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New Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins knows he needs to be working right now.
But he’s also been around long enough to know this is the last chance he’s going to have for months to get any downtime.
Via Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune Rigoberto Sanchez Jersey , Cousins acknowledged the challenge of walking into a new team full of new receivers, with a new coordinator and a new playbook.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a bit like drinking through a firehose right now,鈥?Cousins said. 鈥淚 need to use the five or six weeks of the summer to go back. All the stuff I didn鈥檛 catch, go back through and see that I had starred this, I had check-marked this as something to go back to when we had time, rather than take time when we were so busy. I鈥檒l make a list, probably get on the phone with coach [John] DeFilippo or give coach [Kevin] Stefanski an email and just go through it all to get each question answered over the summer.鈥?/p>
But after six years in the league, he’s also well aware of what happens when he does get back to work in late July.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a balance for me, and I鈥檝e had to learn this after playing the last few years Danny Trevathan Jersey ,鈥?Cousins said. 鈥淟ast year we got to like Week Two, and because of how much I was grinding all camp and even in the summer, I felt like we were in Week 12. I couldn鈥檛 believe that we were only in Week Two because I had treated July and August like it was game day. You have to pace yourself a little bit.
“Because I feel a little behind the eight ball and am learning the offense, I do need to be in it every day, but there also needs to be a healthy balance of getting away, catching your breath, and getting a change of scenery, knowing that when we come back at the end of July we still have six more weeks before Week One. I鈥檒l definitely get away, relax Ziggy Hood Jersey , and also just stay in it every day for a few minutes so I don鈥檛 lose what I鈥檝e gained.鈥?/p>
Pacing himself will be vital, because with the money the Vikings spent on him, they’re planning on keeping him busy well past the end of the regular season.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (11-6)
New faces: DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Marcus Peters, CB Aqib Talib, WR Brandin Cooks, CB Sam Shields.
Key losses: LB Robert Quinn, CB Trumaine Johnson, LB Alec Ogletree http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/jordan-poyer-jersey ;, WR Sammy Watkins, WR Tavon Austin, LB Connor Barwin, offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur.
Strengths: Offense returns with every important part from last season's highest-scoring team in NFL, including entire line. Offensive Player of Year Todd Gurley will be healthy, hungry after getting no playing time in entire preseason. Rams likely upgraded receiving corps by replacing Watkins with Cooks, who fits coach Sean McVay's plans. Defense's addition of three veteran stars should boost overall performance, particularly with two elite cornerbacks creating time for Aaron Donald and Suh to wreak havoc. Special teams units with four Pro Bowlers also return intact.
Weaknesses: Defensive Player of Year Donald missed second straight training camp in holdout. Regular-season schedule is NFL's fifth toughest, with opponents carrying combined .523 winning percentage from 2017. Like most teams with big stars Dexter Manley Jersey , roster is top-heavy at some positions, including quarterback, receiver, defensive line. Rams must hope untested Cory Littleton is capable replacement for leading tackler Ogletree. Linebacker Mark Barron has barely practiced and hasn't played in camp or preseason. Right guard Jamon Brown suspended for first two games of season. Opposition might have better ideas on slowing down McVay's offense in second year.
Fantasy Players To Watch: Gurley. Dynamic running back poised to remain prime fantasy contributor and centerpiece of offense. Gurley racked up 1,305 yards rushing and 788 yards receiving last year despite sitting out season finale and will have ball in his hands constantly.
Vegas Says: Super Bowl 11-1. Over/under wins 10.
Expectations: Rams' flashy offseason signings confirmed they expect to contend for first championship in 19 years. If McVay and Wade Phillips prove they weren't one-season wonder combo, LA clearly has talent and experience to be among NFC's top teams. Would be major step to defend NFC West title and win first back-to-back division crowns since 1979. Rams were solid road team last year, and contention will depend on surviving another midseason stretch with just two of nine games at Coliseum. Time to find out if McVay can do it again.