10 Camp Questions: Crowning Mr. Mankato
Austin Belisle
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This 10-part series focuses on the biggest questions facing the Vikings as they head into Mankato for their training camp festivities. Be sure to answer the first eight questions HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
Who will be this year’s ‘Mr. Mankato?’
The Minnesota Vikings are back on the National Football League’s map after an impressive 2015 season. They’re dark-horse contenders for the Super Bowl and a near-lock to battle for a second-straight NFC North title. On both sides of the football, the roster is loaded with up-and-coming stars, from Anthony Barr to Teddy Bridgewater.
Joining them at training camp, which begins next Thursday, are a slew of rookies, under-the-radar players, and fresh faces. Their names won’t jump off the page, but they will have a chance for recognition elsewhere — as candidates for the annual ‘Mr. Mankato’ award. Each year, ESPN 1500 bestows the honor on one deserving player who surprises and impresses at training camp. Last year, it was Stefon Diggs, and the year before, it was Adam Thielen.
This offseason, a few candidates stick out as the ‘cream of the crop.’ Who has a chance to walk away with the award at the end of training camp?
Moritz Böhringer
As soon as he was drafted, Böhringer was made a candidate for Mr. Mankato. With his rare combination of size and speed, fans knew Böhringer would flash on the field. He did just that during OTAs, impressing cornerback Captain Munnerlyn with his surprising athleticism.
“To move that fast and be that big is crazy,” Munnerlyn said, per ESPN 1500. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner concurred, calling Böhringer a “big, physical athlete.” Still, Böhringer’s genetic gifts can’t hide the fact that he’s playing professional, NFL-level football for the first time in his life.
According to ESPN 1500’s Andrew Krammer, Böhringer dropped three passes in one practice, took another moment to vomit on the sideline, and looked uncomfortable in the 90-degree weather. He’s further behind than nearly every other rookie, and without collegiate experience, is still adjusting to things like regular meetings and expanded playbooks.
Despite his early struggles, Böhringer has a chance to improve when training camp opens next week. He likely won’t run with the first-team offense, but he will practice against players closer to his talent level. Though not a lock to make the final 53-man roster or the practice squad, Böhringer’s athleticism should provide a few “wow” moments in Mankato.
Anthony Harris
Last offseason, another safety was up for ‘Mr. Mankato’ honors — Antone Exum. He failed to come away with the award — thanks in large part to Stefon Diggs’ electric punt return — and disappointed when given the chance to play. Anthony Harris, meanwhile, was an afterthought until his first regular season game, a solid outing on national television against the Arizona Cardinals.
“I think he did good for the most part,” head coach Mike Zimmer said, per Eric Oslund. “First time out, the game didn’t seem too big for him. He made some plays.”
That Week 14 performance raised some eyebrows and thrust Harris into the competition to start next to Harrison Smith this season. He originally went undrafted in 2015, but the Vikings signed Harris as a free agent in late May. That August, he failed to make Minnesota’s final 53-man roster, but was quickly signed to the practice squad. There, he was a sponge, absorbing as much of the playbook as possible.
“Getting mental reps, seeing if I can get the right call down and see what position I’d be in,” Harris said, per Lindsey Young. “Help guys when they come off the field, communicate what I’m seeing from a different perspective. I think doing that all season helped prepare me to go out there and make some plays myself.”
As he gets stronger and masters even more of Mike Zimmer’s scheme, Harris improves his chances of not only winning ‘Mr. Mankato,’ but finishing training camp as a starter.
Other considerations
- Stephen Weatherly: The 6’4,” 267-pound defensive end is a physical freak built from the same mold as Everson Griffen. He joins a position group stacked with talent, but is fit to flash against the third-team offense.
- Antone Exum: As long as Exum is on the roster, he’ll earn a place on this list. Like many of Minnesota’s defenders, Exum is a physical specimen. He makes far too many mental errors, but has a knack for finding the football.
- Cordarelle Patterson: The ‘Mr. Mankato’ committee floated the idea earlier this offseason, but Patterson was not named a candidate for the award. Will all of his offseason work and practice result in a bigger role for Patterson this year?
I see this as a two-man race, but there are plenty of players with a chance to win the award. Heck, we may see a few surprising names pop up out of nowhere. Answer the question below and share your thoughts in the comments section!