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DAILY CLIPS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020 LOCAL NEWS: Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Pioneer Press

Vikings discussing possible long-term extension for safety By Chris Tomasson https://www.twincities.com/2020/03/31/vikings-discussing-possible-long-term-extension-for-safety-anthony-harris/

Star Tribune

Even without live sports, Jared Allen's plan is to dodge NFL draft By Mark Craig https://www.startribune.com/jared-allen-s-goal-is-to-dodge-nfl-draft/569271592/

Vikings Mailbag: Defensive backs, an attack for the draft and lots more By Mark Craig https://www.startribune.com/vikings-mailbag-defensive-backs-the-first-round-draft-pick-and-a-packers- thought/569247922/

NFL team owners vote to expand playoffs to 14 teams By Barry Wilner https://www.startribune.com/nfl-team-owners-vote-to-expand-playoffs-by-two-teams/569256092/

Gophers' NFL draft prospects having to adjust on the fly By Chip Scoggins https://www.startribune.com/gophers-nfl-draft-prospects-having-to-adjust-on-the-fly/569240222/

NATIONAL NEWS: Wednesday, April 1, 2020

CBS Sports

Vikings discussing extension with Anthony Harris after placing franchise tag on safety, per report By Jeff Kerr https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/vikings-discussing-extension-with-anthony-harris-after-placing-franchise-tag-on- safety-per-report/

USA Today

Opinion: Even in simplest forms, NFL world isn't immune to coronavirus-related alterations By Mike Jones https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/03/31/coronavirus-nfl-players-teams-feeling-impact-their- preparations/5093340002/

Maven Media

How The Coronavirus Will Affect the NFL Draft By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/how-coronavirus-will-affect-nfl-draft

Why The Vikings Won't Take a Defensive End in the First Round of the 2020 NFL Draft By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-defensive-end-first-round-2020-nfl-draft

MULTIMEDIA NEWS: Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Football Stories with : How To Become Friends With By NFL Network https://www.vikings.com/video/football-stories-with-nate-burleson-how-to-become-friends-with-randy-moss

Daniel Jeremiah Breaks Down His 'Three Distinct Tiers' of QBs In 2020 Draft Class By NFL Network https://www.vikings.com/video/daniel-jeremiah-breaks-down-his-three-distinct-tiers-of-qbs-in-2020-draft-class

Ian Rapoport Explains NFL's New Expanded Playoff Format By NFL Network https://www.vikings.com/video/ian-rapoport-explains-nfl-s-new-expanded-playoff-format

NFL Adds Playoffs Teams By KSTP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=1095250b-ee1a-42b6-a73b-2a1b8c82cda6

14 Teams will go to the Playoffs Next Year By KMSP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=85d4d9ce-97d3-40de-8fde-2c0f34e33613

Boys and Girls Club Expands Meal Program By KMSP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=aefbe9ed-728c-4ad5-971e-243a29d1b915

VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK: Wednesday, April 1, 2020

NFL Announces New Playoff Format for 2020 Season By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/2020-nfl-season-new-playoff-format-for-league

2020 NFL Draft Prospects: Running Backs Group Includes 'Excellent Contributors' By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/2020-nfl-draft-prospects-running-backs-group-includes-excellent-contributors

Thielen & Sharpe Practice Social Distancing, Notch Perfect Scores in Trivia Game By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/adam-thielen-tajae-sharpe-notch-perfect-scores-in-trivia-game

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 4/1/20

Vikings discussing possible long-term extension for safety Anthony Harris

By Chris Tomasson

The Vikings just might keep Anthony Harris after all.

Though there has been speculation the Vikings might trade Harris after placing the franchise tag on him two weeks ago, sources said Tuesday the team has been actively discussing a possible long-term contract for the 28-year-old safety.

While nothing is certain about Harris’ future, one source said there is an increased belief now that Harris, ranked the NFL’s top safety in 2019 by Pro Football Focus, will play for the Vikings in 2020, whether it is with the one-year franchise tag of $11.441 million or a long-term deal. A source said Harris’ preference is to sign a long-term deal with Minnesota.

Such a deal not only could keep Harris happy and lock him up beyond 2020, it also could lower his salary-cap number for 2020, with the Vikings able to push some money into future seasons. Harris wants a contract that puts him among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL. That could be an average of about $14 million per season.

The Vikings already have safety Harrison Smith on the books for cap numbers of $10.75 million in 2020 and $10.25 million in 2021. While having two safeties taking up a good bit of cap room might not be ideal, a source said the Vikings are thinking more now that not having Harris could be especially detrimental to their secondary.

In March, the Vikings released starting cornerback and had four other members of the secondary leave via free agency: starting cornerback , primary nickelback , and effective reserve safeties and . So far, the team has not added any defensive backs.

There might not be any immediacy for the Vikings to make a decision on Harris. They have until the franchise tag deadline of July 15 to work out a possible long-term contract. And with offseason workouts in jeopardy of being cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, that could place less urgency on getting something done.

GRIFFEN TO SEATTLE? Could Everson Griffen be the next star Vikings defensive linemen to finish his career with Seattle?

A source said Tuesday that Griffen, a free agent who announced two weeks ago he will not return to Minnesota, has interest in signing with the Seahawks and that they could be interested in him. It could depend on whether Seattle re- signs free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. The source said Clowney is likely the domino needed to fall before Griffen signs with any team.

Hall of fame defensive end played for the Vikings from 1964-78 before finishing his career with Seattle in 1979. Hall of fame defensive played for Minnesota from 1990-2000 before concluding his career with the Seahawks from 2001-03.

TWO YEARS LATE The NFL approved a plan Tuesday to expand the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams in 2020. There will be seven teams in each conference making the postseason, with one team, rather than the previous two, getting a first-round bye.

Had that format been in place in 2018, the Vikings would have made the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the NFC rather than missing out altogether. Under such a format, the Vikings, who went 8-7-1 in 2018, would have opened the postseason at the No. 2 , which would have been a rematch of a Week 4 game won 38-31 by the Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 4/1/20

Even without live sports, Jared Allen's plan is to dodge NFL draft

By Mark Craig

When your COVID-19 era to-do list has dwindled to making sure your normally hyperactive teenager doesn’t sleep 23 hours a day, you improvise.

You maybe, I don’t know, talk to Jared Allen. See how the four-time NFL All-Pro defensive lineman, who calf-roped 136 in his potential Hall of Fame career, is doing down in Nashville chasing after daughters Brinley Noelle, 8, and Lakelyn, 5.

“Just hanging out at the house doing home-schooling and all that good stuff,” the former Vikings star said. “We have a pretty big yard. When it’s not raining, we get out there and hang out. My wife [Amy] and I don’t leave the house much at all. All’s quiet.”

