EAGAN, Minn. — Another game is at U.S. Bank Stadium in 24 hours (and counting down). How'd we get so lucky?
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell stated starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy won't play, largely because the joint practices with New England were designed to maximize his reps against a foreign, starting defense.
"We were able to do some things that we would do in a regular season, game planning an opponent, trying to do some things that make sense from a rhythm, timing, spacing standpoint," O'Connell told a mass of media that attended the two days of work. "But that's all on the players to then absorb that, and specifically J.J., to go out there and execute the way he did. It felt decisive. It felt [like an] incredible amount of conviction to some of the decisions he made, location of the football, and a lot to build on.
"Another checkpoint for us as a team, and I'm really proud of the work the guys put in," O'Connell continued. "Like I said, far from perfect — it never is, but joint practice gives you the chance to see some game-like situations and feel tempo without some of the game-like negatives that can come out from an injury standpoint. And that's because we practice against a team that knows how to practice."
Obviously, McCarthy isn't the only draw to watch the Vikings. There are many players competing to cement their standing in the organization, climb the depth chart and refine their crafts before Sept. 8.
Monday Night Football at Chicago isn't that far away (24 days). But first, there's a preseason showcase. Thus, here are three storylines to monitor when Minnesota hosts New England at noon (CT) Saturday.