Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
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EAGAN, Minn. — At some point this season, Rick Dennison will gather Minnesota’s group of offensive linemen for a game of $100,000 Pyramid.
The popular television game show features one person giving a series of clues while their partner tries to guess the topic, with the difficulty getting harder as you go through the six categories.
While Dennison won’t have his players try to guess anything about animals, cars or things that fly, he’ll use the game as a way to quiz his players about technique, footwork or the upcoming opponent.
It’s a method Dennison has used with previous teams, but he hasn’t revealed it here because the Vikings aren’t in the thick of the regular season yet.
“Don’t ruin my thunder now,” Dennison joked with a laugh. “We were in preseason [so I haven’t done that yet.]”
The Vikings first-year offensive line coach/run game coordinator explained his reasoning for using the unique teaching methods with his players.
“You’re working with things that apply to the game plan,” Dennison said of the game. “Just trying to open their minds and think about how to attack in different ways. The questions are based on the game plan, and it usually makes it a little bit more fun. Usually the winners get some sort of prize like a pizza or something.”
“My history is you try to present material in different ways because everybody learns just a little bit different. We spend the whole first part of the week watching film and showing them the drawings,” Dennison added. “Then you go out and practice and show them what to do. But by the end of the week, to keep it fresh, you present it in a different way.”
Vikings offensive lineman Dakota Dozier was with Dennison at the Jets in 2018 and said Dennison is known to find distinctive ways to reach his players.
“He really loves trivia and strategy,” Dozier said. “[The $100,000 Pyramid] was all about plays.