As he speaks, though, you see the NFL-related tweets scroll by.

… NFL expands playoff field to 14 teams! … Buccaneers announce will wear No. 12! … The NFL draft will march on with “good social distance role modeling” of 10 or fewer people — all 6 feet apart — in every draft room and player’s house! …

The NFL isn’t doing anything wrong by conducting its high-speed business at a safe distance from a low-speed world that’s buffering. Nor is it behaving admirably as some sort of heroic distraction for people worrying about loved ones or finding a barber and a roll of toilet paper before training camp.

Let’s hope the NFL and its talking TV heads understand the latter when they go live with the draft April 23-25.

A nation will no doubt tune in. Right, Jared? Um, you do watch the draft, Mr. Allen?

The short answer:

“I do not,” Allen said.

The more entertaining old-school answer: “I know the kids being drafted are having the time of their life …”

But?

“I think the draft is probably the most boring thing to put on TV imaginable,” Allen said. “I guess I’ve never been a big fan of sitting there and getting all crazy and ecstatic about a guy who hasn’t done a single thing in the NFL yet.”

Bless you, 69. Bless you.

It’s kind of like a defensive end named playing in the Big Ten, getting drafted in the first round and quitting after his first practice.

Or like a defensive end named Jared Allen playing for Division I-AA Idaho State, getting drafted in the fourth round and earning the right to scoff at all draft-related hoopla forevermore.

Allen was invited to the scouting combine after posting 17½ sacks as a senior. He also did the Pro Days at Idaho State and San Jose State. He jumped through every hoop the NFL asked him to.

“I also had the fun experience of answering all the off-the-field questions and all that nonsense,” said Allen, a noted hellion in his youth. “It’s different for everybody.”

Much has been made about how the coronavirus shutdown is impacting the draft. Pro days were canceled. Team visits were wiped out. Lifelong scouts spent all of March at home for the first time in their careers.

Time to panic? Nah. In 1974, long before the draft evolved into the finely tuned, analytics-based guesswork it is today, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and Mike Webster. Then, when 17 rounds were complete, they signed Donnie Shell.

Four of the top 125 picks and one undrafted free agent. All five are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“Well,” Allen said, “the NFL today is known for overthinking things. We have meetings about meetings.

“I personally don’t think the team visits mean much. They’re still able to talk to guys on the phone. You’re going to be able to do video conferences. You have all the tape on these guys. Teams already know all the red flags. They got all the info at the combine before everything got shut down.

“To be honest with you, I don’t think this will impact the [long-term success of a team’s] draft in any way.”

So, business as usual. Just 6 feet apart. And no 20-second bearhug from the commish. PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 4/1/20

Vikings Mailbag: Defensive backs, an attack for the draft and lots more

By Mark Craig

Thanks to all the readers who submitted questions via for this morning’s Vikings Q & A session. Let’s get started …

@theFisherMaN78

Any O-line or cornerbacks left in free agency that would be worth the Vikings pursuing?

MC: The pickings are below slim after the big first wave and ensuing one-year prove-it deals. One head-scratcher is cornerback , who’s 29 and coming off a solid season in Tennessee. The fact he’s still unsigned means his asking price is unreasonable and could drop as many teams have plugged holes at the position. Having discarded their top three corners, the Vikings must consider all possible options that remain. Meanwhile, at offensive line, Cameron Erving is an intriguing prospect at guard. In five seasons with the Browns and Chiefs, the former first- round pick has played all five O-line positions. The 6-5, 313-pounder helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl last year by starting eight games at left tackle when Eric Fisher was injured. He’s 27 and presumably affordable considering the Chiefs declined an option that would have paid him $3.25 million for this season.

@AndrewDreisbach

Who is your favorite to win the NFC North prior to the draft?

MC: Green Bay. Sorry. The Packers have the best defense at this point, and they have a fella named Rodgers at QB. The Vikings have to answer a lot of question marks before I can dive all in on them. As for Chicago, is really the answer? And Detroit is, well, Detroit.

@brentj76

Is the Anthony Harris trade going to happen?

MC: I think he stays in Minnesota. Knowing Anthony’s personality, I think he signs an extension that pleases both sides. That would be ideal because the Vikings certainly don’t need another gaping hole to fill.

@Dadsman

Do players on guaranteed contracts get paid if the season is delayed or canceled due to Coronavirus?

MC: Yes. But presumably they would have to wait until a season is played considering standard NFL contracts say payments are made in “equal weekly or bi-weekly installments over the course of the applicable regular-season period.”

@jtone01

Which position you think minn would draft first? CB or WR.

MC: I’ll say WR, but don’t rule out DE. Or DT. Or OT. The Vikings need to take the best player available at any one of those positions. Picking a potentially good WR over a potentially great player at one of those other positions makes no sense to me.

@WampaOne1

Are the Vikings still looking at trading for Trent Williams?

MC: I don’t see them investing the necessary draft capital and then paying $20 million a year to someone who will be 32 this season. They have too many needs.

@Dev_H20s

What is your dream draft scenario for the Vikings in the 1st round?

MC: If I were you guys, I’d be dreaming of a dominant left tackle who’s good to go from Day 1 to Year 10. Yes, that’s a big dream.

@PhilBaxton

Do you think the loss of Griffen will have an impact on the locker room?

MC: I don’t think so. And that’s no slight against Everson. NFL players are a resilient bunch. Each season, they adapt quickly to changing dynamics to form a new team.

@psmjw01

Dalvin holdout or extension?

MC: Good question. The primary reason for Dalvin to hold out – risk of injury – also is the primary reason the Vikings should be hesitant to extend. Cook is an outstanding , but I wouldn’t overpay even an outstanding one in today’s NFL. Especially one whose durability is a concern. Can Cook trust NFL free agency to reward him for a great 2020 season if he shows up without an extension? Probably not since he’s a running back. It’s quite the pickle for the player and a team with multiple needs.

@BDuffy6142

Assuming the requisite moves are made to free up cap space, could Jadeveon Clowney be a target in FA?

MC: Don’t think so. Not when he’s asking for $20 million a year. Not when the Vikings have multiple needs.

@MallerBaller

If the Vikings go to a hybrid defense how will that impact ? Capers used as an elephant in his defense in Green Bay. Is that the role you would see Hunter in?

MC: Danielle might be the best athlete on the team. I think he would excel in anything they ask of him. We’re just scratching the surface with how good Hunter will become.

@Okie_Son

Who will be the #2 WR when the season starts? Is he currently on the roster?

MC: I don’t think the No. 2 receiver is on the roster currently. Bisi Johnson surprised us last year and could take an even bigger step this year. Tajae Sharpe was a necessary signing. But I think the No. 2 WR will come from this year’s deep rookie class.

