WD on dismal rook season..
Vikings guard Wyatt Davis didn’t play a single snap from scrimmage last season as a rookie. He wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again in 2022. After being taken in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Ohio State, Davis talked about wanting to start as a rookie. Instead, he got into just six games and played a mere 28 snaps on special teams.
Since the end of the season, the native of the Los Angeles area has been working out regularly near his home and has been sticking to a strict diet. And later his month he will head to the Dallas area for more than a month to work with offensive line guru Duke Manyweather.
“Obviously, I wanted to help contribute and I didn’t have the opportunity to do so, which is why I’m making sure that doesn’t happen again, absolutely,” Davis told the Pioneer Press about rebounding from his tough rookie season.
Davis played right guard in college, and that spot was open for the Vikings entering last season. But Davis was never in the mix to start. Oli Udoh initially won the job over Dakota Dozier, and was ranked No. 64 out of 82 NFL guards for the season by Pro Football Focus. Mason Cole took over at right guard for three games in December and was much better than Udoh, but he missed the final three games of the season with an elbow injury.
“I know that obviously for Wyatt, it was pretty disappointing to kind of have that year, but I think he’s really looking forward to having a clean slate and getting a true opportunity to play,” said Davis’ father, Duane Davis, a former tight end at Missouri and former actor, and the son of late Green Bay Packers hall of fame defensive end Willie Davis.
Perhaps a better opportunity for Davis will come under a new coaching staff. Mike Zimmer was fired as head coach after the season and replaced by Kevin O’Connell. And offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and offensive line coach Phil Rauscher are gone. O’Connell has yet to decide on a new offensive coordinator and the new line coach is Chris Kuper.
Appearing last weekend on “All Things Covered,” a podcast hosted by Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson and former NFL cornerback Bryant McFadden, starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw talked about O’Connell replacing Zimmer, saying “sometimes you need change.” When asked if he agreed with that, Davis said, “Absolutely.”
’“I’m excited to get to know (O’Connell),” Davis said. “With all the changes that have been made, obviously it was done for a reason to help propel us and take that next step this upcoming season. So I’m looking forward to being able to get to meet him and get to work with him.”
Since they have a new head coach, the Vikings can start their offseason workout program April 4, two weeks sooner than teams with holdover coaches. Until he reports to the TCO Performance Center in Eagan for those workouts, Davis is trying to get in the best shape he can.
Davis, a Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., resident, is working out with a trainer at The Yard Fitness Center in Hermosa Beach, where a number of NFL players train, and doing boxing drills at the American Gym in Costa Mesa. Then he’ll go work with Manyweather, who runs an acclaimed offensive linemen training program in Frisco, Texas.
“I’m just doing everything I can to put me in a position to help my team win,” Davis said. “I’m just looking to work once we get back into doing (Vikings) stuff. … Once that opportunity comes, I’m going to take it and never look back. So I’m just trying to do everything in my power right now to put me in a spot to do so.”
The 6-foot-4 Davis said he’s on “a great meal plan” to maintain his weight. He reported to the Vikings last year at 320 pounds, and team officials wanted him to drop about seven pounds. He did that, and now wants to make sure he reports in the spring at an ideal weight.
https://www.twincities.com/2022/02/17/vikings-wyatt-davis-on-tough-rookie-year-im-making-sure-that-doesnt-happen-again/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Welp, I guess it's confirmed. Davis's problem was conditioning. It would be HUGE if we could count on Davis being in shape and starting at RG for us. Vikings line would then be...
LT - 1st round
LG - 2nd round
C - 1st round
RG - 3rd round
RT - 2nd round
I honestly don't think there is a line in the NFL with that kind of pedigree. Pretty sure KOC has noticed as well. Of course it means nothing if they don't play well, but this is the youngest OL in the NFL and I'm hopeful the new regime will get them in sync.
I think they should send the entire O-line to Green Bay for training camp so they can learn how to hold! Except Udoh who holds and tackles on most every play.
Its interesting and all but losing 15 lbs is going to make him a starter when he didn't get a sniff last year? Doubtful. The more probable thing is the guy will probably be cut at some point either next season or the year after.
