Latest news with #Kevin O'Connell
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MN Vikings New Veteran Carted Off With Injury
The Minnesota Vikings kicked off their preseason action on Saturday against the Houston Texans. Of course the focal point was quarterback J.J. McCarthy and just how much he would play. The answer to that question was just 12 plays, though he drove the offense down the field to set up a Will Reichard field goal. After some back and forth, and the backups taking over, Minnesota forced Houston's first punt. Rondale Moore spurned the Chicago Bears to join the MN Vikings. He is among the leading options to return punts this season for Kevin O'Connell. Unfortunately he left on a cart after doing just that. Related Headlines Former MN Twins Swap Roster Spots on New Team Former GM Admits MN Twins Can't Keep Top Tier Talent Training Camp Stock Prices Skyrocketing for Select MN Vikings Rondale Moore leaves for Minnesota Vikings Last season Rondale Moore missed the entire season for the Atlanta Falcons after tearing his right ACL. The Texans punted to Minnesota, Moore returned the kick left-to-right, and never got up after being dragged down at the sideline. The tackle was awkward looking and seems like something between a hip-drop and horse collar variety. Moore immediately clutched his left knee area. As Moore was carted to the locker room, it was his left leg that was fully extended on the cart, with his right leg bent. He left the field with a towel over his head and multiple teammates expressed their emotions while the veteran wideout remained on the ground. Moore was a second round pick in 2021 out of Purdue. When healthy he has shown exceptional speed in the open field. Unfortunately he has missed significant time in two of his four professional seasons and this didn't look good either. Related: During Moore's final season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, he played in 17 games (8 starts) and tallied 352 receiving yards on 40 receptions. What now for MN Vikings receivers? The Minnesota Vikings were already growing thin at wide receiver. Justin Jefferson is currently nursing a hamstring injury. Jordan Addison is suspended for the first three games of the season. Rondale Moore was not in line to work as a top-three wide receiver, but he has significant snaps over the course of his career and was going to factor in on special teams. Minnesota should have already been considering alternative options. Now that seems like a certainty. Related: There are a few names that make a good deal of sense. There isn't a lot left on the open market, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to leave no stone unturned. This roster is too talented to come up short on the fringes. Currently Over the Cap has the MN Vikings still hoarding nearly $25 million in cap space. There aren't a ton of straightforward places for them to use that, and one may have just presented itself. Related Headlines Former MN Twins Swap Roster Spots on New Team Former GM Admits MN Twins Can't Keep Top Tier Talent Training Camp Stock Prices Skyrocketing for Select MN Vikings
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Vikings-Patriots joint practice: J.J. McCarthy's poise, quick decisions stand out
EAGAN, Minn. — They tend to save the best drill for last. It's not that the second-and-long sequences don't matter, and it's not like Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell isn't glued to practice during the other periods. But a two-minute drill? In a joint practice setting against the New England Patriots? Informative. Advertisement J.J. McCarthy connected with tight end T.J. Hockenson over the middle. Then he dumped off a screen to running back Aaron Jones. A few negative plays placed the Vikings' offense in a third-and-long situation. McCarthy evaded the pass rush and escaped through the pocket, galloping up the right sideline for a scramble. The money play was next — the one that the offensive coaches are likely to celebrate behind the scenes. It was fourth down, and McCarthy, facing pressure from the middle, ripped an in-breaker to receiver Jordan Addison to convert the first. Addison noted the throw after practice, and right tackle Brian O'Neill highlighted the two-minute success when asked to provide his key takeaways. 'I thought it went pretty well today,' O'Neill said, speaking about the offense writ large. 'I thought we hit some really good stuff.' Hockenson's review? Similar. 'We were able to move the ball there pretty much the whole practice,' he said. McCarthy wasn't spotless. He sailed a pass intended for receiver Jalen Nailor during an early 7-on-7 situation; the throw was intercepted. Once, Hockenson snatched a pass that McCarthy would have admitted wasn't accurate enough. On another snap, two Patriots linebackers walked up to the line of scrimmage; McCarthy changed the play but was eventually engulfed in the pocket by what felt like a tidal wave. Another time, McCarthy hurled a deep ball toward Nailor into double coverage. The pass fell short. Head coach Kevin O'Connell described McCarthy's snaps in Saturday's preseason game as a checkpoint. Though the head coach views joint practices as the most important evaluation point of training camp, he discussed Wednesday as 'checkpoint two.' He sought improvement. He also knew there would be opportunities for learning moments. 'Those led us to where we are right now,' O'Connell said, 'which is feeling really good about where he's at.' Advertisement Pre-snap procedure isn't a sexy subject, but O'Connell sees it as the starting point to a professional operation. O'Neill complimented the way McCarthy effectively mixed up cadences Wednesday as a good sign. O'Neill also said that McCarthy stepped into the huddle with energy in instances where the Vikings had struggled to find footing in the previous plays. 'He just felt totally in control out there to me,' O'Neill said. 'There's not some magic lightbulb or phrase other than: he was in control. I felt like he was running the show.' McCarthy seemed dialed in early. He found Addison on a comeback route in one of the first 7-on-7 snaps, and then came back to Addison on an intermediate throw two plays later. Maybe the most encouraging sign was his quick trigger. There were a few would-be sacks, but McCarthy rarely held the ball. Seeing the field does not seem to be an issue. Thursday's practice, featuring extensive red-zone work, will offer more hints at McCarthy's status. The space shrinks. Convicted decision-making is paramount. Then the two teams will end with another two-minute drill, offering O'Connell yet another snapshot at what this Vikings offense might be capable of. The Vikings view the run game as a key ingredient to what they watch to accomplish in 2025. It's a major reason why they revamped the interior of the offensive line. It's why they traded for running back Jordan Mason. Minnesota does not see it as a way to minimize McCarthy's capabilities, but to allow him to develop optimally. O'Connell's commitment to the phase has been evident in training camp. The Vikings have handed the ball off consistently, and there have been holes. It was tougher sledding Wednesday. Mason and Jones didn't have much room to work, though it's worth noting elite left tackle Christian Darrisaw is still not a full participant. Advertisement Evaluating the run is also a challenge without live tackling. Mentioning this is more an acknowledgement of how massive it is going to be for the Vikings to control the ball on the ground. It is worth saying that the screen game looks crisper than it has in past years. This is likely a reflection of a more adaptive interior, as well as a focus from the staff. The Vikings executed a 15-yard screen in the two-minute period, with McCarthy finding Jones. Earlier in the afternoon, rookie first-round pick Donovan Jackson beelined up the field ahead of Jones, seeing only green grass. 'He gave me the go call,' Jackson said. 'I took off running, but I'm like, 'I don't know who I'm running to.'' He spotted Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins and mowed him over like a tractor. He then identified Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers, who was pushed to the ground, too. Jackson's Vikings teammates erupted. O'Neill, who didn't see the play in real time, said that offensive line coach Chris Kuper said: 'Wait until you see Donnie's hit on that play.' O'Neill asked: 'It was cool?' Nodding. 'Hell yeah.' 'It's kind of a mentality,' Jackson said afterwards. 'I'm 300 pounds.' • O'Connell confirmed Wednesday that the punt returner position is wide open, especially in the aftermath of Rondale Moore's season-ending knee injury. 'We've got some talented guys,' O'Connell said, 'maybe without the experience level that you would always want. But at the same time, they have upside and ability, so it should be a really good competition.' Undrafted rookies Silas Bolden and Myles Price excelled as returners in college. Another receiver vying for a 53-man role, Lucky Jackson, has fielded punts. It is not out of the question that the Vikings add another receiver for depth. If that player has punt-returning experience, even better. Advertisement • Backup quarterback Sam Howell began his own two-minute drill with a couple of short completions. Receiver Jeshaun Jones caught the first pass on the left sideline, and tight end Bryson Nesbit snagged a ball on the right. Then the second unit stalled. Howell missed three straight passes to receiver Tai Felton, Nesbit and Felton again. He was then sacked on fourth down. Overall, he appears far more comfortable with the offense than he did in the first couple of weeks. The lack of protection is a factor, too. • Undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer built on his impressive preseason debut. On Wednesday, facing a blitz-all defensive picture from the Patriots, he lobbed a deep ball down the left sideline to receiver Tim Jones. Brosmer sounds like a longtime professional. He talked Wednesday about how much he's learned from O'Connell, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and the rest of the staff in a short stint. Replicate his production Saturday or even next week, and he'll further cement a job on the 53. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vikings linked to $180 million QB as Michigan's J.J. McCarthy struggles
Vikings linked to $180 million QB as Michigan's J.J. McCarthy struggles originally appeared on The Sporting News There have been conflicting reports coming out of the Minnesota Vikings' training camp on former Michigan star J.J. McCarthy. The reality is, McCarthy has a chance of being an above-average quarterback. The issue, however, and something that Vikings fans might not want to hear, is that he's coming off a tough injury. The youngster might struggle a bit in what his real rookie season will be, and there's no reason to be too concerned with that. Most rookies do, barring generational talents. Even then, some of them struggle at the highest level. However, according to a recent report from Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, it's possible the Vikings could be looking to bring in a backup, or a quarterback who can compete for the starting job. MORE: 'I think there is going to continue to be a hunt for an option there. We saw them do that three years ago with Nick Mullens — making the trade for him during the preseason — and he ends up becoming the No. 2 quarterback for the next three years,' Goessling said. 'If they found something they liked that worked in a trade, I wouldn't be surprised if they found a way to make something happen.' Perhaps the most intriguing name on the potential trade market, Kirk Cousins, was, of course, brought up. 'I don't think it's impossible,' Goessling replied. 'There's still a very good relationship between Kirk Cousins and Kevin O'Connell. They are still friends. They are still, I think, in contact at times.' Bringing in Cousins to be a starter would be a bit questionable at this stage of his career, but if the Vikings believe that all they need him to be is a player like Sam Darnold was last year, at least in the aspect of going out there and just doing what's needed, the former Michigan star could be in a strange position entering the year.
Reuters
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy expected to play in preseason opener
August 5 - The J.J. McCarthy era will begin on Saturday, as the Minnesota Vikings plan to play the quarterback against the Houston Texans in the team's preseason opener. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed McCarthy's return to action, a year after the QB suffered a right knee injury in Minnesota's first game of the 2024 preseason. O'Connell, though, did not specify how many reps McCarthy would see not only in Saturday's matchup but also the remainder of the preseason. "You'd love to play him as much as possible," O'Connell said, "but I think with those two days of joint practice [with the Patriots], and the type of reps that the other guys on the offense will get from a physicality and workload standpoint, we'll more than likely use those two days as our real days. "Obviously, that's subject to change based upon on how those go, how we feel coming out of those. If we need to get a little more work, we will. Then we'll assess that final preseason game as it comes." After passing for 6,226 yards and 49 touchdowns at Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to the national championship in his final season, McCarthy underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus that sidelined him for his entire rookie campaign. A second procedure was performed a few months later to address swelling. Now, McCarthy sits atop the depth chart and has taken every practice snap with the first team. --Field Level Media
New York Times
01-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy's secret weapon for 2025? The man snapping him the football
EAGAN, Minn. — NFL quarterbacks are essentially fighter pilots. Every 40 seconds, they're at the controls in the cockpit of a jet. Choices must be made in split seconds. Serious consequences loom. They're hearing the play call, then spitting it out coherently to their teammates while the crowd roars. They're stepping to the line of scrimmage and scanning the defense. They're picturing the routes developing like a play preview in Madden. They're waving players in motion. They're watching defenders flicker around like amoebas. Advertisement 'The play clock is running down,' Vikings passing-game specialist Ryan Cordell said last fall, 'and then it's, 'Set, hut!' Now, you've got to do the hard thing: drop back and throw the ball. Oh, by the way, afterwards, the 40 seconds start again. That's what this is: a series of 40-second sprints, puzzles you have to figure out.' Failure to do so? It's not great. Even scarier than that? Miss one detail, forget to check one box, and you could end up splayed on the turf with your helmet buried. Quieting the quarterback's mind is the central challenge for any offensive coach. When the quarterback is a youngster like 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy, it becomes even more important that the man in charge — in this case, head coach Kevin O'Connell — carefully masks as much complexity as possible. That's why O'Connell teaches the way he does, focusing more on throwing into windows than identifying every nook and cranny of the defense. That's also why O'Connell was so mindful about this offseason's roster additions. Especially the Vikings' new center, Ryan Kelly. 'Between the whistles,' O'Connell said before training camp, 'you can't have a more valuable piece for J.J. (than Kelly).' Centers in football are similar to catchers in baseball. Bulldozing a defender is easily identifiable, like hitting a home run, but there are hidden advantages to being cerebral. In baseball, the great catchers call the game intellectually, carrying with them a mental bank of tendencies for each opposing hitter. In football, the great centers not only recognize defensive tells but also have the bandwidth during the stress of the 40-second countdown to voice or signal those observations to those around them. 'It doesn't jump off the screen at you,' said Matt Ryan, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and 2016 NFL MVP. 'It's not Justin Jefferson making a one-handed catch or J.J. McCarthy making an insane throw. But those only happen when the center gets it right.' Ryan can attest to Kelly's significance better than most. As a rookie with the Atlanta Falcons, Ryan could lean on a veteran center. Todd McClure had been with the team for almost a decade. His smarts mitigated the mental pressure on Ryan before the snap. Additionally, Ryan bookended his career as a teammate of Kelly's with the Indianapolis Colts. Ryan relied on Kelly's knowledge of coach Frank Reich's scheme. At the line of scrimmage, Ryan could handle a heavy load, but Kelly managed last-second checks and adjustments like a spotter stepping in efficiently when necessary. Advertisement Other quarterbacks who have received snaps from Kelly agree. Phillip Rivers texted, 'I love him.' Andrew Luck said, 'He's tough, smart and cerebral. He was a joy to play with.' Sam Ehlinger added, 'There's a lot of really special things about Ryan. He's an incredible human, a great man, and cares for people. His football IQ is also obviously something that stands out.' Ehlinger concurred with Ryan's sentiment on a center's impact. 'They've got to see the field just as well as the quarterback does,' Ehlinger said, 'and I don't think a lot of people realize that.' The subtleties of NFL offenses are mostly confined to mic'd-up footage, stored on hard drives in the league's archives. You rarely hear the lengthy code words that ignite a play. Even less common are declarations from centers at the line of scrimmage. When they are audible, or when their finger points at specific defenders, the purpose is hard to parse. Ehlinger explained it this week. How the center specifying a particular defender can dictate each offensive lineman's responsibility. How the center altering the protection can affect how the quarterback drops. Executing this level of communication amid the noise takes a certain degree of command. Furthermore, today's defenses constantly disguise themselves. You might be cerebral and well-studied, but sometimes the only way to discern what the defense is doing is to have experienced a shifting picture like this before. What's it like as a quarterback to have someone with those abilities crouched in front of you? 'You always feel good,' Ehlinger said. 'It gives you all the comfort in the world. Sometimes, you can turn your brain off and say, 'You know what? I'm just going to focus on the coverage here. I don't have to worry about the front.' You can't do that if you have an inexperienced center.' #Vikings C Ryan Kelly says Brian Flores defense is 'chaos' for opposing offenses, and nobody in the league will be able to emulate it the way he does. 'There might be some teams that try to emulate it, but no one that I've seen since I've been in the league have successfully… — VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) July 29, 2025 That's why Ryan, now an analyst for CBS' 'The NFL Today,' views Kelly's signing in such high regard. 'Knowing Kevin as well as I do, and how good he is for quarterbacks,' Ryan said, 'it's my belief he's going to lean on Ryan (Kelly) heavily. Ryan's impact on winning might not be the most viral thing people there talk about, but if the Vikings are going to replicate the kind of success they had last year, Ryan is going to be, in my opinion, an integral part of that.' Advertisement The performance upgrade from former Vikings center Garrett Bradbury shouldn't be overlooked. Nor should Kelly's leadership. Who better for O'Connell to lean on than a man who was a Colts captain the past two seasons? Who better for rookie left guard Donovan Jackson to pick the brain of than a guy who has gone against the Kenny Clarks of the world for almost a decade? Ryan noted the compassion in Kelly's voice during the topsy-turvy 2022 season that resulted in Reich's ouster and Jeff Saturday's hiring. Kelly sensed Ryan's disappointment and tried to assuage him. 'This is not all on you,' he said. 'It was the sincerity,' Ryan said, 'and how he talked to me. I remember that a lot. Those are the things nobody gets to see.' There will be plenty of them in Minnesota; there already have been. Take Wednesday, for example. The offense struggled against a defense applying relentless pressure. Kelly positioned himself next to the quarterback. They planned their bounce-back strategy together.