Anthony Harris photo by Carlos Gonzalez. PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 4/1/20

NFL team owners vote to expand playoffs to 14 teams

By Bary Wilner

The NFL is gearing up for a normal season and playoffs — with two additional wild-card teams in the Super Bowl chase.

NFL team owners voted Tuesday to expand the playoffs by one team in each conference for a total of 14 next season as they continue to plan for the 2020 season to begin on time.

During a conference call to discuss league business after the annual meetings were canceled due to the new coronavirus, the owners also awarded one of those extra games to CBS and one to NBC. Three-fourths of the 32 owners needed to approve the change, and the vote was unanimous, football operations chief Troy Vincent said.

As for opening the season on Sept. 10 as scheduled, NFL lead counsel Jeff Pash said: "All of our focus has been on a normal traditional season, starting on time, playing before fans in our regular stadiums and going through our full 16-game regular season and a full playoffs."

That would include the two stadiums still under construction in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, plus international games in England and Mexico.

"I expect that international games will be part of our schedule for this year," Pash added. "We're optimistic just as we expect conditions in the United States to permit playing a full season that that will be the case for our international partners as well. Obviously, that's something that we'll have to work closely with the authorities, public health and other government authorities in those other countries to make sure it's entirely safe."

Contingencies are being discussed for all potential interruptions caused by the coronavirus.

As for the first expansion of the postseason field since 1990, when the NFL went from 10 qualifiers to 12, only the teams with the best record in the AFC and NFC will get a bye under the new format; the top two teams in each conference skipped wild-card weekend in the past. The seventh seed will play No. 2, the sixth will visit No. 3 and the fifth will be at the fourth seed for wild-card games.

Three games are set for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9-10 — pending the NFL schedule going forward as planned; that schedule likely will be released on May 9, according to Brian Rolapp, the league's chief media and business officer, to give the NFL "flexibility."

CBS will broadcast one of the new games on Jan. 10 at approximately 4:40 p.m. EST. The game will also be available via live stream on CBS All Access. A separately produced telecast of the game tailored for a younger audience will air on Nickelodeon.

NBC, its new streaming service Peacock and Spanish-language Telemundo will broadcast the other new game on Jan. 10 at approximately 8:15 p.m. EST.

"It's definitely going to be different," Washington Redskins linebacker Thomas Davis said. "It's going to be weird. Essentially, the second team (in each conference) is being penalized for being a good football team.

"It just makes it more competitive, it adds more teams in and it allows teams that are hot late in the season like the Titans to be able to make a run — a team that might not normally be in the playoffs are getting that opportunity. I like it, though."

Team presidents and owners were advised of current plans for conducting the draft on April 23-25.

Peter O'Reilly, who oversees organization of major events such as the Super Bowl and draft, said all of the NFL's preparations have been designed to "ensure the selection process is sound." That means equitable arrangements for every team; "celebrating and welcoming" draftees to the league; fan involvement "providing an escape for our fans and perhaps allowing virtual fan access"; and as a fundraiser for people and communities affected by the pandemic.

O'Reilly stressed that social distancing will be maintained, with no more than 10 people together, remaining at least six feet apart. Anyone who is ill will be kept away.

Commissioner Roger Goodell will make the first-round selection announcements from a central hub, and the telecasts will have connectivity at the 32 teams and potentially at some players' or fans' homes.

Vincent noted that the powerful competition committee is discussing a potential one-shot extension of the time limit on a draft slot so teams can complete a trade.

O'Reilly said Las Vegas, scheduled to host the draft this year, will get consideration for 2022; the 2021 draft will be held in Cleveland.

"2022 is an option for Las Vegas," he said. "We need some time to work through that with Las Vegas and the Raiders, but that is something we are considering."

This week, Vincent sent a letter to several prospects inviting them to participate "live" in the draft.

"We hope that you will start your NFL journey with us as part of the NFL family," Vincent wrote. "At this time, we are working on the plan for draft. As you can imagine, it is a bit of a moving target with all that is going on.

"We are contemplating several options that we will be communicating to you once details are confirmed. We want to ensure that you and your family stay safe while we develop the best way to give you a great experience and highlight your accomplishments as you are drafted into the NFL."

In recent drafts, first-round selections were announced by Goodell. Then followed hugs involving players and Goodell — some of them comical — and photo sessions with the players wearing team ball caps or even showing off team jerseys. Often their families and friends would get involved in the celebrations.

This year, with all public events at the planned site of Las Vegas canceled and the draft set to proceed remotely, players will likely be at their homes when their names are called.

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 4/1/20

Gophers' NFL draft prospects having to adjust on the fly

By Chip Scoggins

Tyler Johnson made a strategic decision to postpone running the 40-yard dash for NFL teams at the combine and instead wait for the Gophers’ pro day scheduled for March 25.

The COVID-19 pandemic scuttled those plans, forcing teams to evaluate Johnson almost strictly on how he performed in games. What a novel concept.

Draft previews knock Johnson’s top-end speed. Auburn’s defense probably doesn’t share that opinion after Johnson torched them repeatedly in the Outback Bowl.

Sometimes, the NFL pre-draft buildup becomes mind-numbing because every single aspect of a prospect gets picked apart. Information is vital in decisionmaking, of course, but the degree to which players get judged (and dinged) by their measurements often feels like a case of missing the forest for the trees.

Will more draft mistakes happen because teams aren’t able to gain extra insight into prospects? Seems likely, especially if there are medical questions. But teams also might avoid falling in love with a player by overvaluing his measurables. Or vice versa.

The coronavirus outbreak is turning the draft process into a throwback way of doing business. Trust your eyes. Judge a player by how he performed in games rather than obsess over how fast he runs a 40 in shorts.

How fast is Johnson? Fast enough to be his school’s all-time leading receiver in one of the two best conferences in . No stopwatch required.

Johnson’s teammate Carter Coughlin faces a different dilemma. He planned to have lunch, dinner and/or watch game tape with a group of linebacker coaches from various NFL teams at pro day as he transitions from defensive end back to his original position.

With pro day canceled, coaches won’t be able to put Coughlin through linebacker-specific drills to evaluate how he moves in space. Johnson won’t be able to run the 40. That’s a bummer for both since they spent the past three months training long hours with the goal of answering those questions.

“Yeah, it is a little upsetting,” Johnson said. “Putting in all that hard work throughout the past two months, three months and was very excited for the progress that I was making. I felt comfortable about what I was going to end up doing on pro day. But it’s out of my control.”

The guess here is that it won’t matter, not to a significant degree. Especially for Johnson. Teams already know that he’s not a speed-burner. They also have a large catalog of him performing at a high level. There are no surprises.

