Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr was happy to return to the Vikings for this week’s mandatory minicamp.
Due to NFL rules and because his school, UCLA, was on the quarter system academically he hadn’t completed classes yet, so all he could do while the rest of the team was participating in OTA’s was wait.
“I was real bored, man,” Barr told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday. “It was the longest four weeks.”
Barr said that he feels “a little behind.” But he said it helped that linebackers coach Adam Zimmer flew to California to meet with him several times over the last month.
Since returning Barr has been used all over the field.
One rotational note from #Vikings practice: top pick Anthony Barr and Gerald Hodges each opened a series next to Chad Greenway w/ 1st nickel
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 18, 2014
#Vikings just wrapped first mandatory minicamp practice. Had LB Anthony Barr all around the field, even in 4pt for 5-man fronts.
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) June 17, 2014
“I have a lot of responsibilities, a lot of stuff to learn,” Barr told FOX Sports Net. “But it’s something I’m asked to do, something I’m willing to do, something I want to do. I just want to help this team win, so whatever they ask of me, that’s what I am going to do.”
Adjustment is not new for Barr. While at UCLA, he switched from running back to linebacker.
Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards said he thinks Barr has a good grasp of what’s going on at this point.
“Out of those two years, he wore a lot of hats for them,” Edwards said at a Wednesday press conference. “He’s doing a lot of similar things that we’re asking him to do, whether its rush the passer, whether its drop back in coverage, playing off the ball a bit more than he probably has in the past.”
Barr isn’t the only Vikings rookie who is dealing with the shortened learning curve. Third round pick Scott Crichton, a defensive end from Oregon State, and fifth round pick David Yankey, a guard from Stanford also were away from OTAs while their quarters finished up as well.
