Saturday, July 26, 2014

Meet the new coordinators

Defensive coordinator George Edwards and offensive coordinator Norv Turner had their first training-camp press conferences following Saturday's morning walk-through, and both had plenty of compliments about Mankato and Minnesota State.

Edwards called Minnesota State the best off-site facility in the NFL, while Turner said that it's been 10 years since he's been away from the organization's main facility for training camp.

Edwards said that there has been a lot of juggling within the linebacking corps, trying to figure out who fits where. The first unit has been Chad Greenway and Audie Cole on the outside, with Jasper Brinkley in the middle. Rookie Anthony Barr has been moved around as Edwards tries to find the best place for the athletic rookie.

He also like his group of nose guards, with free-agent Linval Joseph and Sharrif Floyd, who has lost about 15 pounds from his rookie season, playing inside.

"Those guys don't get a lot of credit, but they're big inside for us," Edwards said. "It starts right there."

Turner has coached a lot of good running backs, and he's talked with running back Adrian Peterson about how to expand his game. Turner said that Peterson can be a good third-down back because he's a good receiver and pass-protector, if put in the proper position.

Turner also talked a lot about rookie Jerrick McKinnon, who was a college quarterback. And without being prompted, he threw a compliment to running back Matt Asiata, even if Turner had trouble with the pronunciation of his last name.

"Matt finsihed the season strong," Turner said. "He's in great shape. He gives us that pounder inside."

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