In facing four of the nation’s top 17 defenses in the final five games last season, Johnson posted 36 catches for 567 yards and five . He was the best player on the field in the Outback Bowl, earning MVP honors. His speed certainly wasn’t an issue against that SEC defense.

Coughlin’s situation is more complicated because he is switching positions. He started his college career at linebacker, moved to defensive end and is now moving back to outside linebacker. NFL teams have told him that they envision him as a pass-rushing linebacker, but they wanted to watch him perform drills.

Coughlin has proved to be adaptable throughout his career, both in changing positions and adjusting to different schemes and philosophies after coaching changes. He also plays with nonstop effort. Many of his sacks came from chasing down a fleeing or refusing to give up on a play. And he’s an eternal optimist, always one to find positives in any situation. Even this one.

He’s staying-at-home with his family at their cabin Up North. He has a set of weights in the garage. And he’s FaceTiming with NFL coaches. He will be fine.

“From here on out, a lot of stuff is out of my control,” Coughlin said. “I can have conversations with teams, and I will do my best to let them know what kind of player they’re going to get. But it doesn’t make a lot of sense for me to get anxious about what’s going to happen, where it’s going to happen, because I can’t control any of that.” PUBLICATION: CBS Sports DATE: 4/1/20

Vikings discussing extension with Anthony Harris after placing franchise tag on safety, per report

By Jeff Kerr

The placed the franchise tag on Anthony Harris in an attempt to keep him off the free agent market. Now, Harris may be with the franchise long term.

Per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Vikings are discussing a long-term extension with Harris, which would keep the 2019 NFL leader in Minnesota past the 2020 season. Harris is seeking a deal that would make him one of the highest-paid safeties in football, but would play under the franchise tag (which is $11,441,000).

Harris expressed his desire to stay in Minnesota just a few weeks back.

"Yeah, if all things were equal -- looking at the organization from a standpoint top to bottom, from the owners down to the coaches down to the locker room and the culture they have. It's somewhere I'd definitely like to stay," Harris said. "I love Minneapolis, love the organization, it's a good city. The people there are really nice. It's very competitive, so I mean it has it has everything I want and I'd definitely like to stay if possible."

An former undrafted free agent, Harris had six last season, which was tied for the NFL lead. He also recorded 60 tackles and had 11 passes defensed in his first season as a full-time starter. Harris excels in pass coverage, as opposing quarterbacks completed just 15 passes for 151 yards for no touchdowns when targeting the safety, recording a 44.2 passer rating. Harris has allowed just one pass over the past two seasons, as opposing quarterbacks are averaging under 11 yards per completion.

There's a reason for the Vikings to pay Harris, even if they only have $13,122,552 in available salary cap space (per Over The Cap). His market value is an average of $13.8 million a year (per Spotrac), so the Vikings will have to work out a creative deal to keep him around.

PUBLICATION: USA Today DATE: 4/1/20

Opinion: Even in simplest forms, NFL world isn't immune to coronavirus-related alterations

By Mike Jones

The NFL and its players will soon begin to feel the next wave of impacts of the coronavirus.

Offseason programs normally would gear up in the coming weeks. For some players, such as free agents signings, this nine-week period of the calendar (which features voluntary group workouts that eventually transition into classroom sessions and then practices) provides an introduction to their new work environments, teammates, coaches and playbooks.

But with league-wide restrictions in place to help slow the spread of the virus, the doors to team facilities will remain shut, meaning players must do their workouts on their own, and it appears likely that those introductions will not take place until training camp -- if business has returned to normal by late July.

Vikings tight end At virtually every corner of our country, life has been altered by COVID-19. The NFL is no different, even in the simplest regards.

You’re not the only one forced to make do as your local fitness center remains closed. NFL players also are forced to develop contingency plans.

The NFL’s player body features a wide spectrum of financial situations, so the lack of an offseason program presents varying hurdles. While some players may have full-scale home gyms, others have only a limited collection of exercise equipment pieces, and many have none at all. They normally would use the weight rooms at their team facilities to work out, even on their off days.

But now, they’re forced to adapt while expected to remain prepared for when they can return to "normal" work routines. In recent days, strength coaches have sent out modified workouts, then those plans have to be adjusted further depending on the player.

“Not being able to go to the facility and see my trainers, my strength coaches, that’s been an adjustment. It’s funny because you kind of go back to what was life like for me as an athlete before I had a world class facility,” says Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, who usually trained at his team headquarters in Eagan, Minnesota, year- round. “I did a lot of pushups, a lot of situps. I ran around the neighborhood, I ran in the yard. You try to find a park or an open field. And that’s kind of what I’ve resorted to. Thankfully, I’m fortunate now to be in a different situation than I was when I was in middle school and trying to work out. So we do have some fitness equipment here at the house. … We’ve been in direct communication with Mark Uyeyama, our head strength coach, and Eric Sugarman, our head trainer, and they send out e-mails and they have to assume, ‘Okay, I’m sending this e-mail to somebody has no fitness equipment, and what can they do, and what position do they play, what are their job requirements on Sundays during the fall and how do we work back from that?’ Whether it’s giving us functional movements that you can go out in your backyard or out in your front yard or go in the driveway, or if you can find a park nearby, go to the park and it allows us to get at least some functional movement and then it goes up from there.”

Incoming rookies will face the stiffest challenge this offseason.

The draft is still set to take place April 23-25, although no one knows exactly what that presentation will look like. But rookie minicamps, which normally take place for three days a week or two after the draft and give new players a foundation to build on, now seem unlikely to happen in May. So, those draft picks and undrafted free agents very likely will have to train on their own and wait until training camp to begin learning playbooks.

Get the Opinion newsletter in your inbox. What do you think? Shape your opinion with a digest of takes on current events.

Delivery: Daily Your Email Rudolph knows what that’s like. His rookie year in 2011 took place amid the NFL lockout, when players were barred from team facilities and having contact with their coaches as the owners and NFL Players Association executives engaged in a labor dispute.

“I didn't have an offseason as a rookie,” Rudolph explained. “I didn't have an opportunity to get a playbook, I didn't have an opportunity to talk to coaches. So in essence, if that's that's the projection for this year's offseason, then they will have gone through exactly what my class went through as rookies. The lockout ended in late July; we were told to get to Minneapolis as soon as possible; we were given a playbook, and we went to training camp. There was no rookie minicamp where you're practicing against other rookies, and then you get integrated with the vets; you have have OTAs, vet minicamp, and then training camp. So to be quite honest. it would be very similar to what it was like in 2011 when we had the lockout and it was not an offseason."

