Improving the offensive line was a clear priority for the Minnesota Vikings hea

EAGAN Irv Smith black jersey , Minn. — ding into this season.An offense featuring quarterback Kirk Cousins, receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, running back Dalvin Cook and tight end Kyle Rudolph finished in the bottom half of the league offensively in 2018.More Vikings coveragePhotos of the Week: 7/21/19 – 7/27/19Rookie Bradbury is central figure to Vikings’ overhauled offensive lineVikings depth at cornerback being tested, Hughes still not clearedPlayers to watch at Minnesota Vikings 2019 training campTop Tweets: Vikings WR Diggs makes push for All-NFL Style TeamGarrett Bradbury became a central figure to the overhaul when he was selected with the 18th overall pick in April’s draft. With a summer under his belt, the Vikings like what they see of the former North Carolina State All-America center.“He’s a brilliant kid, so that helps a lot,” coach Mike Zimmer said on the first day of training camp. “He’s going to have a big load and a time like today will help him get back into the groove of things a little bit.”Bradbury started every game the past three seasons for the Wolfpack, the last two years coming at center, where he has the winner as a senior of the Rimington Award given to the top center in college football.“He’s very mature,” the veteran Cousins said of the 24-year-old Bradbury. “Just talking to him in the locker room, I just feel like I’m not talking to someone who’s right out of college. I feel like I’m talking to someone who’s about my age, and I think that makes it a little easier, to just be on the same page and work together.”The relationship between Bradbury and Cousins will be vital. Cousins took part in the initial days of training camp, days set aside for the team’s rookies and younger players before veterans reported.“I think those guys are tied at the hip together out here,” offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski said. “That’s no mistake. Those guys are spending time together because they’re in close quarters during the season. They’re getting to know each other and getting to know this offense.”Bradbury isn’t the only one learning the offense.Gary Kubiak joined the team as assistant head coach and offensive adviser, with Rick Dennison as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator. Minnesota is implementing a zone-blocking scheme reminiscent of Kubiak and Dennison’s time with the Denver Broncos Irv Smith Jersey Mens , and one that fits Bradbury.“It’s a new system for everybody, which is great because we can kind of throw things off each other and learn together throughout this,” Bradbury said. “There is a wealth of knowledge in the O-line room, but it’s a new system for them at the same time. We are kind of learning together, which has been good as a rookie.”The Vikings moved Pat Elflein from center to guard, where he played for two seasons at Ohio State, and signed Josh Kline to take the right guard spot. Kline has started 46 straight games at guard, the longest active streak at the position in the NFL.Riley Reiff is back at left tackle after Minnesota discussed potentially moving him to guard before the draft, and Brian O’Neill is slated to start at right tackle. O’Neill started 11 games last season as a rookie after being picked in the second round.“They’re all battlers and I think that’s important at that position,” Zimmer said.Tackle Rashod Hill returns in a reserve role after starting 15 games the past two seasons. Guard Dakota Dozier was signed from the New York Jets, and the Vikings also drafted Oklahoma guard Dru Samia in the fourth round, Elon tackle Oli Udoh in the sixth.The changes were necessary after Cousins was sacked 40 times last year, tied for the 10th most of any quarterback. And Zimmer hasn’t been shy of saying Minnesota needs to run the ball more. The Vikings were 27th in the league in rushing attempts per game and 30th in rushing yards.“I think some of the things we are doing is way simpler for the offensive line,” Zimmer said. “I don’t think it’s in our best interest to sit in the shotgun and drop back 35 to 40 times, for us or anybody else.”Meanwhile, Minnesota used 17 offensive linemen the past three seasons Irv Smith Jersey nfl draft , a trend it hopes ends with Bradbury solidifying the middle.