3. Plenty of previous background info | By Lindsey Young
Both defenders are arriving in Minnesota with previous background on the team and organization.
After spending seven seasons with the Packers, Lowry is welcoming the opportunity to switch jersey colors for ensuing Border Battles.
Lowry noted that O’Connell is incredibly down-to-earth and “had some great things to say” about the Vikings current situation, in addition to standards and expectations for the team.
“I think my experience in the division will help a bit,” Lowry said. “I’m excited. There’s already a strong foundation in place, and I’m looking forward to joining a great thing.”
Lowry and Davenport teamed at their respective colleges with former Vikings – Lowry with Ifeadi Odenigbo (a 2017 draft pick who played 31 games for Minnesota from 2019-20) at Northwestern and Davenport with David Morgan (2016-18) at UTSA.
Additionally, Lowry had taken notice of the Vikings being ranked atop the NFL Players Association’s first-ever report cards that were released ahead of free agency.
“That’s really impressive for life outside of football, how they treat the players and everything for their families,” Lowry said. “It’s a place to be a part of the experience, but that definitely was true in visiting Monday. Everything is in place for the players to be successful, and it speaks to the investment that the ownership and front office has put in place for the players to overall get a great experience for them and their families.”
Davenport said he’s been a fan of the Vikings organization from afar ever since the team drafted Morgan in 2017. And while the Saints and Vikings don’t share a division, the teams have certainly developed a unique competition while meeting multiple times – in the regular and postseason – over the past decade-plus.
“[Morgan has] only told me great things. I was excited to get up here,” said Davenport, who knows Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips from training together in Carlsbad, California.
“When we played [the Vikings in London] and lost, he only spoke so highly of Minnesota. So just from that perspective, I’m ready,” Davenport added.
He also has learned about the organization from Vikings Ring of Honor tight end Steve Jordan, father of Davenport’s former Saints teammate Cameron Jordan.
“Ah, man, every time [Steve] talks about Minnesota, he’s talking about the cold,” Davenport said. “Yeah, that man is something else. But you know, he always claims that it’s home. I like that…
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