Rudolph continued: "It definitely spikes the learning curve, if you would. And for us, I remember as rookies — when we showed up — we had to essentially make up for 13 lost practices, three lost rookie minicamp days and nine weeks of in-classroom learning. And the league wasn't going to slow down for us, other teams weren't going to slow down and just say, 'Oh well, these rookies didn't have an opportunity to get in their playbook or to practice with other NFL players, so we'll have to slow down for them and get them to speed.' It's your job, as a player, to learn as quickly as you can, to kind of hit the ground running and make up for as much lost time as possible because that's one thing about this league — they're not gonna slow down for you because you're a rookie and you didn't have an opportunity to have an offseason. As a rookie, you've got to take it as a challenge and try to just learn and adapt and be as quick on your feet as possible."

NFL resolute on starting 2020 season on time — for now Ex-Mets catcher rips A-Rod as 'one of the fakest people out there' Basketball rims removed, nets tied at many courts across country How should sports resume? Good, bad, crazy ideas GALLERY: College players who declared early for NBA draft The one difference this time around, is that coaches presumably will at least be able to communicate with their rookies and veterans. But everything else remains in limbo.

“It's definitely one of the most uncertain times, definitely in my career and I would say for most people,” Rudolph said. “If anyone was to sit on here and (say), 'Well, I'm extremely confident that we're not going to have any issues come late July, August, September,’ when things are supposed to be really rolling for us, I wouldn't know how they're able to say that. Obviously, I'm confident in the NFL and the decisions that each organization will make moving forward. I can just say that I hope it doesn't come to that. I hope this is something that, come mid-summer time, we're all looking back and it's in the rear view mirror and we're on the other side of this.”

Rudolph is right. Despite daily and weekly press conferences held by local and national government officials, and projections and modifications of timelines and restrictions, no one really knows what the next week, month or remainder of the calendar year really holds.

But all he and his NFL brethren -- like the rest of us -- can do is practice the best forms of preparedness and flexibility possible while hoping for the best. PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 4/1/20

How The Coronavirus Will Affect the NFL Draft

By Will Ragatz

With COVID-19 unfortunately showing no signs of slowing down in the United States, everything in the sports world will continue to be affected for the foreseeable future. The one major event that's proceeding on time is the NFL Draft, but this won't be a draft like any we've ever seen.

Sports Illustrated is providing constant coverage of this pandemic and what it means for sports. In his MMQB column from Monday, SI's covered just about every aspect of what the coronavirus will do to this year's draft process, based on his conversations with numerous teams around the league.

One of the biggest things that's impacted is the "war room." Whereas teams usually have all of their front office personnel, scouts, and coaches in one room both on draft day and leading up to the draft, everything has to be done over video conference this year. Teams are going to have to rely more heavily than usual on their scouts who were on the road last fall, watching players up close and building relationships.

“Now, everyone will be there on video conference,” said one AFC GM. “We can’t sit in my draft room, me and my scouts, and watch Joe Burrow together. We may have some debate, and someone might say, ‘Hey, go watch this kid against Clemson and tell me he can’t do X or Y or Z. Or debate a guy, find a common opponent and settle it. Or with Senior Bowl guys, say, ‘Well, let’s watch them against same opponents’ and watch that right tackle against these two D-ends.

“It’s all going to have be independent film work, then discussing it.”

That, of course, is less efficient (though some believe it’ll make the opinions of scouts less biased), and may make it harder to get through as many guys as a team normally would with this sort of discussion. And that’s why teams are working through solutions, like projecting game tape into video conference, or having smaller breakout video conferences incorporating tape with individual area scouts and position coaches.

Teams are no longer bringing in players for draft visits, so those meetings are happening over Zoom, which isn't quite the same.

The early returns? Well, a team can get a pretty good idea of a player’s mental aptitude and ability to learn over the technology. What’s harder is reading body language and presence. As one veteran scout said, “There’s an instinct you have ... you’re gonna miss that now.”

The most important issue created by this is that teams don't have the same idea of a player's medical situation as they otherwise would. They can't bring players in for physicals, so they have to rely on the best information they can get.

“If you want to know how an ACL repair is going, you want your own doctors to put hands on him,” said the second NFC exec. “And we’re still working through that, to be honest, how to truly approach that. Maybe there’s enough information where your doctor can make his best estimate. And maybe if it’s a guy that has had multiple surgeries, you might shy away.”

As for the draft itself, the inability to have all of the key personnel together in one place could have a tangible effect on the way things play out. There's so much communication happening on draft day, and that's going to become much more difficult. As a result, it's possible trades will be less frequent.

For Breer's full story, which includes a list of some notable prospects hurt most by the current situation, notes on how a few NFL players are handling things, and so much more, click here.

SI's Jenny Vrentas also has some important notes about the draft and the upcoming season in her latest story.

The NFL had multiple conference calls on Monday and Tuesday that replaced its usual league meetings, which were supposed to take place in this week. Throughout those calls, the NFL has remained steadfast in its belief that it will have a normal season this fall.

The league has also made clear some of its plans for the draft, which will take place virtually from April 23rd through 25th instead of in Las Vegas as planned.

The NFL plans to have a hub from where commissioner Roger Goodell will make the pick announcements, and video connections to all 32 clubs as well as the homes of about 50 top prospects. Each group must have 10 people or fewer, each spaced six feet apart, observing rules such as hand-washing and keeping away anyone with a fever or coronavirus symptoms. Vincent said they are also exploring giving clubs a one- or two-minute extension on the clock to make trades.

PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 4/1/20

Why The Vikings Won't Take a Defensive End in the First Round of the 2020 NFL Draft

By Will Ragatz

If history is any indication, the Vikings are not going to select a defensive end in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft. They're not going to take one in the second round, either.

Because the Vikings lost Everson Griffen and this offseason, plenty of national draft analysts have moved EDGE up near the top of Minnesota's list of needs, often trailing only cornerback and . Ever since Griffen announced he wouldn't be returning to Minnesota, there have been a great deal of mock drafts that have the Vikings taking a defensive end – specifically, Iowa's A.J. Epenesa or Penn State's Yetur Gross-Matos – with one of their two first-round picks.

There are three reasons why that's highly unlikely.

The first is the presence of , a 2017 seventh-round pick who shined in a reserve role last year. National writers see the loss of Griffen and assume he must be replaced through the draft. People who follow the Vikings closely know that Odenigbo had seven sacks and 18 pressures in just 348 snaps last year, and appears ready to seize Griffen's old job starting across from Danielle Hunter.

The second reason is that the Vikings have a bunch of other needs to address early in the draft: corner, receiver, offensive line (both tackle and guard), and three-technique defensive tackle. If Anthony Harris is traded, you can add safety to that list.

