The Vikings' new quarterback and new offensive coordinator stirred the offseason. As that offseason progressed on Tuesday, it was the NFL's reigning No. 1 defense flexing its muscle (on Mike Zimmer's 62nd birthday).
Plenty of passes were swatted out of the air during Organized Team Activity No. 8 (out of 10). Three of backup quarterback Trevor Siemian's throws were batted during his second red-zone drill, by defensive end Stephen Weatherly and cornerbacks Marcus Sherels and Horace Richardson.
Defensive end Brian Robison swatted the first of two Kirk Cousins throws during the first-team offense's red-zone session. Robison later batted away a play-action swing pass from Cousins.
"I've been in this league going on 12 years now," Robison said. "I've kind of seen it all, I think."
Receiver Laquon Treadwell dropped his first target during passing drills at the start of practice. But the third-year receiver rebounded with a grab on a whip route against cornerback Trae Waynes.
Treadwell has been taking snaps as the third receiver with the first-team offense. Veteran newcomer Kendall Wright has been working with the second and third teams.
"It's always a little bit of a cat and mouse game with the offense and defense," Zimmer said. "They run a couple plays that hurt the defense, then the defense will come back and run something that hurts them. For the most part, it's really about trying to get guys better at doing their job and being on the same page."
Here are more notes from Vikings OTAs: