Bridgewater works on timing, even if D-line disrupts

MANKATO – With the Vikings defensive line understandably far ahead of the offensive line, one has to question whether quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and his receivers actually can replicate gamelike timing on deep balls thrown in these early training camp practices.

Bridgewater can't be hit, and practice officials don't whistle plays dead unless a complete breakdown in protection results in Bridgewater being surrounded by defenders. But individual defensive linemen, particularly Everson Griffen, have been coming free fast enough that one has to wonder how many of the deep completions that have highlighted camp so far would be sacks in a game.

Never fear, says Bridgewater. He said gamelike timing is being sharpened through precise execution, regardless of pressure.

"It's all about playing in rhythm," he said. "As long as you're playing in rhythm, what's going on around you doesn't even matter. You hit that fifth step, the ball should be out. You hit that seventh step, the ball should be out. Having that clock in your head factors out the pass rush."

The best deep ball of camp came on a deep post to Jarius Wright on Saturday. Some could argue that it might have been a sack if Bridgewater wasn't off-limits. Coach Mike Zimmer wouldn't be one of them.

"I think he might have avoided that one anyways," he said.

Bridgewater threw that ball well before Wright got open.

Saturday, Zimmer praised left tackle Matt Kalil's work in practice, saying it might have been the best Kalil has looked since Zimmer arrived in 2014. Sunday, Zimmer explained why he thinks that's the case.

"We've changed his techniques some," Zimmer said.

According to Zimmer, new offensive line coach Tony Sparano spotted a flaw in Kalil's pass protection sets.

"He was turning [outside] too soon," Zimmer said. "A lot."

And now?

Kalil is working on the new techniques while having to face Griffen, one of the fastest speed rushers in the league. Griffen is ahead of Kalil, but Zimmer called that 1-on-1 battle "a good matchup overall."

"It's good to get a look like that because speed kills," Kalil added. "If you can stop the speed rush consistently, that's 75 percent of the game. That's the hardest thing to do. It's great practice. Obviously, Everson is a great player, and he's only going to make me better."

While Danielle Hunter's career skyrocketed quickly at defensive end, another third-round draft pick is scrambling to make the team after being switched from defensive end. Scott Crichton, whose injury-riddled career includes 11 tackles and no sacks in 21 games over two seasons, is now battling for a backup spot at defensive tackle.

"[He's doing] pretty good, so far," Zimmer said. "He's been out for a long time. … I've been impressed by him. That's kind of what we envisioned when we drafted him, a guy who might be a swing guy and slide inside. That's his best opportunity to make the team. … I think he's more inclined to be an all-the-time inside player that can slide out once in a while."

Without access to Zimmer's playbook, one never knows all the twists and turns going on inside the defensive-minded coach's brain.

"I like it," Munnerlyn said. "It shows some different looks."

Munnerlyn deferred to his coach to explain more.

"He may be playing back some, but he's not really a safety [in that alignment]," Zimmer said. "It's just part of the coverage [scheme]."