The Vikings executed their toil sans pads Tuesday at TCO Performance Center, and that's completely understandable given the Jags are here the next two days for joint practices, and those sessions will be very physical.
These two-team practices are fantastic, eye-opening and can be a double-edged sword. Both teams will gain intimate knowledge of the others roster, and that can be good and bad. To wit, in 2007 the Vikings drafted QB Tyler Thigpen from Coastal Carolina in the seventh round and wanted to stash him on the practice squad. Thigpen tore it up in the Mankato joint practices with the Cheifs, and K.C. claimed him when the Vikings cut him before the regular season. HC Brad Childress was devastated, and Tyler would go on to start 11 games for the '08 Chiefs.
The Vikings third running back battle between Mike Boone and Roc Thomas is a tightly contested race. Boone is more physical, Thomas faster. Boone got first call at Denver, Thomas found the end zone twice.
I expect one of them to make the squad and the other to be practice squad-bound, unless Jacksonville falls in love with one and opts to trade with Minnesota for whichever one the Vikings will not be keeping.
That's part of the advantage of these joint practices; Minnesota and Jacksonville can analyze the others roster and trade for players who are good but won't make the final 53 instead of sweating the waiver wire following final cuts.
I'll attend both practices and will learn much more about Jags offensive lineman who can play guard and center. The Vikings need a player like that off the Easton injury, and the Jags might have one who can bolster our depth.
Good to see WR Stacy Coley at practice today following a Monday injury. He didn't practice but at least was on the scene absorbing the plays. Coley was terrific in the Denver game and has had a fine 2018 training camp.
The Vikings today worked on a bevy of cool defensive bits where DL dropped into coverage and secondary guys and LB came rushing. Very diverse and unpredictable.
Can't wait for these practices against the Jags and the game Saturday at Noon on KFAN and FOX 9.