On identifying which late-round and undrafted guys can evolve into contributors, Flores said it’s all about “fit”: Right place, right timing, right system, right coaching, right setting for a player to see his potential.
“We’re all on the same page as far as fit,” said Flores, referencing a shared vision amongst Vikings leadership that involves General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Ryan Grigson, Director of Player Personnel Ryan Monnens, Assistant Director of Player Personnel Chisom Opara, Vice President of Football Operations Demitrius Washington and other voices.
The potential fit, paired with a player’s willingness to improve, which is sourced through extreme work ethic, is often what determines whether a player will pan out – at least how soon.
“We always say our job is to predict the forecast,” Flores said. “For the most part, the talent level in this league is pretty even. It’s the guys who really work hard on the skills relative to their position, work on their craft, work on their conditioning, work on diving into the playbook, those are guys who develop [and] get better, get more reps, get more playing time. And then the lightbulb goes off on the field.”
Flores noted it’s a long-winded way of saying you don’t really know what a player can do until he’s in front of you. Sometimes, that continuous cycle of learning includes a fun conversation with parents.
“This is a godsend,” Rodriguez said about playing under Flores. “I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
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