Subscribe
Follow Us
The Minnesota Vikings played Kirk Cousins a lot of money this offseason, so they need him to be good all over the field, but especially in the red zone.
The Vikings as a team last year were good in that area of the field, but Cousins actually struggled there with the Washington Redskins in 2018.
He threw three interceptions inside the 20-yard line, the second-most in the league behind DeShone Kizer. With that in mind, the Vikings have spent a lot of time working with Cousins in the red zone during OTAs.
“We’ve spent an awful lot of time, I think this is our fourth day in the red zone,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said, via Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “I think it’s just important we get a lot of work in there. We put a big emphasis on it last year. We’re going to continue to do so.”
Early in Mike Zimmer's tenure with the Vikings, it always seemed like the team was settling for three points instead of seven, so it's something he has put a big emphasis on.
Cousins is still learning the terminology and getting on the same page with his new teammates, and although there have been progressions made, it's still a work in progress.
“That’s why we’re doing it. It’s not easy,” Cousins said. “It is condensed. You have to be on the screws. Your throws have to be that much more accurate.
“Each play helps build a confidence. Helps build a rapport with the receivers, with the tight ends. Try to get on the same page with the centers, protection calls. It is a lot of new, a lot of chemistry that still has to be built.”
The Vikings and Cousins are poised for a big season, and it's all going to start with the success, or lack thereof, that they have converting for seven rather than settling for three.
