Purple Insider - a Minnesota Vikings and NFL podcast - Vikings camp recap Day 2 (Part 2)

Episode Date: July 25, 2025

Matthew Coller talks about what he saw at Vikings training camp on Day 2 of camp, which included Justin Jefferson missing some of the practice and the QBs struggling at times.

Uh, Dayton YT says, feels like a natural fit for Josh Mattellus to fill in Harrison's role once he retires. But I would prefer Harrison never retires. Yeah. Fair enough on that second part. It does. It does. And that's why it's sort of like the Jeff Okuda thing where I oscillate back

and forth between on one hand, Brian Flores knows what he's doing, and he gets benefited the doubt because he's earned it. When he got here, this defense was a wreck top five last year, and they won 14 games, and we give Darnold a lot of credit. He deserves it, but we cannot forget how good the defense was last season, and a lot of credit. He deserves it, but I cannot forget how good the defense was last season. And a lot of the reason why the Vikings were as good on defense was how good Flores is at identifying talent. So if he

says and finding the right roles for guys, right? So if he says, I want Josh Mattel is to play in more of a deep safety spot on first and second down. It's, I have a, an amount of skepticism on it because I don't see quite the same skillset as players like Anthony Harris or came by them who have succeeded in that role and yet at the same time, I have to believe that he knows what he's doing with Josh Mattel is right. So you're kind of back and forth because there wouldn't be no Josh Mattel is if not for Brian Flores, but I think you make a good point that it could be a now and later type of decision

get the best 11 on the field. Clearly one of the best 11, just fit them in the way that the best way you can and make the moving parts move. And then after Harrison Smith retires, that's your new Harrison Smith. I think that's a fair. I think it's a fair theory. I think it has a lot to do with Dallas Turner, and I think it has a lot to do with the front being as good as it is. So now you kind of want to play a base defense more often. You want to play where you've got Blake Cashman, Ivan pace and the whole front four and maybe even maybe you want to play a nickel more

also where Byron Murphy is in and then only in those dime situations you're putting in Theo Jackson to play the deep over the top and also if you look around the league this is just a fact that early downs a lot of teams are throwing shorter than they ever have before that deep shots are down not not last year in Minnesota, but they were around the league. So maybe your idea is, well, if explosive plays and deep shots are down, then maybe having Mattel is as someone coming up to make tackles against the run game. It's better to have more tacklers on the field when you're playing the Eagles, the Ravens. Like you could see the logic. It not oh my gosh what are they doing i'm definitely not feeling that way i'm just curious about it when

something's different like that for a player who's been here for as long as he has it's just interesting uh Aaron did they do any punt returns not real ones there's uh some warm-up maybe i got some film of that earlier some warm-ups where they're just kind of throwing the ball to the guys But we'll have to get a look at that. I saw miles price over there He's one to kind of keep an eye on for that punt returning competition along with Silas Bolden But no punt returns as of today when they do though I will be ready with my camera if we're still in a filming session. And if we're not with my notepad writing down every player who's returning the punts, but I do see Isaiah Rogers still back there

with those guys. I saw they because they do a you know, some warm-up and I did see him there today. I don't know if they're actually going to do that if they're actually going to do that with Isaiah Rogers. I personally would say no that they shouldn't if he's going to be CB 2, which he clearly is right now, I would lean against having him return anything that position

is just too valuable. Let's see. Son of Beaver says did Miles Price stick out at all? He had the same build as Silas Bolden heard a lot about Bolden on kick and part returns miles price is definitely a guy to watch went to Indiana, returned a lot of punts there, had a really good season and was part of. Uh, really good Indiana team last year. So you're right. Well, Bolden see Bolden had that amazing punt return for

Texas in the college football playoff. It was very memorable. And even though price is also undersized, Bolden is super undersized. So he stands out right away. It's like, Oh, it looks like Marcus Sherrill's out there returning punts. Um, but yeah, that punt return battle, that's one where when we go into preseason and we do the like, here's the 10 things we're going to watch the part return battle really has to play out on the field. And we're going to hear more from Matt Daniels, maybe tomorrow, I think for Matt Daniels. So I'll try to bring you some of that about the return battles. It really has to play out in that in actual games.

There's no good way to simulate the speed and the violence of that play in practice. Andrew says if Rodgers looks good throughout camp any chance they extend him before he gets expensive and has a breakout season? Probably not. We'll see if I think I think the scroll is required for this. It's only been two practices. So maybe not quite thinking yet about, I haven't thought about an Isaiah Rogers extension, but it could be a really good find for them. And then in the off season, they could do something like that, but you're not going to do it after training camp. You just signed him to a contract. He's not going to do it

after training camp. When they signed Josh Mattelis to that early deal, the reason that they were able to pull that off was because Mattelis had been a six round pick. He had been cut and it had a couple of years in the league and was ready to hit free agency. And so he was thrilled to get a contract like that projecting what he was going to do because he hadn't done it yet. And it only played a couple hundred defensive snaps. This is different. Rogers has been in the league for a while. If he had a great year this year, then you're looking at him as a long-term option. He is 27, but with great speed the way that he has, I think he can be pretty good for, you know, a little while, but we'll, we'll have to see how it comes along. It just looks to me like Isaiah

Rogers might be another one of those Andrew van ginkle, Blake Cashman type of guys that are just starting to ascend and hit their peak in the NFL. I mean, Rogers is a unique case where he was ascending with the Indianapolis Colts. And then he got suspended for an entire year for a gambling issue, which he allowed someone else to use his account and they made bets under his name. That's the story at least. And so he was out for an entire year. Now he comes back. So he is a player that was on the rise before that. Then he came back with Philadelphia. They draft two amazing corners. He plays a fair amount of snaps and started a few games. And then, uh, here he is. So this is one of those situations that you

could argue. Well, he is one of those players that hasn't yet hit his peak, even though he's 27 years old. Uh, Anthony says, uh, how is Turner looking in coverage? You know, just just in general, and I'll bring you the conversation in a little bit here with Dallas Turner, but just in general, the vibes surrounding Dallas Turner are very good. He in seven on sevens is playing in a coverage role. And he said to me when I asked him and you'll see it later, but he said that he was just paying attention last year, especially to everything.

