Minnesota Vikings assistants to get unique look at Shrine Bowl talent
By Adam Carlson
The 96th annual East-West Shrine Bowl will look a little different from the way it has been done in the past. There will be no actual game played due to the COVID-19 situation but that won’t stop teams like the Minnesota Vikings from getting a look at the talented young players who could be selections in the 2021 NFL Draft.
According to the official website of the Vikings, offensive quality control coaches Christian Jones and AC Patterson as well as defensive quality control/assistant linebackers coach Nick Rallis will be part of what is being called the Professional Development Opportunity.
The Professional Development Opportunity will feature virtual training and informational drills that could help some players catch the eye of teams looking ahead to the draft. Having three members of Minnesota’s staff on hand could help them find a diamond in the rough, much like the Vikings have been able to do in the mid to late rounds of the draft or as undrafted free agents.
In addition to the Professional Development Opportunity, some players will join virtual experiences with young patients at the Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is a nice reminder of what the Shriners are all about.
Some notable players from the East-West Shrine Bowl over the years that Vikings fans should be very familiar with are quarterback Brett Favre, Ed White, Hugh McElhenny, and Alan Page. Each of those players has spent time with the purple and gold and are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the East-West Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame.
That’s not to say there is a guaranteed Hall of Fame-caliber player among those participating in the Professional Development Opportunity of the 96th annual East-West Shrine Bowl. However, if there is one, this could help the Minnesota Vikings see their talent shining through.