The Minnesota Vikings are currently in the second phase of their organized team activities, and quarterback Kirk Cousins has already noticed the benefits of continuity.
During a media session on Wednesday, Cousins spoke about the differences between OTAs in his first year versus his second year under head coach Kevin O’Connell.
“The big one is like today running plays on air. Last year, they had to ‘quote on quote’ hold my hand to call the play. It was like, ‘I don’t even know how to say this play. When you call it, I can’t see it in my head, so I can’t call it.’ To be able to have the play come in and just boom, call two plays in the huddle, and let’s go. It’s just night and day from last year…So you’d like to think that starting in a much further spot in May advances everything – to August, to September, you’re just more comfortable.”
Cousins finds it comforting not only to know the plays but also to have the same person calling them for the second year in a row.
“Having somebody in my helmet for the second year in a row, I’m really encouraged by because there had always been that change. And while the system was many times staying similar, a different voice in front of the room, a different voice in your helmet, certainly there’s still changes there. I think that’s positive too, to build that rapport with Kevin.”
This will be the first time in Cousins’ tenure with Minnesota that he’s had the same system with the same play-caller in back-to-back seasons. It’s evident that this gives the team a head start, and this advantage will be crucial as the Vikings attempt to defend their NFC North title.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1V3HIOPApI&w=560&h=315]