Andrew van Ginkle did when it came to playing in coverage. And I think that he is getting more comfortable in that role, especially because he's been working on it all off season OTAs, mini camp in those seven on sevens, he's one of the guys that is dropping back into coverage. Normally, you know, you don't have a Grenard or even Van Ginkle usually doesn't take, I think, doesn't take a lot of those seven on sevens because it's usually linebackers and secondary, but he's doing that, which indicates to me that they want

him to be really good in coverage. And I think he moves very uniquely, but just in general, he looks like I don't want to say a completely different guy, but kind of physically. He looks like he grew up a lot in this off season and he also mentioned working with three or four different specialist type of people, whether it's, you know, pass rush specialist or a trainer, you know, all the things that you should be doing.

And he worked out with Jonathan Grenard right after the season. And I think, I just think it shows, I just think it shows for him. Uh, Nick says, how's the first team O line looking until we get pads, can't really make an assessment. Um, I don't think there's been any trouble executing the plays that they've asked them to do so far. Um, there have been any trouble executing the plays that they've asked them to do so far There have been some guys, you know getting into the backfield, but that's that's a period where if you are Jonathan Grenard if you're J Van Hargrave, like you're not you're not going after people I think I did see Blake Brandle kind of get beat today, but you know, he's not gonna start I

think so far it's been fine, but That's a pads thing for sure. Then we'll really get the sense. Are they getting destroyed or, and you're also playing one of the best D lines in the league. So we have to make that change as well. Somebody like poor Donovan Jackson, a man, I mean, that guy comes in and here's J von Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, dudes that are 10 years older than you who have racked up dozens of sacks and have been pro bowlers or played on teams that went to the super bowl and stuff like that. Oh, welcome to the league.

Donovan Jackson, uh, Aaron tight end three competition update. Well, the one update that's not so hot is that Gavin Bartholomew, when Kevin O'Connell gave his injury update, that is the sixth round pick from pit for those who don't have the depth chart in front of them. Uh, he said more or less, I'll, I'll get a sense for his recovery next week or something to that extent, like hoping to check back on his situation next week, which just didn't sound that promising for Gavin Bartholomew getting back on the field right away. So that means two other guys get a chance, Ben Urasek,

Bryson Nesbitt, also Giovanni Ricci, the veteran who came in from Carolina. But the same issue has happened with the backup quarterbacks. I haven't seen either one of those guys get a football yet. I don't think Urase sec might have got a swing pass or a check down or something. They really do need the backup quarterback to start executing stuff and that is the one thing you could say about Nick Mullins. Look, you can say whatever you want about Nick Mullins guy did not throw a good football. In fact, threw a pretty horrible football, but he knew where he

was going with the ball. He gave them a chance to evaluate people. He gave them a chance to develop people in practice. That is not what Sam Howell is doing so far after two days, two days. So he may be just, it's not the easiest offense to just step into, but he's had enough time now where you should at least be able to get the football to a couple of wide receivers and a practice and a couple of safeties in practice. You should be able to do that. Uh, CJ says crystal ball. Oh yeah. Ben Gessling will be on the show soon enough. No doubt. I, I wanted a enough practices to go by so we can have enough information to do a

crystal ball episode. Ben Gessling from the Star Tribune. We'll definitely connect with him very soon on the show. A lot of guests from TCO Performance Center coming up. Certainly Kevin Seifert. Emily Leiker is new on the beat. Make sure you guys find and follow her work at the Star Tribune. So she'll be on. Ahmaud Hicks was on the show a few weeks ago from Fox nine. We've got plans to do another podcast with him. The nine questions with the mod Hicks from Fox nine will do that. But anyway, so your, your crystal ball prediction is Jeff Okuda pick six to seal Christmas day win over the lions.

That's good. That would be good. Hey, the revenge game narratives are going to be everywhere. I don't get the sense that Jeff Okuda is really that kind of guy that he's somebody who's going to be looking for revenge. But, um, you know, maybe, maybe it's a little bit of extra fuel in the tank. Look, it could happen because you have a defense that is really good and it might play to his strengths. So it could happen with Jeff Okuda. It's not something I'm counting out. It's also not

something that I'm buying into after two days without paths fully. Uh, let's see. Uh, no one, you know, says lucky Jackson question mark. Yep. Lucky Jackson's one of those guys. Funny enough, kind of reminds me of Tristan Jackson. Maybe maybe you guys remember Trished season for Tristan Jackson. Every time we were out there, uh, you know, and he would make a catch, I would say, you know, to the other reporters, like it's Trish season guys, because in camp, in mini camp training camp, 13 reps, Tristan Jackson just dominated it.

Lucky Jackson has been the second team guy who always is reliable and he's out there and he catches the football. But there isn't really another he's twenty seven it's not really another level to that i think lucky Jackson could play in games if they needed him to but you would much rather have your rondo more you would much rather have your tie felton as being the guys who are there being elevated. And instead of, you know, somebody like lucky Jackson, who's kind of a classic, he's way better than most college players and he's not quite as good as most NFL players. That's why he ended up in the XFL initially because of that. So that's a Liz, Liz Frank or Liz Frank injury for Wilkins. Yes. Andrew van Ginkle, I think did have that. So I mean, if he's not even practicing because he's got this nasty injury, I don't know.

I don't know. Look, if they think he's got this nasty injury. I don't know. I don't know. It would look if they think he's healthy enough to take a shot on. I guess it makes sense. But you know, Ryan brings us up. What are the chances that Wilkins gets back and could be better than Jalen Redmond? Don't think that it's high a foot injury for a defensive tackle sounds pretty bad. And if the Raiders now the Raiders aren't a good organization still like they're run by Pete Carroll that helps their cause and they've got a new general manager. They haven't been a good organization.

So you could see them making some sort of grave error that could happen. But a team does not want to do this. A team does not want to have one of the best players in the whole League in Christian Wilkins and then have to go through a fight with the NFL PA who's I don't know are you and I running the NFL PA at this point I guess we are like who's who's in charge of the NFL PA right now it's a circus so I'm guessing the NFL PA is not going to pull through for Christian Wilkins here but it's it's just it's not good I mean you sign the guy for that much money everybody's excited he's one of the best players at his position it's not good. I mean, you sign the guy for that much money. Everybody's excited. He's one of the best players at his position. It's a huge signing. I know that was the previous regime, but you probably come in when you're Pete Carroll, you take the job and you think, all right, got Christian Wilkins. And then he's not able to get out there.