@"StickyBun" said: Its interesting and all but losing 15 lbs is going to make him a starter when he didn't get a sniff last year? Doubtful. The more probable thing is the guy will probably be cut at some point either next season or the year after.It's not the weight. It's being out of shape. And knowing Zimmer, his lack of paying time was likely more punishment/incentive than talent related.
@"MaroonBells" said:I don't know. Not usually how good players start their careers. He'd be an outlier in that way if he succeeds. That's giving Davis a lot of benefit of the doubt that being out of shape and some kind of punishment by Zimmer are the reasons he didn't sniff the field. He was also mostly considered a possible 1st round draft pick that ended up making it to the 3rd round, so obviously other teams saw something that gave them pause. I obviously hope he turns out to be a player, but the odds are against it.@"StickyBun" said: Its interesting and all but losing 15 lbs is going to make him a starter when he didn't get a sniff last year? Doubtful. The more probable thing is the guy will probably be cut at some point either next season or the year after. It's not the weight. It's being out of shape. And knowing Zimmer, his lack of paying time was likely more punishment/incentive than talent related.
@"StickyBun" said:I think you're pretty far off on your odds. He came in out of shape and was sidelined because of it. It's certainly not the first time that's happened, even among Viking rookies. Even before Zimmer.@"MaroonBells" said:I don't know. Not usually how good players start their careers. He'd be an outlier in that way if he succeeds. That's giving Davis a lot of benefit of the doubt that being out of shape and some kind of punishment by Zimmer are the reasons he didn't sniff the field. He was also mostly considered a possible 1st round draft pick that ended up making it to the 3rd round, so obviously other teams saw something that gave them pause. I obviously hope he turns out to be a player, but the odds are against it.@"StickyBun" said: Its interesting and all but losing 15 lbs is going to make him a starter when he didn't get a sniff last year? Doubtful. The more probable thing is the guy will probably be cut at some point either next season or the year after. It's not the weight. It's being out of shape. And knowing Zimmer, his lack of paying time was likely more punishment/incentive than talent related.Obviously we don't know what kind of player he'll be, but I would say that, based on the report above, he's on the right track. And getting some contribution from the former 5-star recruit, 2-time All American and 3rd round draft pick in his 2nd season is just a TEEENSY bit more likely than the Vikings cutting him.
KJ Osborne did jack squat as a rookie and then all offseason was posting on IG his workouts, training with Jefferson, others. It gave me a lot of hope and he paid it off and then some last year.
Wyatt Davis could absolutely do the same. At the very least this stuff is encouraging to hear him say. Now time for him to put in the work.
@"pattersaur" said: KJ Osborne did jack squat as a rookie and then all offseason was posting on IG his workouts, training with Jefferson, others. It gave me a lot of hope and he paid it off and then some last year. Wyatt Davis could absolutely do the same. At the very least this stuff is encouraging to hear him say. Now time for him to put in the work.For sure it's possible. And MB is pretty good at spotting talent. I just think most times that when you come into the league and you don't do squat your rookie year, don't play when Udoh was struggling and needed to be replaced, and I hear this 'out of shape' stuff from the player, it just means they aren't good. Rookie OGs start and play all the time around the league. Easiest spot on the line to learn. Obviously you aren't going to give up on a 3rd round pick already.
I think the entire 2021 draft class got short shrift outside of Darishaw.
Call me crazy but I think Zimmer wanted to do whatever he could to make a mockery of the 3 offensive draft picks taken in the first three rounds. I think he wanted to draft all defense and had it out for Mond, Davis, and maybe Darrisaw. Could be wrong but based on whats come out about Zimmer it wouldnt surprise me.
@"Hawkvike25" said: Call me crazy but I think Zimmer wanted to do whatever he could to make a mockery of the 3 offensive draft picks taken in the first three rounds. I think he wanted to draft all defense and had it out for Mond, Davis, and maybe Darrisaw. Could be wrong but based on whats come out about Zimmer it wouldnt surprise me.Hoisted by his own petard, if so.
