Despite being nagged by injuries, missing two games, and being in an offense that has seen more change than a New Jersey Turnpike tollbooth, Stefon Diggs is having an incredible second year in Minnesota. He’s on pace to be the third Vikings player to reach 100 catches in a season—only Cris Carter and Randy Moss have done it, which is some pretty decent company. Diggs also has an excellent shot at being the first Viking with 1,000 yards receiving since Sidney Rice did it in 2009. Not bad for a fifth rounder just 24 games into his professional career.

Diggs is doing big things off the field as well; he is teaming up with CenturyLink on Tuesday afternoon to donate a wide variety of technology equipment to Pillsbury United Communities. I was able to chat one-on-one with Diggs about the event before discussing the success he has enjoyed this year and how the Vikings are focusing on the make-or-break three game stretch to finish the season.

Daily Norseman: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. Let’s start right away with the event that you’re doing this afternoon with CenturyLink. Can you tell us a little more about it?

Stefon Diggs: Today I’ll be providing technology to Pillsbury United Communities, that’s on behalf of CenturyLink of course. I’ll be there, Oscar Reed, a former Viking, the Skol Line, and the Vikings cheerleaders. It’s definitely going to be a fun experience.

DN: Tell us a little more about Pillsbury United Communities. What led you to partner with them to serve this particular group of under-served youth?

SD: Pillsbury United Communities is a non-profit organization that focuses on inner-city neighborhoods. I’m big on impacting kids in any way, shape, or form so it was an opportunity for me and I definitely wanted to hop all over it. It was definitely something that I just wanted to do.

DN: It sounds like you guys are providing quite the spread for Pillsbury. On top of all sorts of technology and equipment. I even saw something in the press release about a professional-caliber recording studio! Can you expand a little bit on what you’re providing for the kids?

SD: We’re providing a lot of things, like the new studio equipment, there’s a whole lot. They’re definitely in for a treat with all of the fun equipment that we have. I’m just happy to be a part of it.

DN: That sounds like an amazing opportunity for these kids and a lot of fun this afternoon. Of course after the event today you have a very important game to prepare for against the Colts this Sunday at US Bank Stadium. First things first, how are you feeling physically? You’ve been a little nicked up an missed a couple games, so how are you holding up for the stretch run?

SD: I break the season up in quarters, and we’re in our last quarter now. I’m feeling like I did at the beginning of the year so I plan on making a big impact in any way that I can. So I feel good now; I was a little nicked up but I never make any excuses.

DN: Despite missing those couple of games there has definitely been no sophomore slump for you this season. You led the team in receptions and yards last year as a rookie and you’re already well past those numbers with three games to go. You’re actually getting pretty close to some rarefied air, in the neighborhood of 100 catches which of course has only been done by Randy Moss and Cris Carter for this team. You’re getting close to 1,000 yards as well. Did you set any personal milestones before the season that you wanted to hit, and if so are you getting close them?

I’m feeling like I did at the beginning of the year so I plan on making a big impact in any way that I can.

SD: I didn’t set any milestones. Of course people like to do that so they have something to work toward. I’m big on controlling what I can control so I just want to take full advantage of the opportunities given to me. I’ll just let the chips fall where they may. Of course getting close to whatever milestones [the coaches] might have for me would be nice for them and I would love to do it for them. So any opportunity I get, I’m going to take full advantage.

DN: It isn’t just your coaches and people in Minnesota that have taken notice. I have seen several interviews of opponents after games that have had nice things to say about you. In fact, Josh Norman had something positive to say about you after your game in Washington last month, and we know that isn’t always the case when it comes to Norman talking about wide receivers. I want to give you a chance for you to return the favor for your opponents. Who have you gone up against this season that has really impressed you?

SD: There are a lot of guys. You play in the National Football League, it’s not easy. I would never downplay any guy [I go against]. Every DB I go against on every NFL team, especially this year, we know that getting here didn’t happen by chance or the drop of a hat. They worked to get here too. They can all definitely play at a high level. Josh Norman is one of the best DBs in the game, so to get some words of encouragement or I guess a pat on the back is nice. But you gotta continue to prove it week in and week out. I want to compete every week, whoever I go against. They grind like everybody else to get to where they’re at. Everybody should be noted.