And the foot injury is so serious that you avoid his guarantees. That doesn't sound to me like somebody who's going to be ready to jump back in and contribute. But you know, I guess you never know. But speaking of Jalen Redmond, he's one of those guys that I'm planting the flag. I'm planting the flag Jalen Redmond. He's going to be the guy now.

Levi Drake Rodriguez seems a little bit too excited to be out there so far. It's been very clearly though. It is very clearly the backups to Alan and Hargrave are Levi, Drake, Rodriguez, and Jalen Redmond as of today, uh, as of today, but it's only been two practices. But as of this moment, those two guys are the ones that are the backups there. And Redmond, he gets in the backfield. Like he is, he's got a talent for that. He gets low and he's quick and seems to have good hands. So I like, I like where they stand

with that. I like where they stand with, uh, Jaylen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez and Levi look, he looks bigger to me. He looks strong like he's again a little much so far, but I think both of those guys could make for rotational players and then we'll see on everybody else. Jude says, where does Tyron Ingram Dawkins line up and how did he look? I've seen him at both positions inside and outside because I was, you know, making sure we're always kind of the reporters cross checking with each other. Like, Hey, did you see on that play? Like who was in on that play, that kind of thing. And so I was cross checking with everybody else

today. Like, did I, am I seeing this right? That Ingram Dawkins is on the outside linebacker today, but I thought I saw him inside and he's, he's rotating it right now. It's pretty clearly on the inside Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez, and then Tye Imani and Ingram Dawkins have worked in there. Uh, I saw a little bit of, um, Elijah Williams was, was in there today. Um, that was kind of a third team type of rep, but at least, you know, a couple out there, the guy from Morgan State, but it looks like right now Ingram Dawkins would be more

in the development phase as opposed to the he's ready to play phase. The guys who developed last year, they're ahead of him early on in camp. Son of beavers. How did Jordan Mason look? Because the man answers questions like the teacher just called on him during class short and to the point. He is not a long winded fellow. I learned that pretty early. He is very much straight to the point. Here's the thing that stood out to me.

I did mention this last night, but I'll describe a play from today that confirmed this even more to me. I was thinking in my head of Jordan Mason as a guy who is just, Hey, you pitch him the football outside zone, can cut back up inside. And like, that's, that's your, that's your Jordan Mason, right? But the times that they've thrown him the ball, I thought he's looked very smooth catching it. And there was a play today where JJ McCarthy drops back and he

goes through his progression and he kind of just, he feels one thing. I noticed from McCarthy is that he has a clock in his head. He understands even in a seven on a seven drill. All right. One, two, three balls got to come out somewhere. And so he kind of got to his right. No, to his middle. No. And then the check down to Jordan Mason was to his left and he fired it at him and it was not the most accurate pass and Mason corralled it outside of his

body. Just brought it right in very smoothly. I think he does have some natural hands. Jordan Mason. I think it's going to be the one in one a situation. Uh, Mason is, he looks so big and so smooth out there that I do think they're going to play him a lot. And I think they actually can throw him the football. Steven leader of the clubhouse for mr. Bancato after day two. After day two, this will be good. Steven. I know you watch a lot and I appreciate you ask me again after like day four and then day eight or what?

You know, keep asking me again and we'll see kind of where we're at with that. That'll be fun to do after day two. I don't know. I might have to go with a Zamyavon after day two just because we've said his name so many times and you know know he got some praise from the defensive coordinator. Maybe that's maybe that's enough right now. Jude said I would prefer not signing Wilkins because he's injured. We still have Alan Hargrave, Phillips, but also Ingram Dawkins, Redmond, and yeah, LDR as well. Right. I think that they like where they are at, um, with that defensive line, especially if

those guys are healthy. But there is always that conversation of sometimes opportunities present themselves and you have to consider it. If they had information that Wilkins would be healthy by week eight, just, just for example, just throw it out there and maybe the Raiders are playing games. That's also possible as well. Maybe they're playing games and they're worried about his longterm future, but hey, if you signed them in week eight or week six on a one year deal for the rest of the season or

you signed them now and he would be available in week six for the rest of the season. The more talent you can get when a lot of times in the past when things like this came up, I was my disposition was I'd rather see them just figure it out with certain guys then go after this guy or the other guy. Well, the spot that I'm in right now with this roster is oh, there's some talented guy. Well, maybe you should look into it.

There's a there's a Jair Alexander. Maybe there's a Jalen Ramsey. Definitely. There's a Christian Wilkins. Well, possibly. I mean, let's say they signed him and it was one year up to 10 million based on a number of snaps or something and it was five million guaranteed. Like it's a small amount of money because who's taking that risk and you got to play

him 400 snaps over the final five weeks of the season and go into the playoffs with him. Well, like now you've got my attention, but also if his injury is so bad that his career might be over well well then maybe not. Kit Fisto's dental plan says, every time I read dental plan I think of the Simpsons. Lisa needs braces. If you know that reference, you're as old as me. Says, does Eric Wilson look like a guy who's going to get reps from scrimmage? I think so. Does Eric Wilson look like a guy who's going to get reps from scrimmage?

I think so. The thing about Brian Flores is he does find ways to use certain players, but he's outside of the D line, not a massive rotate guy. Like you're going to see Blake Cashman and Ivan pace a lot. I don't think you're going to see too much Eric Wilson coming in for Ivan pace as in, you know, Oh, we're, we're going to do something a little different here. I think they, they like pace and he's going to play a lot. Um, but maybe every once in a while, Eric Wilson could mix in. I don't know.

I think the biggest thing is that just when it comes to Eric Wilson, he can do whatever you need. He could play both linebacker positions, ton of special teams. He can blitz if you want, he can cover if you want. Like he, I think he's one of those, oh, it's week eight and Cashman's out for three weeks with a hip pointer or something. And you need Eric Wilson. Oh, that's great. Whereas last year, oh, he's out for a couple of weeks. And it's devastating because you have to play and you know, Kamu Grigé Hill tried his best, but he was a special teamer.

