EAGAN, Minn. — In each of the last three years, Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has started the offseason program with a new offensive coordinator.
The turnover and change in philosophy from one year to the next has been constant when it comes to coaches designing the offense. The same goes for the number of quarterbacks tasked with carrying out plays. This fall, Kirk Cousins will become the fourth starting quarterback in Zimmer’s five-year tenure.
Installing a new offense comes with a set of hurdles, regardless of how much or little holdover from the previous scheme. Throw in a new quarterback and the obstacles can become more challenging.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, right, is learning a new scheme with the rest of the offense. AP Photo/Jim Mone
Zimmer, however, said the transition has been made easier because of the communication he has had with new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.
“We can have really open conversations,” Zimmer said. “He listens to the things I say would hurt defenses. It’s been really good. I think he’s done a great job with the offense. When I sit in the meetings with them, he does a great job of communicating exactly what he wants. He’s detailed with the work, the plays and alignments, all the different things that they’re doing. We talked about adding more screens, and we ran quite a few more today, so that’s been good. It’s really been seamless.”
“Seamless” is not a word Zimmer uses to describe the state of anything this early in the offseason. It even caught wide receiver Adam Thielen off guard.
“That is impressive, I can’t believe he said that,” Thielen said. “It’s been really good. When you have a locker room the way we do, guys that just want to work, and they want to study, and they love coming out to practice, you can get a lot accomplished in a few weeks. We’re off to a great start, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
Thielen said much of the verbiage and other base concepts remain the same from former offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s scheme to DeFilippo’s.
“Every offensive coordinator, they have their wrinkles, the things that they like to do,” he said. “[DeFilippo’s personality] is a lot different, but that’s what keeps it fresh. That’s what keeps it fun. We’re excited to keep learning from him.”
The overarching constant? DeFilippo’s approach to putting his personnel in the best positions appears to mirror the democratic approach Shurmur had with his playmakers, thus helping aid in that smooth transition while it’s still early.
“No. 1, [DeFilippo’s] able to adjust,” Thielen said. “He loves the game of football and he loves to see guys succeed; so he’s not a stubborn guy that’s going to only do it his way. He’s going to listen to other guys’ advice and try to make it the best offense possible. The other thing is we have the players that are willing to adapt as well. Guys that are willing to study, which, sometimes this time of year, it’s not easy to open the playbook when you’re at home. But we have the guys that are willing to do that.”
— Brian Chojnacki (@BroadcastingBri) June 12, 2018
Don’t let Leonard Fournette’s face fool you, it’s time for more fun. This week, 28 of the 32 teams, are on the practice field for mandatory minicamps. The Bears, Dolphins, Patriots and Lions got a head start going through minicamp last week.
Over the next three days, coaches will put their rosters through evaluations and competition for the last time before training camp. And the players gotta be there. Unless they’re holding out, then they’re not coming.
Here’s some of the best stuff from around the league:
But first, who’s not here?
The annual tradition of top players sitting out mandatory minicamps is here. So far, the list is headlined by a 1,200-yard rusher and the league’ defensive player of the year.
Those not at minicamps:
play
1:01
Adam Schefter breaks down the contract dispute between the Falcons and Julio Jones that has the WR sitting out minicamp.
The New York Giants and star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. are nearing that line they have tiptoed around for months. It has them trying to avoid eye contact and confrontation all the while doing it with an awkward smile.
Odell Beckham Jr. did individual drills with a trainer during OTAs, but he may be cleared to get more involved during minicamp. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
The showdown is coming, maybe this week, more likely early this summer.
Beckham, who desperately wants a new contact, is almost healthy after breaking his leg in October. The Giants, who admittedly aren’t in a rush to pay him, said last week that Beckham could “possibly” be cleared for this week’s mandatory minicamp.
Giants players are set to undergo physicals Monday. Practices are scheduled from Tuesday-Thursday before a six-week respite prior to the start of training camp. That at least gives the two sides some time. Except nothing that has happened so far indicates they will get a deal done.
It’s not out of the realm of possibilities that doctors allow Beckham to do more this week than at OTAs. He’s mostly worked on the side with a trainer and in a select few half-speed individual drills. Nothing strenuous. Nothing that would put himself at risk for that $60 million or so in guaranteed money (in the range of what Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans was paid) that sits on the horizon.
Beckham has made significant progress since suffering the injury. He’s close to full strength. But it still remains unlikely he’ll be cleared for contact this week. It’s just not worth it at this point on the calendar with so much at stake for both sides.
