MANKATO, Minn. — The Vikings are off to Cincinnati.
The team wrapped up 2016 Verizon Vikings Training Camp on Tuesday morning with a practice on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato that lasted just under 90 minutes.
While the stay in Mankato was shorter than normal since the team will hold joint practices with the Bengals on Wednesday and Thursday, Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said he was pleased with what he saw from his team from the 10 practices during camp.
"There are always a lot more things you want to do, but I think we hit all the situations that we need to hit," Zimmer said. "It's nice having a veteran team. Even though we're still young, I think it's nice having a veteran team that can kind of have some recall as we continue to go forward."
The Vikings will practice the next two days against the Bengals before the teams play their preseason opener Friday. This was the 51st consecutive season that the Vikings have held training camp in Mankato.
Finishing with a flourish
Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said improving on deep passes was one of his biggest goals of the offseason and training camp.
Bridgewater had another strong day Tuesday as he showed plenty of touch and accuracy on passes at least 25 yards down the field.
The third-year quarterback took a shot early in team drills as he lofted a 55-yard pass to Stefon Diggs that was tipped away by cornerback Trae Waynes.
Bridgewater then found Adam Thielen for a hefty gain down the right sideline as the wide receiver got past cornerback Mackensie Alexander.
Bridgewater and Thielen later couldn't connect on another deep pass down the right sideline on a play that likely would have been a penalty on Waynes.
The 23-year-old then capped the final practice in Mankato with a flourish as he found Charles Johnson nestled in a spot between a zone defense for a 25-yard gain.
Ready for fresh faces
The Vikings are ready to go against someone other than their teammates in practices and games, something Zimmer mentioned in his post-practice press conference.
Minnesota's final camp practice still had a physical tone as offensive guard Brandon Fusco and nose tackle Linval Joseph got tangled up and had to be separated after a run play in an 11-on-11 drill.
"Me and him were going against each other the whole practice," Fusco said. "It seemed like every play just 1-on-1.
"We're physical and want to compete and beat each other," he added. "He got me, and I beat him a couple plays, so that's the way it is."
Zimmer said it was evident his players were growing tired of constant battle between purple and white jerseys.
"I think at this time of camp, it's about time to start going against (someone else)," Zimmer said. "You saw we had a little fight out there today. Guys start getting on each other's nerve a little bit, so it's nice to go against someone else, and the competition will be good."
Fusco said there was nothing personal between himself and Joseph, who is regarded as one of the league's best defensive linemen.
"Sometimes that happens," Fusco said. "We come out with an attitude, and tempers flare, it's just part of the game. I'm sure we'll be best buds when we get back in the locker room."