He was not a starting type of linebacker and was forced into it. Uh, Rob says, does Rogers look bigger than the one 70 he's listed? Yeah. Oh, you could do, uh, you could do a whole thing on listed weights, man, for sure. Uh, no, he's not one 70. He's not that tall, but he's not one 70. I'm sure that's what he came out at the college. How about like the college weights? I think the college,

they listed Taya Mania like 330 pounds in college. He was three Oh nine when they actually weighed him. But imagine if he was six, two and three 30, he would just would have looked like a giant balloon. Uh, that was kind of how Michael Pierce, his body, uh, was because he wasn't that tall. I yeah, I'm sure Isaiah Rogers is bigger than that. He actually looks like strong, not just fast when they signed him. I also looked

at that and you know, I'd seen him play before, but I wondered myself like 170. Is that right? no, isn't it? Not 170. Now here, here you're going, you're going too far into deep into the woods. Uh, son of beavers to how did Tim Jones and Taver Thomas look pretty sure they were brought in to be the Gunners on special teams. Haven't seen the special teams. Those are guys that we will try to figure out a little bit more when it comes to the preseason games, but, uh, Tim Jones has caught some passes out there.

It's where number 14 it's weird to see number 14 catching passes still after so many years of Stephon digs. But I don't know which one of them like Tavar Thomas got some reps today with the second team because Mattelis was not practicing and Jones got in there for a few plays with the rest of the rotation and really bring him up and he caught a pass or two. So I mean, we'll see like that punt gunner spot is something that's going to, I think it is a battle between those two to see which one makes the roster in that position. But funny last year, the punt gunner who turned out to be great was Trent Sherfield and he wasn't even the punt gunner when they came out of training

camp. I think they had some issues with that position last year. And then he, uh, convinced Matt Daniels. Yeah. He told me that midway through the season, sort of convinced Matt Daniels, uh, like, Hey, you know, I can play this gunner position. Give me a chance. So, um, the feeling on Jordan Mason so far is that he looks really huge and I wouldn't want to tackle him, but

you know, there's, we haven't seen the physical element yet and we probably won't like this training camp. You don't want to see too much of that. Maybe enjoying practices a little bit as far as, uh a short yardage carries, that's just not really how a training camp practice works. Um, because a short yardage carries about ramming your face into someone else's face and that they're just not going to do that in training camp. Like they run, the run plays, uh, our offensive and defensive line practice and just hit the right spot.

That's basically where it is, right? Is you just kind of like try to hit the right spot when it comes to Jordan Mason, but don't get hurt. There's a lot of don't get hurt in Kevin O'Connell's practices and that's a smart thing. Brandon says Felton has a problem catching if I know my stuff. I don't know if you if I know my stuff. I don't know if you know your stuff, Brandon. I don't know if you know your stuff because he hasn't had any problems catching so far in college. They didn't really have a quarterback that could throw and a lot of his stuff was underneath. There were a few drops, I suppose. When I looked at the drop numbers, it didn't jump out to me that there was huge drop numbers. But yeah, so I don't know. I

don't know if you know your stuff or not. He's caught some nice passes so far though. Had a good one today. Had a good one yesterday. A few, one really nice one in mini camp. So we'll, we'll see. We'll see. I don't, I don't know, um, where that comes from. Um, I didn't think hands were really an issue with him. If there's one thing with Felton, it's that he's wiry. So he's tall and he's lanky, but he's crazy fast. And sometimes with those skinnier wiry guys, uh, defensive backs get their hands on them and it's hard for them to get off the

line of scrimmage. That could be kind of an issue, but I don't think catching the ball, uh, it has been a problem for him. Yeah, we'll see. Let's see. Uh, Bob says, could you ask them defensive players about McCarthy? Not if you already do yet. Well, uh, the defensive players have talked about McCarthy a little bit. The defensive players have talked about McCarthy a little bit. They've talked about just his vibe, his aura as the young people

are now saying all the time and what they see from him just running a practice. But you know, their work, they're working on their stuff more than anything more than they are watching the quarterback. But I think everybody's gotten the sense that McCarthy knows how to lead a team and run a practice, but it's you know, they're not running off the field and like, you know, they're playing against the offense out there, but yeah, we'll we'll get to talk to just about everybody at some point.

Uh, Herm says, how did Elijah Williams look? And uh, I mean, there are a lot of people with the last name Williams But Herm if you're related to Elijah, I am wishing him the best as one of those Darkhorse type of players that we've seen sometimes throughout the years go from a late ad somebody who absolutely blew up the HBC you all-Star game. And I think he had eight pressures in that game. And then the Vikings signed him as somebody who has potential to make the practice squad and develop.

That's where I see him. And if you look at his production in college, if he takes the long path to developing the way that they ask him to develop. There is a chance he could carve out a role. And I think he landed in the best place to do it because Elijah is not. 290 pounds, but he's also not 240 pounds. And in a lot of teams that tweener just doesn't really fit. But with the Vikings, they haven't minded that like Jaylen Redmond has a similar type of body where he's not, you know, 320 or something.

He's more like 280, but he gets into the backfield and that's what Elijah is good at. But going from Morgan state to the NFL, it's a big jump. So kind of like Levi Drake Rodriguez last year has to take everything he can away from this year to develop and just watch J von Hargrave and Jonathan Allen and do everything that they do and start to figure it out. And if you show enough, then you've got an opportunity to develop through the next off season and maybe get a chance to make the team like we're seeing from Levi Drake Rodriguez. So it's a good example, but I'm intrigued. I'm intrigued. The number one thing that correlates is going to shock everybody, right? From college to the NFL is production and Elijah Williams was very productive.