The third and most important reason, as mentioned earlier, is history. The Vikings haven't taken a defensive end in the first two rounds since using a top-20 selection on the position in back-to-back years in 2004 and 2005. Those picks were and , who combined for 16 career sacks and were both out of the NFL after four years (though injuries and illness played a role in that).

The only thing close to a first-round pass-rusher in the era is Anthony Barr, who was taken ninth overall in 2014 after posting 23.5 sacks during his last two years at UCLA. But Barr has been more of a typical do-it- all linebacker than an edge rusher during his NFL career; he had 7.5 sacks in his first two seasons and has just 7.5 sacks over the past four.

The Vikings do need to add a defensive end or two after losing Griffen and Weatherly. But instead of using a first or second-round pick on an edge rusher, expect the Vikings to do what they've done in the past: wait until at least the third or fourth round and target someone with elite athletic traits and untapped potential.

The best example of that is Hunter, who had a grand total of 4.5 sacks in three years at LSU. Hunter posted ridiculous numbers at the 2015 combine, and the Vikings took a chance on his athletic upside by selecting him 88th overall. Renowned defensive line coach (and current co-defensive coordinator) Andre Patterson went to work developing Hunter's technique, and the results have been incredible. Five years later, Hunter has 29 sacks over the past two seasons as one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL.

The selection of Hunter was a notable shift from one year earlier, when the Vikings took Oregon State defensive end Scott Crichton with the 72nd overall pick. Crichton had 23.5 sacks in his three-year college career, but didn't test particularly well at the combine. He was out of the league after two seasons, never recording a single sack.

Looking back even further, the Vikings' best pass-rushers have all been mid-round picks. Griffen was taken in the fourth round in 2010. was a fourth-rounder in 2007. Ray Edwards, who briefly looked like an ascending star, was a fourth-round pick in 2006. What do all of those players – as well as Hunter and Odenigbo – have in common? They all tested extremely well at the combine.

Even Jared Allen, who the Vikings acquired from the Chiefs in 2008, was a fourth-round pick in 2004.

Will Ragatz @WillRagatz The Vikings' 2010s sack leaders were three fourth-round picks (Griffen, Allen, Robison) and a third-rounder (Hunter).

They haven’t taken a pass-rusher in the first since Erasmus James in 2005. I doubt that changes with AJ Epenesa or Yetur Gross-Matos this year.

5 10:38 PM - Mar 24, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy See Will Ragatz's other Tweets Epenesa and Gross-Matos are talented players and intriguing prospects. But neither will "wow" you athletically, and that was confirmed at the combine. Based on the Vikings' history of prioritizing athletic upside and waiting to draft defensive ends, it's safe to say neither of them will end up in Minnesota.

Stay tuned: On Wednesday, I'll be taking a look at three athletic, developmental pass-rushers the Vikings could target in the middle rounds this year. PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 4/1/20

NFL Announces New Playoff Format for 2020 Season

By Eric Smith

EAGAN, Minn. — The NFL announced Tuesday that there will be an additional playoff team in each conference, bringing the total number of postseason teams to 14 across the league.

The new format, which will immediately go into effect for the 2020 season, was approved by NFL owners on a conference call to replace the league's Annual League Meeting, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The expanded playoff format means that only the top seed will get a first-round bye. The previous playoff format, which had been in place since 1990, awarded first-round byes to the top two teams in the AFC and NFC.

With the top team in each conference getting a bye, the other six teams will play each other on Wild Card Weekend, with the three other division winners in each conference getting a home game.

The three Wild Card games in each conference will now feature the No. 2 seeds hosting the No. 7 seeds, while the No. 3 seeds host the No. 6 seeds. The fourth seeds will host the fifth seeds. The top four seeds will be division winners, and the bottom three seeds will be Wild Card teams.

The NFL also announced that Wild Card Weekend will include three games on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, along with three additional games Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021.

While the 2019 Vikings wouldn't have been affected as they were the No. 6 seed in the NFC, the 2018 team would have been a postseason qualifier under the new format. Minnesota finished 8-7-1 in 2018, missing the playoffs by a half-game, and would have traveled to Los Angeles to face a second-seeded Rams team that eventually represented the NFC in the Super Bowl.

The different playoff format was included as part of the recent Collective Bargaining Agreement that was voted upon and agreed to by NFL players. It still needed approval by at least 75 percent of NFL Owners (24 of 32).

The move to 14 total playoff teams now means 43.7 percent of the 32 NFL teams will qualify for the postseason.

That is the third-highest rate among America's four major men's professional sports leagues. Ten of 30 MLB teams (33.3 percent) currently qualify for playoffs, while the NHL is at 51.6 percent (16 of 31 teams) and the NBA is at 53.3 percent (16 of 30 teams).

PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 4/1/20

2020 NFL Draft Prospects: Running Backs Group Includes 'Excellent Contributors'

By Lindsey Young

In the lead-up to the 2020 NFL Draft, Vikings.com is taking a position-by-position look at prospects who have garnered a range of attention from national outlets. The series will include rankings by national outlets, stats and background information for multiple prospects. We'll also include comments that experts shared during interviews.

Vikings Status at the RB Position

Minnesota is returning all four of its running backs – and its fullback – from the 2019 season.

Dalvin Cook started 14 games last season and racked up 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 250 carries. He also added 53 catches for 519 yards through the air.

Alexander Mattison, a 2019 second-round draft pick, and Mike Boone remained under contract, and the Vikings are bringing back Ameer Abdullah, who also served as Minnesota's kick returner.

Minnesota native C.J. Ham was set to become a restricted free agent, but the fullback signed an extension before the new league year opened.

The Vikings certainly don't have a glaring need at running back, but you can't rule out Minnesota selecting one if the situation makes sense.

About the expert

For running backs, we reached out to Chad Reuter, a draft analyst for NFL.com.

Chad Reuter has covered the NFL draft since 2000. He was hired by NFLDraftScout.com as a senior analyst in 2007 and then continued in that role when NFLDraftScout and CBSSports.com formed their partnership for the 2009 draft. He joined NFL Network and NFL.com in December 2011 as a senior researcher, assisting in the production of the East-West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl, Scouting Combine and NFL Draft.

Follow him on Twitter @chad_reuter for his analysis.

While the Vikings don't have a pressing need at running back, we asked Reuter for his thoughts on one prospect who likely will go a little earlier in the draft and another prospect who could add some value for a team in the later rounds. Reuter's evaluation of Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor and Florida's Lamical Perine are included below.

We also asked Reuter to provide his thoughts on the 2020 running backs draft class as a whole.

