Vikings Minicamp Recap – Day 1
Vikings Minicamp Recap – Day 1
The first day of the Vikings June minicamp was held Tuesday morning at Winter Park. The players did not wear pads, yet the practice featured an intense 2-hour session of full-team scrimmages and situational football.
After the workout, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer spoke to the press. He gave insight on the state of the team and provided multiple player updates.
Day 1 Notes:
- Edmond Robinson made a couple of big plays from the weak side linebacker spot. He leapt to deflect a pass in the red zone and later picked off a Taylor Heinicke pass.
- Datone Jones will play 3-technique defensive tackle for the Vikings. The coaches have asked him to gain some weight so he can match up better against opposing offensive lineman. He’s currently listed at 285 pounds.
- The kicking battles were again in full force with the big-legged Marshall Koehn (14 of 16 this spring) challenging the incumbent placekicker Kai Forbath (17 of 19 this spring). Punters Taylor Symmank and Ryan Quigley have both looked solid at punter.
- Other heated position battles include Pat Elflein/Nick Easton at center, Emmanuel Lamur/Edmond Robinson at weakside linebacker, and Terence Newman/Mackensie Alexander at slot corner.
- Jerick McKinnon added 10 pounds to gain strength and hopefully make himself more difficult to tackle.
- Rodney Adams, who made a good first impression on his head coach, may get the first shot at returning kicks for the Vikings. Zimmer said returning kicks is “part of a rookies job.”
- Watch highlights from Day 1 of the minicamp here. From Vikings.com.
Zimmer Quotes:
- Coach Zimmer began the presser by stating:
“I think we had a good start today. We got a lot of work accomplished. Team’s working hard, paying attention. We were out here a little longer today than OTAs, but we got a lot of situations taken care of. I like this team.”
- Second-year tight end David Morgan received Zimmer’s praise:
“I think the biggest compliment you can give him is when the defensive players say he’s one of the best blockers we’ve had around here in a long time.” The coach continued, “That tenacity. He’s a guy who does a lot of dirty work. Doesn’t say a lot. Has good hands and catches the ball well in the pass game. He’s just a tough guy that will compete, likes to compete.”
- Zimmer’s first impression on rookie wide receiver Rodney Adams:
“He makes a lot of plays. Catches the ball good. Runs good routes. Has got good quickness in and out of breaks. He doesn’t seem to be making many mistakes.” Zimmer credited new receivers coach Darrell Hazell for polishing Adams’ technique and teaching him how to be an effective route runner.
- The Vikings head coach on why right guard may be the best spot for offensive lineman T..J. Clemmings:
“The best place for [Clemmings] is where it’s a little bit more condensed.” Zimmer said. “If you’re not starting you have to play more than one spot anyway. But, this is something we wanted to look at this spring.”
The Vikings mandatory minicamp will run through Thursday. Look for more updates after tomorrow’s practice.