EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Vikings coaches were first able to work with the rookie class on the practice fields of Winter Park on Friday morning for the first walkthrough of rookie minicamp.
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said he already sees some of the attributes he observed on tape from second round draft pick Dalvin Cook.
"It's a walkthrough, but he showed acceleration, good feet, and good vision," Zimmer said. "A lot of the same things that we saw on tape."
Zimmer also noted that Cook "seemed smart" in a blitz pickup drill that was run during the session.
The minicamp is a series of three practices and meetings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the 2017 draft class, undrafted free agents and tryout players.
"You felt like when we finally got out here and got to be around the players a little bit that this was when the new season started," Zimmer said. "Everybody said after the Super Bowl, but this is when you get out there with the guys and you get to start coaching them again. That's the fun part."
Here are two other topics Zimmer discussed, along with a takeaway from the first media sessions with Cook and Pat Elflein, who was drafted in the third round.
Vikings look for college free agents and tryouts take part
The Vikings front office has found success bringing in undrafted college free agents and even local college tryouts in the recent past.
Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen and punt returner Marcus Sherels were both brought in as tryouts during past offseason programs.
"We showed (the rookies) a little video last night, and those two guys were in it quite a bit," Zimmer said. "When you go back and look at success stories in the NFL a lot of it is getting the chance."
Stefon Diggs continuing to rehab
"I love Teddy Bridgewater," Zimmer said. "The guy is working his rear-end off and continues to fight every single day. Everything about him when he's rehabbing and doing his work everyday is the exact same way he approaches life.
Zimmer acknowledged that Bridgewater still had a long way to go, but he is very positive about Bridgewater's future.
"I'm more optimistic about him eventually playing than I have been at any point in time."
Zimmer on offensive line improvements
The front office has added a variety of new talent to the offensive line this offseason. The Vikings signed two free agents in former Carolina Panthers tackle Mike Remmers and former Detroit Lions tackle Riley Reiff and drafted Ohio State center Pat Elflein with the 60th overall pick.
"Remmers is a veteran guy that's going to change things up all the time on you," Zimmer said. "Riley Reiff is really the same way. They've done a great job in the weight room so far and in the first week of phase two and really Elflein is the same way. If we are not the most athletic out there, maybe we'll be the toughest and most physical.
"If we are going to make a mistake we are going to make it a aggressive (mistake)," Zimmer said.
Dalvin Cook in the Vikings running back room
When Cook stepped to the podium for the first time in a purple jersey Friday, he was asked if his ultimate goal was to be the starter at running back for the Vikings this season.
Cook who joins a talented and multi-faceted Vikings running back group that consists of free agent signing Latavius Murray and RB Jerick McKinnon said he plans to find his role here in Minnesota.
"I know about the whole running back room. I did my research," Cook said. "They are great guys from what I have been hearing. I am looking forward to learning from those guys.
"In this situation right here, I think we are going to be good from feeding off of each other," Cook said.
Elflein focused on playing multiple roles
The Vikings landed the offensive lineman they were looking for in the 2017 draft in Elflein, who played at center and guard at Ohio State.
Elflein has been vocal that his goals are to make an immediate impact on Minnesota's offensive line in 2017.
"I want to show them that I can play either (position)," Elflein said. "I worked at center this afternoon but I am still learning all of the guard calls, so I want to be ready for either one."
In Zimmer's press conference during the draft last week, the head coach said that he would like to start Elflein at center during the offseason program.
"I made the calls at Ohio State, and it's definitely harder than Ohio State," Elflein said. But you have to adapt. You have to spend extra time in the playbook and with coach. You have to get it down because the center runs (the offense). You have to do it and you have to do it with confidence."
