EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings' decision to give Everson Griffen a five-year, $42.5 million contract in March 2014, before the defensive end had ever been a full-time starter, was something of a leap of faith. It quickly came with a mandate from new coach Mike Zimmer: With that kind of contract, you're going to be expected to lead.

The directive might have been just as surprising at the time as the contract that preceded it, given Griffen's reputation as a live wire during his first years in Minnesota. He was tasered twice in one weekend following his rookie season with the Vikings, and teammates knew him as an excitable knucklehead whose potential outstripped his production.

As he begins his third year of the contract, it's striking to see Griffen's transformation -- not only into a Pro Bowl pass rusher coming off double-digit sack seasons, but as one of the trusted voices on the Vikings' defense.

Griffen, now married and a father of two, was elected one of the team's captains last year. He figures to be in a leadership role again this season, and Zimmer said he's got a better feel for how to handle it now.

"He’s not a guy that’s afraid to voice his opinion or his leadership skills," Zimmer said. "I think last year was a little new to him. I called him in and talked to him about being a captain. I think at first he tried to be the image of a captain and just not the image of himself. I think he felt better after we had that talk to just be himself and do what he keeps doing and people will respect him."

Here are some other notes and observations from Thursday's practice:

• With Matt Kalil out once again, Griffen was working against T.J. Clemmings at left tackle on Thursday. Kalil has practiced just once since limping off the field on Sunday, and he joined teammates on the sidelines during the middle of Thursday's practice.

• Blair Walsh hit seven of his eight attempts during a field-goal period, with his lone miss drifting wide left from 36 yards out. Walsh's longest kick of the day was 41 yards.

• Teddy Bridgewater continued to do more work during Thursday's practice, throwing more deep balls than he'd done in either of the team's first two practices this week. Bridgewater, who sat out last Thursday's game against the Seahawks with a sore shoulder, said he's planning to play on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, though it remains to be seen if the Vikings will give him a shorter day of work to allow his shoulder to calm down.