J.J. McCarthy burst into Minnesota's locker room in Detroit last week in the afterglow of a critical victory for the Vikings, meeting his boisterously welcoming teammates with an enthusiasm and intensity that took the party for the visitors to an even higher level.

J.J. McCarthy passionately nodded his head, not blinking as he listened to his head coach's speech. As the Minnesota Vikings' second-year quarterback made his way in front of his excited teammates, he clapped his hands together and let out a roar.