Vikings mandatory minicamp starts today (Tuesday 6/4) thread

[StickierBuns]

Everyone will be there, should be some information and updates coming out during the camp. Let's put them in this thread.

[StickierBuns]

Never a doubt.

https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1798028662987727269

https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1798026903879590401

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Alec Lewis
@alec_lewis
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1m
Pretty interesting to listen to Justin Jefferson today. He’s ready to lead. Intensely. These practices, from a focus perspective, are about to feel a whole lot different.

[StickierBuns]

KOC mentioned N'Keal Harry is going to TE from WRer. KOC said he's excited to do so and feel he could be a very good redzone option.

[MaroonBells]

KOC mentioned N'Keal Harry is going to TE from WRer. KOC said he's excited to do so and feel he could be a very good redzone option.

Forgot he was even still on the team. Can't do worse there than WR I guess. 6-4, 225, always had a rep as a pretty good blocking WR. Just not sure his route to the 53 is any better at TE than it was at WR.

[purplefaithful]

Guard Dalton Risner said Tuesday that a "frustrating" tour in NFL free agency led him back to the Vikings on a one-year contract, which he signed last week.

Risner's one-year pact with the Vikings is worth up to $2.4 million and comes with $1.1 million guaranteed, which he admitted was not the kind of money he sought after starting 11 games last season.

The money is commensurate with Risner's current role, which is a backup. He worked with the second-team offense during Tuesday's practice, while guards Blake Brandel and Ed Ingram remained the starters. But those roles could change. Head coach Kevin O'Connell referred to a "competitive situation at that left guard spot" when asked about Risner's signing.

"With the type of contract I signed, I think I'm in the spot they expected me to be in," Risner said after practice. "I came in, working with the [backups] right now, help make these guys great, help push these guards and be that guy when called upon. I'll be ready to go, you guys saw that last year."

"No reason to wait out [the Vikings]," Risner said of the contract. "To be honest with you, I wasn't getting much action anywhere else."

Risner, who turns 29 in July, said he's thrilled to return to the Vikings team that gave him a chance and signed him off the couch last September.

He accepted the Vikings' offer in late May, instead of waiting for a better offer elsewhere, to show the organization how much he wants to help.

"I want the league to know I want to play football," Risner said. "I don't want this to be two years in a row where I'm waiting out until the last second, so hopefully more of a statement from my end. Letting the Vikings know how serious I am about helping their football team this year."

The Vikings needed offensive line depth, O'Connell said, and they wouldn't mind a full training camp to decide on a starting lineup after acquiring and auditioning Risner in the middle of last season.

"There was a purpose and plan to bring Dalton back," O'Connell said. "To create a very competitive situation at that left guard spot. … This time we have training camp. It's not midseason, it's not 4-5 weeks into the season like it was last year."

https://www.startribune.com/vikings-mini...600371002/

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Hockenson 'on schedule'; new face at TE

Tight end T.J. Hockenson was spotted by reporters for the first time Tuesday, jogging on a side field with members of the Vikings' athletic training staff. Hockenson appears unlikely to be ready for Week 1 as he is recovering from Jan. 29 surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.

O'Connell and Hockenson have avoided offering a timeline for his return. But when the season does start, the Vikings head coach alluded to injured reserve being a more likely path for Hockenson than the physically unable to perform list. Both require a minimum four-game absence, but IR allows Hockenson to practice after four weeks without being activated.

"He's on schedule," O'Connell said. "It is part of the grind, process of that rehab at this point where he's been able to develop certain aspects of his movement and strength. … With the rules the way they are now … you can find ways to get guys out practicing with the team and on a timeline that might have been different in years past."

A new tight end joined the group on Tuesday. The Vikings moved N'Keal Harry, a 2019 first-round pick by the New England Patriots, from receiver to tight end. Harry (listed 6-foot-4, 225 pounds) spent most of last season on the practice squad.

"You're hoping to see the receiving traits kind of lead the way," O'Connell said, "as they get a little bit more comfort maybe in having a hand down, be a part of run schemes."

https://www.startribune.com/vikings-mini...600371002/

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Dallas Turner: All over the field

New Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner, the 17th overall pick in the draft out of Alabama, is all over the practice fields this spring. That's because he's lining up in multiple positions under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who sees potential for the quick-twitch, lanky pass rusher to move inside and rush the passer against guards and centers.

"We like to have versatile athletes," said Mike Pettine, the Vikings' assistant head coach and edge rushers coach. "[Flores] has never been one where you just kind of line up and, 'Hey, we're 4-3, here's our four down linemen,' and we're easy to identify. … The ability to create confusion for offenses is critical. … Not only we felt like Dallas was the premiere edge rusher in the draft, but we also felt a bonus was his versatility."

[StickierBuns]

Read the other day that Addison admitted he didn't always know the plays last year and freelanced sometimes, lol. Said he knows the offense much better now and he's ready to be dialed in. I'm sure seeing JJ get his bag is motivating. Also read somewhere that McCarthy is making friends quickly on the team, which doesn't surprise me at all.

[MAD GAINZ]

Read the other day that Addison admitted he didn't always know the plays last year and freelanced sometimes, lol. Said he knows the offense much better now and he's ready to be dialed in. I'm sure seeing JJ get his bag is motivating. Also read somewhere that McCarthy is making friends quickly on the team, which doesn't surprise me at all.

For Addison, I saw that interview.  He was talking about his releases.  He knew the playbook, but said he didn't always have a plan on how to beat the CB off the line with his release to get into his route.  From what I've seen in OTA highlights and mini camp so far, his footwork has been strong and quick.  He praised McCardell for helping him out.  I think we're going to see an even better Addison this year which is scary for other teams because he had a strong rookie year.

[StickierBuns]

For Addison, I saw that interview.  He was talking about his releases.  He knew the playbook, but said he didn't always have a plan on how to beat the CB off the line with his release to get into his route.  From what I've seen in OTA highlights and mini camp so far, his footwork has been strong and quick.  He praised McCardell for helping him out.  I think we're going to see an even better Addison this year which is scary for other teams because he had a strong rookie year.

Thanks for the clarification, heard a soundbite and got the context wrong.

[MaroonBells]

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Dallas Turner: All over the field

New Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner, the 17th overall pick in the draft out of Alabama, is all over the practice fields this spring. That's because he's lining up in multiple positions under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who sees potential for the quick-twitch, lanky pass rusher to move inside and rush the passer against guards and centers.

[MAD GAINZ]

LOL

Dallas Turner is going to turn some heads this season (and sack a lot of QBs).  When they put out articles redrafting the 2024 NFL draft in two years, I think both our first round picks will be much higher than where they were actually taken.