NFC Notes: Cardinals, Seahawks, Vikings

Cardinals

Cardinals’ undrafted rookie Ricky Seal-Jones said he is converting from wide receiver to tight end.

“Once I left A&M and started training, I kind of took that route of putting a little bit more weight on, learning how to block and running routes with the hand in the dirt,” said Seals-Jones, via Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals’ official site. “Once the process started going and talking to a lot of teams, they were like, ‘How do you feel about tight end?’ I kind of knew from there I needed to start working on that, so when I came in it wasn’t brand new.”

Seal-Jones added that he is working on his footwork technique to play on the line of scrimmage.

“My biggest thing is learning the footwork technique of being on the line of scrimmage,” Seals-Jones said. “At A&M, you’d just give them a two-way go for the running back. Here, you may have to step in and seal (the defender on a running play), might have to wash them down. Doing footwork technique, that will make me a lot better.”

Seahawks

• John Boyle of Seahawks.vom writes that the starting right cornerback and right outside linebacker positions are “up for grabs“, while there will also be a lot of competition for final roster spots at wide receiver, defensive line, safety and running back.
• Boyle also mentions that a “few spots” on the offensive line could face competition.
• Boyle expects Cliff Avril, Frank Clark, Michael Bennett and Malik McDowell to play together on passing situations.

Vikings

• Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune writes that while it’s possible Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater may not play a single snap this season, while he continues to work his way back from a devasting knee injury, he will “significantly impact” the franchise for years to come depending on what happens over the next six months.
• Vensel doesn’t think Bridgewater returning at some point during the 2017 season can be ruled out, given that he was surprisingly able to participate in OTAs on a limited basis and HC Mike Zimmer seemed upbeat about his chances of returning from the injury.
• The expectation remains that Bridgewater will open training camp on the physically unable to perform list and there’s a “decent chance” he could stay there for the entire season, which would keep him under team control through the 2018 season.
• Vikings QB Sam Bradford is entering a contract year, so they’ll need to determine whether they should commit to him long-term or possibly turn back to Bridgewater next year.