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Big thanks to our friend Kathy Clater, who tipped me off to this interview via the Twitters.
The selection of Moritz Böhringer in the 2016 NFL Draft was met with a great deal of fanfare, as the Minnesota Vikings made him the first European player to be drafted without first spending time at a college in North America. He spent the 2016 season on the practice squad, which wasn’t a surprise, but he obviously expects more from himself in 2017.
Böhringer sat down for an interview with Ran, a sports site that sort of looks like the German equivalent of ESPN. Someone took the time to translate it and share it on the Vikings’ Reddit page, and it’s a pretty interesting read. (As with any translation, it’s a bit rough, but it’s certainly a heck of a lot better than I could provide you.)
Böhringer still seems to think that his path to making the roster is on special teams, and his assumption is probably an accurate one.
Ran: Were there moments where you were really frustrated?
Böhringer: Of course you sometimes have it during games. Everyone wants to play, that’s clear, but I always learned something and improved. You notice it yourself.
Ran: And the Preseason games are soon.
Böhringer: Obviously I want to get as much playtime as possible. The way to the roster clearly leads through the Special Team. That’s where I want to recommend myself, that’s the goal. Maybe not as punt returner, but there are other positions as well.
Check out the entire interview. I’m not sure what the odds of Böhringer making the team are for this year, but if he doesn’t make it, it certainly won’t be because he isn’t putting in the necessary work, from the sounds of it.