David says any noticeable improvements in Felton's route running. I have thought so. I have thought so. It might just be confirmation bias because he's made catches. So like, hey, if a guy's making the catch, he must've done something right, you know? But I have thought that he looked like he took to heart whatever feedback he got throughout Minicamp because it looked a little bit mechanical. But that's the thing about Minicamp. and the reason they call it the learning phase is Because these guys are literally learning the steps to the routes and how you get out of them. Whereas in training camp They're really running them at full speed. So I've thought so I think that he's had just a nice Start. Okay, a few of you do get the Simpsons reference. That's great

I just think felt it's had a really good start to these first couple of days of camp and it's only been two practices, but he's looked quick. He's made catches two of them, not the easiest catches out there. And as always, as always playing time in practice tells us more than anything else. We try to use our eyeballs as much as we can. Uh, but really the thing that's going to tell us the most is who they put out there because they're going to give the starters, the most reps, the best players, they're going to give, uh, the second best players, the guys they want

on the depth unit, the second most snaps in practice. There's no way to hide that from us. You know, so the fact that felt it's getting a bunch of reps and mixed in today and is getting a bunch of reps with the second unit. I think that tells us where they stand. Uh, how did Kobe King do? Um, he is a guy that I think a lot of fans are going to like. I think a lot of fans are going to like Kobe King. He is on the bigger side. I think he moves really well for a guy. His size kind of strikes me as a,

what they used to call a two down linebacker, uh, and somebody who's going to do a lot on special teams. That's my expectation for his first year. And he's been out there with Eric Wilson. That's a great guy to learn from, but he's been on that second unit and a head of Brian awesome law, which again tells us something. Bob says, what's your feel on backup quarterback upgrades? Is there a watch list and don't say cousins? I don't think yet. I don't think yet. We might have to put a date on it though.

We may have to put a date on like, when do we start saying like, how many practices can look like this before we start saying, okay, offer Carson Wentz a boat. Doesn't he like to fish or something or hunt like offer him a tree stand along with a contract or whatever it needs to take to get a real backup quarterback in here. That's how it feels right now after two practices, but we're going to need a little more time with Sam Howell. They do have to figure out how to execute these reps when JJ McCarthy isn't in there.

And if you want to come up with a watch list, go ahead. I know Beavers like CJ Beathard, maybe, I mean, maybe, and Max Powers, hey, there's another Simpson's reference, Max Power got it off a hairdryer, says, is QB two on the team as of, as we speak, you said, as we speak, ah, it doesn't look like it, but it, you know, he's going to have to make progress quickly because just because he's played in the league before for whatever amount of time doesn't mean he's any good. His numbers for Washington and there's all the excuses and the excuses are fine and they're

right but they're not good. You lead the league in interceptions and sacks. That's bad friends. That's not something that is really exciting for him to be QB too. And so if it looks like this and you can't even evaluate your wide receivers and tight ends, then yeah, they need to consider somebody else. I mean, so Ty Felton dropped nine passes and caught 91.

Uh, no, that's, is that a night? Well, it would you go by targets or would you go by catch? I guess you go by catches. Is it what's a 9% drop rate? Is that like good? Oh, he had a high drop rate. See, I looked at that and I just didn't think that it stood so far out to me that I would be that concerned.

Um, he's caught everything so far, but think about drops. And this is not to excuse it, but when JJ McCarthy is throwing you the football, it's just a lot different than the Maryland quarterback. So that could play into it as well. I don't know how sticky that status from college at the NFL. It might be first name, last name says, we're gonna have to get you a better, uh, you know, a better, uh,

and some of these people have really creative nicknames here. Yours is just first name, last name says, uh, with brosmer, it seems you think his ceiling is a backup, but he sounds like he has, uh, got the smarts for the position. Is it a size arm thing like Browning and Heinecke? Yeah, I think it really is probably a physical tools thing. Like if you think about Max Brosmer and his IQ and his work ethic and his leadership, and I think he throws an accurate football, but if he had size speed and arm, his arm is good, but it, you know, it's not JJ McCarthy.

Then he wouldn't have ended up at New Hampshire for most of his college career. Like he would have been probably somewhere like Minnesota plus probably more than Minnesota. Even I think he is a guy that's come a long way, but you know, when you're looking for the thing about ceilings with quarterbacks is you're looking for guys who can be not just a quarterback who can start, but somebody who can win the Superbowl. So that's really, that's a really high cutoff.

I mean, when you see JJ McCarthy throw the football and you see him move and then you see someone like Brosmer, you go, okay, I get it. And Browning's a good example. That's a good backup. I think any team would take Jake Browning as their backup quarterback. There's nothing wrong with having a backup quarterback career. It's a compliment to say, I think an undrafted free agent could be a, uh, uh, UDFA or I mean to, to be a UDFA can be a backup quarterback. That is a compliment for sure. So I mean that in the best

way for Max Brosmer and maybe under the right circumstances, he could start and play and win some games, but he's only practiced one time actually getting reps as he's got a long way to go. But I, I do see somebody who could be in the league for a while just based on how he handles himself in these huddles, getting in and out of the huddle, handling the drills, the red zone drills in many camps, stuff like that. It looks to me like he could even be a backup next year, potentially. So got to do preseason, got to play well, got to beat out Brett Rippon first. You beat out Brett Rippon first.

Then we'll start to talk. Uh, let's see ploy AM or ploy AM. Uh, you guys know I am like a little bit like Ron Burgundy with some of these names. Let's see, Ploy AM or Ploy AM. You guys know I am like a little bit like Ron Burgundy with some of these names. So says, coming to the pod late, hey, Brian Flores said you got to be on time. So let's do that next time.

We know JJ can rifle passes to anywhere, but how has he looked layering passes so far? That looked good in the first day. Uh, didn't think that he had many opportunities to do that today. That's been something that's just been growing and growing and getting better and better from day one with, with that. He's still going to rocket the football. That's what he does. It's how he throws. He's not drew breeze. He's not Philip rivers where he's just guiding these, you know, beautiful floating passes into receivers arms. Like he's going to whip it, but I think he has gotten so much better.

Even when you watch him in practice, he was, when he first got here, he was warming up and trying to do it. And it wasn't having a lot of success, but it's gotten better and better. I don't, it's not going to be like Darnold right away. There's going to be a lot of see it and throw it like today. Just for example, Jordan Addison was coming across the middle of the field, maybe call it 12 yards down the field. And there were two defenders converging on him and McCarthy just ripped it and threw it in between the two defenders for completion. I think it was, um,

Theo Jackson was kind of coming down on the play, trying to make a play on the football and he got it there before Jackson could get there. That's his wheelhouse. His wheelhouse isn't necessarily a 20 yard deep out where it's, you know, cover two and he's got to fit it just over the Corner and just in front of the safety and you guide it with this person. That's not where he is right now He's 22. It's his first season his wheelhouse is ripping it into windows But he's definitely got better at that had a great layered throw on a deep ball to Addison on day one Had a great layered throw on a deep ball to Addison on day one.

