EAGAN, Minn. — J.J. McCarthy made his presence felt Thursday.

The Vikings QB wrapped up the second and final day of joint practices with the Patriots by putting up big-time numbers — and throws — against New England's defense.

McCarthy acknowledged afterward it felt like one of his better days at training camp, having completed 16 of 19 passes during 11-on-11 periods that also featured multiple touchdown passes.

"The offense was humming as a whole," he said. "I feel like the physicality up front really set the tone, and just the way we're able to execute and be precise; but it all starts with the boys up front. They did a tremendous job today.

"It was really a culmination of everything," McCarthy added. "I felt like we were running the ball really well. We're moving the line of scrimmage. Guys were detailed in and out of their routes. And, you know, I felt like the ball placement was a lot more accurate today than yesterday. … Still, a lot of throws that I want back and could put in better spots. But at the end of the day, I feel like we were just functioning very well, the 1s and 2s."

McCarthy delved a bit into his prep for Wednesday and Thursday's practices with the AFC squad that included studying film from the Patriots first preseason game.

Turns out, it didn't help as much as expected.

"They did not do much of that," he quipped, grinning. "I kind of switched up my mindset going into [today]: just hear the call, play the call, focus on my fundamentals and go through the pure progressions, and just kind of play from there, not knowing what you're going to expect."

McCarthy explained the mentality allowed him to be more decisive and instinctual and to focus on his feet, "the foundation for the rest of the play."

These types of experiences are invaluable for the young passer, who understands the regular season will also present plenty of unexpected scenarios.

He's also got Justin Jefferson to remind him of just that.

"I was talking to Jets the other day in the locker room and telling him the situation, and he's like, 'Dude, there's going to be a lot of teams this year that are going to show one thing on and film, and then when they come play us, when they play me, they're going to show a different thing,' " McCarthy said. "So yeah, it was great to get exposed to that early on.

"Just like training camp has been this entire time, great learning lessons and capitalizing on situations," he added.

When it does come to game prep, however, McCarthy is confident in the approach he's utilized for a long time, taught to him by none other than former Patriots star Tom Brady.

The pair of former Wolverines have connected over the years, and McCarthy tipped his cap to Brady for providing him with a week-long routine to follow.

"I've just had little add-ons here or there since I've been here," McCarthy noted. "It's this process that you have to keep sticking to, because it works, and you can't let the outcome dictate it, but you adapt it a little bit on the fly. The process that I've built and relied on is something I'm going to rely on in the future."

Spend just a little time around McCarthy and you'll realize he's learning and adapting constantly, in everything he does.

Even on a day like Thursday he can hang his hat on, he'll focus in on those throws he "wants back."

It's simply how he's wired.

"That's something I've been continuing to work on, even since college," McCarthy admitted. "I'm a perfectionist, and I want everything to be perfect out there, but that's just unrealistic. I feel like there's always ways you could get better. There's always little things like ball placement that you could have done more.

"That's kind of the psycho in me," he added. "When [T.J. Hockenson] catches a 20-yard high cross, and I'm like, 'Hm, could have been 30.' But at the end of the day, it's about just staying neutral the whole time after those plays — good or bad, focus on the next play and kick it in the teeth."

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