O’Connell details challenges 49ers, Purdy present to Vikings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has proved he can beat the 49ers after pulling off a 22-17 primetime upset last season in Minneapolis.
Neither team was at full health in that contest, though — Trent Williams, Deebo Samuel and Justin Jefferson all were sidelined with injuries — and O’Connell is well aware of the challenge that San Francisco presents for any team.
“It’s a great test,” O’Connell told reporters during Friday’s media availability. “They’re a really good football team — not a surprise, knowing Kyle [Shanahan] and knowing that coaching staff.”
Though he never has worked directly with the 49ers coach, O’Connell has ties to the Shanahan coaching tree through his time as Sean McVay’s offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021.
“How they fit each other from a standpoint of offense and defense, the personnel they do have to play their schemes and the way Kyle and his coordinators operate, it’s a challenge for sure,” O’Connell continued. “No greater test in our conference than the defending conference champions coming in.”
O’Connell, a former third-round pick at quarterback in the 2008 NFL Draft, highlighted the skillset of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy ahead of Sunday’s matchup.
Though Purdy struggled in last season’s bout — he threw a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions stunting a 49ers comeback attempt — the Vikings coach had plenty of good things to say of San Francisco’s young signal-caller.
“I think he’s got really, really good field vision that you separate some of the guys that aren’t [6-foot-5] and standing in there like an oak tree,” O’Connell explained. “He’s got some great athleticism and pocket movement.”
O’Connell was a dangerous threat with his legs during his time at San Diego State in the mid-2000s. He ran for 19 touchdowns across 39 collegiate games, the same number of scores on the ground as Purdy had at Iowa…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/oconnell-details-challenges-49ers-purdy-011117767.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-09-14 01:11:17
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