Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Recap: 1-2 Punch

The Minnesota Vikings are entering their final phases of training camp before they start their joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars...

Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray

Cook has shown the same level of explosion that attracted the Vikings to draft him. He does not look like a player who has had an ACL tear the prior year, and is cutting violently without appearing to favor his knee. Latavius Murray also appears more smooth in his cuts, and he and Cook look like a dynamic tandem. There is quite a bit of camaraderie between the two as well. The two walked out on to the field together, and Cook asked beat reporters “Have you ever heard of a 1-2 punch?”

The Offense had an off day

Fumbled snaps and a drops were a couple of issues for the offense today. Vikings Offensive Coordinator John Defillipo yelled at the unit for fumbling 3 snaps. This is likely due to inexperience at the center position with Pat Elflein missing, but every position group on the offense struggled. Kirk Cousins was visibly frustrated with his mistakes, after having a particularly poor redzone drill period. Cousins is more mechanical than most quarterbacks, which showed in his quick release and timing while under pressure. There could be concern with Cousins ability to improvise, and create when mechanics are thrown off, or he misidentifies pressure from the opposing defense.

Mike Hughes is special

There are some players that step on to the field and it’s obvious they belong. This is true about the Vikings first round selection Mike Hughes. He looks like a veteran already, and might have the highest ceiling of every cornerback on the field...including Xavier Rhodes. One play that particularly stood out was a play during the redzone period. Hughes covered Adam Thielen, and was on top of him immediately out of his break. Thielen, one of the leagues best route runners, was completely taken out of the play. Hughes still has a lot to learn, but he is already better than a lot of the corners already on the Vikings roster.

The Rest

There were some other notable things from practice such as Kendall Wright making plays. He has been relatively quiet all training camp, and Zimmer had a few disparaging comments about his inability to play special teams. Wright still needs to carve out a role for himself with guys like Brandon Zylstra, and Cayleb Jones making plays.

Everson Griffen was not at practice, per Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, he had an excused team absence.

Terence Newman struggled quite a bit, but it does not seem to be an area of concern for the 40-year old vet.

Reiff-Compton-Edison-Isidora-O’neill appears to be the starting offensive line rotation until Remmers, and Elflein return from injury.

Laquon Treadwell is impressing every day, and continues to solidify himself as the teams wide receiver 3. He is making contested catches in redzone drills, and attacks the ball out while its in the air. The Vikings are giving him every opportunity to thrive, and he is clearly making the most out of it.