Post by Uncle on Aug 25, 2024 21:14:53 GMT -6
Cut-down day is going to be brutal for those guys who had busted their ass for so long.
...but, what about those players who put in the work, year-after-year, and their dreams actually turn to reality?
In 2013, an unknown WR from Minnesota State University attended the Spring rookie tryouts and impressed the coaching staff, who signed him to a deal to attend Training Camp/Preseason. He didn't make the 53-man roster in 2013, but he put in the work on the Practice Squad in 2013 and during the 2014 offseason and his dream was realized when that hard work paid off as he made the 2014 Vikings 53-man roster, is a 2X Pro Bowl and 1X 2nd Team All Pro. The player? Adam Thielen - the original "Mr. Mankato"...
...and we could have another realize that long-standing dream of making an NFL roster this year. In 2020, the Rams signed an unknown and undrafted WR out of Syracuse following the Draft. He didn't make the Rams 53-man roster in 2020 or 2021 - even with Kevin O'Connell there as the Offensive Coordinator. The Vikings signed him to their Practice Squad in 2021 and he continued to work hard to try and make the Vikings roster in 2022 & 2023 - during the height of the ascension of Justin Jefferson, under the tutelage of now Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell and WR Coach Keenan McCardell...
...and as we draw near to the roster deadline in 2024 - his 5th yr in the league and 5th attempt to try and make an NFL roster - his dream will likely be realized...
His name? Trishton Jackson...