2014 Vikings Training Camp notes/interviews

[Mothman]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... page=2&c=y

A reporter’s opinion that Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been “struggling” in camp was verbally swatted into the upper deck by offensive coordinator Norv Turner on Tuesday.

“I just have a different perspective than all of you … because I look at it differently,” Turner said. “We are doing a lot of things. There’s things we’re doing with Teddy that we would never call in a game. We’re trying to find out where he’s at in terms of what he can do. I think he’s playing at an awfully high level.”

No. 1 quarterback Matt Cassel and Bridgewater, the No. 2 quarterback, each has thrown three interceptions during 11-on-11 competition the past week.

“Those two guys have, in competitive situations, both had over 150 passes,” Turner said. “That’s 300. That’s over half a season. They’ve each thrown three interceptions.

“One of them, for each guy, was a bad quarterback decision. One of them, for each guy, was a receiver either fell down or ran a poor route. And one of them, I thought, was a great play [by the defense]. So, if you throw three interceptions in 150 attempts, you’re playing at a high level. … It’s not like a game, but I’m excited about what Teddy is doing. I’m really excited about how Matt is playing.”

[mansquatch]

Grandpa Norv has spoke. Silence Media Fleas!

[HardcoreVikesFan]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... page=2&c=y

Semantics.

At the end of the day, turnovers are turnovers. It doesn't matter how they occur. Yes, I am sure both QBs have thrown numerous attempts, but the attempts have been against a simulated defense. These are not the defenses the two will see on Sundays.

That being said, is anyone surprised a rookie QB has made mistakes in training camp? I know I am not. To say Bridgewater has been struggling is not fair. Conversely, to say Bridgewater has been playing like a seasoned-vet is not fair either. We will see just how much progress Teddy has made come Friday. I am very excited to see Teddy strap on the pads and play football.

[Mothman]

Semantics.

At the end of the day, turnovers are turnovers. It doesn't matter how they occur.

It matters if you're evaluating a QB's performance. There's a significant difference between an interception that occurred because he made a bad decision and an INT that occurred because a receiver fell down or ran his route incorrectly and it's not a semantic difference.

[jeg067]

Vikings waive tight end A.C. Leonard

http://blogs.twincities.com/vikings/201 ... c-leonard/

http://www.dailynorseman.com/2014/8/6/5 ... -camp-2014

[HardcoreVikesFan]

It matters if you're evaluating a QB's performance. There's a significant difference between an interception that occurred because he made a bad decision and an INT that occurred because a receiver fell down or ran his route incorrectly and it's not a semantic difference.

In practice, you are right Jim. Come game time, it doesn't matter though. Turnovers are turnovers and are potential game killers.

Vikings waive tight end A.C. Leonard

http://blogs.twincities.com/vikings/201 ... c-leonard/

http://www.dailynorseman.com/2014/8/6/5 ... -camp-2014

I don't understand this move at all. Does A.C. have some undisclosed injury we don't know about?

[Mothman]

In practice, you are right Jim. Come game time, it doesn't matter though. Turnovers are turnovers and are potential game killers.

Sure, that's true but Turner was talking about practice. Even in games, if you're assessing performance or assigning responsibility, how a turnover occurs is relevant.

I don't understand this move at all. Does A.C. have some undisclosed injury we don't know about?

The report at that PP link above said he left practice with a headache and that he's missed a lot of time. Maybe there's something more going on or perhaps the Viking just felt he fell too far behind.

[S197]

Vikings waive tight end A.C. Leonard

http://blogs.twincities.com/vikings/201 ... c-leonard/

http://www.dailynorseman.com/2014/8/6/5 ... -camp-2014

He was a long shot anyway but he was intriguing enough that I was looking forward to see how he fared in the preseason games. Tough way to go out.

[Eli]

He was a long shot anyway but he was intriguing enough that I was looking forward to see how he fared in the preseason games. Tough way to go out.

With Ford's injury, it wasn't that long of a shot. His main competition without Ford, was Allen Reisner.

The Vikings could use another good pass catching TE. If Rudolph goes down, they don't have much of a threat at TE.

[S197]

Interesting.

Ben Goessling

No injury designation on AC Leonard's release. Everything must have checked out medically. #Vikings

[mansquatch]

I do not think what Norv was saying was semantics. To me the key point was that he had them throwing stuff that they would never call in a game in order to assess ability. I think just taking the result, ie the pick, without considering the surrounding circumstances does not support a credible indication of game time performance. (Which is what Norv said.)

[losperros]

With Ford's injury, it wasn't that long of a shot. His main competition without Ford, was Allen Reisner.

The Vikings could use another good pass catching TE. If Rudolph goes down, they don't have much of a threat at TE.

Exactly. Wasn't Leonard's pass catching ability the reason he was signed in the first place?

[Mothman]

Exactly. Wasn't Leonard's pass catching ability the reason he was signed in the first place?

I think so.

It would be nice to have an athletic, receiving TE behind Rudolph on the depth chart. Maybe they'll add one. If not, and if Rudolph gets hurt, they'll just have to adjust. Ellison is a good route runner and capable receiver. He's not going to scare anybody but he can get open and help move the chains. Felton can catch too so they can always use more FB formations and multi-WR formations if Rudolph misses time.

Hopefully, Rudolph will be able to stay healthy and it won't be an issue.

[Demi]

Or maybe Norv could just get another receiver on the field and we won't have to see the compressed 90s big ten offenses we've seen the last decade!!!

[losperros]

Or maybe Norv could just get another receiver on the field and we won't have to see the compressed 90s big ten offenses we've seen the last decade!!!

I wouldn't mind at all seeing more 3WR and 4WR sets. I think the Vikings have the WRs to do the job, as long as their QBs come through.

Also, who knows? AD might benefit with spread formations. More DBs to face, which he often bowls over.