DN: You mentioned that you had to work your way up to where you are—you were a fifth round pick out of Maryland that wasn’t the most highly regarded player coming out of the draft. So you have to be appreciating what your teammate Adam Thielen is doing this year. An undrafted local guy out of Minnesota that has come on and contributed a lot to this team. I mean, is HE still kind of surprised like everyone else is, or is that something you have seen as kind of a long time coming with how Thielen prepares every week?

SD: I’ve seen it as a long time coming ever since day one. I’ve liked Adam since day one as far as route running, hands, and what he does well. We’ve got a lot of great players on the team, and when Adam finally got his chance he took full advantage. It’s no surprise to me. I expected this from Adam.

DN: I think one of the more underappreciated parts of Thielen’s success and your success this season is the fact that you have done it in an offense that has had a lot of turnover and a quarterback that wasn’t even on the roster in Training Camp. Just two weeks after Sam Bradford arrived in Minnesota you were catching the game-winning touchdown against Green Bay in the home opener. How did you build such a great rapport with Bradford so quickly, and what about his game compliments yours so well?

SD: Sam’s big on making good decisions and I’m big on being where I’m supposed to be when I’m supposed to be there. So for my quarterback it’s just about trying to be on the same page at all different times. And as he sees the progressions, I try to be that guy for him, and just be open and create some separation when he wants you to be open, things of that nature. Basically just timing.

Sam’s big on making good decisions and I’m big on being where I’m supposed to be when I’m supposed to be there.

DN: Is that timing kind of something that you have worked extra on in practice? Did you get extra reps with Sam in right away or is something that just kind of came naturally for you guys?

SD: We definitely got some extra reps throughout the weeks but it does sort of come natural as far as him putting the ball where it needs to be. He’s got a cannon on him and he’s accurate. So it’s just about trying to be ready and be there whenever he lets the ball go.

DN: We’ve touched a little on the turnover this offense is had, especially along the offensive line, and now you’re on your second offensive coordinator. Even Mike Zimmer had to miss a game. Has it been a little frustrating seeing how much adversity this team has been through, or is it more encouraging that you’re still in the thick of the playoff race with three weeks to go?

SD: It’s more encouraging. We’re not the type of team to get down about anything that’s happened in the past. Of course Coach Zim going down and missing game just shows that we’re all battling adversity. We’re all banged up here and there. We just encourage one another and we still have 100% focus on what we want to do and what we want to get done. Things are looking brighter in the future. We gotta continue to put these wins together so we can put ourselves in the best position possible.

DN: Speaking of looking forward to the future, I know we’re kind of early in the week and you probably haven’t watched a ton of film on the Colts yet, but what are your early impressions of Indianapolis? Have you started to talk about the game plan you’re going to implement on Sunday?

SD: I’m already watched some film on Indianapolis, but as far as the game plan, it’s still early in the week so I haven’t got too much of the game plan yet, as far as how we’re going to set it up. I’m definitely excited for it. They have some great guys on the back end, they have a good defense, but I’m looking forward to what we have going on and putting something together so we can win.

DN: Obviously it has to be a little different with Pat Shurmur implementing this game plans for the team instead of Norv Turner. Has it been pretty similar on offense since the transition or are there quite a few new things that Shurmur has added that you weren’t doing earlier in the season?

SD: They’re two different coaches so there are definitely going to be a few things added and a few things taken away. But it’s all part of the game. It’s part of growing; when somebody else is put in there in a different position you gotta go with it. You gotta learn as you go and continue to play at a high level and learn everything that you can learn. That’s all.

DN: And finally to wrap up with you Stefon, this has been an interesting season for you guys schedule-wise with the holidays. You’ve played on Halloween, you had a Thanksgiving game, you’re going to play on Christmas Eve at Lambeau Field. How has that affected you personally with planning holidays around your family?

SD: Whether it’s celebrating them a day early or a day late, I’m big on holidays and I’m big on tradition so I still try to get the time in with my family. Because at the end of the day that’s all you’ve got. You gotta definitely show them love and appreciation throughout the holidays.

DN: So you got your Christmas shopping all done yet or do you still have a bunch left to do?

SD: I still got some to do, but that will get done of course.

DN: I hear you on that one. That’s all the time we have Stefon, so enjoy the event this afternoon. Best of luck Sunday, these last three games of the season, and hopefully beyond that.

SD: Thanks boss, I appreciate it. Have a good one.

Once again we’d like to thank Stefon Diggs for being kind enough to chat with us, and CenturyLink for helping to provide the technology upgrades for Pillsbury United Communities.