"I would say that this year's running backs group is fairly typical," Reuter said. "I won't say 'average' because that has a negative connotation that I don't mean to imply. There are talented players who will be picked late in Round 1 and throughout Rounds 2-3 that will be excellent contributors. And there will definitely be Saturday selections that will become starters, but they fall into the later rounds due to the nature of the running back position in today's NFL.

"So, it's a typical group in which teams should find value," he added.

Position Rankings

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah currently has four running backs in his overall Top 50: 16. D'Andre Swift, 30. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 35. Jonathan Taylor, 40. J.K. Dobbins. Worth noting is that Jeremiah previously had Dobbins slated at No. 34 but moved him down.

ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr., has one running back in his overall Top 25: 17. Swift

PFF included four RBs in its overall Top 100: 52. Zack Moss, 57. Swift, 72. Taylor, 76. Dobbins

Positional rankings by NFL.com's , ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr., analytics site Pro Football Focus and The Athletic's Dane Brugler impacted the players listed for this series. Rankings by each are noted under each prospect.

Running backs

RELATED LINKS 2020 NFL Draft Prospects: Beyond Biggest Names at QB 2020 Draft Prospects: Receiver on Vikings Priority List After Diggs Trade? Vikings 2020 Mock Draft Tracker: Version 5.0 D'Andre Swift

School: Georgia | Year: Jr. | Ht: 5-foot-8 | Wt. 212 pounds

Rankings: No. 1 RB by Brooks and Kiper; No. 2 by PFF and Brugler

2019 stats: 14 games (11 starts) 196 carries for 1,218 yards and 7 touchdowns; 24 catches for 216 yards and 1 touchdown; named All-SEC First-Team by coaches and All-SEC Second-Team by the Associated Press

Freshman phenom: Swift became a full-time contributor for the Bulldogs as a true freshman in 2017, earning Coaches' Freshman All-SEC Team honors. He was Georgia's third-leading rusher with 618 yards and ranked fourth on the team in receiving with 17 catches for 153 yards. On two different occasions, he led the Bulldogs in rushing, including in the SEC Championship Game versus Auburn. His best performance as a freshman occurred against Mizzou, when he exploded for 94 yards on just six attempts.

J.K Dobbins

School: Ohio State | Year: Jr. | Ht: 5-foot-9 | Wt. 209 pounds

Rankings: No. 1 RB by Brugler; No. 2 by Brooks and Kiper; No. 4 by PFF

2019 stats: 14 games (14 starts); 301 carries for 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns; 23 catches for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns; became first Buckeye in school history to top 2,000 rushing yards in a season; named First-Team All- Big Ten (coaches and media) and First-Team All-American (Football Writers Association of America)

Predicting productivity: *According to an article published by The Athletic's Bill Landis, Dobbins sat in a hotel lobby three-plus years ago with Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford and *talked about his future with the Buckeyes. The coach and player discussed Dobbins being a team captain, vying for the Heisman Trophy, going to Big Ten championships and playing for national titles. And then, Landis wrote, "they talked about … Dobbins needing to make a decision about his future three years down the line." Nearly everything Dobbins predicted for the star running back, including his resolution to leave Ohio State after his junior season and declare for the 2020 NFL Draft. Dobbins finished his collegiate career No. 2 all-time in school history with 4,459 rushing yards, and his 19 100-yard games ranked fourth in Buckeyes history. He won three Big Ten championships, served as a captain in 2019 and finished sixth in Heisman voting.

Jonathan Taylor

School: Wisconsin | Year: Jr. | Ht: 5-foot-10 | Wt. 226 pounds

Rankings: No. 3 RB by Kiper, PFF and Brugler; No. 4 by Brooks

2019 stats: 14 games (14 starts); 320 carries for 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns; 26 catches for 252 yards and five touchdowns; 26 total touchdowns led FBS; named Doak Walker Award winner for second consecutive season; named First-Team All-American

Showed his speed: Taylor led all running backs at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 40-yard dash time of 4.39 seconds, with the next-closest time being 4.41 by Appalachian State's Darrynton Evans. Taylor ranked fourth among running backs in the 3-cone drill (7.01 seconds) and sixth in the 20-yard shuttle (4.24 seconds). He also was listed as a top performer in the vertical jump (tied for 11th with 36 inches) and the broad jump (tied for ninth with 10 feet, 3 inches).

Reuter's reaction: "Carrying the ball 926 times in three years can be seen as a sign of reliability or 'too much mileage.' Taylor's 15 career are also a large number (J.K. Dobbins had four in 725 carries). However, not only is he a workhorse who runs a sub-4.4 40-yard dash, but he was the most impressive back in receiving drills at the combine. He is worthy of a first-round pick."

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

School: LSU | Year: Jr. | Ht: 5-foot-7 | Wt. 207 pounds

Rankings: No. 4 RB by Kiper and Brugler; No. 5 by Brooks and PFF

2019 stats: 15 games (13 starts); 215 carries for 1,414 yards and SEC-leading 16 touchdowns; 55 catches for 453 yards and 1 touchdown; tied LSU single-season record for receptions by a running back; named First-Team All-SEC; named LSU's MVP

Big day in the big game: Edwards-Helaire helped LSU defeat Clemson 42-25 in the CFP National Championship Game. After seeing limited time against the Sooners in the Peach Bowl (a national semifinal) because of a hamstring injury, Edwards-Helaire bounced back in a big way. Against Clemson, he racked up 110 yards on 16 rushes. He also added five catches for 54 receiving yards.

Zack Moss

School: Utah | Year: Sr. | Ht: 5-foot-9 | Wt. 223 pounds

Rankings: No. 1 RB by PFF; No. 5 by Kiper and Brugler

2019 stats: 13 games (12 starts); 235 carries for 1,416 yards and 15 touchdowns; 28 catches for 388 yards and 2 touchdowns; named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and Pac-12 All-Conference First-Team

Comeback campaign: Moss suffered a season-ending injury in 2018 but returned to the field last season with a vengeance. Thanks to his 2019 campaign, he broke six Utes career records: carries (712), rushing yards (4,167), 100-yard rushing games (18), rushing touchdowns (38), all-purpose plays (778) and total touchdowns (41). Moss also tied an additional two records: career 200-yard rushing games (two) and single-season rushing touchdowns (15). Moss became the first player in Utah's history to notch three 1,000-yard seasons.

