The first thing you will notice when attending Vikings training camp, is new head coach Mike Zimmer likes his practices short, fast paced and to the point. Zimmer’s quick practices help simulate live game situations, and seem to be working from a production standpoint. With players flying in-and-out of packages and the play count climbing by the second, players are responding by playing with a high level of energy, and on a team that is deeper than it's been in years, this new upbeat attitude has brought out the best of all units, up-and-down the roster.
Even with the losses of the highly productive starting veterans Kevin Williams and Jared Allen, the defensive line has added depth, and talent, and is clearly much stronger as a whole. The combination of players shuffling through each package will make your head spin, but its what makes this unit so good. Besides the obvious, Zimmer has rotated Tom Johnson in at the three-technique with Sharif Floyd in multiple packages, as well as sliding rookie Scott Crichton inside as a defensive-tackle in various pass-rushing situations. Those among other schemes and variations put a beating on the offensive-line and the quarterbacks today, getting into the backfield repeatedly.
The linebackers were equally as difficult to keep a track of, as Zimmer plugged in almost every combination of players at one point or another. In the end though the base 4-3 defense contained Chad Greenway, Jasper Brinkley, and Anthony Barr, with Brinkley subbing out in the nickel formation. The second-team unit consisted of Gerlad Hodges and rookie Brandon Watts, proving that Zimmer covets speed and athleticism at the position, specifically on passing downs where the linebackers have to run step-for-step with wide receivers, and athletic tight ends. It also proves Zimmer isn’t afraid to plug in his young players into the game plan, showing confidence in his coaching abilities. Antone Exum was another example of that philosophy. Exum was the teams starting safety next to Harrsion Smith in the base 4-3 defense, meaning they want to utilize his coverage skills, as well as his physicality in the running game.
The biggest surprise of the day though was cornerback Marcus Sherels playing with the first-team defense. Sherels leap frogged Derek Cox and bumped out Josh Robinson as the left cornerback spot in the nickel formation. Sherels held his own for the most part in practice, and even picked off Cassel on a poorly thrown deep-in route by Patterson the day before.
While productive when given the opportunity, Sherels was the Vikings dime cornerback under Leslie Frazier, and is extremely undersized (5-9) for an outside presence, but the move is Zimmer is telling the team loud and clear, the only thing that matters is winning with the best 53-guys.
Both quarterbacks split first and second team reps at practice, and just like the mourning walkthrough Cassel started things off. Cassel struggled from the beginning when he was unable to find any type of rhythm with his targets, it was clear the pressure form Zimmer’s defenses were rattling his cage. Still, with Norv Turner calling countless dump-off routes to the running backs, Cassel was able to pad his stats while being conservative with the ball. However, anytime he was asked to step up in the pocket and make a tight-windowed throw, the defense proved to much for him. Per Daniel House Cassel finished the day 14-20 with zero interceptions.
Bridgwater was much more aggressive with his progressions and reads, striking the ball down field when given the chance. Multiple gains of 10, 15, and 20 yards at a time as Bridgewater did what any good quarterbacks does, get the ball in you playmakers hands. Teddy started his first-team series off with a strike to Greg Jennings on a crossing route, giving the ball to him in stride and letting him race up the sidelines. Bridgewater also found Jarius Wright and Adam Thielen, and Kyle Rudolph for big chunks of yards.
Teddy did however, throw his first two interceptions of camp. The first was to linebacker Audie Cole who is growing a knack for the big play, Cole easily would have scored on a touchdown catching the ball in stride down the sideline. The second was on a pass intended for Thielen, but Teddy starred his route down from the snap, giving Derek Cox an opportunity to make a play. Teddy finished the day 13-17 with the two interceptions. It is worth noting however, Bridgewater did have two touchdown passes in succession to end the seven-on-seven drills down in the red zone. One was to Jerick Mckinnon in tight coverage, and the second was to Kain Colter on a fade route in the corner of the end zone.
Still, the confidence to step up in the pocket and push the ball downfield is a breath of fresh-air for Vikings fans, and is an encouraging sign in Bridgewater’s improvement. While the quarterback competition is still wide open and likely won’t be decided until after the third-preseason game, the progress Bridgewater has shown in just one week is an indicator of where he could be by the time the season starts.
Play of the Day
This award has to be given to Audie Cole who made an ultra-athletic play to jump the underneath route of the running back, and to take Bridgewater’s pass to the house. In his limited time, Audie Cole has been a big play machine during his first two seasons. Intercepting two passes in a row for touchdowns during his first ever preseason game. He also posted 42 tackles in a four-game span last season. Still, on a defense this deep, even a young playmaker like Cole is fighting for playing time. Cole was lined up in the base 4-3 defense when he made the play,
Riser
Wide Receiver Rodney Smith was called out by coach Zimmer when I asked him who was flying under the radar. Rodney got off to a slow start in camp, but has made a great play in almost every session recently, while becoming a consistent route runner. The 6’5” target saw some action at the end of the 2013 season, and seems primed for a larger role. Only problem is guys like Jennings, Wright, and now Thielen are standing in his way. Competition has brought out the best of this unit, and may just force the team to keep six receivers on cut day.
Faller
Safety Jamarca Sanford has seen starting action for the majority of the past two seasons. That may be coming to an end with Zimmer doing the analyzing. Robert Blanton got almost all the first-team reps during the spring and continued that into camp. When Blanton recently went down with a minor hamstring injury, it was Mistral Raymond and Antone Exum who were thrown into duty. While Sanford still saw reps with the first and second teams, he’s clearly on the outside looking in, when it regards the starting position.
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