EAGAN, Minn. — T.J. Hockenson has discovered a summer season dwelling in Tennessee, the place a small group of NFL gamers spearheaded by his shut pal tight finish George Kittle prepare collectively between seasons.
The periods happen at Kittle’s 75-acre property outdoors of Nashville, the place there’s a exercise facility in a reworked barn and a soccer discipline within the San Francisco 49ers star’s yard. The group brings in their very own bodily therapists and pace and power specialists, too.
Sometimes, Joshua Dobbs joins them.
“There’s not a ton of quarterbacks down there, so whenever we could throw with Josh we were all hyped and excited,” Hockenson mentioned. “It was one of those days we weren’t going to miss, because he’s got a great ball and he’s a great quarterback and he’s a great dude.”
Little did he know this informal connection made in latest summers would kind the muse for one of many NFL‘s most productive passing duos.
Over two games with the Minnesota Vikings, Dobbs has targeted Hockenson 27 times. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (30) is the only player in the league with more over that span, according to Sportradar data. More than 40% of Minnesota’s passes went to Hockenson in Weeks 9-10, the third-highest fee within the NFL.
“It’s not like we planned on doing that in a game,” mentioned Dobbs, who performed in school at Tennessee and likewise has an offseason dwelling within the state. “But it was cool to have banked reps and banked communication with somebody, right? Especially one of your best playmakers on offense. Have reps with him, have a feel for how he gets in and out of routes. Obviously, there’s a matchup issue, and it shows.”
Hockenson outgained New Orleans by himself with 128 receiving yards within the first half final week, when the Vikings beat the Saints 27-19 for his or her fifth straight victory.
“The ball keeps coming to you, and I was reading the defenses real well and just feeling it a little bit. So that was a blast,” mentioned Hockenson, who performed by way of two injured ribs.
There was no higher instance of their synergy than the third-and-5 play early within the second quarter in opposition to the Saints. Dobbs outran two go rushers to his proper to keep away from a sack earlier than firing an off-balance throw to Hockenson.
The two-time Pro Bowl tight finish freelanced to seek out open house as soon as Dobbs left the pocket, made a leaping catch and plowed ahead rugby-style by way of the protection for a 24-yard achieve. The Vikings scored the tiebreaking landing two performs later.
“With him in the backfield you can’t think the play’s over,” mentioned Hockenson, who leads all NFL tight ends with 681 receiving yards. “If he doesn’t get you on the first time or the second time, he’s going to move around. You just try to find an open area and beat your guy. It’s a little like street ball.”
The Vikings (6-4) play Sunday evening at Denver, when huge receiver Justin Jefferson may rejoin the offense and provides Dobbs much more to work with. Jefferson, who has missed the previous 5 video games with a hamstring pressure, will proceed to ramp up his depth this week earlier than the Vikings take into account whether or not or to not activate him.
Wide receiver Ok.J. Osborn, who was held out in opposition to the Saints due to a concussion, has cleared the protocol and was a full participant Wednesday in follow.
“I’ve been around some talented offenses, but with the guys we have here rolling, man, it’s definitely hard to top the guys in this locker room,” Dobbs mentioned. “That’s what’s so exciting.”
