When you have a play-caller going into their second season, it's a huge benefit for the team. The Minnesota Vikings have that on both sides of the ball for the first time since 2016 when Mike Zimmer and Norv Turner were the incumbents.
It's huge because your veterans on each unit have the playbook memorized and are comfortable executing the plays. They are also in a position to teach and coach the new players on the team. It creates a lot of positive elements for the roster.
The Vikings are in need of new leaders after having Kirk Cousins, Danielle Hunter and Jordan Hicks move on from the Vikings during the offseason. One of the players is cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. who was spotted helping rookie cornerback Dwight McGlothern after practice on Thursday.
Byron Murphy Jr. emerging as Vikings leader
SKOR North's Darren Wolfson asked him about that and why it's important. Murphy had a great answer.
"I've already been in that position. You know, I have other guys help me out. So I just want to keep being that person. Be a good teammate. Also, when they ask questions, I want to give them the knowledge to help them get better as well. And that's just our room period, you know always asking questions, everyone's trying to get better. But when I have time like that to show the guys my knowledge, and what I know is to help them out and keep going every single day."
That's the sign of a great leader and it's also something to keep an eye on with McGlothern. He was spotted getting some work with the starters at the end of the same minicamp practice on Thursday. It could end up meaning something long-term and will be worth watching moving forward.
Wolfson also asked Murphy about where he had that belief of helping out instilled in him and he referenced his time at Washington when he was in a loaded defensive back room.
"It was definitely college you know I have Budda Baker those type of guys older guys, Kevin Kings guys that I just looked up to even in high school so when I got the book, but it was one of the biggest guys who brought me on the wing and showed me that defense somebody to technique. But also coach (Jimmy) Lake definitely shout out to coach Lake, one of the best coaches I've ever been coached by helped me with my technique, obviously getting better but then obviously now, being in this league, you know, everyone's grown now. So, you know, just the younger guys that's coming in, you know, young guys 2021 that's trying to come in and learn everything going too fast. You know, trying to slow it down for them to you know, keep getting better."
The cornerback room needs a leader badly, as it's a group filled with young, raw talent that needs development. That mentality from Murphy isn't only going to help his status with the team, but also the defense grow as a whole.
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