Tag: wes phillips

Vikings still believe in Alexander Mattison

The Vikings still have confidence in Alexander Mattison

Despite the Minnesota Vikings trading for Cam Akers on Wednesday afternoon, that hasn’t changed how they feel about starting running back Alexander Mattison.

In his weekly media availability on Thursday, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips expressed that they still have all the confidence in the world in Mattison.

“We haven’t lost confidence in Alex Mattison. I will say that.” 

This trade tells us one of two things. They are either trying to jumpstart the running game by bringing in outside talent or they saw an opportunity to bring in a talented player for a very inexpensive cost.

The running game has been paltry at best for the Vikings so far this season. They have ran the ball 25 times for a paltry 69 yards rushing. Of that, Mattison has 19 rushes for 62 yards.

While Mattison hasn’t been great, the issue hasn’t been just with him. The scheme, play calling and commitment to the running game hasn’t been there.

With Akers now in the fold, will that change? Time will tell.

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Wes Phillips weighs in on Jordan Addison’s catch

Although the pass was ruled incomplete, Vikings OC Wes Phillips offered some praise on Jordan Addison’s catch in the preseason opener.

Jordan Addison made an outstanding sideline catch on Thursday as the Minnesota Vikings took on the Seattle Seahawks in their preseason opener.

Addison adjusted his body to be almost parallel to the ground as he dragged both feet and finished the catch through the turf. The catch was unbelievable enough that the referees ultimately ruled that Addison could not have pulled it off and ruled it incomplete.

During his media session, Wes Phillips weighed in on Addison and whether he should have thrown the challenge flag.

“It was a fantastic catch and you guys know, it’s on us to get those things right up in the box,” Phillips said. “Head coaches get all the questions about it but we’re the ones with the TVs and the hawk eye view.”

It is preseason, so it’s understandable why the Vikings didn’t inevitably throw the challenge flag. Still, a catch this remarkable does seem on-brand to be Addison’s first catch of his NFL career. Phillips later went on to discuss the talent that the rookie receiver has.

“As far as how rare, for a guy to have that body control, I think the talent is there and was there. It’s like JJ [Justin Jefferson] coming in and doing what he’s done. That body control was already there,” Phillips explained. “Just giving him some opportunities and learning within our system. How Keenan [McCardell] has coached him and gotten him up to speed, even with missing some of the spring, I think he’s done an impressive job learning our system and continuing to grow.”

Vikings OC Wes Phillips offers update on Trishton Jackson’s injury

Vikings wide receiver Trishton Jackson was carted off during Tuesday’s practice with an apparent leg injury.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Trishton Jackson left Tuesday’s training camp session on a cart following an apparent leg injury.

While the presence of a cart doesn’t automatically signal a serious injury, it’s never a good sign for the player.

However, it seems like Jackson may have avoided the worst-case scenario.

On Wednesday, Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips offered an update on Jackson’s injury, mentioning that Jackson avoided any ligament damage to his knee.

The full extent of Jackson’s injury has not been released, but avoiding ligament injury is generally a positive prognosis, especially for a player fighting for a spot on the Vikings’ 53-man roster for the regular season.

Jackson, 25, signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2020. The following year, Jackson signed with the Vikings, where he spent two seasons on the practice squad. He has yet to appear in a regular season game for either team.

In his senior season with Syracuse, Jackson totaled 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns on 66 catches.

Wes Phillips: “They’ll be talking about him (Christian Darrisaw) as one of the elite tackles”

On Thursday, Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips believes Christian Darrisaw will be talked about as an elite tackle

One player that didn’t get enough credit in 2022 for his performance was Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw. He was the second-ranked tackle behind Trent Williams and played some dominant football both before and after his mid-season concussions.

During his press availability on Thursday afternoon, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips spoke highly of Darrisaw.

“If anyone hadn’t noticed him yet, I know the players who play agianst him certainly notice him. I think across the league they’ll be talking about him as one of the elite tackles for year to come.”

Incredibly high, yet deserved praise from Phillips, who mentioned Darrisaw’s mindset and work ethic, including his late-night lifting sessions at the team facility.

Darrisaw has started to receive some recognition, including being named a top-five tackle in the NFL. An extension is looming for Darrisaw as early as January and he will be deserving of every dollar.

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Ravens request to interview Brian Angelichio for offensive coordinator

Angelichio is the third Vikings’ staffer to be requested for an interview this week

The Minnesota Vikings had an excellent offensive season and with a good season comes other teams wanting to bring in your coaches. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Baltimore Ravens have requested permission to interview Vikings passing game coordinator Brian Angelichio for their offensive coordinator position.

Angelichio is the third Vikings assistant to be requested for an interview with Wes Phillips and Jerrod Johnson being asked by the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this week.

After being the Ravens’ offensive coordinator for five seasons, Greg Roman was relieved of his duties after the season. While they search for their next candidate, there doesn’t seem to be a direction for where they want to go with their offense.

Angelichio has been in coaching since 1996 and worked his way up from small schools in New York to the NFL where he got a chance with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012. He has been a tight ends coach in all 11 seasons in the NFL with this past season being his first as the passing game coordinator.

In his career, Angelichio worked under both Mike Pettine with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 and 2015 along with Kevin O’Connell in 2019 with the Washington Commanders.

