08-18-2019, 02:30 PM
Vikings rookie guard Dru Samia learning to curb some aggressiveness in favor of technique
During practices, Samia has been learning he can’t always get away with what he did at Oklahoma.
“I’ve had some growing pains,’’ he said. “The NFL is not an easy job but I feel I’m starting to get the hang of things a little bit. Just technical things. I’ve always played with an edge but having an edge isn’t enough in the NFL, so I’ve got be able to get my technique down.’’
At Oklahoma, the 6-foot-5, 308-pound Samia often could overpower foes. That doesn’t always work in the NFL.
“I was just sacrificing technique for aggressiveness, and that’s what I’ve been working on,’’ Samia said of what has changed since he first arrived in Minnesota after being a fourth-round pick. “I’m obviously hyped and amped up to come in and compete, and I think that got the best of me sometimes. But now I’m starting to settle in and things are going well.’’
Samia is listed third at right guard on the depth chart but has been working at times with the second team. He got in for 27 snaps in the Aug. 9 preseason opener at New Orleans, and next will take the field in Sunday’s home preseason opener against Seattle.
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/17/vi...technique/
During practices, Samia has been learning he can’t always get away with what he did at Oklahoma.
“I’ve had some growing pains,’’ he said. “The NFL is not an easy job but I feel I’m starting to get the hang of things a little bit. Just technical things. I’ve always played with an edge but having an edge isn’t enough in the NFL, so I’ve got be able to get my technique down.’’
At Oklahoma, the 6-foot-5, 308-pound Samia often could overpower foes. That doesn’t always work in the NFL.
“I was just sacrificing technique for aggressiveness, and that’s what I’ve been working on,’’ Samia said of what has changed since he first arrived in Minnesota after being a fourth-round pick. “I’m obviously hyped and amped up to come in and compete, and I think that got the best of me sometimes. But now I’m starting to settle in and things are going well.’’
Samia is listed third at right guard on the depth chart but has been working at times with the second team. He got in for 27 snaps in the Aug. 9 preseason opener at New Orleans, and next will take the field in Sunday’s home preseason opener against Seattle.
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/17/vi...technique/
