Rookie Mini-Camp: Zim Speaks . . . and We All Listen

Head coach Mike Zimmer and his new Viking rookies gathered at Winter Park on Friday for rookie mini-camp, which included a walk-through practice and a media meet and greet. It’s early—way early—but there were a few notable thoughts expressed and perhaps some insights to be gleaned from the exercise. So, let’s take a look.

Zimmer got an early start for the 2017 season in his tweaking of the media by trying to get out of the presser after only a few questions and then later sarcastically saying he wanted to stay longer when executive director of PR Bob Hagen announced “time for two more [questions].” It was all in good fun (Zimmer is a bit more light-hearted in the offseason than during a four-game slide midseason). But Zimmer has definitely grown to enjoy this weekly/daily task of his job less and less each year.

Zimmer got a look at his new draft prospects (which was difficult for him as he told reporters that he recently went through his fifth and sixth procedures on his eye—but there is no word on whether or not they have restored his vision), and he had a few comments on the newcomers.

Regarding the running back situation—which includes an injured Latavius Murray, a promising rookie in Dalvin Cook and the veteran Jerick McKinnon, who might suddenly see his playing time reduced—Zimmer is looking forward to the competition.

“It’ll always be an open competition, but with the veteran guys we have, we’ve been doing Phase II,” Zimmer said. “And [Latavius] hasn’t been working yet. So, we’ve got a long, long way to go before we make any determinations on any of that.”

But with Murray out and Cook at Winter Park, all the excitement surrounds the rookie, even if the head coach is loath to join into the early exuberance.

“It’s a walkthrough, but he showed acceleration, good feet, good vision, a lot of the same things we saw on tape,” Zimmer said of Cook. “[He’s] a good kid, seems smart in the blitz pickup drill they had down there.”

Regardless, it should be an interesting competition, with Cook’s first-round talent pushing McKinnon on the depth chart and Murray to get out of the training room. For his money, however, Cook is not making any waves when asked about how soon he will be starting.

“That’s not my ultimate goal,” Cook said of starting as a rookie. “My ultimate goal is to find my role, just come in and contribute to the team anywhere possible and help the team win. That’s my ultimate goal.”

Zim wouldn’t bite on a question regarding the Vikings’ reported interest in free agent veteran wide receiver Michael Floyd (“I don’t know. You’d have to talk to Rick [Spielman] about that,” Zimmer said). But he did offer an assessment of rookie Rodney Adams, although more of it pertained to his kick returning ability:

“He did it good in college, but his run after catch in college was always really good,” Zimmer said of Adams. “[On] his kickoff returns, lower-body strength—I think that’s always important for those guys—vision, and he’s got good size. He seems like a pretty smart kid. He was here on the Top 30. So, yeah, I like him.”

Another rookie who spoke on Friday was new guard/center Pat Elflein. The rookie from Ohio State comes to camp with a reputation for playing the game very physically, an attribute his new head coach appreciates. There are some openings on the Vikings’ offensive line at guard and center, and Elflein’s versatility may help him land a starting role.

“Yeah, both,” Elflein said when asked which position is his focus in camp. “I want to show them that I can play either. I worked at center [Friday] afternoon, but I’m still learning all the guard calls and everything. I just want to be ready for either one.”

Zimmer did speak about all the new personnel on the offensive line, which includes the free agent acquisition:

“[Mike] Remmers is a veteran guy that is going to change things up all the time on you; he’s not going to give you the same sets, the same things. He’s a smart guy; he’s a tough guy,” Zimmer said when asked what he likes about the new members of the offensive line. “Riley Reiff is really the same way. They’ve done a great job in the weight room, so far. They’ve done a great job in the one week of Phase II that we’ve had. I think Elflein is the same way; he’s going to be that kind of guy. If we’re not the most athletic, maybe we’ll be the toughest and the most physical.”

Zimmer is looking for a new attitude on the offensive line—aggressive, physical, tough—and with the addition of the new players, time will tell if he has achieved it.

“They do have background of what they’ve put on tape so far, and kind of their personality that you know,” he said. “I guess you kind of go on that. It still comes down to, ‘I’ve got to block that guy and us two have to block those two.’ I mean, that’s what it comes down to at the end of the day. Get your pads down and come off the ball. If we’re going to make a mistake, we’re going to make it full speed and aggressive.”

Perhaps the most pleasing bit of news from the day came when Zimmer was asked about his former starting quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, who missed all of last season due to a horrific knee injury, and will most likely do the same this season. In recent weeks, plenty of reports had it that Bridgewater would never return to the game, but Zimmer, who is at least one person with knowledge of the situation, offered the most positive light that we have heard in a while on Teddy.

“Yeah, I love Teddy Bridgewater,” Zimmer said. “The guy is working his rear end off, continues to fight every single day. Everything about him is, when he’s rehabbing and doing the work he has to do, it’s the exact same way he approaches life. I’m excited. I’m probably more optimistic now about him eventually playing than I have been at any point in time—but he has still got a long way to go.”

In one fell swoop that response confirms the worst fears (that his return is anything but ensured) and offers a ray of hope (that is more than just a glimmer) that we could see Teddy in a Vikings uniform once again. No guarantees here either way, but certainly something to be optimistic about.

And this came from the head coach Mike Zimmer—who never likes to blow much smoke up anyone’s tailpipe. That of itself, is hopeful indeed.

 

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