Jul 30, 2021; Eagan, MN, United States; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes the ball at training camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings took the day off Sunday after an eventful scrimmage on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. Fans piled in the facility, D.J. Wonnum scored a defensive touchdown, and a formal kicking competition commenced between Greg Joseph and rookie Riley Patterson.
Monday began a new week at training camp in Eagan as the team prepares for a preseason bout with the Denver Broncos this weekend.
Here are the four notable takeaways from Day 11 of the Vikings 2021 training camp.
In the shadows of the COVID vaccine hullabaloo for the Vikings, Anthony Barr quietly missed time from practice. There was no true verdict as to his whereabouts or the why for his absence, but the Vikings ran operations sans Barr for a few days.
As of Monday, Barr is back.
The UCLA alumnus is a Zimmer favorite — his first pick as a head coach in the NFL draft all the way back in 2014. The digital stratosphere suggests something fishy was going on with Barr. That will likely never be known now as Barr returned to camp — and Zimmer downplayed the sabbatical.
“Don’t come to the stadium” is puzzling, generally indicating a disciplinary matter for a young player. Barr is not crazy young, and the discipline stuff is speculative.
Barr’s back. And according to Zimmer, it was no big deal.
It’s not quite a where you when? moment, but Wonnum taking first-team snaps is noteworthy. For the bulk of the offseason following the initial free agency period, onlookers of the Vikings wondered which player will play defensive end opposite Danielle Hunter.
The betting money is (or was?) on Stephen Weatherly, who spent four seasons in Minnesota before trekking to Carolina for a one-year adventure. Weatherly returned to the Vikings in March.
Now, though, the tide may be turning — in favor of D.J. Wonnum. The second-year EDGE rusher, most known for his game-ending sack on Aaron Rodgers last November, is making plays while being utilized as a hybrid standup linebacker and EDGE rusher. It’s a brave new world for Zimmer — delving into 3-4 waters. Wonnum even took a pick-six to the house off Jake Browning at the Saturday night scrimmage.
On Monday, his reward, so to speak, was starting reps with the first team.
When looking back at August in the rearview, this may be the beginning of Wonnum’s ascension to increased usage in the Vikings defense. We shall see.
Obsessive personalities following the Vikings were a bit surprised on Monday when the team signed Warren Jackson. He’s a Colorado State alumnus — the Vikings enjoy those — standing 6’6″ tall.
Nobody really knew that Minnesota was in the market for another pass-catcher because Dede Westbrook was considered the missing link when he was signed a couple of weeks ago. Then, the other Colorado State product, Bisi Johnson, was lost for the season around the same time that Kirk Cousins was held out of team activities. The Johnson news flew under the radar, trimming the WR count on the Vikings roster by one notable name. Evidently, the Vikings needed one more wide receiver.
That’s Jackson. His odds of making the 53-man roster are a longshot, but Zimmer and friends are giving him a look. Collin Johnson of the Jacksonville Jaguars was the tallest wide receiver in the league last season, towering at 6’6″ like Jackson. If the new Viking makes the team, he’s instantly one of the NFL’s tallest wide receivers.
The media temperature has lowered since Cousins’ press conference last week. The Vikings quarterback doubled down on a commitment to increased distancing measures while seemingly declining any notion of getting the COVID vaccine. As a matter of personal preference, that is totally up to him.
His performance will dictate the long-term fallout of his decision. If he lights it up in 2021, folks will forget about his vaccine beliefs. Should he struggle and the Vikings lose ballgames, scrutiny toward Cousins — for everything — will be relentless. We’ve seen it before.
As for training camp on Monday, Cousins was on-point, delivering dazzling throws and empowering his receivers to score.
The Vikings need that version of Cousins now through February.
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Cousins is the key. If the defense is simply adequate and the OL is average or better, Cousin’s talent level is championship caliber. One of the most under appreciated players in team history.
Cousins is clearly TrumpTrash®. Throw him in a burning dumpster. Walk away. Profit. Toss Thielen and Smith in there for good measure. I'd rather root for the mediocre but sane than the talented but bat-shit looney. We're at a cross-roads in this country; let's just clean house.
Cousins is definitely the type of talent that can get us to the Superbowl and win it for once. Him along with the weapons he has, the defense on his side and an outstanding coaching performance this year, they are definitely going to be the most improved team of the NFL. However, if Cousins continues to be selfish and conceited about a simple shot and it causes the team to implode because of it...well, that will never be forgotten.
So Kirk, make memories don't ruin them.
And that goes for the rest of the team, think about your teammates, the fans, possibly your family members...stop being almighty and just get vaccinated for the good of everyone. SIMPLE!
The commenters here have a higher opinion of Cousins than history and the experts would suggest he deserves. Cousins has come through in big situations very infrequently. He doesn’t lead teams from behind. He doesn’t hold onto the ball with a narrow lead late in the game. He holds onto the ball too long and fumbles too much. That being said, he’s a decent QB and accurate passer with some great talent. He fits the system Zimmerman wants to run...run first and then play action pass when they try to stop the run. If the OL plays up to expectations, the offense should be better. I see the Vikings as a playoff contender but am skeptical that they are a SB contender.
Not everyone will "forget about [the trashbag's] vaccine beliefs". Coller floated an interesting albeit unlikely scenario on his podcast - trade that pile of stinking refuse for Teddy. Is Teddy better than Cousins? He's certainly a better human being. I'd rather root for people I respect than root for a championship team. Cousin's a very good QB but a crappy person. Kick him to the curb.
@don.
Keep your vaccine cult beliefs out of our football sphere. Less than 30% of minorities are vaccinated. Are they all "Trumpers" too? STFU
“Are they all “Trumpers” too?”
No they’re not. The African-American community has many historically valid reasons to fear vaccinations. They are also disproportionally likely to live in distressed and underserved communities. For them, the biggest predicter of whether they're vaccinated is income and opportunity (which is why that percentage is completely untrue among black players in the NFL. Unvaccinated white folk? Not so much. They are almost universally TrumpTrash® as clearly demonstrated by the fact that nearly all the counties in the country with very low vaccination rates voted for the Orange Ass Clown. Nearly ALL. That’s just a fact and if you read newspapers and books you’d know it. Talk about a cult – Me thinks the Lady Projects Too much (you won’t understand that reference. Ask a smart person to explain it to you.)
I've tried to reply to this tripe but it seems to have been intercepted. Hmmm.
Why am I not allowed to reply to this?