As Landon Collins, who underwent surgery on his right arm in April, explained: “I could be [cleared for minicamp], but at the same time, at the end of the day we still won’t take any risks. It’s minicamp, we’re not playing for anything right now.”
The same holds true for Beckham. It would be in everybody’s best interest to avoid reaching that crossroads until at least later this summer, because when he’s cleared for contact that is when the showdown will occur if there isn’t a new contract. And right now, with no significant talks taking place about a new deal, it appears almost inevitable.
Beckham wants a new deal before the start of this season. This is no secret. He doesn’t want to put his body at serious risk again — this time for $8.5 million — without a new deal after what happened last season, when he first injured his ankle in a preseason game and then watched his career flash before his eyes when his leg was shattered in a Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Giants have been more discreet about their intentions. They’ve said they want Beckham around long term but still haven’t talked seriously about a contract extension with their top playmaker.
“It will get done when it’s supposed to get done” has been their organizational stance since general manager Dave Gettleman arrived. But earlier this offseason — when the Giants didn’t close the door on Beckham being traded — co-owner John Mara said there was a “possibility” he could play 2018 on his current contract.
That wouldn’t go over with Beckham, who has made a concerted effort this spring to prove to the Giants that he’s healthy and committed by attending a good chunk of the team’s offseason program. Players in similar contractual situations such as Aaron Donald, Zack Martin and Khalil Mack avoided OTAs as they awaited their new contracts.
Beckham, while in a different situation given his past indiscretions and the injury, handled it differently. In the process, he has built a strong relationship with Shurmur in the early goings of his new coach’s tenure. The two have been in constant contact and seem to understand where each side is coming from after a shaky start that saw Beckham pseudo-dangled on the trade block.
That should help if the two sides do reach a showdown that could get touchy and complicated. If it does, here are the notable checkpoints.
Key Dates:
Tuesday to Thursday — This week’s mandatory minicamp. Do the Giants ask Beckham to do more than has been the case the rest of the spring? That would be a mistake.
July 25 — The likely start of training camp. Will Beckham show without a new deal? And even if he does, don’t expect him to jump right into full-contact drills. That would be an unnecessary risk he’s not going to take with the regular season still almost seven weeks away.
Aug. 9, 17 and 24 — These are the dates for the first three preseason games. Can’t imagine Beckham will want to step on the field for any of these without a new contract, especially after getting injured last year in the second game of the preseason against the Browns.
A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets:
1. Eight is enough: This offseason has produced a contrasting mix of emotions: cheers and groans. The Jets have given their long-suffering fans something to get excited about — hello, Sam Darnold — but they’ve also tempered the feel-good vibe with a spate of player arrests.
Continuing an alarming trend that began in 2017, the Jets’ arrest total in the past 18 months is up to eight — the most in the NFL, according to USA Today data. The two most recent players arrested — rookie tight end Chris Herndon and linebacker Dylan Donahue — were involved in alleged drunken driving that resulted in crashes with other vehicles.
It’s a bad look for the Jets, who are close to becoming a punchline.
Player
Pos.
Date
Charge
Chris Herndon
TE
6/2/18
DUI
Dylan Donahue
LB
2/26/18
DUI
Robby Anderson
WR
1/19/18
Eluding police (later reduced)
Rashard Robinson
CB
12/15/17
Drugs
Lorenzo Mauldin
LB
6/21/17
Assault (later dropped)
Dylan Donahue
LB
5/9/17
DUI
Robby Anderson
WR
5/7/17
Resisting arrest
Darrelle Revis
CB
2/16/17
Assault (later dropped)
USA Today database
Who gets the blame? Start with the players themselves. They’re grown men and they must bear the brunt of the responsibility. Some might point to coach Todd Bowles, saying he has allowed this type of culture to develop. During his tenure, which began in January 2015, the Jets have nine arrests, second only to the Green Bay Packers (10).
In fairness, it should be noted the charges in three of the arrests were dropped: those involving Robby Anderson (from the second of two arrests), Lorenzo Mauldin and Darrelle Revis. Still, the number is high when compared to the rest of the league. Bowles isn’t a bad sheriff — he’s an earnest coach who cares deeply about his players and the image of the team — but the problem persists. He can attack it by taking a strong public stance, sending a message that enough is enough.
Responding to questions in the aftermath of the Herndon arrest, Bowles made the obligatory comments, insisting he doesn’t condone the bad behavior. But he didn’t exactly drop the hammer, saying, “There’s nothing wrong with the disciplinary process. The arrests are going to happen and you deal with them as they come.”
