Minnesota Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy on the preseason win against Texas

Minnesota Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy on the preseason win against Texas

Good to see you all as always. Um, just want to say, you know, it felt amazing to be back out there. You know, just really playing football again and being out there with the guys. There’s really nothing like it. Uh, love the way we played as a group. Um, collectively, you know, the defense was outstanding. The kicking game was outstanding. You know, Khalif and Ambrean, those two three picks, it was absolutely amazing. And you know, with the one drive that I had, you know, it was great to kind of get things done from an operational standpoint, but there’s a lot that we could build off that. A lot more areas we could grow and, you know, with me specifically for sure. But, you know, happy to string together, you know, a 12play drive and, you know, put some points on the board. Um, just want to say, you know, send your thoughts and prayers out to Rondell and Zeke. It’s just extremely unfortunate the situations they went through today. Nobody wants to see that and, uh, yeah, they need all the help they can get. So, how’d it feel to be back out there? Just I mean, after a year to be kind of get back in a game action, what was it like when you first kind of stepped under center? Uh, unbelievable. Just, you know, had had a little tear drop, not going to lie, you know, being out there right before the national anthem just, you know, this game is the best game in the world. And to be out there with this kind of group and this coaching staff, it was absolutely terrific. That surprise you you felt that way? I mean, you’ve been practicing here for a while now. You know, I I was kind of I was kind of getting a little emotional last night and, you know, just the journey that any injured player goes on to be back out there and, you know, doing the thing that they love. It was uh it was really special for sure. When you talk about things that you want to grow on, what what specifically did you kind of take away that you thought I could do a little better next time? I feel like just getting into a rhythm quicker. You know, there was those kind of just you feel like when you go against Flo’s defense, your timing is always like, you know, one hitch and it’s got to be out. And I feel like there was a couple occasions where I could have sat in there and trust the pocket and uh make a better decision in that time frame. And you know, like the one to luck across the middle, if I would have just waited a click longer, I would have found him in that window. and you know different things like accuracy and just always improving that and it was a good good things to feel out there for sure. Obviously you weren’t out there for a ton of time but what kind of perception did it give you on how ready you are for the regular season? Feel like KO just thought of this as checking another box like he really wanted to see the operation and just you know the fundamentals and doing the simple things at a high level and I feel like we did that today. Obviously, there’s a couple things here or there that we got to clean up, but felt like we left today in a great spot. That fourth down scramble, how much is that like the showing the teaching moments, I guess, of what this training camp has been in some way? I would say, you know, those fourth downs, you got to get it no matter how you do it, but you got to get it. And, uh, just being able to, you know, feel that rush right away and, you know, get out right away. That was something that, you know, instinctively I was kind of like, you know, second guessing myself going out there and live bullets flying, but it was great to just kind of feel that reaction and move forward with it. JJ, you mentioned the moment to reflect before the game when you were done for the day. Was there any reflection? And I was just so happy for my guys, you know, seeing them get in there. Everyone’s fighting to earn a job. You know, we got a 90man roster and there’s so many great guys that should be on this team. So, I was just so thrilled to see, you know, Sam, Rip, Max do their thing out there and the rest of the crew. But, yeah, just the reflection was, you know, I’m just so happy to be a Viking, so happy to be a part of this organization and uh move forward with this special special group. JJ, how did everything feel operationally from your perspective, getting plays in, running the huddle, the all the precepts, how did you feel like that went for you? Felt super clean. you know, uh, preseason defenses, you’re not going to get a whole lot of trickery, but I felt like, you know, we did a great job of just getting to the ball with an ample amount of time to really see the defense, go through cadence. I think we did a great job. JJ, how much are you looking forward to the joint practices this week and what you can accomplish? So excited. I mean, Coach Vable’s got a great group over there. Um, it’s just going to be another opportunity for us to get better and go against somebody else. Always love doing that. And uh yeah, it’s just a great, you know, kind of stretch of camp that is going to be the most pivotal for growing uh as a unit and for me personally, for sure. How much confidence do you have handing the ball to Jordan Mason? A lot of confidence. All the confidence in the world in that guy, that’s for sure. From now to the season opener, what personally are the things you really are going to be kind of stressing for yourself as you kind of continue your preparation? continuing to master the offense, you know, just really understand, you know, the timing and rhythm of each play and, you know, all the little things like footwork and just, you know, how I’m getting out of my fakes even. Just little stuff like that where I feel like, you know, it’s, you know, extremely hard offense to run, but once you master it, then things run really smoothly. And we got all the trust in KO in the world to, you know, call the right play when the right time comes. the 18 yard pass to Jordan. How much was that a result of how hard you’ve tried to work on the touch of those passes? Like we’ve talked about this. That seemed to be a good example of what you were talking about trying to get that back. How much was that a satisfying completion based on the fact it wasn’t really the zip of the ball, it was how you place the ball? 100%. I think it was, you know, just all the work we built up up to this point. And you know, I feel like it was a, you know, that’s a 25 yardd out. And just being able to, you know, trust that timing in real time and, you know, trust the protection. It was a huge kind of growing rep that I felt like, you know, just injects confidence in my veins going into the next one. What was it like seeing Max throw his first touchdown there in the fourth quarter? He’s so jacked up. I mean, that guy works so hard. He’s in the building all the time. And you know, you love seeing guys like that succeed. And you know, it’s unfortunate, you know, he didn’t get that last little drive to go do some more, but you know, I got to respect KO’s decision on kneeling that thing. But it was just awesome to see him go out there and shine because he puts in the work. JJ, when you step up and get that first down with your feet, is there any part of you after that happens that’s like, okay, we checked the box here just from a health perspective that I I do it and everything holds up okay and there’s no ill effects from it? I guess I wasn’t the one checking those boxes, but yeah, um I’m sure the trainers were very pleased for, you know, most of us to get out of here healthy and, you know, I’m still trying to find that second gear where I could really, you know, turn up the field and all that, but you know, we’ll save that for the regular season and crunch time. J, did the emotion last night catch you by surprise or is that just kind of like how much you care, passion like I don’t know, did it? I would say it did a little bit just because you’re in the moment dayto day for so long especially during the rehab process and finally get to the point where it’s like wow like this is my second game and I felt like I played a whole season and it was only my second game and just being able to you know kind of compartmentalize that and really embrace it. It was something that did catch me off guard, but you know, it just shows like how much I care for this game and, you know, just being out there with my teammates again was truly awesome. Last couple face paint come off at halftime or after the game or after the game. Yeah. Yeah. Got to look professional for you guys. Thanks everybody. Yeah. Appreciate you all.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy spoke about the preseason victory against the Houston Texas.

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