Report: Vikings’ Wes Phillips declines Chargers’ interview request for offensive coordinator position

The Chargers are looking for their next offensive coordinator, but it will not be Vikings’ Wes Phillips.

The Chargers are looking for their next offensive coordinator, but it will not be Vikings OC Wes Phillips.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Phillips turned down Los Angeles’ interview request and will stay with Minnesota in the same position.

Phillips has over 15 years of NFL coaching experience.

Phillips moved to the Vikings from the Rams with Kevin O’Connell when he was hired as the head coach in Minnesota last year.

Phillips spent three years with the Rams as their tight ends coach and passing game coordinator.

Before making the move to Los Angeles, Phillips was a quality control/ offensive assistant, offensive line coach and tight ends coach with the Cowboys and a tight ends coach with the then Redskins.

Vikings OC Wes Phillips declines interview with Chargers, will return next season

The Chargers were hoping to interview Phillips, but he wants to stay in Minnesota

During the NFL offseason, a majority of the focus is on the players and the NFL draft, but teams are also trying to build their coaching staff as well. Jeremey Fowler of ESPN reported on Thursday that the Los Angeles Chargers have requested to interview Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for their vacant offensive coordinator position but he declined to interview to stay in Minnesota.

We’ve seen this happen in the past, most recently with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans who turned down a second interview with the Vikings last offseason to stay with the 49ers.

The Chargers are looking for a new offensive coordinator after firing Matt Lombardi following a playoff collapse against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Head Coach Kevin O’Connell brought Phillips with him a year ago from the Los Angeles Rams and has spoken highly of him throughout the season. Retaining Phillips speaks volumes to the culture and foundation that O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have built here in Minnesota.

Vikings OC Wes Phillips on cleat issue: “It’s been addressed”

The sense is the Vikings learned from the cleat debacle

The Minnesota Vikings 41-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon had a lot of people upset for many reasons, one of them being the conditions of the playing surface. Vikings’ players had issues with their cleats and even saw multiple players changing to a seven-cleat shoe during the game.

It’s something that shouldn’t have been an issue, but it was due to what can be perceived as stubbornness. During his media availability on Thursday, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was asked about it and gave a detailed answer.

“We definitely have to take the conditions into account and we have to be professional about whatever the environment we’re playing in. The margin for error in this league is small. I assume you’re talking about guys slipping down on the ground? It was noticeable that it happened with us and it didn’t happen with them. It was something that was addressed, but guys tgot to understand the margin for error is so small. It can’t be like ‘Oh, I’ll get it next time.’ you don’t know how many times you’re going to have that play to change a game or continue a drive. We have to be professional about it. Whether it’s technique at times — you cut off the wrong foot on any surface, you’re going to fall down. But it was noticeable. It has been addressed prior to the game and post-game. We’ve got to be better there.”

You could sense annoyance from Phillips about the issue and rightfully so. Seeing that happen on Sunday was something that shouldn’t have occurred, but it is nice to see the mistake being admitted and addressed.

Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. is being eased back

How the Vikings have handled Smith Jr. makes some sense

The Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. played in his first game since the end of the 2019 season on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

As the Vikings move forward towards the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips spoke to the media and was asked about the usage of the tight end room. His answer shed a lot of light on the offense, especially Smith Jr.’s 19 total snaps this past Sunday.

The full quote from Phillips says a lot about how the Vikings will handle their offense moving forward.

“Some of that is based on personnel groupings. Some of it is what those personnel groupings might elicit. Maybe two tight ends with Irv in the game with Johnny Mundt, maybe that’s going to elicit a nickel grouping, or what we call ‘penny,’ like five down with still five DBs, and maybe that’s what we are looking for at times. You never know with the defense, how they’re going to react, and what they’re going to play. But some of the bigger groupings, if you’re in 22 personnel — two tight ends, two backs — you’re pretty sure you’re going to get a base defense. So you kind of expect a certain front structure. So some of that is just based on play, and some of that is based on situation.”

Phillips also said that “there is something” with the idea of easing Smith Jr. back in. Over the course of the season, expect Smith Jr. to get more snaps but most importantly, take advantage of situations.

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Rookie OL Ed Ingram beginning to turn heads at training camp

Ingram is starting to get people talking.

The right guard position has been a tough spot for the Vikings to figure out.

Ever since Steve Hutchinson left the franchise after 2011, the guard position has been difficult. The Vikings have found their left guard in Ezra Cleveland but the right side is still in limbo.

Over the last few years, we have seen Tom Compton, Pat Elflein, Dakota Dozier and Oli Udoh earn starts at the position. Rookie second-round draft pick Ed Ingram has been receiving positive reviews and might be the next starter at the position.

Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips spoke highly of Ingram and the successful camp he’s having.

“He’s very stout,” Phillips told media members. “He’s got a great anchor. Late in the rush, when he gets on the edge, he’s athletic enough to kind of get his feet on the ground and push guys out of the pocket, create some expansion in the pocket. We’re really pleased with where he’s at. He’s just getting better every day.”

Throughout camp, Ingram has seen some snaps rotating in with the first-team and has played well in those situations. The competition will be going on throughout the season and Ingram has the most investment by this staff of any of the potential candidates.

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