Los Angeles Rams working again Cam Akers scores towards the Seattle Seahawks in the course of the second half of an NFL soccer recreation Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Seattle. Credit score: AP/Lindsey Wasson
MINNEAPOLIS — A lot of the everyday team-switching stress for an NFL participant will likely be irrelevant this week for Cam Akers.
The fourth-year working again’s arrival with the Minnesota Vikings after being traded by the Los Angeles Rams was about as seamless of a schematic transition as he might discover. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was his offensive coordinator throughout his first two seasons with the Rams.
“Lots of the stuff carried over coming from L.A. I do know 90% of the playbook coming in. Simply attending to know the group, the coaches, the individuals — that’s most likely the primary studying curve for me proper now,” Akers mentioned after apply on Friday. “The items right here, they have the coaches, they have the individuals. So hopefully I can step proper in and contribute and do my half. The scenario was just about good.”
Getting a contemporary begin in a contract 12 months as soon as the season has already begun is an uncommon state of affairs, however battle between Akers and the Rams’ teaching workers over the past two years precipitated the take care of Kyren Williams passing him on the depth chart throughout coaching camp.
“I believe he suits proper in with our group, our tradition and hopefully we will construct in the direction of having him have an effect on our offense,” O’Connell mentioned. “We would like him to get acclimated in our model of our offense. There’s some issues he’s getting up to the mark on, however there’s fairly a little bit of carryover for him as properly.”
O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, who was the tight ends coach with the Rams, each had good opinions of their expertise with Akers.
“I believe they’ll inform you a similar factor. Again from my rookie 12 months, I had an important relationship with Wes and with Okay.O. Understanding these guys for thus lengthy at this level, I type of know what they count on. They usually know me,” Akers mentioned. “That makes it a little bit simpler while you’ve acquired a relationship.”
When the Vikings (0-2) host the opposite group from Los Angeles, the Chargers (0-2), Akers will likely be on the inactive record. With the Vikings final within the league in speeding with 69 web yards by means of two video games, there’ll probably quickly to be a chance for him.
However the commerce, O’Connell mentioned, was under no circumstances an indictment on present starter Alexander Mattison, who took over the featured spot for the departed Dalvin Prepare dinner this 12 months.
“I informed Alex nothing modifications for him. The sentiments I’ve had about Alex and his function for us nonetheless all really feel the identical,” O’Connell mentioned. “There’s 1,000 issues we will all do higher to enhance our run recreation, however so far as Alex Mattison goes, he’s our lead again. We proceed to need to attempt to construct issues round him.”
Akers might function a change-of-pace possibility with the next ceiling for lengthy good points. Mattison is highly effective with a deft ahead lean for additional yards however not seen as a lot of an explosive risk.
“I’m simply glad to be right here. I’m glad for the chance,” Akers mentioned. “I’m glad to return in and contribute in no matter manner I can for this group.”