First Day of Vikings Training Camp in the Books

by Gonzo on Jul 31, 2009 7:37 PM CDT in Vikings Comment 18 comments

I have no idea what you're talking about, so here's a Pro Bowl defensive tackle with a bird on his head. (Picture courtesy of Vikings Now, St. Paul Pioneer Press)

View full size photo »

Yes, after a little less than seven months of waiting, the Minnesota Vikings are back on the football field. Even though it's just Blakeslee Field in Mankato and not the raucous confines of the Metrodome, it's just the sign we've been waiting for. We're less than two weeks away from the first exhibition game of 2009, and right around five weeks away from the kickoff of the 2009 regular season.

One of these days, I'm actually going to make it up to training camp and see what it's like to watch these guys do their thing. Not sure when "one of these days" will be, exactly, but it will eventually happen. For now, though, I. . .like 99% of the rest of you. . .am reduced to following the Twitter feeds of roughly every journalist in the Twin Cities area with even a remote connection to the Vikings. (If you're scoring at home, that would be Judd Zulgad, Chip Scoggins, Sean Jensen, Rick Alonzo, and Phil Mackey.)

What, exactly, did our intrepid reporters tell us about today's happenings in Mankato? Well, hit the jump, and I'll give you some of the highlights.

-The big story in training camp is, obviously, the quarterback situation. Tarvaris Jackson started out the day with the first team, but he and Sage Rosenfels split the first-team snaps equally After Day 1, we apparently don't have a winner in the QB derby, which will probably upset some folks. (Yeah, that was sarcasm. . .mostly.)
-By all accounts, however, Jackson looked much better than Rosenfels did during today's drills.
-Jackson threw the best pass of the day, as he connected with Sidney Rice on a 65(!?)-yard pass where Rice had Marcus Walker draped all over him.
-The second-team cornerbacks were Benny Sapp and Marcus McCauley. Sapp, by all accounts, is out there in the role of nickel back.
-The second team defensive tackles are Fred Evans and Letroy Guion. . .we may have to get used to seeing those two in the middle of the line.
-Jaymar Johnson continues to impress, but Aundrae Allison made a couple of nice plays today, too. These two guys probably realize that they're competing for one roster spot, and it might be the most interesting non-QB position battle of camp.
-Karl Paymah is wearing #41. That was Charles Gordon's number last season.
-Tyrell Johnson says that he feels much more comfortable in the defense this year and hopes to be more of a playmaker. Which is nice when you consider he's pretty much the starting strong safety by default this year.
-Glenn Holt managed to drop a pass when there wasn't a defender within five yards of him.

-From our friend Capital J: "Phil Loadholt is the hugest mofo I have ever seen. He makes McKinnie look miniscule. He lined up as the starting RT all practice from what I could see."

We'll be here following tomorrow's Twittering as well. If any of you good folks are at camp or anything like that tomorrow, please take advantage of DN's (fairly) new mobile commenting features and let us know what's going on from your perspective. So, with that, start enjoying your weekend, folks. . .because, by God, it's FOOTBALL SEASON again!

0 recs | Comment 18 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

You're at training camp?

How do you get that close to the players? I am going next weekend and Im hoping to see my favorite players up close.

by FutureViking43 on Jul 31, 2009 8:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m so glad training camp finally started can’t wait till the season starts =D

"If at first you don't succeed - Skydiving isn't for you"

by Zoxide on Jul 31, 2009 8:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

To be honest, I don’t know who I would pick in the Jaymar-Aundrae battle.

I have been rooting for Aundrae to earn some playing time since I saw some big plays early.

But then, all I hear is people raving about Jaymar, and praise from Chris Carter is big.

by Bjorno on Jul 31, 2009 9:16 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Jaymar in for sure

I would be happy if J.Johnson replaced Wade in the WR rotation.

I never question T.Jacks throwing ability, its his ability to go to and find his second option. When his first option isn’t open he has to be quicker to hit his second.

