The Minnesota Vikings
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
NORTH ADsTRONg Pro Treatment. Close to Home. Visit one of our 35+ locations or TCOmn.com for more info. OFFICIAL SPORTS ©2020 TWIN CITIES ORTHOPEDICS MEDICINE PROVIDER contents offseason updates 3 Offseason Unlike Any Other 7 TCO Performance Center Undergoes Makeover team updates 11 Looking Sharpe: Tajaé Sharpe Joins the Vikings 12 Rookie Roundup 18 Zimmer Contract Extension 21 Coordinators 22 Assistant Coaches 2020 vikings 25 2020 Vikings Headshots 31 Roster 32 State of the Vikings social justice 43 Taking Action for C.J. Ham’s story is one of Social Justice perseverance, determination and making the most of opportunity. The 2020 season Duluth native’s career trajectory has 47 2020 Schedule gone from earning a practice squad 48 Schedule Notes spot as a tryout player in 2016, to converting from running back to fullback in 2017 to making his first Pro Bowl editor: Craig Peters this past January. What copy editor: Lindsey Young will be his role in 2020? writers: Craig Peters, Eric Smith & Lindsey Young art direction & design: Elizabeth Bazany, Alicia Dreyer & Jackie Ramacher & Taylar Sievert photography: Andy Kenutis, Travis Ellison & The Associated Press published by: GameDay Sports; [email protected] advertising inquiries: [email protected] © 2020 by Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written consent of the publisher is prohibited. 2020 vikings playbook 1 GRAB YOUR LIMITED EDITION VIKINGS CAN AD CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY ® ©2020 MILLER BREWING CO., MILWAUKEE, WI • BEER story title departmentupdates vikings navigate covid-19’s unprecedented environment THE ONGOING COVID-19 by craig peters PANDEMIC canceled all in-person offseason The acquisition of players, first Organized Team Activity practices programs for each NFL through veteran free agency, and a mandatory minicamp — and then the draft and finally the made multiple observations from team, prompted meetings recruitment of undrafted free those sessions. agents, all proceeded thanks to Verizon Vikings Training Camp, and “walk-throughs” technology, planning sessions and however, is the first on-field setting a focus on achieving usual tasks for the 2020 Vikings as the team — not easy, but normal — in an prepares for its 60th season and first to occur virtually and unusual environment. without fans attending in Bemidji Collaboration remained key for (1961-65), Mankato (1966-2017) or required interviews with the personnel department, and Eagan at Twin Cities Orthopedics camera phones helped coaches Performance Center, which opened coaches and players to critique techniques of players who in March 2018 and has undergone sent in videos of drills. a major transformation because of be conducted via video Normally at this point in the the pandemic. calendar, we’ve seen more than a Some say the best ability in conferences or phone calls. dozen offseason practices — from football is availability, but in 2020, rookie minicamp through voluntary it might be adaptability. 2020 vikings playbook 3 department story title a different way to draft though we were all apart,” Spielman said. When they wrapped meetings, the “We’ll have to make sure the players property’s 160 acres offered the opportunity The in-person spectacle planned in April in are good because you judge the draft to plant corn, maintain habitat for animals Las Vegas, the new home of the Raiders, was three years later,” he also quipped. “But and swing some golf clubs on one of four a no-go. Instead of a stage in the Bellagio’s the IT department, every time you threw holes that have been built. famed fountain, picks were announced by something in front of them, they were able Adam took charge of the meat smoker NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell from his to come up with ways to make our processes and sometimes provided a helping hand basement from April 23-25. as normal as possible without sitting in a with technology. The evenings involved a Thanks to the Vikings Football Information Systems and Information Technology room together.” whiteboard to draw up some new ideas departments, General Manager Rick that might be workshopped during a offseason program Spielman was able to have a fully functioning preseason practice. re-creation of the Thomson Reuters Draft In addition to the basements of Goodell and Room in his basement. Spielman, viewers also were able to see the Director of Information Technology Cheryl decor of Zimmer Ridge Ranch, complete Nygaard was approved to be on-site just in with a custom fireplace screen emblazoned case there were any glitches, but the three- with the logo for Head Coach Mike Zimmer’s day event unfolded without a flaw and with a home in Northern Kentucky, as well as the elk seven-round record of 15 picks by one team. mounted above the mantel. Even though scouts and coaches were far-flung, Zimmer and Co-Defensive Coordinator Spielman