Day 2 Of Mini Camp
Hopefully, no one is too distracted by Courtney's photo.
“Well I think the answer to that is yes. When I watch him, he just looks different than most guys. You see Hunter out there, and you see Jefferson, you can tell these are big-time guys.”
Something you don't see every day: tackle Blake Brandel got some work as the second-team center when Darrisaw participated in 11-on-11 drills. When Darrisaw left, Brandel moved back to right tackle (with Oli Udoh at left tackle). Guard Dru Samia was pulled from the second-team line when Darrisaw played, with center/guard Mason Cole switching between both positions. Third-round rookie Wyatt Davis was the second-team right guard.
\
Brandel is going to make it difficult for the Vikings to leave him off the 53 man roster.
3. Mond shows improvement
Kellen Mond has had some ups and downs throughout the spring, which is to be expected from a rookie quarterback.
But the 2021 third-rounder showed some growth on Wednesday, firing a pair of touchdowns when the Vikings offense worked close to the end zone.
Mond, who was working with the third-team offense, found favorable targets in a pair of tight ends.
First, Mond connected with Shane Zylstra near the back of the end zone on a pass that got past safety Josh Metellus.
Mond then found Zach Davidson for a score, as the 2021 fifth-rounder had gained a little separation on cornerback Tye Smith.
2. An update on special teams
Although Wednesday's session ran for a little more than an hour, the Vikings were still able to get in some special teams work.
The highlight came on the final play of practice, as kicker Greg Joseph nailed a 50-yard attempt. It was his lone field goal try in a team drill Wednesday. Andrew DePaola was the long snapper with Britton Colquitt holding.
Ameer Abdullah, K.J. Osborn, Chad Beebe, Kene Nwangwu, Bisi Johnson and Ihmir Smith-Marsette each took punt return reps in the early portion of practice.
Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2019, and likely would have garnered the honor again in 2020 if he didn't miss the final five games with an injury.
He showed Wednesday that he is already in midseason form, as the seventh-year linebacker was the star of the day on defense.
Kendricks' most notable play occurred in a game-like situation at the end of practice when he intercepted Kirk Cousins. Kendricks dropped into coverage and smoothly kept going before leaping up to snag the pick about 20 yards downfield.
The former Pro Bowler also impressed during goal-to-go situations, as he bottled up Dalvin Cook on a short pass and later denied Tyler Conklin a touchdown with airtight coverage.
The always-energetic Kendricks was deservedly fired up after that play, which capped a strong sequence for the defense.
Minnesota's first-team defense kept the offense out of the end zone on four different tries from inside of the 10-yard line, with Kendricks leading the way.
TOUCHDOWN: Kellen Mond hits Zach Davidson for six. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/1VjQdnbb1D
— SKOR North - Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) June 16, 2021
tanishkaCowboy hat face and Akeem Da Beard liked
Sean Borman
@SeanBormanNFL
·
28m
#Vikings DE Danielle Hunter said he communicated with co-DC Andre Patterson & head trainer Eric Sugarman every week following his neck surgery to focus on his rehab.
He said he’s 100% healthy now, “pretty fresh” after a year off and that getting in football shape will take time
https://t.co/8iftiIZcIJ pic.twitter.com/rCVzpluZ9p
— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) June 16, 2021
He needs to mind his pace. Too quick.
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.