Some stuff in OTA season
The Vikings started 0-2 in 2021 and 2020.
Unlike their predecessors, new Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah warmed a recent Dunkers gathering at Interlachen Country Club.O’Connell said he and Adofo-Mensah figured the Packers, with the 34th overall pick they received from the Vikings in the draft, would take a different wide receiver than Christian Watson, whom they chose out of North Dakota State. When that occurred, they figured they had made a good trade and gave each other a hug.
Asked if Adofo-Mensah, O’Connell and salary cap whiz Rob Brzezinski, after three months of working together, have a nickname yet, Kwesi joked, “three blind mice.”
O’Connell, who was offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams last season, said Rams receiver Cooper Kupp, outside of the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, is the best receiver in football. He said the Vikings’ Dalvin Cook is among the best four or five running backs in football.
O’Connell has revamped the Vikings’ training program to help Cook avoid injuries. He refers to Cook and fellow running back Alexander Madison as “Thunder and Lightning.”
O’Connell also said he wants more girth and size on the offensive line, and that if the offensive side can hold blocks for just one more second, it’ll give QB Kirk Cousins more time to succeed. He said Cousins, 33, is still developing.
O’Connell said he’ll be calling the Vikings’ offensive plays next season.
Spielman apparently has taken a consultant job with the University of Alabama.
Cousins, at $48.5 million including endorsements, is the 27th highest-paid athlete in the world this year, per Sportico.
https://www.twincities.com/2022/05/21/charley-walters-for-22-vikings-an-0-2-start-could-be-ruinous/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Interesting comment about Watson. Did I read that right? That the KOC and KAM embraced after the Packers took Watson? My biggest fear was that they'd take Pickens, who went later in the 2nd round. So I'm curious what receiver they were afraid the Packers would take.
KOC wants more girth and size on the O-line.....seems like a theme passed over from Z and crew. Yet we still have that large FB at center in Bradbury.
@"MaroonBells" said: Interesting comment about Watson. Did I read that right? That the KOC and KAM embraced after the Packers took Watson? My biggest fear was that they'd take Pickens, who went later in the 2nd round. So I'm curious what receiver they were afraid the Packers would take.
Yah, I went back to the 1st rd to see who it could be...Not happy the pack got Wyatt out of Ga, I would have been pretty happy with him in Purple.
@"StickyBun" said: KOC wants more girth and size on the O-line.....seems like a theme passed over from Z and crew. Yet we still have that large FB at center in Bradbury.I saw an interview with a couple of insiders, one of whom stated that the team has no plans at center but Bradbury, that he's the starter and there is no open competition.
It sounds as if the team is confident they can fix his issues. Obviously not so confident you give him pots of money in his 5th year, but enough to not look for a replacement.
This one decision will either look genius or be seen as the first big fuckup of the new regime.
@"MaroonBells" said: Interesting comment about Watson. Did I read that right? That the KOC and KAM embraced after the Packers took Watson? My biggest fear was that they'd take Pickens, who went later in the 2nd round. So I'm curious what receiver they were afraid the Packers would take.
Can't recall where I read it, but there were some concerns out of Packers camp already of Watson dropping passes. Granted, it's only few spring practices but geez I'd love to see that happen to them during the season.
@"PurpleCrush" said:@"MaroonBells" said: Interesting comment about Watson. Did I read that right? That the KOC and KAM embraced after the Packers took Watson? My biggest fear was that they'd take Pickens, who went later in the 2nd round. So I'm curious what receiver they were afraid the Packers would take.
Can't recall where I read it, but there were some concerns out of Packers camp already of Watson dropping passes. Granted, it's only few spring practices but geez I'd love to see that happen to them during the season.
That's great news! And I just Googled it. Three beautiful headlines: That was his reputation going into the draft, too, so it's not just rookie jitters. Hopefully another Troy Williamson. Dropsies typically don't just go away.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"PurpleCrush" said:@"MaroonBells" said: Interesting comment about Watson. Did I read that right? That the KOC and KAM embraced after the Packers took Watson? My biggest fear was that they'd take Pickens, who went later in the 2nd round. So I'm curious what receiver they were afraid the Packers would take.
Can't recall where I read it, but there were some concerns out of Packers camp already of Watson dropping passes. Granted, it's only few spring practices but geez I'd love to see that happen to them during the season.
That's great news! And I just Googled it. Three beautiful headlines: That was his reputation going into the draft, too, so it's not just rookie jitters. Hopefully another Troy Williamson. Dropsies typically don't just go away.
So they finally draft an offensive player for Rodgers. But he seems more like a weapon of self destruction.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"PurpleCrush" said:@"MaroonBells" said: Interesting comment about Watson. Did I read that right? That the KOC and KAM embraced after the Packers took Watson? My biggest fear was that they'd take Pickens, who went later in the 2nd round. So I'm curious what receiver they were afraid the Packers would take.
