Training Camp Thoughts

First, a personal note. We sadly had to put down our beloved 16-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel this week. My little buddy was not only the kindest and most loyal dog a guy could ask for, but also my constant companion watching Vikings games. He was there for the highs, the lows, the really lows, and the “this sh*t can only happen to the Minnesota Vikings” moments. Taking him for walks to gleefully chase squirrels and rabbits was the go-to distraction following each Vikings letdown. Win or lose, he was always the same cheerful presence, reminding me that, in the scheme of things, it’s just a game. This is the correct mindset.

From Favre’s first regular season game in 2009 (the famous Adrian Peterson stiff-arm against the Browns!) to the Darnold/o-line playoff implosion against the Rams in January. It was quite the run. He never saw the Vikings win that elusive Super Bowl. When that does happen (and it will, dammit!), I’ll look over to the empty spot on the couch and say, “We did it, little buddy. We finally did it.”

On with the show…

Listen, the DN staff are the best around. To say the coverage here is “comprehensive” would be an understatement. I won’t offer any insights that haven’t already been made (and far better). But as we’re now well into training camp, these storylines have grabbed my attention as Mr. Average Joe fan:

J.J. McCarthy: Uneven but Unconcerned. Listen, this was not unexpected. McCarthy is not only carrying the weight of being a 22-year-old, first-time starter, but is also working his way through the Flores-led Vikings defense (without the best WR in football on the field). I’m not usually into hyperbole, but, health permitting, this could be the best Vikings defense I’ve experienced in all my decades as a fan. Peak Zimmer was good, but this could be of a different order. The formula is coming together: third year under Flores and an influx of high-profile and under-the-radar, schematically centered talent. It’s all there. Given these dynamics, McCarthy’s hiccups are not surprising.

Kevin Seifert of ESPN (and others) have noted that McCarthy’s understanding of the playbook and its nuances, decision-making, confidence in the huddle, and WR chemistry are all there. Indeed, far more than is to be expected from someone in his position. It’s more about translating that into game-like conditions, with Flores assuming the role of a Category 5 hurricane. Indeed, reading the encouraging recaps from practice #9, it appears improvements are already on the horizon. Nothing to date has shaken my optimism that KOC and company will have McCarthy poised to excel come September 8^th. They better, because….

QB2 Quandary. Sam Howell is not inspiring confidence out there. I loved the trade during the draft. Granted, some of that had to do with it seemingly closing the door on the Cousins reunion talk (more on that momentarily). However, I did like the potential of Howell and how it could be realized under the guidance of KOC and Josh McCown. So far, this has not been the case. Now things can change, and KOC turning Howell into the backup version of Steve Young for the late 80s 49ers would only be like the 4th (?) most impressive QB magic trick he’s achieved to date. But the record so far is what it is. If Howell were forced into the starter role, no one could honestly say the feeling would be anything other than dread. Brett Rypien has promise, but c’mon, are we going into Week 1 with a potential McCarthy/Rypien combo? If Howell stinks against the Houston Texans in a few days, yeah, the clock starts ticking. KAM would be in a bit of a bind, and the pressure to make a move considerable. It will be approaching mid-August, and any new QB needs time to familiarize themselves with the playbook, the scheme, and build chemistry with the WRs.

This team is stacked. We saw what Case Keenum did for us in a similar situation. And we saw what Nick Foles did for the Eagles that same year in humbling the Belichick/Brady juggernaut in Super Bowl LII (at U.S. Bank Stadium). It should have been us. Whatever. The point is that we need someone who can be that guy – i.e., someone you can hand the keys of the Ferrari to and trust not to promptly drive it into a ditch. Get Ryan Tannehill off the couch? Would Teddy Bridgewater come out of retirement again!? Kenny Pickett or Jameis Winston? I dunno man. Not feeling either. And, of course, if Howell doesn’t turn things around soon, you know damn well who’ll be forced down our collective throat (again) by the national sports media. Two hints: Creed and Kohl’s. Turn things around, Sam Howell.

Secondary Concerns Unwarranted? Listen, as a Vikings fan, you worry. Nah, you panic. You assume the other shoe will drop; it’s just a matter of detail: the who, what, when stuff. I’m on record as saying that uncertainties in the secondary were the primary causes of my agita heading into the 2025 season. I’m not quite there to admit an overreaction, but the collective performances early on give me hope.

Yes, this may be grading on a curve; it’s an accepted fact that the defense has the advantage early in camp. But, damn, from the clips I’ve seen, is that Jeff Okudah or prime Darrelle Revis out there? Okudah has had issues with man coverage in his career; specifically, issues with overcommitment and biting on routes, in addition to problematic mechanics. Flores is saying, “Yeah, keep using the past tense with that stuff. Thanks.” Granted, it’s a short sample size, but it seems a focus has been made to correct these problems, and it’s paying dividends. Right now, Okudah is your CB3.

Elsewhere, Dwight McGlothern is turning heads, and Mekhi Blackmon’s hold on the CB4 spot is officially in jeopardy. The good news? The Vikings look to have some strong insurance policies on the bench, which serve to ease anxiety. New starters Isaiah Rodgers and Theo Jackson are doing just fine. The former was limited by a minor injury, but is back out there making plays. The latter has benefited from familiarity with Flores’s scheme to ease the transition, which appears seamless. Of course, everything is connected, so the emergence of possibly the most dominant Front 7 in the NFL will help everyone in the secondary tremendously, from first-time starters to a grizzled, seasoned vet like Harrison Smith. We’ll need to see this translate into a regular-season reality, but so far, so good.

The Thrill is Gone? On the other hand, we have Will Reichard. I like to have some fun with our hero, but there’s nothing funny about his current struggles. Given the agonizing history, Vikings fans are (justifiably) more sensitive to a kicker’s ups and downs than fans of other franchises, but this is disconcerting to say the least. So far, he looks more like the hesitant, inconsistent guy who came back after the injury rather than Mr. Automatic, who just so happened to be the envy of men the world over. In all seriousness, the Vikings are tied for the 5^th hardest strength of schedule this year. We play a lot of good (and established) teams. Where there are good teams, there are close games. Where there are close games, there are very small margins of victory (or defeat). You get the point. We can’t be messing around with this. Here’s hoping Will “The Thrill” lives up to his nickname in the next few weeks. If not? To quote The Godfather, “It’s not personal, my well-coiffed friend. It’s strictly business.” Wait, is that correct?