NFL Network reporter Randy Moss covered the Vikings voluntary organized team activity practice Wednesday. Following the practice, Moss discussed expectations for Teddy Bridgewater heading into year three in an **NFL HQ video segment**.
"Obviously Bridgewater was talented and showed a lot of potential year one and year two," Moss said.
"What the Vikings want to see now is Bridgewater having more success getting the ball downfield. When teams bring that safety down into the box to try to focus on Adrian Peterson, they want to make them pay over the top, and the Vikings didn't do that last year."
Moss said a number of factors could have contributed to Bridgewater's deep ball statistics in 2015, including the offensive line. Moss praised the Vikings offseason moves in acquiring Alex Boone and Andre Smith in free agency and hiring Tony Sparano as the new offensive line coach. He also said it will be significant to have John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt back on the field after missing all of last season due to injuries.
"There's a lot to be said about Bridgewater this season," Moss said. "They're working on his assertiveness; they're working on his quick decision-making. They're raising his release point of his passes."
Moss said Laquon Treadwell will be a new option for Bridgewater and could be one more way to improve the offense.
"But the bottom line – even with Bridgewater in 2015, he was good enough – along with the defense and Adrian Peterson – to get the Vikings into the playoffs," Moss said. "[There are] a lot of reasons for fans to be excited going into 2016."
Nate Burleson: Vikings have enough to make a run at Super Bowl
In an NFL Network video segment following the Vikings second week of OTAs, NFL Media's LaDainian Tomlinson and Nate Burleson **debated whether or not Minnesota** now has the players to get Adrian Peterson and the Vikings to a Super Bowl.
Tomlinson said he thinks the defense is strong enough, but added he believes the Vikings wide receivers are too young and inexperienced as a group to make the deep postseason run. Burleson, however, disagreed with Tomlinson.
Burleson played for the Vikings from 2003-2005. In his second season, Burleson recorded 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns.
"I know you're saying those guys are young. Stefon Diggs is young; Laquon Treadwell is young," Burleson said to Tomlinson. "But I remember being a second-year player in Minnesota and putting up 1,000 yards. It's only because I didn't know what I didn't know – so I went out there and played as well as I could play, because I was just a young guy trying to do the best for my team.
Captain Munnerlyn a teacher, competitor in the secondary
Captain Munnerlyn is entering his eighth NFL season, and third with the Vikings, and is raring to go for the 2016 season.
Munnerlyn played primarily the nickel back role in 2015. Over 16 games, he recorded 56 tackles (48 solo), one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
With the Vikings selecting cornerback Mackensie Alexander in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Munnerlyn said it gives him even more motivation to perform at his best and **keep his role on the team**.
"When they drafted [Alexander], it lit a fire under me again," Munnerlyn told the Star Tribune's Matt Vensel Wednesday. "It's going to make me go out there and play even harder, even better. Competition always brings out the best of me. I'm not a guy who will shy away from it."
Although Munnerlyn enjoys the competition he's still a team player. He told Vensel he still works to help the rookies however he can.
"That's my teammate at the end of the day," Munnerlyn said. "I'm not the type of guy who will tell a guy to go right when he is supposed to go left."
'Skolbadiah' creates 3rd Vikings-centric music video
Seven-year-old Obadiah Gamble had the time of his life when Teddy Bridgewater surprised him with a home visit for his birthday, and he hasn't stopped making music to support his favorite quarterback and team.
Most recently, "Skolbadiah" posted third Vikings music video to his Twitter account. In addition to repeating clips recorded during Bridgewater's visit, Gamble also added new lyrics for a touchdown celebration. Also featured in the video are some highlights from Gamble's visit to the Vikings organized team activity practice Wednesday.
