3 Observations: Fresh and Familiar Faces on Vikings Defense Make Plays

[Cliff]

Source: https://www.vikings.com/news/defense-co ... p-practice

1. Hitman at it again

On Wednesday, we led with the interceptions by Ivan Pace, Jr., and Andrew Van Ginkel.

Familiar face Harrison Smith, who leads active NFL players with 37 career interceptions heading into his 14th pro season, was up to his timeless tricks Thursday.

He was in position when a ball J.J. McCarthy intended for Lucky Jackson tipped off the receiver's hands. Rather than jog out a pick six, the franchise leader with four in his career flipped the ball back to Jay Ward for a few more return yards, a total vet move to save the legs mileage.

McCarthy bounced back with other throws, despite some heavy pressure from the Vikings defense. An especially impressive toss occurred earlier in the session when he connected with Jordan Addison along the sideline.

2. Defensive surge

Earlier Thursday, Flores participated in his first media session of camp. By the late afternoon, his group was turning up the heat.

Players who last year established their threats as edge rushers (Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel) and blitzers (Pace and Blake Cashman) weren't the only ones getting to the backfield.

Dallas Turner was fast off the edge, and fellow outside linebackers Gabriel Murphy (a would-be sack) and Bo Richter (a would-be tackle for loss) also made plays.

3. Corner trio

At cornerback, returning Pro Bowler Byron Murphy, Jr., and newcomers Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah put in quite a bit of work together when the Vikings first-grouping on defense was in its nickel package.

[cogitator]

Maybe a general training camp thread would be the thing. Meanwhile, I'll put this here - ESPN says Justin Jefferson has a strained hamstring. I think strained versus pulled is a distinction they are making. Those hamstrings are stinkers to recover from if the injury is serious enough. This sound more minor and they are being very cautious with it.



https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/458 ... tring-miss