By Matthew Coller
The Minnesota Vikings held the final practice of training camp on Wednesday. It was a competitive practice with some developments at the podium as well. Let’s dive in…
What I heard
KOC on the backup situation
O’Connell announced that JJ McCarthy would miss Wednesday’s practice and that he wants him to start against Denver on Friday if he can get ready in time with his injured ankle.
In terms of whether McCarthy is still considered the backup quarterback, O’Connell did not commit.
“We want to we want to have clarity but also today’s the last quote-unquote training camp practice, we’ll still have some work next week and continue to always make the decisions based upon what we think is best for the team,” O’Connell said. “And it’s been a really competitive [camp], I think all four of our quarterbacks have had good training camps.”
The fact that O’Connell wants to play McCarthy in the preseason game is telling. It seems that there would only be a few reasons to do that. One would be simply trying to get him as much work as possible as a young QB but the others would be that he needs to be convinced McCarthy can execute to be QB2 or they are trying to offer one last look to any team that might be considering trading for him.\
KOC on Harrison Smith
O’Connell said that he has been in contact with Harrison Smith and that their discussions have gone beyond just about how his golf game is going this summer, insinuating that KOC is looking for an answer to whether Smith is going to return.
Considering the uncertainty at the safety position, now would be the time for Smith to come back if he’s going to make a return. He doesn’t have to go through the rigors of training camp but can step right into a defense that he already knows inside and out.
When will we find out? If he wants to play 17 games, it has to be soon.
Wentz on his situation
After practice, the Vikings’ elder statesman quarterback chatted about how he’s viewed the backup QB spot. He said that it has been challenging not to see as many reps as he would have gotten in the past.
“Mental reps are great, they are still not real reps at the end of the day so you try to get them as best you can, whether it’s behind the play or off to the side going through it with coach and visualizing it, do you whatever you can,” Wentz said. “Earlier in my career I wasn’t doing a lot of that so I’ve had to adjust over the years and soak up the knowledge I’ve gained… mental reps are great, physical reps are far better.”
In terms of the battle for the QB2 spot, he said:
“We’re all competitive, we’ve all had our own stories and journeys to get to this point but we’re ultimately cheering for the Vikings and for the successes of each other,” Wentz said.
O’Connell on the outside linebacker room
As cutdown day approaches, the Vikings have to weigh their options at outside linebacker behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. On one hand, adding another rusher makes sense because there isn’t a proven quick-twitch type OLB other than Turner on the squad. On the other, some young player have flashed as potential replacements if he were to get hurt or role players.
“I think Tyler Batty’s been a guy you guys have probably seen jump out in-game as well when he’s gotten his opportunities,” O’Connell said. He’s one of the better special teams, four-phase players we have on the teams but Tyler’s had a great camp. I think Ty Ingram-Dawkins is a guy… whether he plays more of the interior spot or he plays more on the edge, I think that he’s been such a bright spot for training camp, just watching this guy really evolve in multiple roles.”
If they had to play the Packers tomorrow, they might use a combo of Ingram-Dawkins, Batty, Eric Wilson and Jake Golday if either Van Ginkel or Turner got banged up.
They haven’t sounded desperate for an addition but Nolan Teasley might be looking for a deeper pass-rush unit as cutdowns happen.
KOC on Turner’s growth
We have heard repeatedly during this camp about the development of Dallas Turner in Year 3 as he prepares for the first year of his career as a full-time starter. On Wednesday, O’Connell pointed to several areas where he’s seen a difference.
“He has total ownership of the defense now,” O’Connell said. “He knows the different layers to the defense, all the checks. That first team group has been really... in practice as of late, really rolling the full gamut of things that’s such a challenge to go up against. But whether it was watching him against a really good player in the joint practices, whether it’s just watching him go up against [Darrisaw] every day or [O’Neill], I just think it’s just total clarity on his job. Now we’re starting to see the refinement of skills and the different repertoire of moves.”
Andrew Van Ginkel also talked after practice about what he’s seen from Turner.
“I think he’s got a great understanding of the defense and that allows him to be in certain spots and that allows him to play fast,” Van Ginkel said. “He’s not second guessing stuff, he’s just exploding off the ball.”