Cam Akers

School: Florida State | Year: Jr. | Ht: 5-foot-10 | Wt. 217 pounds

Rankings: No. 3 RB by Brooks; No. 6 by PFF and Brugler; No. 7 by Kiper

2019 stats: 11 games (11 starts); 231 carries for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns; 30 catches for 225 yards and 4 touchdowns; 4-for-6 passing for 50 yards; his 34 total touchdowns tied for 6th in Seminoles history; named Second- Team All-ACC

Followed in Cook's cleats: After the Vikings drafted Dalvin Cook in 2017, Akers became Florida State's starting running back and stepped in well to fill the void. In fact, he broke the Seminoles freshman rushing record previously held by Cook when he racked up 1,024 yards and seven touchdowns on 194 carries. Akers became the third Seminole in school history to notch multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons (2017 and 2019), joining Cook and Warrick Dunn.

Lamical Perine

School: Florida | Year: RS Sr. | Ht: 5-foot-11 | Wt. 216 pounds

Rankings: No. 7 RB by Brugler; No. 8 by Kiper

2019 stats: 13 games (13 starts); 131 carries for 677 yards and 6 touchdowns; 40 catches for 262 yards and 5 touchdowns; his 5 receiving scores tied for 2nd among RBs in the FBS and were the most in a season by a Florida RB since James Jones in 1982.

Football family: Perine's father, Terrance, played at Auburn; Perine also is a cousin to Dolphins running back Samaje Perine, whom Washington drafted in 2017, and Jaguars linebacker , a 2016 second-round draft pick by Jacksonville.

Reuter's reaction: "Lamical Perine is one of the more underappreciated backs in the country. He does not 'wow' the casual college football fan in any one category – but he does everything well enough to earn carries on early downs and reps as a receiver/blocker on third downs in the NFL." mcfarland-2560 AP Anthony McFarland, Jr.

School: Maryland | Year: RS So. | Ht: 5-foot-8 | Wt. 208 pounds

Rankings: No. 8 RB by Kiper; No. 10 by Brugler

2019 stats: 11 games (7 starts); 114 carries for 614 yards and 8 touchdowns; 17 catches for 126 yards and 1 touchdown; fastest Terp to 11 career rushing TDs since 2010; first Maryland player to have 7 rushing touchdowns in the first 6 games of a season since 2007

High school honors: McFarland grew up in Maryland and attended DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville), where he missed his senior season due to injury. As a junior, he combined for 913 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns (eight rushing and four receiving). McFarland's standout season occurred during his sophomore campaign in 2014, during which he racked up 1,124 rushing yards. DeMatha Catholic has produced a number of NFL players, including former fullback Steve Smith (Riders and Seahawks, 1987-95) and Brian Westbrook (Eagles and 49ers, 2002-10). PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 4/1/20

Thielen & Sharpe Practice Social Distancing, Notch Perfect Scores in Trivia Game

By Lindsey Young

EAGAN, Minn. – Adam Thielen and Tajaé Sharpe "met" for the first time on Friday, but as it turns out, the new teammates know each other pretty well already.

Sharpe, whom the Vikings signed as a free agent last week, and Thielen have yet to meet in-person due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the pair of receivers were officially introduced via Skype.

Thielen and Sharpe then took part in a trivia game in which they answered questions about one another. Although Chris Corso from the Minnesota Vikings Podcast tried to stump them, it seemingly couldn't be done.

Sharpe correctly selected Thielen's college and hometown from the multiple-choice options provided, and Thielen correctly answered Sharpe's nickname – Showtime – and the round in which he was drafted (fifth in 2016).

And as for jersey numbers? Well, that could just be awkward.

The two shared a laugh over the fact that they both have worn No. 19 for the duration of their NFL careers. Would Thielen consider giving the number up?

"For a lot of money," Thielen quipped.

"Well, the problem is, you've gotta buy out all the [Thielen] jerseys out there. There would be a lot of mad fans," he added.

But Vikings fans can rest easy, because Sharpe has no plans for requesting 19.

"That's his number," Sharpe said. "He earned that, so I'm going to have to switch it up."

The 25-year-old said he plans to wear No. 11 in Minnesota.

I wore 1 in college, so I think the 11 will fit me right," Sharpe said.

Thielen and Sharpe bonded – while social distancing – about their love for basketball and childhood aspirations to go pro on the hardwood.

Photos: WR Tajaé Sharpe View photos of WR Tajaé Sharpe who the Vikings agreed to terms on Wednesday.

Given the choices of Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan or Randy Moss, Thielen correctly guessed that Sharpe's favorite athlete growing up was Iverson. And further discussion revealed that Thielen and Sharpe each chose No. 3 as a youngsters playing basketball to play homage to the Hall of Fame hooper.

"For him to be so small and have that killer mentality, not being scared out there, obviously his skill set speaks for itself, but he was one of my idols growing up," Sharpe explained. "I thought I was going to be a basketball player, so I wanted to be just like Allen Iverson – with the headband, the little finger tape and everything he used to wear. The arm sleeve and all that. That was definitely my guy growing up."

Corso asked the receivers who would be the better basketball player, adding that tight end Kyle Rudolph might also want a say in the debate.

Thielen just laughed.

After five questions apiece, neither player had a mark against him.

Time for the bonus round.

Asked what color gloves Thielen prefers on game day, Sharpe didn't miss a beat in answering, "Yellow."

"I'm in tune, bro. I've been watching," Sharpe quipped. "I thought you were going to have a tough question."

On a more serious note, though, Sharpe explained to Vikings fans that he's had his eye on Thielen long before the two became teammates.

"I had all your routes and stuff on my playbook and my iPad last year, and I used to check you out every week – seeing the type of plays you and [Stefon] Diggs used to make," Sharpe told Thielen. "It's just exciting for me to be able to line up on the same field with you. It's going to be amazing."

The final bonus question went to Thielen: Which team did Sharpe play his first NFL game against?

Thielen called the question "too easy," recalling quickly that Sharpe's first career game was against the Vikings in the 2016 season opener.

Sharpe recounted that game, during which he racked up 76 yards on seven catches.

"The night before, I just had kind of those pre-game nerves, being a rookie, not knowing what to expect. I remember DeMarco Murray, he saw me in the elevator the night before, and he just asked me how I was feeling," Sharpe said. "I told him I was super nervous and everything, and he kind of calmed me down and just reminded me, 'It's just football.'

"Once I got out there on the field, Marcus [Mariota] found me on some plays early on, just gave me a little bit of confidence, and I wound up making a few plays in that game," he added. "That was awesome."

And while Thielen's stats may be a little more flashy, the Minnesota native has been impressed by Sharpe since day one.

He explained that he definitely took notice of Sharpe in Tennessee four years ago.

"That was when I was first like, 'Who the heck is this guy?' Then that's kind of the reason I've followed him since, because I saw that game," Thielen said.

"[I've definitely developed] a lot of respect for him and was excited to hear that he was joining the squad because I've seen what he can do," Thielen said. "Maybe the stats and things like that don't show what kind of player this guy is, but he can do it."