Maybe Darrisaw will be ready by week one? IDK but I would not rush it at all. To much invested in him to not be sure.
It is good to read that JJ is trying hard to limit mistakes and be safe with the ball. This will be key this year as the team does not need turnovers. Plus, the defense looks like it is going to be really good and they could get the ball back quick (hopefully) when the offense has to punt.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Vikings training camp recap, Day 5: Dallas Turner shines as pads come on
Turner was one of the main standouts of Monday’s practice, which was the first of camp with the players in full pads. He broke out a spin move to beat his opponent in 1-on-1 drills. He had a rep on a run play in 11-on-11 that was so physical that the backup tackle blocking him wound up in the backfield without a helmet. One play later, Turner burst around that player for a would-be sack. Facing the first-team offense later in practice, Turner made an athletic, Andrew Van Ginkel-esque play to break up a screen pass.
Here’s what else stood out at practice on Monday:
Greenard looks like a man on a mission this year. I’ve already talked about him quite a bit in these camp recaps, but he deserves to keep being mentioned. He’s been living in the backfield all camp long and doing some rude things to Vikings left tackle Justin Skule, who is filling in until Christian Darrisaw is healthy. “He plays angry, which every D-lineman should,” Brian O’Neill said of Greenard. “He wants it really bad. You can see it in his eyes, you can hear it in the way he talks. You can see it in the way he trained all offseason. This stuff’s really important to him. If it was as important to everybody as it is to JG, we’re in a good spot.”
3 Observations: Pads Pop for 1st Time; Vikings Defense Dominant in 2-Minute
1. ‘D-cisive’ 2-minute drill
*Practice closed with a 2-minute drill by the first-team offense...