Let's see. LDR believer is looking at the position groups across the division. Obviously we'll see that quarterback, but it seems the Vikings have the best units across the board. Probably a defensive end. Maybe there's more to that comment. so I think a secondary is the one that you're looking at that would be the biggest question. Detroit's got a better secondary for sure. Joseph branch, they bring in DJ Reed. That's a really good secondary. Robertson gave them problems last year. So that, that's the biggest question for the Vikings, but you go to the rest of the units. I mean, Detroit, they used to have the old line, but now they got questions there and the Packers have a lot of B or B plus units. Uh, the Vikings have some, a, you know, receivers, defensive line, if we count outside linebackers. So I do agree that they have a lot of the best units. The team that I'm just not too sold on is, uh, Chicago.

They're going to have to prove it first. Um, Max powers with the $2 super chat. Thank you so much. Max says Kirk. Hey, Kirk could probably run these practices at least Gary Quazza. Okay. Now your answers are funny. Jeff George. Yeah. Bow hunting for Carson. Is that what he needs? Tyler Huntley. Okay. I don't know if Tyler Huntley could do any better than this what is will Riker doing in these practices that's a funny question reconnected because the kickers and the

long snappers and the punters not much not much in training camp not much they I don't usually look over there but they're usually on another field and they tee one up and kick one or punt one every once in a while. I mean, what else is there to do until it's their time? You know, as part of a drill, it's, it is, if you get a chance to go to a practice, watch the kickers and punters sort of mingle, they mingle. That's what they do.

They're minglers and then they got to be ready when it's time to really kick or snap or whichever Antonio says coach mccardle wanted tie felton. So I believe they're going to give him the opportunity. Yeah. Oh, yeah, and like he is Really a great evaluator of talent keena mccardle and you can see I mean Felton caught a bunch of passes last year and he's still a developing type of player. So he's still starting to just starting to grow. And I think he's off to a good start, whether he can be three, four or five,

whether he can mix his way in there, That's going to be seen over the next couple of weeks. But to have more and felt and get off to even a start over the first couple of days is really good for the wide receiver depth to just have those guys look like they can get in there and play. And we'll see where that's where we're starting. We'll see where we end up finishing. So, okay, well, really good chat guys. And we'll see where that's where we're starting and we'll see where we end up finishing.

So, okay. Well, really good chat guys. I've got some sound for you if you're interested. That was, this is, this is training camp season, right? That's what happens. Uh, got to get back for the live show, get it set up with my, with my beautiful video and all that. So I got, uh, three interviews here to play for you guys. One is with Dallas Turner, another with Jonathan Grenard and also Byron Murphy Jr. So you guys

can enjoy those interviews and I'll sit here and drink my Arby's drink, I guess. But it's good, good conversation. Really good with Dallas Turner. This one I'm going to play first. Really good with Dallas Turner because he talked about his off season, how much he's grown. And it is a big storyline of this off season because if Turner takes the step forward, you have got one heck of a nasty front seven. It might be the best in the league. So here is, uh, it was me and Andrew Kramer of the Star Tribune. Andrew asked a few more questions than I did.

But our conversation with Dallas Turner. Got a good, had a good little summer work. Just in general, how nice was this all season and not to go through the draft process? You know, just a little different than last summer. So, you know, just had a little time off, you know, just to enjoy life a little bit at the same time, you know, can't forget, you know, why we here

and you know, what got us here. So, you know, still putting in work, but you know, just the opportunity to go see bit at the same time, can't forget why we're here and what God is here. So still putting in work, but just for the opportunity to go see the world, spend a lot of time with family and just collaborate with my peers and stuff like that. So- Bernard has said you were working out with him almost right after the season. Yeah. It sounds like it didn't take too much time.

Yeah, so it's just right after the season, me and him, we were still up here, we ain't going nowhere. So we was up, hanging strong in the weight room, you know, watching film, you know, and just, you know, just picking each other's brain. You know, he has a lot of knowledge, you know, he's one of the best bits, you know, that I feel like he's on the team. So, you know, I feel like, you know, it's just, it's just so ironic how I was going to commit to university in Florida because of him and cause

Grantham and stuff like that, but you know, real tight till I die. But, but yeah, so, you know, it was just, it was a good opportunity, you know, just to be around him, you know, during this off season, especially time with him, you know, just pick his brain, you know, to just see how he got to his point in his career. So you can tell him that like, hey, I looked up to him. Now he knows. He's aware. Where's your head at going into this training? Oh, you know, just bettering myself, you know, just making sure that I fixed all

the mistakes that I did last year and really just, you know, just hitting it hard, you know, being consistent, you know just making sure that I fixed all the mistakes that I did last year. And really just, you know, just hitting the hard, you know, being consistent, you know, listen to my coaches, you know, just getting better every day, you know, it's a 1% thing so. Yeah, in terms of you getting better, what are some of the areas you're focused on? I feel like my, just getting more comfortable, you know, with just the pace of the game, you know, getting familiar with offensive recognition and, you know, formations, plays, different tackle sets, you know, going against NFL players and stuff like that in general.

So it's just strength, speed, condition, all that stuff. So it's just really just an all around overall thing for us. So- B-Flo was talking about just young players having to learn how to take care of their bodies and get bigger, stronger, faster after their first year. I guess how much did you learn from your first year about how to take care of your body where you need to be? I feel like I learned the most from our vets from last season.

Especially during this off season, so me and Brian Asimow, we've been putting a lot of overtime and it's really starting to pay off now. Just listening to all my vets, I'm the younger on the team still. So it's still a lot of older vets that have a lot of knowledge and wisdom that can pass down to the younger dudes. So I feel like I'll be stupid not to be a sponge and so can I learn. How many individual trainers do you have for your various areas of focus? Strength conditioning, I got my guys up here, my dog Joe.

And so back home, I got sex and say, and then me and JG we was talking with BT Jordan on the password side. And so we're just all around. And then I want to ask you about moving forward. What are your expectations of still having Granada banking here? Because you talked about last year, you need to kind of bide your time. You still have a veteran filled room. So what do you expect? I mean, all need to kind of bide your time. You still have a better and filled room. So what do you expect?

