Fansided

NFL training camp 2015: Priming all 32 teams

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) looks to pass against the New York Jets in the first quarter but gets sacked for a safety in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) looks to pass against the New York Jets in the first quarter but gets sacked for a safety in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

Overview

Last year, general manager Rick Spielman hired Mike Zimmer to coach the Minnesota Vikings after the franchise suffered through the Leslie Frazier malaise. Zimmer then watched as Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder stunk up the joint, while Adrian Peterson was suspended for the final 15 games of the season after getting into some serious legal trouble.

Yet, Zimmer was able to notch a 7-9 record while watching rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater improve each week. In the offseason, Spielman had a great draft with corner Trae Waynes in the first round and linebacker Eric Kendricks in the second. With the return of Peterson to the backfield and the addition of receiver Mike Wallace, hopes are high.

Major Battle

Middle linebacker could be a very spirited battle in Minnesota throughout the summer. Kendricks was a steal in the second round for the Vikings, and will compete directly with free-agent signee Casey Matthews. In the 4-3, there is only room for one man to play the majority of the snaps, so this is going to be a brawl. Look for Kendricks to get every possible chance.

Expectations

The Vikings are one of the hot teams in the league right now. Minnesota has potent weapons and a quarterback in Bridgewater looking to make a statement in 2015. The NFC is a loaded conference, but the wild card spots do not seem like an impossibility for Zimmer’s crew. If the Vikings could sneak into the playoffs and perhaps win a game, 2016 would be a year to make the leap.

Next: Chicago Bears

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