04-20-2018, 11:21 AM
Ex-Bruins coach Jim Mora sees a continuation of their college days in what Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr have done with Vikings.
The Vikings ties to UCLA have run deep in recent years with their drafting of linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr, and also in their front office with former UCLA defensive back George Paton working as their assistant general manager.
And now that the Vikings have signed Kendricks to a five-year, $50 million contract with $25 million guaranteed, the word is that Barr, Kendricks’ former UCLA teammate, might be their next target to sign before he hits unrestricted free agency next season.
Barr is currently due $12.3 million this season, and that’s a good reason why the Vikings might look to get him extended. They could actually lower their cap hit in 2018 if they were to work out a contract like the one they just did for Kendricks, who will make $10 million per season from 2019 to 2023.
One person who has a great understanding of the dynamics that Kendricks and Barr bring to a defense is former UCLA coach Jim Mora, who coached them both there.
He talked with Vikings.com last week about how having Barr and Kendricks playing together helps coach Mike Zimmer produce the best defense in the NFL.
“I think he probably enjoys every minute of it,” Mora said of Zimmer. “They’re two young men, men now, that come to the facility every day prepared to do their best, to do good work, to take good notes, to study, to go out and have great practices, to demonstrate leadership and a great attitude.
http://www.startribune.com/with-the-viki...480189683/
The Vikings ties to UCLA have run deep in recent years with their drafting of linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr, and also in their front office with former UCLA defensive back George Paton working as their assistant general manager.
And now that the Vikings have signed Kendricks to a five-year, $50 million contract with $25 million guaranteed, the word is that Barr, Kendricks’ former UCLA teammate, might be their next target to sign before he hits unrestricted free agency next season.
Barr is currently due $12.3 million this season, and that’s a good reason why the Vikings might look to get him extended. They could actually lower their cap hit in 2018 if they were to work out a contract like the one they just did for Kendricks, who will make $10 million per season from 2019 to 2023.
One person who has a great understanding of the dynamics that Kendricks and Barr bring to a defense is former UCLA coach Jim Mora, who coached them both there.
He talked with Vikings.com last week about how having Barr and Kendricks playing together helps coach Mike Zimmer produce the best defense in the NFL.
“I think he probably enjoys every minute of it,” Mora said of Zimmer. “They’re two young men, men now, that come to the facility every day prepared to do their best, to do good work, to take good notes, to study, to go out and have great practices, to demonstrate leadership and a great attitude.
http://www.startribune.com/with-the-viki...480189683/