Referring to the drunken-driving charges, he said, “It’s not a Jets problem or a league problem. It’s a nationwide problem.”
Bowles doesn’t coach the nation; he coaches the Jets — and it’s happening on his watch. He’s trying to rectify it. He needs to try harder. So does the entire organization.
2. Leo’s loot: The Jets are in no rush to give Leonard Williams a new contract, and he said he’s OK with waiting. When his time comes — figure next offseason — he’ll have plenty of leverage if he can deliver a 2016-like season (seven sacks and a Pro Bowl). Asked if his goal is to become one of the highest-paid defensive linemen, he said: “It’s one of my goals to be one of the best players, one of the best defensive linemen. When that comes, then I think the money comes with it.”
So the answer is yes.
Williams is due to make $3 million this season and $14.2 million in 2019, the amount of his fifth-year option. The Jets can use the franchise tag for 2020, but they’ll try to get a long-term deal worked out before that. If he wants the deal that Muhammad Wilkerson received in 2016 ($17 million per year, including $37 million guaranteed), Williams will have to raise his production after a two-sack season. Though Jets coaches are quick to say the sack total didn’t reflect his overall effectiveness, it could hurt him at the bargaining table if he registers another low number.
To his credit, Williams is demonstrating patience.
“The contract, that’s going to come,” he said. “There’s no pressure for it. I’m not like thirsty for it or anything like that.”
3. What a business: Williams said he learned the harsh reality of the NFL as a rookie, when he noticed the occupant of the locker adjacent to his seemed to change on a weekly basis. The revolving-door nature of the business was reinforced last week. His best friend on the team, fellow USC product Claude Pelon, was waived because of an injury.
Williams said he was “hurt” by the move, which is understandable. After all, Pelon has been living in Williams’ house this offseason.
A quick postscript: Pelon cleared waivers and was assigned to the Jets’ injured-reserve list.
Leonard Williams is being patient about his contract status. Ed Mulholland/Getty Images
5. Walking wounded: The Jets have a handful of injured players whose readiness for training camp appears up in the air, namely wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (ankle), linebacker Jordan Jenkins (shoulder) and wide receiver Devin Smith (knee). Others who bear watching are wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (neck), safety Marcus Maye (ankle) and cornerback Morris Claiborne (hand). This is only June, and the injury list reads as if it’s September.
6. J.J. is Dy-no-mite: Safety J.J. Wilcox, who signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract ($210,000 guaranteed), has more career starts (39) than Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye combined. The Jets have really upgraded the safety position in the past two offseasons.
7. Golfer’s paradise: The golf world will be focused on New York in the coming days, with the U.S. Open coming to Shinnecock Hills on the eastern end of Long Island. The biggest golf fan on the Jets might be wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, who has played some of the region’s top courses in recent weeks — namely Winged Foot and Pine Valley.
Kearse, a 9 handicap, is scheduled to play June 20 in the celebrity pro-am of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut. He hopes to be paired with defending champion Jordan Spieth. Kearse knows Spieth’s caddie, Michael Greller. They both have ties to the Seattle area.
“That’s going to be a whole other level of nervousness,” Kearse said. “I’ve gotten a lot better playing in front of people, but I just feel like that’s going to be a whole other level.”
Kearse said he had been starstruck only once in his life. It happened at former teammate Richard Sherman’s celebrity softball game, where he met a former NBA star. Some dude named Kobe Bryant.
8. Inspiring words: On Thursday night, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned to Louisville, home of his alma mater, to speak at the Courier Journal sports awards banquet. Addressing the crowd, he discussed the 2016 knee injury that threatened his career and where he derived his strength to return.
“I’m a fighter. My mom is a fighter,” he said, alluding to his mother’s successful battle with breast cancer. “I come from fighting DNA. If something happens, you don’t just lay down and do nothing.”
9. Tweet of the week:
So this morning I’m driving on the GW bridge, and there’s crazy traffic. I cut off this Challenger to get over real quick. This guy I cut off then speeds around me and stares me down. & I look over, it’s @MichaelStrahan ? my bad fam
— Jamal Adams (@TheAdamsEra) June 8, 2018
10. The last word: “I went to the Luke Bryan-Sam Hunt-Jon Pardi concert [at MetLife Stadium], so that was really fun. … [Mostly], I’ve just been here. It’s been awesome, though, being able to spend time in Florham Park in the Jersey area, Morristown. It’s been really cool.” — Darnold, on whether he has experienced the New York nightlife.
