Vikings Training Camp Recap, Day 2: Jaren Hall Impresses
It was another sweltering afternoon at TCO Performance Center as the Vikings held practice No. 2 of training camp on Thursday. Steady hydration was needed as the real-feel temperature reached 103 degrees, though a steady breeze helped make the conditions tolerable.
On the field, the Vikings' rookie quarterback had a sharp day and their longest-tenured player did what he's been doing for a dozen years now. Let's get to some observations from the second practice of camp.
Nailor absent
One of the biggest standouts of the offseason program, Jalen Nailor kept his momentum going with another impressive day to kick off camp on Wednesday. But he was absent on Thursday, which meant more reps for rookie Jordan Addison with the first-team offense.
Otherwise, attendance was the same as yesterday. Brian O'Neill continues to work off to the side and Danielle Hunter remains nowhere to be found.
Jaren Hall's strong day
Watching rookie quarterback Jaren Hall on Thursday, it was easy to see why the Vikings believed in him enough to take him in the fifth round of this year's draft. Hall has crisp mechanics, throws a pretty ball, and seems to be an extremely smart, mature player. He doesn't have any crazy physical tools, but he makes up for that with everything else.
In the first 11-on-11 period of practice, Hall ripped accurate throws over the middle to Lucky Jackson on consecutive plays. Later in practice, he threw a perfect ball with touch to Thayer Thomas on a well-covered crossing route, putting it just over the defensive back where only Thomas could catch it. Hall followed that up with a nice back-shoulder throw up the left sideline to Cephus Johnson III.
Hall has a long ways to go in his development, and it's worth noting that he's playing with and against third-string players. He also had a few missed throws, including one while rolling to his right that Jay Ward jumped and nearly picked off. Still, it's hard not to be impressed by what we've seen from Hall in just these first couple days.
"He's a very mature individual," offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said on Thursday. "He studies. They got little Jeopardy-type quizzes that (QBs coach Chris O'Hara) gives those guys, and you could tell he hadn't just put it away all summer. He came in ready to go in that aspect."
Harrison Smith's still got it
One of the very first plays of the Vikings' 11-on-11 period served as a reminder that their longest-tenured player is still one of their best players. Harrison Smith, the six-time Pro Bowl safety going into his 12th season in Minnesota, jumped in front of a Nick Mullens pass for an interception. Not only that, but he took off untouched and would've had a pick-six if it had been a full-field drill.
Mullens, who is clearly ahead of Hall as the No. 2 quarterback, had some nice throws later in practice — but Smith got him on that one.
Other notes
- Behind Alexander Mattison, all three of the Vikings' other running backs are getting reps with the second-team offense. That includes rookie DeWayne McBride.
- Addison had another solid practice, taking advantage of the opportunity to see more time with the 1s due to Nailor's absence. It was fun to watch him and Mekhi Blackmon, the Vikings' other top pick from USC, go at it a couple times.
- The Vikings' wide receiver depth is pretty remarkable. I continue to be impressed by Trishton Jackson, who has been making plays seemingly every day going back to the spring. And don't forget about Jalen Reagor, who is competing to retain his punt returner role. Kirk Cousins hit Reagor in stride on an out-and-up route for a big play during 7-on-7s.
- T.J. Hockenson is going to have a huge year. Cousins trusts him so much.
- Jonathan Bullard and James Lynch rotated in with first-team defensive line late in practice. Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, and Khyiris Tonga are the top three at that position, but there will be plenty of competition for playing time.
Friday's practice will be the final one without fans. They'll be at TCO starting on Saturday. Then there's an off day Sunday before the first padded practice on Monday.
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