has spoken of a strong togetherness Adam Zimmer set up shop at the home that that helped through the unique setup. has been fully completed since the head “When you sit back and analyze it, I’m most coach hosted the Vikings traveling party proud of how close everyone became even before a preseason game in 2016. vikings respond with purpose The NFL community of players, staff and Harvest Heartland, M Health Fairview and MN fans responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in Disaster Recovery Fund for Coronavirus. multiple ways. The NFL Draft-A-Thon raised It should be no surprise to anyone that more than $7 million, helping the collective Rudolph, a three-time Vikings Community NFL family donate more than $100 million for Man of the Year, also stepped forward with COVID-19 relief (relief.nfl.com). “Rudy’s Meal Plan” to provide 82,000 meals Vikings Owners Zygi, Mark and Lenny through Second Harvest Heartland. Wilf were involved with the Wilf Family Anthony Barr’s Raise the Barr foundation Foundations’ efforts that have surpassed $5 provided 34 emergency grants to program million in donations to COVID-19 relief efforts recipients, and Eric Kendricks auctioned in Minnesota, New York, New Jersey and other paintings he created and matched places in the U.S. and world. the donations of winning bidders. Vikings players also stepped forward to Dalvin Cook and Danielle Hunter donated help. The following are a few examples: their $17,000 checks from Madden to North Adam Thielen partnered with KFAN and Memorial Health Foundation. iHeart Radio-Minneapolis in April to host a Second-year pro Olisaemeka Udoh, Minnesota COVID Relief Radiothon. Thielen whose parents are medical professionals, participated in the all-day affair with guest delivered food to health care workers in appearances from Kirk Cousins, Kyle Rudolph North Carolina, and 2020 first-round pick and C.J. Ham. The virtual event raised more Justin Jefferson — and his Genies custom- than $280,000 that included a $100,000 designed avatar — worked with Bella + commitment from the Thielen Foundation Canvas for a donation of 10,000 masks to to benefit The Salvation Army, Second Children’s Minnesota. 4 2020 vikings playbook Where Vikings refuel PREFERRED CONVENIENCE STORE OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS kwiktrip.com offseason updates TCO PERFORMANCE CENTER RECEIVES MAKEOVER FOR 2020 by craig peters Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center underwent • Players, coaches and staff will complete a pre- a thorough retrofit and reorganization when prepping to screening questionnaire before entering, must host its third Verizon Vikings Training Camp. undergo a thermal scan once inside and wear a mask Vikings Vice President of Sports Medicine Eric while in the building. The scanning feature will not Sugarman, who is the team’s Infection Control Officer, work unless a mask is in place. Entrants also will and General Manager Rick Spielman guided journalist receive a device to wear throughout the day to trace Peter King throughout the facility in July. Sugarman contacts within the building. also participated in a video conference with local media • Sofas have been removed from a locker room lounge members to describe the changes in and out of the area to prevent congregating and create more room for building during the COVID-19 pandemic. additional lockers needed to provide at least six feet of space between occupied lockers. notable changes include the following: • Max capacities have been set for the weight room, • The parking spot reserved for Mike Zimmer’s King meeting rooms, auditorium, hydrotherapy area and Ranch F-150 has given way to a flag stand for cafeteria. Players will be able to order their lunch BioReference Laboratories, the NFL’s testing partner, selections each morning to allow for an optional and the low end of a ramp from the trailer. grab-and-go service. 2020 vikings playbook 7 HYDROTHERAPY Markers have been placed to help with social distancing in therapy pools. LOCKER ROOM Lockers have been spaced inside TCO Performance Center. 8 2020 vikings playbook offseason updates SOCIALLY DISTANT DINING Chairs have been removed from tables at TCO Performance Center, leaving one seat per table. Markers have been placed to help control traffic and maintain social-distancing guidelines in the cafeteria. EQUIPMENT Oakley has designed an optional extension for the face shield. 2020 vikings playbook 9 story title department tajaĖ sharpe joins the vikings by eric smith As Tajaé Sharpe prepared to enter free agency complimented the veteran’s leadership. “I remember being a little bit nervous the night for the first time in his young career, the wide “I think he does a great job of being a leader for before, not knowing what to expect,” Sharpe receiver made a checklist of sorts of what he this team and does a great job of delivering the said. “But some of the veteran guys were telling was looking for in a team.