With head coach Mike Zimmer back from a two-week hiatus at his Kentucky ranch to rehabilitate his vision, the Minnesota Vikings pumped up the intensity level in their third OTA practice open to the media, perhaps energized by the return of their leader.
On a hot afternoon at Winter Park, the offense and defense engaged in a healthy dose of trash talking as they exchanged verbal jabs during 11-on-11 drills.
As for the head coach, he remained a bit quieter as he roamed the sidelines. Zimmer still has an oil bubble in his right eye holding the retina in place and can only see above, below or to either side of the bubble.
“I probably needed to take it a little more seriously than what I did.”
“Moderation was a term [the doctor] used,” said Zimmer. “The pressure’s good, the bubble’s dissolving, the retina’s in good shape. But really, all he said was just be smart.”
After eight eye surgeries, Zimmer was strongly encouraged — if not straight-up forced by doctors and the Vikings organization — to take some time away. While this still appears to bother Zimmer, who stayed in the loop by watching film and texting players his observations from Kentucky, the 61-year-old coach admitted that he might’ve taken the issue too lightly last season.
“I’ve probably done a little bit more research since the season’s gotten over with,” Zimmer said, “and I probably needed to take it a little more seriously than what I did.”
The Vikings certainly took Tuesday morning’s practice seriously as defensive veterans Terence Newman and Everson Griffen initiated most of the good-natured ribbing that filled the practice. Newman, at one point, had two consecutive passes defended, including an impressive knockdown of a pass on a corner blitz.
“Terence is a guy that has an awful lot of pride,” said Zimmer, “and if you want to talk a little noise to him, he’s going to take your challenge. Better be careful not to wake up that bear.”
The offense made its fair share of plays as well. Taylor Heinicke, who took first-team snaps with Sam Bradford (muscle tightness) getting a day off from live reps, connected with Moritz Bohringer on a deep pass in 7-on-7 drills. Later, in goal-line passing drills, Heinicke faced a heavy blitz and hit Adam Thielen on a fade route over Xavier Rhodes.
“He’s a technician,” Rhodes said of Thielen. “If Thielen is told to run nine yards, he’s gonna run exactly nine yards in and out of his break.”
Linebacker battle
Third-year linebacker Edmond Robinson took first-team reps Tuesday along with Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks. Robinson could be one of the front-runners to replace recently-retired Chad Greenway in the base defense, though he’s got a room full of challengers that includes Emmanuel Lamur, Ben Gedeon, Kentrell Brothers and Elijah Lee.
Robinson took 46 snaps at linebacker as a rookie in 2015 but did not take any last year.
“I think sometimes first, second year you’re still trying to feel your way a little bit,” said Zimmer. “Third year you feel a lot more comfortable. It’s a big year for him. So far he’s progressing well.”
Lamur returned to practice after being injured the previous two weeks and may eventually get a look with the first team. The Vikings may also move Eric Kendricks around to give Gedeon and Brothers a look on the inside.
With the regular season still over three months away, there’s no rush for the Vikings to decide on Greenway’s successor, and Zimmer is keeping his options open.
“I’m not opposed to one of these younger guys if they end up being the guy,” Zimmer said.
Other nuggets
- Teddy Bridgewater threw during warmups once again and put his arm on display with some longer throws. Check out the video here.
- Harrison Smith stood off to the side with his helmet during practice, giving Anthony Harris a shot at starting safety next to Andrew Sendejo. Harris made a leaping interception of Case Keenum during 11-on-11 drills.
- Nick Easton was once again back with the first team at center. It appears like Easton has gotten most of the starting reps throughout OTAs rather than an even rotation with third-round pick Pat Elflein. Meanwhile, the second-team offensive line continued to move players around with Rashod Hill at left tackle, Zac Kerin at left guard, Elflein at center, T.J. Clemmings at right guard and Willie Beavers at right tackle.
- The competition might be heating up between kickers Kai Forbath and Marshall Koehn. With each kicker getting a series of attempts from between 40-50 yards, Koehn did not miss while Forbath missed wide right from 43 yards.
- Other inactives: WR Stacy Coley, RB Latavius Murray, S Antone Exum Jr., LB Shaan Washington, DT Dylan Bradley, DT Sharrif Floyd, WR R.J. Shelton.