@"StickyBun" said:Whispers were he had a difficult time with playbook, attitude - and out of shape. Not a good trifecta and he got deep in the doghouse.@"pattersaur" said: KJ Osborne did jack squat as a rookie and then all offseason was posting on IG his workouts, training with Jefferson, others. It gave me a lot of hope and he paid it off and then some last year. Wyatt Davis could absolutely do the same. At the very least this stuff is encouraging to hear him say. Now time for him to put in the work. For sure it's possible. And MB is pretty good at spotting talent. I just think most times that when you come into the league and you don't do squat your rookie year, don't play when Udoh was struggling and needed to be replaced, and I hear this 'out of shape' stuff from the player, it just means they aren't good. Rookie OGs start and play all the time around the league. Easiest spot on the line to learn. Obviously you aren't going to give up on a 3rd round pick already.We'll see if a new regime can help jump-start him. ITs about a bad a start as you could imagine outside of a major injury. I dont think his Packer grandpa was too proud of how this kids NFL start went down.
The whispers about a difficult time with the playbook could be overblown and an excuse as to why he never saw the field. Ohio State runs a zone blocking scheme so it shouldn't be that much different than the one he played in college. Most college players over the course of their careers should be exposed to different schemes and be able to adapt unless they are complete idiots. As to why he never saw an offensive snap other than special teams, well Zimmer was rigid and deliberate about his way so maybe Davis just got off on the wrong foot in OTA's and was never able to get out of Zimmer hell, wouldn't be the first player that happened to.
This is just one take of the OG's from that draft:
https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/2021-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-offensive-guard
@"Greylock" said: The whispers about a difficult time with the playbook could be overblown and an excuse as to why he never saw the field. Ohio State runs a zone blocking scheme so it shouldn't be that much different than the one he played in college. Most college players over the course of their careers should be exposed to different schemes and be able to adapt unless they are complete idiots. As to why he never saw an offensive snap other than special teams, well Zimmer was rigid and deliberate about his way so maybe Davis just got off on the wrong foot in OTA's and was never able to get out of Zimmer hell, wouldn't be the first player that happened to.I feel like the offensive line has been under coached for years going back into the Childress era. I think that more than anything can fix the line when you have all the early draft capital that the Vikings have to work with.
FWIW,
If you listen to Alex Boone, he'd say the Vikings lack veteran experience, skill and moxie on the OL. They're too young from RT to LT.
Plus he kinda took this new generation of player to task for playing too soft.
There is probably some truth to what he says.
Having a league avg veteran of an OG and or C probably would have served us well the last few years.
@"purplefaithful" said: FWIW,If you listen to Alex Boone, he'd say the Vikings lack veteran experience, skill and moxie on the OL. They're too young from RT to LT.
Plus he kinda took this new generation of player to task for playing too soft.
There is probably some truth to what he says.
Having a league avg veteran of an OG and or C probably would have served us well the last few years.
Agree. The pedigree is there. They're just ridiculously young. The best lines in the NFL are typically a mix of youth, veterans, high picks and low picks. Like I said, not sure there's a line in the NFL that can boast two 1sts, two 2nds and a 3rd. But the OLDEST is 26 years old.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said:I think you're pretty far off on your odds. He came in out of shape and was sidelined because of it. It's certainly not the first time that's happened, even among Viking rookies. Even before Zimmer.@"MaroonBells" said:I don't know. Not usually how good players start their careers. He'd be an outlier in that way if he succeeds. That's giving Davis a lot of benefit of the doubt that being out of shape and some kind of punishment by Zimmer are the reasons he didn't sniff the field. He was also mostly considered a possible 1st round draft pick that ended up making it to the 3rd round, so obviously other teams saw something that gave them pause. I obviously hope he turns out to be a player, but the odds are against it.@"StickyBun" said: Its interesting and all but losing 15 lbs is going to make him a starter when he didn't get a sniff last year? Doubtful. The more probable thing is the guy will probably be cut at some point either next season or the year after. It's not the weight. It's being out of shape. And knowing Zimmer, his lack of paying time was likely more punishment/incentive than talent related.Obviously we don't know what kind of player he'll be, but I would say that, based on the report above, he's on the right track. And getting some contribution from the former 5-star recruit, 2-time All American and 3rd round draft pick in his 2nd season is just a TEEENSY bit more likely than the Vikings cutting him.
Some players have internal motivation, some need a kick in the pants. Seems he needed the kick. We shall see if he can transform himself and stay motivated. But it certainly isn't unheard of that a player didn't quite grasp how much it takes to succeed at the pro level.
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