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Opponents find it tough to match up on Vikings' Mills
By Judd Zulgad, Star TribuneSeptember 13, 2008
The Minnesota tight end missed almost all of training camp this summer, but he won a roster spot because of his versatility and his ability to create mismatches.
Garrett Mills might have an extremely limited NFL résumé but that matters little considering he has one ability teams covet: The potential to create mismatches.
That's what kept the versatile tight end on the Vikings roster last year, despite the fact he was inactive for the first 15 games. It also helped him win a job this summer after he missed almost all of training camp because of an ankle injury.
"He causes matchup problems," Vikings tight ends coach Jimmie Johnson said. "You kind of think about what Indianapolis has done with Dallas Clark. Having a guy that they can split out and cause matchup problems for the defense where they have to decide whether they want to be in their base personnel or in their nickel [passing] personnel. ... I'm pretty sure that most linebackers in this league and some safeties can't cover him."
The Vikings were able to utilize these abilities in their season-opening 24-19 loss Monday night at Green Bay. Mills, who also can play fullback, was in the game for approximately 15 snaps (all at tight end) and caught three passes for a team-leading 49 yards.
"I had a general idea going into the game that I would get some playing time offensively," said Mills, who was claimed by the Vikings on waivers from New England just before last season. "I didn't really know how much until game time. It was nice to be able to get in there."
This was especially true considering Mills' inability to get on the field in training camp. He suffered a sprained ankle during an end zone collision with safety Madieu Williams on the fourth day of practice and was bothered by the injury for several weeks.
Mills, 24, returned for the final exhibition game at Dallas and caught one pass for 12 yards. A man of limited words -- it's not tough to see why no-nonsense Patriots coach Bill Belichick spent a fourth-round pick on him in 2006 -- Mills called the injury "extra stubborn" but said he feels healthy.
That's what kept the versatile tight end on the Vikings roster last year, despite the fact he was inactive for the first 15 games. It also helped him win a job this summer after he missed almost all of training camp because of an ankle injury.
"He causes matchup problems," Vikings tight ends coach Jimmie Johnson said. "You kind of think about what Indianapolis has done with Dallas Clark. Having a guy that they can split out and cause matchup problems for the defense where they have to decide whether they want to be in their base personnel or in their nickel [passing] personnel. ... I'm pretty sure that most linebackers in this league and some safeties can't cover him."
The Vikings were able to utilize these abilities in their season-opening 24-19 loss Monday night at Green Bay. Mills, who also can play fullback, was in the game for approximately 15 snaps (all at tight end) and caught three passes for a team-leading 49 yards.
"I had a general idea going into the game that I would get some playing time offensively," said Mills, who was claimed by the Vikings on waivers from New England just before last season. "I didn't really know how much until game time. It was nice to be able to get in there."
This was especially true considering Mills' inability to get on the field in training camp. He suffered a sprained ankle during an end zone collision with safety Madieu Williams on the fourth day of practice and was bothered by the injury for several weeks.
Mills, 24, returned for the final exhibition game at Dallas and caught one pass for 12 yards. A man of limited words -- it's not tough to see why no-nonsense Patriots coach Bill Belichick spent a fourth-round pick on him in 2006 -- Mills called the injury "extra stubborn" but said he feels healthy.