The first “shells” practice in front of fans featured nearly an hour’s worth of competitive periods. The snaps – in either 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 formats – also provided looks at all four Vikings quarterbacks.
A few were notable, for some reason or another.
Veteran backup Carson Wentz made one special throw to the back-left corner of the end zone that undrafted rookie Marcus Sanders, Jr., couldn’t bring down. It was located only where Sanders could get – high and outside, and away from safety Kahlef Hailassie. Wentz later secured six in a different period on a low crosser to second-year tight end Ben Yurosek. The developing Max Brosmer didn’t fare as well. He was flustered on two out of three reps in one period, resulting in a throwaway and a Dallas Turner sack.
McCarthy had his fastball dialed, finding TE Gavin Bartholomew in the front-right middle of the end zone on one play, and connecting on back-to-back snaps with WR Jeshaun Jones during a move-the-ball series at the end of practice. The first, a roped corner pass, converted a third-and-5, and the follow-up was good for a chunk gain. On another sharp rep, McCarthy scanned the left side of the defense and fixed his eyes to the right to find undrafted receiver Dillon Bell zooming across the back of the paint for six points.
Murray, meanwhile, seemed to make his fewest mistakes in a practice to date and produced several nice throws. Early on, he synced with Jefferson on an explosive over route. They matched, again, on one in the seam that Jefferson adjusted to secure, and on a quick slant – but Eric Wilson was nearby and would have delivered a big hit if the action was live. Murray’s favorite play might’ve been a pump-fake to TE Josh Oliver and flick to “Jets,” who picked up a first down as the offense simulated a drive. Murray also made a quality touch pass over the defense to Myles Price in the slot, but Price failed to complete the catch going to the grass.