Can't recall where I read it, but there were some concerns out of Packers camp already of Watson dropping passes. Granted, it's only few spring practices but geez I'd love to see that happen to them during the season.
That's great news! And I just Googled it. Three beautiful headlines: That was his reputation going into the draft, too, so it's not just rookie jitters. Hopefully another Troy Williamson. Dropsies typically don't just go away.
Too early to throw dirt. They said the same thing about Ja'Marr Chase early. Had the dropsies. They went away.
@"StickyBun" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"PurpleCrush" said:@"MaroonBells" said: Interesting comment about Watson. Did I read that right? That the KOC and KAM embraced after the Packers took Watson? My biggest fear was that they'd take Pickens, who went later in the 2nd round. So I'm curious what receiver they were afraid the Packers would take.
Can't recall where I read it, but there were some concerns out of Packers camp already of Watson dropping passes. Granted, it's only few spring practices but geez I'd love to see that happen to them during the season.
That's great news! And I just Googled it. Three beautiful headlines: That was his reputation going into the draft, too, so it's not just rookie jitters. Hopefully another Troy Williamson. Dropsies typically don't just go away.
Too early to throw dirt. They said the same thing about Ja'Marr Chase early. Had the dropsies. They went away.
Different though. Chase never had that problem at LSU.
@"StickyBun" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"PurpleCrush" said:@"MaroonBells" said: Interesting comment about Watson. Did I read that right? That the KOC and KAM embraced after the Packers took Watson? My biggest fear was that they'd take Pickens, who went later in the 2nd round. So I'm curious what receiver they were afraid the Packers would take.
Can't recall where I read it, but there were some concerns out of Packers camp already of Watson dropping passes. Granted, it's only few spring practices but geez I'd love to see that happen to them during the season.
That's great news! And I just Googled it. Three beautiful headlines: That was his reputation going into the draft, too, so it's not just rookie jitters. Hopefully another Troy Williamson. Dropsies typically don't just go away.
Too early to throw dirt. They said the same thing about Ja'Marr Chase early. Had the dropsies. They went away.
Chase had camp issues. He didnt have the dropsies playing in the SEC against the Georgia's and Alabama's. Watson was notorious for drops playing the likes of the Leathernecks and Sycamores.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: KOC wants more girth and size on the O-line.....seems like a theme passed over from Z and crew. Yet we still have that large FB at center in Bradbury. I saw an interview with a couple of insiders, one of whom stated that the team has no plans at center but Bradbury, that he's the starter and there is no open competition.It sounds as if the team is confident they can fix his issues. Obviously not so confident you give him pots of money in his 5th year, but enough to not look for a replacement.
This one decision will either look genius or be seen as the first big fuckup of the new regime.
Drafting that (still unsigned) OG Ingram in the second round has potential to earn this distinction too.
NDSU has an offense that pounds the crap out defenses running the ball. Watson was a stud WR there because he was the fasted guy on the field and usually would be wide open on passing plays. He's also great on jet sweeps and as a KR guy.
I think Watson has a shot at being very good, but I just wouldn't trust drafting any WR or QB from a running team like NDSU before the 4th round; yes, I'm including Wentz and Lance.
@"pattersaur" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: KOC wants more girth and size on the O-line.....seems like a theme passed over from Z and crew. Yet we still have that large FB at center in Bradbury. I saw an interview with a couple of insiders, one of whom stated that the team has no plans at center but Bradbury, that he's the starter and there is no open competition.It sounds as if the team is confident they can fix his issues. Obviously not so confident you give him pots of money in his 5th year, but enough to not look for a replacement.
This one decision will either look genius or be seen as the first big fuckup of the new regime.
Drafting that (still unsigned) OG Ingram in the second round has potential to earn this distinction too.
Honestly, they all do. We'll just have to wait and see what kind of impact Phillips, Hicks, Z, Cine and Booth have vs. Jameson Williams and Christian Watson.But I'm probably higher on Ingram than most. He was very good at the Senior Bowl. If they can teach him how to run block, he might already be the best pass blocking IOL on the team.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"pattersaur" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"StickyBun" said: KOC wants more girth and size on the O-line.....seems like a theme passed over from Z and crew. Yet we still have that large FB at center in Bradbury. I saw an interview with a couple of insiders, one of whom stated that the team has no plans at center but Bradbury, that he's the starter and there is no open competition.It sounds as if the team is confident they can fix his issues. Obviously not so confident you give him pots of money in his 5th year, but enough to not look for a replacement.
This one decision will either look genius or be seen as the first big fuckup of the new regime.
Drafting that (still unsigned) OG Ingram in the second round has potential to earn this distinction too.
Honestly, they all do. We'll just have to wait and see what kind of impact Phillips, Hicks, Z, Cine and Booth have vs. Jameson Williams and Christian Watson.But I'm probably higher on Ingram than most. He was very good at the Senior Bowl. If they can teach him how to run block, he might already be the best pass blocking IOL on the team.
A low bar for sure.
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