GregP

by VikesPma on Jul 31, 2009 10:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Training Camp

Hook me up with a media pass. I’ll be down in Mankato all weekend watching the Purple get their Practice on.

by toke1 on Jul 31, 2009 10:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

toke1

Just stay away from Percy (if he ever gets signed) We don’t need him having any bad influences around!

by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Aug 1, 2009 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice

I both understand and respect your hilarity, good sir. Since Percy is a no-show, I think me influencing him is the least of our worries during this camp….

by toke1 on Aug 1, 2009 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha

Thanks for not taking that as a personal insult. Just your username and the name Percy Harvin together at the same time… I couldn’t pass up the opportunity!

by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Aug 1, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome

I can’t wait for tomorrows report.

Lots of competition at almost every position. The start of another interesting year for the purple and gold.

Go Vikes!

by chaosg on Jul 31, 2009 10:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sigh

This being my first summer in California, I won’t be making that drive down to Mankato any more, but one should always look on the bright side, and I won’t be tempted to invest in things like Troy Williamson jerseys anymore, either.

This should be a most interesting camp though. It’s encouraging to hear confirmations that Phil Loadholt actually is the size of a large bulldozer.

by Elgar on Jul 31, 2009 10:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

if it's any consolation

i own a michael bennett jersey.

by iseepurplepeople on Aug 3, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the update, a very encouraging post!

In AP I trust
Just say no to Favre.
F-A-R-V-A =/= F-A-V-R-E

by FarvaForTheVikings on Jul 31, 2009 10:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Finally!

Thanks for the recap, Gonzo, hopefully all the distractions are over and the Vikings (and us) can get focused on the game :))) .

I’ve always hoped Allison would step up, but after Jaymar got Carter’s endorsement, if they have to choose between the two, I’d have to side with keeping Jaymar.

It’s kinda scary that Tyrell Johnson’s moving into a 1st string position in his second year; is he that good or are the Vikings that thin in the secondary? I just looked over his stats from last year and while they probably reflect reduced play-time (since he wasn’t a starter), he did play in all 16 games so he got a lot of experience.

It got me to wondering so I took a look at Sharper’s stats for comparison, and the only area that Sharper had a drop-off in, was interceptions. In every other area, his numbers were in line with his usual production. If all you went by were the numbers, you’d be wondering why the Vikes gave up on him.

Can’t wait to see Load in action!

Anyone hear anything on Asher Allen?

Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!

by DCPurple on Aug 1, 2009 8:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You can't look at Sharper's

numbers to judge just how far his level of play had dropped. You need to watch the game film where it was more than clear that he’s lost a step and a half and was consistently late in getting over the top in the zone. Great player but simply past his prime now.

by VikingBillArlingtonVA on Aug 1, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tyrell started the first 7 games when Madieu was injured in the preseason, and he did a fine job of filling in even though he was inexperienced. In fact, save for a few 8 tackle games that Madieu put up last year, Tyrell was on par with Madieu’s contributions.

I know in Madden 09, Tyrell is one of the most physically talented young safeties in the game. They have him rated 93 speed, 72 strength, mid-90’s agility and acceleration and mediocre tackle. That does not mean a lot, I know. But when you consider how Madden rankings usually under-rate the Vikings talent, maybe he might be even better.

I know he is a hard hitting safety with cornerback speed, and he made some improvement last year in his pass coverage, which scared me on the first couple of games last year.

by Bjorno on Aug 1, 2009 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

this kid is going to be good. he did really well last year for a rookie. he got burned several times but experience will correct that.

by iseepurplepeople on Aug 3, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wrong name of the School

Minnesota State University, Mankato is not affiliated with University of Minnesota. It used to be called Mankato State University and there was no confusion about it being part of the University of Minnesota System. The problem was that few people outside of Minnesota knew where Mankato was. So they changed the name to emphasize the Minnesota part. Now everyone thinks it’s just another University of Minnesota School. I know it is a little confusing, but please don’t insult my eyes again. As a loyal Maverick I cannot bear hearing the finest educational institution in the midwest lumped in with the over priced and over privileged University of Minnesota. Thanks.

by blackfist on Aug 1, 2009 8:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs