What We've Learned (So Far) From Training Camp

Polamalu talks workload
The running backs coach eventually delved into some Vikings topics, including the annual talker surrounding Dalvin Cook’s workload.

The position coach has been credited as being influential in determining when Cook gets breathers during games. So far in his career, the running back hasn’t been given many breaks, but stats show a decline as Cook’s last two seasons have progressed.

Cook has played 14 games each of the previous two years. In Games 1-7, he’s averaged 5.5 (2019) and 6.0 (2020) yards per carry. In Games 8-14 he’s averaged 3.5 (2019) and 4.2 (2020).

According to Polamalu, he’ll be heavily involved again in determining the size of his role, taking the proverbial pulse of the offense’s star back.

“We have a pretty good routine that we’ve been together for four years,” Polamalu said. “I know what his body looks like. I know what he’s expecting, so it’s been a good relationship. Obviously, I want him to play and make a lot of plays. I kind of have a pulse and that also ties with having three preseason games and how our new coordinator calls the plays, as well.”

In recent years the Vikings have been very cautious with Cook in the preseason, even when healthy, before unleashing him in the regular season. Polamalu’s goal has been to make sure Cook uses his offseason correctly so he’s ready to absorb all the blows he can in the regular season.

“To me, one of the biggest things is seeing an elite runner like him is you’re always in conversation,” Polamalu said. “You know in the offseason what he’s doing, what he’s doing on the weekends. Every off day, we’ll talk: ‘What did you do for yourself today?’”

Cook has finished second and ninth in touches the previous two seasons.

Ficken updates special teams races
While head coach Mike Zimmer cast some arrows the way of young special teamers in a recent press conference, Ryan Ficken was a little more measured in his messaging on Tuesday.

For instance, Zimmer called out Ihmir Smith-Marsette on Monday, but Ficken gave the fifth-round pick’s progress a positive spin.

“We just mentioned in terms of some of these college guys coming in here and haven’t played many special teams … it’s still somewhat fresh to him, a little bit,” Ficken said. “Still a little bit new, but he’s doing a great job just trying to embrace the role, and everything we throw at him, he’s been very positive, and he’s willing to do it. And he wants to do it.”

Ficken also weighed in on a handful of specialist competitions, though we didn’t get much clarity on who the leaders are in the various departments.

On Riley Patterson challenging Greg Josephat kicker: “He’s making strides, so it’s encouraging for him to be here. Glad he’s able to get back – you saw him kick at U.S. Bank Stadium [on Saturday], and he made his kicks. Now we just have to continue to build on that. Just keep putting good days together, back-to-back. But it will be a good challenge here coming up, and a nice competition as we go ahead and move forward in camp.”

On weighing punt and kick returners’ performances in preseason games: “I think you put a lot of weight, not just on preseason games, but every situation. It’s the meetings, walk-throughs, in practice every day. There’s a lot of emphasis that goes into it as far as evaluating guys as a returner. We need to see how they are situationally … how they handle those situations. Everything goes into it, as opposed to just the game.”

On how he’s evaluating the long snappers Andrew DePaola and Turner Bernard: “First, you have to makes sure you can snap the ball. That’s the first and most important job is snapping the ball with great velocity and accuracy. Then we have to make sure they can go ahead and protect. Understand the protection and how the scheme of punt rushes are affecting us. But you’ve got to snap the ball, that’s first and foremost.”

Nick Vigil leads the linebacker battle
Adam Zimmer joined his father in knocking some of the reserve linebackers on Tuesday, save for one. Nick Vigil, the free agent pickup, has risen to the top of the heap in the fight for third linebacker duties.

“Nick's an extremely smart player, and you can tell he's been around,” Zimmer said. “He's been in this defense before in Cincinnati with Paul [Guenther]. He's seen a lot of football. Things just come naturally to him that right now some of the younger guys haven't seen as many reps as far as routes and things, so they need to see a little bit more. Nick's seen it. I think he has a good feel for the game and like I said, he's really smart and he's done a nice job. This last week he had a really good week.”

Zimmer spoke specifically about a couple of Vigil’s competitors, Cameron Smith and Troy Dye. He said that Smith was improving but implied that he started slowly, and he added that Dye needed to demonstrate better consistency.

About the group as a whole, Zimmer didn’t mince words, but he’s eager to see what happens in games when they are permitted to wrap up ball-carriers.

“The train’s leaving,” he said, “but I think we’ll find out a lot in these preseason games how they play when the lights are on.”