EAGAN, Minn. -- About midway through the Minnesota Vikings' fourth OTA of the spring, receiver Justin Jefferson lined up on the left side of the formation. The play was a familiar one: A quick pass to Jefferson, who would then work toward the sideline in search of open grass.
On this occasion, however, quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw a bit too quickly and too far ahead. The ball sailed past Jefferson and out of bounds.
McCarthy's pass didn't seem inaccurate as much as it illustrated a case of imperfect timing between a star playmaker and a quarterback taking the initial extended first-team reps of his NFL career.