I mean, all I could do is just still continue to learn, just run my race, just learn from these two dudes. They're all pro two pro bowlers. So I'll be stupid not to be a sponge. So that's all I could do is just sit back, take whatever opportunity I get and run with it. So as long as I get better as a person a person that's a player you know that's all that matters. So there you go Dallas Turner I think even going back to last year I had a conversation with him probably 10

minute conversation in the locker room last year after there had been some rocky times and he finally started to get onto the field a little bit more and I've been impressed with his patience for this because sometimes with the first round draft pick, you come into a situation where, gosh, if you went to any other team, you would have been playing a heck of a lot more, but it just happens to be the team with the second team, all pro and the pro bowler. And so you don't play as much and they're bringing you along a little slower, but I was, I was impressed.

Yeah. Beavers is with the mindset. I agree. Uh, with the mindset that Dallas Turner has had really going back to last year. And the biggest thing you hear there is he said that from day one of the off season, he was working out with Jonathan Grenard. Grenard is, you just cannot say enough about what a incredible pro Jonathan Grenard is. That's the right guy to latch onto with the hip. So he's already got that going for him. He looks a lot bigger in the right ways in his lower half, the trunk, the legs. You could tell, wow, like there's a lot that's been done there for sure. And even in the upper body, I think as well, but you could, you could tell like that step

that you look for physically is there. And then him taking on playing coverage, him taking on a role and just fitting in, uh, and being willing to do that. I think that all the things that they have said about him and his attitude toward this year all match up with the fact that they Didn't go out and get somebody else. So Dallas Turner. I think he's a very good attitude toward this Speaking of Jonathan Grinard, we had a chance to Chat with him today as well. So here's that So now do they understand what we're about,

it's easy for them to just come in and play ball and be themselves. Brian was talking about relying on you guys as veterans to kind of relate what his scheme is like and what his defense is like. How are you playing a bigger role in that this season? No, for sure. I think it's a huge thing just because

we've all seen the work-offs mentioned earlier. We've all seen it work. And I think now when you put it on tape and you've got guys who've done it before in the room and we're talking to them in a way that they understand. And it's okay, well, he's not just giving us BS. Now it's like it's actually happening, this is actually real. And that way they can honestly put it to their work whenever we're doing

trills in practice. What do you see in other Dallas Turner now here too? Man, I mean, if you look at him, he's gotten bigger, he's gotten stronger, faster. I mean, he just looks way different than last year. Mine said he's more locked in, he's receiving coaching a lot better. I mean, I'm just ready to see what he can do now. I mean, at this point, I've worked with him pretty much all off season a good bit.

And to see him put a translator out here on the field, man, I'm excited to see what he can do. John, there is a laundry going up against Jets specifically. How does basically iron that way, especially for the new guys burning? Right, 100%. The great thing about Jets too is he's not afraid to work. Some guys can be the best players and they don't like to work. They don't like to be touched.

They don't like to get nitty gritty and when it's time to work to actually do that. Jets ain't about none of that. I mean, Jets can come out and flashy jewelry or whatever it is, but Jets is coming to work every single day. And he loves it. He loves when guys are giving them their best. He knows he's going to get their best because you're playing against the best receiver in the game.

Every time you step across, he's ready to go and he wants you to bring it or if not, he's gonna embarrass you. So that's just one of those things where it heightens all the competition across the board, offensive line, D line, running backs, everybody on this team. We're literally at the top of position and dang near every category. So whenever you line up on that football, you're going to get some of the best players on the league. What has been your first impression of playing with Jonathan Allen and

Jayvon Hardaway? Man, those guys are, I can't even describe them. I believe. What has been your first impression of playing with Jonathan Allen and J.J. Hardgrave? Man, those guys are, I can't even describe them. I know J.A. is a dog when it comes to pushing that pocket and just winning his matchups and just being a disruptive force. You know, Hardgrave is man, he's Gravedigger as we call him. Man, he's a dog. We've seen, I've been watching him since he's been in Philly. So I just know all about his game and to see it actually in person.

And that is no flaw at all. I mean, it's everything you've seen on film on display. And they're great dudes. I think it's so easy to play with guys like that who understand football, understand what we're trying to achieve here. Been on different teams and different schemes and understand that they can just be themselves as well. And that just lets them play fast and makes my job a hell of a lot easier.

Does it feel similar to when you and and and gink came in last year? It's like you talked about how easily you mashed has it been the same with those guys like they just get similar character people 100% I think that's just great hats off to your KO and Quays just how they bring in the guys that understand the scheme understand football That love football, you know at any day you got to love this stuff I mean, it's yeah as y'all seen today was a little muggy out here I mean, it's not the prettiest sites to be out here just sweating free And at this time when you see guys come in here and they're working their tail off as if they're rookies all over again, you know, that mindset of just not being satisfied with

where they are in their careers. I love that. And I think that's where this whole team is getting to. We're not satisfied at all. Play at Florida, you should be fine. Hey man, listen, Florida Houston, I'm good. You see, I trained in Georgia all off season, so I'm good. This is nothing, but it's good to have a little switch up.

So. All right. There's Jonathan Grenard. Always a joy to listen to him talk about football. I think that he's a guy that always gives such great detail about his teammates and his own mentality. I didn't know anything about Jonathan Grenard when he got to the Vikings. And after the first press conference

I think a lot of us walked away and thought okay well I think that guy is going to fit in pretty darn good here and he has very very well but you heard his comments on Dallas Turner again where it seems that Grenard is the one that he kind of went to and has helped him come along. You got to remember how young Dallas Turner was when he stepped into the NFL. He was one of the youngest draft picks in the league. So a guy like Grenard is a great, great player to follow. Was it Anthony that said that you play videos when you're teaching on zoom to save your throat?

Well, you know, I do have the voice of steel. I keep going forever, but my thought was that I'm out there and in the past, what I've been doing is I've been using just to write, you know, I'll take the phone and I'll put it in the press conference and ask the questions and I'll get the audio. I'm like, wait a minute. I'm live live streaming here why shouldn't I share these interviews with you guys as well so I'm trying to do my best camera work and audio work for you guys to bring you some of this on the live stream same with I'm very proud if you just tuned in I'm very I'm very proud of this the the camp b-roll where

we got guys jumping on a giant thing here. So we're trying to up our game. That's the point. Trying to up the game a little bit this year with the live streams from past years. Always trying to think of some new ideas. So before we wrap up for the evenings, but a great conversation, appreciate the big audience here tonight and again, every time the Vikings practice, we go live after usually seven 30.

Sometimes it might be a little later. Sometimes it might be a little earlier, but usually about that time. Um, so anyway, Byron Murphy Jr. Also spoke with us today. So here is that conversation. Preparation, of course, and going up against Justin Jefferson and that office kind of a luxury, even this early in camp, right? Would you say so?

I would definitely say so obviously we come here every day and get the guard the best. So obviously, the DBs get the best work, I would say. Obviously, we got other guys, speed, EJ, all those guys on the receiver core. They just give us work every day. Like you said, Jess obviously being the best receiver. We're gonna go try to guard him every single play, every chance we get. How do they sharpen you? Just like they're out there running routes, giving me the releases,

giving me the looks. I feel like our offense does a great job of giving us different looks every single day of practice. And obviously, I think we have one of the best receiving corps in this league. So we got out there and just work every single day. How do you, what do you say to the young guys coming in, in the B-Flo defense, kind of a master class, right? First thing is you kind of got to know multiple positions.

Obviously, don't just lock in the one. I think everything comes, you're going to go out there, he's going to put you in the right position. Obviously, Coach Flo just does the best at that, putting guys in the one. I think everything comes, you're gonna go out there. He's gonna put you in the right position. Obviously Coach Floyd just does the best at that, putting guys in the right position. But as a young guy, obviously asking the older guys, questions, just going in there, watching the statement, learning from it.

How have you felt about working with Isaiah Rogers? What have you learned about him so far? Oh yeah, definitely. That's my guy right there. That's my bro. Obviously, like I said, he's a, he's a, he had experience too. And obviously he has a super bowl in his belt.

So that's the level I'm trying to reach. But you know, a great guy. That's my bro, like I said, and I a he's he had experience too. And obviously he has a super ball in his belt. So that's the level I'm trying to reach. But you know, a great guy. That's my bro, like I said, and I'm just glad to be his teammate. What do you see from his skill set? I mean, it seems like he has exceptional movement skills, speed, things like that. Definitely, definitely just footwork for short footwork. Definitely has speed around with anybody ball skills to go up there and get interceptions as well, you know, coach had kind of said some stuff like he might

have more ball skills than you. So I got to go compete with him on that too. But no, he's just all over around corner and can do everything. I was curious, oh, Jeff, sorry. Yeah, I was just asking about Jeff Okuda. Oh, yeah, no, I had something completely different last night. Jeff Okuda seems like a quiet guy.

Have you gotten to know him much yet? Oh, yeah, he's kind of quiet, but no, he's definitely talking. We're in the locker room and stuff like that. He kind of opens up. But no, yeah, Jeff's another great teammate. Obviously obviously I kind of known him since you know back when he was in Detroit so I kind of got some you know chances to see him actually on the field but that's my guy too you know we out here working together and those three and Isaiah too but we're all just you know getting that connection getting that feel for you know how each other play. And what's the sense

of kind of where his head's at what have you just with his career and how it's going? I just feel like he's out here every single day just working you know I feel like that hasn't even been on his mind I think he's just coming out here every day to compete and obviously just go out there and make plays he's been doing that so just you can see where his mindset is now. But you can kind of relate to that right like obviously you were good in Arizona that's why this team wanted you. You came here and elevated your game what is it about this environment that helps players in the secondary? Definitely, definitely I feel like the culture.

Obviously, I just feel like the locker room, I would say number one, you got guys here that's gonna push you every single day. Like JG just did after practice, he's a leader on this team, he's gonna come in the huddle and let us know what type of practice we had. So I just feel like everyone just hold each other accountable. And that's just the standard around here, especially on the defensive side, we talk about it every day, come to work every single day. They just take care of us, so when we're on that field, we gotta go work.

Okay. Can't feel any different for you than the previous ones? I would say not really. I definitely for me the game definitely kind of slowing down for me kind of seeing stuff a little bit early. So I love that about the game. But definitely kind of the same camp, still going in the same mindset, gotta go work, earn this and never give it.

So just coming in and keep making plays. Is this the longest you've had the same defensive coach? I can't remember the turnover in Arizona. I had, I had the same coach for four years. Over the years? Yeah, I'm sure. Okay, the random one I had was around the league, there was some data that showed that secondaries are playing more zone coverage than ever.

And even just over the course of your career, that it's increased significantly where you're not just as corners like me versus you. There's a lot of the knowing. I think the entire picture just how have you seen that change in like, why do you think that that is why is there an increase in zone coverage? You know, I would definitely say, you know, it's a team game. So I feel like you got players. I could do a lot of different things at a high level.

So I feel like you have to obviously put that into the game plan. I feel like you go out there play men and men every single snap if you wanted to. But when you show other teams like different schemes, it's gonna kind of mess up the flow of the offense. The quarterback might have to think a little bit more. So I feel like that goes along with it. But I feel like you could still definitely go man a lot, which I still love. I wanna go guard the best receiver.

But zone kind of makes the quarterback go through all his reads. You got to figure out the right position to throw the ball to. Yeah, what's the key of being a great zone corner? You know, I would definitely say IQ. Like I said, just knowing, you know, kind of what plays, what formations are coming at you. And obviously you got to be a ballhawk to go get it. Just read the quarterback and you definitely go get the ball. Yeah, for sure. All right. There you go.

Great conversation with Byron Murphy, Jr. We are, as media folk, pretty darn blessed with players who love breaking down the game like Jonathan Grenard and Byron Murphy love talking to those guys. So hopefully you enjoyed those conversations. Tomorrow is another day and I think we get our first break on Sunday and I'm gonna be pretty tired at that. We we we're rolling but one more thing before I go make sure you check out the newsletter purple insider dot football got some major steam going on over there. I've been uploading some of these interviews over there as well that happen as well as breaking down into three sections every camp practice. I've got

what I heard what I saw and what I thought. And that will be in writing. So purpleinsider.football, make sure you check that out. And if you just like the show and wanna find a way to support it, that would be a good way as well. So thank you all and we'll do it again tomorrow. I'm glad that you all enjoyed the more video, the more sound, I will take more of it tomorrow at practice and we'll

go from there. So appreciate everybody, all your great questions, great conversation today, and we will catch y'all very soon. We're rolling folks. Tomorrow it'll be three days and maybe by next week and the pads come on, we'll stop saying we'll see and we'll start saying we are seeing. So appreciate y'all. Talk to you soon.

Football.