Alright, folks, today is the first day of Training Camp, so rather than re-hash more of the lies coming from Wisconsin, let's talk a little bit about some players that will actually matter in the NFL in 2008. . .the guys that are wearing purple and taking the field at Winter Park as we speak.
Unfortunately, not everybody will be performing in the capacity that they were hoping, as starting LDE Ray Edwards has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list by the Vikings. Edwards, who by all accounts has been working his butt off this off-season, is suffering from a back injury that will keep him out indefinitely.
With the prospect of playing next to three Pro Bowlers on the defensive line, plus his desire to redeem himself after missing the last four games of the 2007 season after violating the league's substance abuse policy, many of the Purple faithful (myself included) are expecting a big season from the third-year man from Purdue in 2008. He's apparently been quite the gym rat since last season concluded, and should be in phenomenal shape at this point. Unfortunately, back injuries have a tendency to linger on, and it's probably better for Edwards to try to rid himself of it now rather than have it linger on through the season.
What's even more interesting is that, according to the Star-Tribune, it will be Jayme Mitchell that will be taking Edwards' spot with the first-team defense. Brian Robison is going to remain as Jared Allen's primary backup at RDE, but could also see a few reps at LDE. Mitchell is a nice story, too, and if Edwards is out for any period of time, his transition from undrafted free agent to practice squad player to solid contributor to starter would be complete.
Hopefully there will be a LOT more training camp news today as things progress. We hope you'll keep yourselves tuned here to see if anything happens.