EAGAN, Minn. — The defense was listening.

Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer stepped up to the mic last Thursday and said he was looking for **more “grit”** from the defense.

The day before, the offense had a successful practice with a lot of action in the **red zone**.

The former defensive coordinator who has helped the Vikings become consistently one of the best units in the NFL — including the league leader in yards allowed and points allowed in 2017 — gave the public prodding at the podium and some more nudges behind the scenes.

Three solid practices have followed heading into Monday's session.

"They've been better since our little chat. They've done a lot better," Zimmer said Monday. "They're on the right track; we just have to continue to go and understand we have to go out every day and compete and perform and try to get better each and every day.

"I have a vision of what this defense is supposed to look like, and I have very high standards for this defense," he added. "I expect them to live up to my expectations, so I'm going to be pushing them until we get there."

Asked if he wants the defense to be better than the one in 2017 that helped fuel Minnesota's NFC North title and trip to the NFC Championship, Zimmer said, "My expectation is for them to be the best they can possibly be. Whatever that is."

Here are four other topics covered by Zimmer:

1. Depth at tackle

Aviante Collins has been working at left tackle behind veteran Riley Reiff but left last Thursday's practice via a cart.

Zimmer said he anticipates Collins returning to action but did not specify when.

Asked if he was concerned about the depth at tackle, Zimmer said "a little bit."

Storm Norton has been backing up Reiff and Collins, and **freshly signed Tyler Catalina** took some reps at left tackle on Saturday night.

On the right side, Brian O'Neill is with the first team heading into his second season and has been backed up by Rashod Hill, who has played left tackle and right tackle, as well as rookie Olisaemeka Udoh.

"We like Oli. We think he's got a chance to develop into something pretty special, but you know, we're going to be looking on the wire and everywhere," Zimmer said. "Like Coach [Bill] Parcells used to say, they shouldn't be counting how many receivers we've got because we're looking at the Canadian League, the AFL, all of the other teams in the league. People are going to get cut, and we're trying to figure out who the best guys are to pick up."

2. Bringing in Benwikere

The Vikings signed **veteran cornerback Bené Benwickere** on Saturday before the night practice. Benwickere participated in the session, even though there wasn't time to add his nameplate to the 46 jersey.

He hustled from the backside of a play after an incredible circus catch by Jeff Badet to help force a fumble that Badet recovered.

Zimmer said the sample size with the Vikings is too small to assess, but the Vikings did like the opportunity to bring in a cornerback who has started 22 of 54 regular-season games played.

"He's only been here one day. He doesn't even have his name on the back of his jersey yet, so that tells you how long I've seen him," Zimmer said. "He's a guy that has had a bunch of starts and has played with a bunch of different teams. We needed depth at corner."

3. No joint practice this year

The Vikings hosted the Jaguars for two days of joint practices before meeting in the 2018 preseason.

Both teams were flying high coming off appearances in their respective conference title games and got in some quality work, but both teams had disappointing seasons.

It was the second time since Zimmer's hire that the Vikings have had a joint practice. The other time was 2016 before Minnesota played at Cincinnati, which is near his Zimmer Ridge Ranch in Northern Kentucky.

Zimmer was asked about not having a joint session this year.

"I thought about it," Zimmer said. "I had one team call me, and I thought about doing it with them, but sometimes it's good to just get in and get with your own guys, try to become a team and build unity and chemistry, work at our tempo, at our pace and not worry about … catering to them, I guess. Depending on the team, I might do it. If it's in Cincinnati, because the ranch is there."

4. Roster reductions later this month

The last day of this month will be the last day in a locker room for players with several teams around the NFL.

Teams must reduce their rosters from the current limit of 90 to 53 on Aug. 31.

Even though only two teams have suited up for a preseason game (Broncos and Falcons), roster projections are always fodder around the water coolers.

Zimmer was asked about the potential combination of receivers and tight ends. There are 11 receivers in camp and six tight ends. He said the decision will "go down to the last part."

"Rick and I sit down, and we talk about, 'Maybe we'll keep five tight ends or six backs,' or whatever it is," Zimmer said "It always changes, but we talk about it and kind of see where we're at. It changes. I've had a lot of questions lately about the last preseason game, but I've seen several guys make the team that you didn't think were gonna make the team because of how they played in the last preseason game. And injuries happen. A lot of different things can happen."