“He’s got a very business-like personality, wants to be right, wants to do things the right way,” Zimmer said. “I think he’s got an aggressive nature. I think he’s going to fit in fine.” NEW YORK — Harrison Smith has been making his mark for years with big hits and clutch interceptions for the Minnesota Vikings.As a key piece of one of the NFL’s top defenses, the playmaking safety was voted the top player in the league at his position by a panel of 10 football writers for The Associated Press.More Vikings coveragePreview: Cook, Vikings look to keep rolling vs. PackersTop Tweets: Vikings prepare for Packers with TMNT hype videoBarr, seasoned Vikings defense off to strong startNew offense, same Rodgers: Vikings prep for LaFleur’s PackersVikings re-sign center Jones, waive rookie TE Dillon“The independent analysts at Pro Football Focus rated Smith’s performance in 2017 the highest by any player at any position in the league,” Minneapolis-based AP writer Dave Campbell said. “This year, the three-time Pro Bowl pick has three interceptions and three sacks in nine games. No player in the NFL hit both of those marks over the entire 2017 season.“With Earl Thomas out for the year, it’s easy to see Smith as the top safety in the league.”The AP voters overwhelmingly agreed. Smith received 97 points in a 10-points-to-one-point system, garnering eight of 10 first-place votes. He finished second on one ballot and third on the other to easily outdistance the New York Giants‘ Landon Collins, who had 69 points.“Not only is Smith the clear leader at this position, particularly with his skills in coverage,” said New York-based writer Barry Wilner Everson Griffen Jersey , “but he’s probably Minnesota’s most valuable defensive player.”That’s saying a lot, particularly with a team that includes defensive end Danielle Hunter, who leads the NFL with 11½ sacks.“Smith is an elite pass defender who can bat away a throw or pick off a pass on one play, then sack the QB on the next,” Washington-based Howard Fendrich said.Smith finished second in last year’s voting, with Thomas winning.The injured Seahawks star, who’s out for the season with a broken left leg, had 59 points — and received one first-place vote, from Bay Area-based Josh Dubow — to finish third this year.“Thomas is still the benchmark at safety despite a season-ending injury,” Dubow said.There were 28 players who received at least one vote, but Smith and Collins were the only safeties to appear on all 10 ballots.Collins jumped up two spots after finishing fourth last year. He doesn’t have any interceptions yet this season, but has firmly established himself as one of the best at his position.“Yeah, he’s on a team with one win (entering Week 10), but Collins is strong tackler and pass defender,” New York-based Simmi Buttar said.Tennessee’s Kevin Byard is fourth with 54 points, but received the other first-place vote from Nashville-based Teresa M. Walker.“Byard is just getting better with every game Anthony Barr Jersey ,” Walker said, “and he was pretty good in 2017 when he was an All-Pro who tied for the league lead with eight interceptions and led the NFL with 10 takeaways.”Byard has two interceptions this season, and caused quite a stir with his star turn on his most recent pick. After intercepting Dak Prescott‘s pass Monday night in Tennessee’s 28-14 victory at Dallas, Byard ran to the 50-yard line at AT&T Stadium and danced with his teammates on the Cowboys‘ star logo.“He should’ve left the Cowboys star stomp to Terrell Owens,” said Philadelphia-based Rob Maaddi. “But Byard is a ball magnet and no longer an unknown around the league, even to Deion Sanders.”Sanders and Byard got into a Twitter feud in the offseason about who the league’s top safety is. Prime Time picked Tyrann Mathieu, who didn’t finish in the AP’s top 10.New England‘s Devin McCourty was fifth with 38 points, and has been a model of consistency for Bill Belichick’s defense.“Anyone who can stick so long (nine years) on a revolving door that is the Patriots‘ defense is a special performer,” Wilner said.McCourty was followed by Washington’s D.J. Swearinger, who had 36 points.“Swearinger does everything well, from coverage to run support to rushing the passer,” said Dubow, who had him ranked second on his ballot.The Jets‘ Jamal Adams (24 points), Los Angeles Chargers rookie Derwin James (21), Baltimore’s Eric Weddle (20) and Kansas City‘s Eric Berry (19) rounded out the top 10.Berry appeared on six ballots despite having not played since last year’s season opener.“He might be No. 1 if he had played a down this season,” Fendrich said. “If he recovers enough from the heel injury that has kept him out for every game so far Mike Hughes Jersey , he could be a big factor in the playoffs for the Chiefs.”THE RANKINGS1. Harrison Smith, Vikings2. Landon Collins, Giants3. Earl Thomas, Seahawks4. Kevin Byard, Titans5. Devin McCourty, Patriots6. D.J. Swearinger, Redskins7. Jamal Adams, Jets8. Derwin James, Chargers9. Eric Weddle, Ravens10. Eric Berry, Chiefs