Straight Ring of Honor, Homey: Vikings Minicamp Recap, Day 2
Vikings Minicamp Recap – Day 2
Day two of Vikings minicamp was highlighted by the presence of two Minnesota Vikings legends. Randy Moss and Ahmad Rashad joined the team Wednesday at Winter Park to discuss their inductions into the Vikings Ring of Honor.
Day 2 Notes
- The Vikings announced they will add Randy Moss and Ahmad Rashad to their Ring of Honor in 2017. The recognizable receivers are two of the best Vikings of all-time. Moss will be inducted on September 11th versus the Saints and Rashad on October 1st versus the Lions.
- In practice, head coach Mike Zimmer continued to focus on situational football. A clear goal this season will be to improve in the red zone. The team practiced situational third downs inside the 20-yard line today.
- Nick Easton saw time as the first-team center while Pat Elflein worked as the second-team left guard. Jeremiah Sirles also got some first-team action.
- Mackensie Alexander again worked with the first-team as the slot cornerback.
Randy Moss
- Randy Moss returned to Winter Park for the first time since 2010. Despite being in good spirits, he got emotional during Wednesday’s press conference when asked what he would say to former Vikings head coach Dennis Green:
“I’d probably just fall into his arms and give him a hug. There are no words I could tell him. The man passed away without me really, really, really giving him my love and thanks for what he was able to do for me and my family, man,” Moss said. “There’s a lot of teams that passed on me for wrong reasons. Coach Green gave me that opportunity.”
- He made the most of that opportunity. From the Vikings twitter feed:
Not every player has a 10-minute career highlight video.
For @RandyMoss, that's just his 40+ yard TD catches. pic.twitter.com/rXpmhQz2aP
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 14, 2017
Ahmad Rashad
- For the younger readers, Rashad played seven years on the “premier” Vikings team of Marshall, Page, Eller, and Tarkenton. Rashad was a Viking from 1976-1982 and said he loved his time in Minnesota. He fell in love with the place, with the people, and with the Vikings. He also spoke highly of former Vikings head coach Bud Grant:
“Bud Grant is one of the most wonderful people that has come through my life of anybody. He’s just a wonderful, wonderful man who was about football, but also about life. “
- I could quote just about everything Rashad said. He was very appreciative of receiving this honor:
“I’ve won Emmy awards, I’ve won receiving titles and all those kinds of things, but this is closer to my heart. I always say once a Viking, always a Viking.”
The Vikings have one more day of mandatory minicamp Thursday. The next time they will practice as a full team will be at Training Camp in late July.