The Minnesota Vikings were on the cusp of making the playoffs last season, and with several new key additions - and the return of Adrian Peterson - they’re hoping to break that threshold this season. This offseason figures to play a big role in determining Minnesota’s success in the foreseeable future, as does training camp. Here are three things we've learned about them so far this camp:
Teddy Bridgewater's progression
Bridgewater shined in his rookie season, passing for just under 3,000 yards and 14 touchdowns in just 13 games. Now that he has some experience and a full offseason to prepare, he should only improve in 2015. That much has shown this far in training camp with Bridgewater having taken more steps forward than what the Vikings were expecting. Look for Bridgewater to have a breakout season this year.
Vikings using Mike Wallace to stretch the field, open up the running game
The Vikings have been trying to find a No. 1 receiver ever since Randy Moss left, and Wallace is perhaps the closest Minnesota has come to acquiring one. He's a premier deep threat with speed that makes him a threat to score every time he touches the ball, and he gives the Vikings an elite weapon to put on the other side of Charles Johnson or Cordarrelle Patterson.
However, head coach Mike Zimmer also plans to use Wallace's speed to "blow the top off" the defense in order to open up the running game, creating more opporutnities for Adrian Peterson.
Jerick McKinnon a budding star?
While the Vikings are excited to have Peterson back, and rightfully so, they're also excited about the potential of second-year back Jerick McKinnon. Even Peterson likes what he's seen:
“(Jerick McKinnon) is a young guy who’s improving,” Peterson said. “I’m able to see that in the classroom and on the field as well. He’s been great at catching the ball and running the ball. To me, he seems more patient when it comes to pressing the holes and making the right reads so he’s looking sharp."
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