Vikings Training Camp: Day 0 Roundup

While training camp hadn't officially started—that will be 10:00 AM today—reports are pouring in from major media sources on what has been happening since the doors of Gage Hall have opened.

The Holy Trinity has been on it, but before you click any other links, be sure to read Dan Wiederer's guide to interpreting camp coverage over at the Star Tribune. It's pretty good.

In order to get instant updates, fans can do no better than ESPN1500's twitter feed. For folks who aren't involved in the twitter thing, ESPN1500 has generously provided a streaming set of updates for any thoughts that cross through their reporters' heads: Live from Mankato: Follow ESPN1500 at Vikings training camp

More than that, they've also been furiously scribbling notes and publishing minor updates on progress in their notebook. Highlights include their plans for Jerome Simpson (Starter's reps at first, and then scaling them down as the offseason progresses), Leslie Frazier's intended role in the defense (very heavy, but no playcalling), an update on Chad Greenway's dad (stable), and a hopeful discussion of the Vikings playoff chances (any given Sunday, right?).

Join us below the jump for more frenetic updates for training camp from before the first day of camp.

Obviously, the most important story comes from Fox Sports North, who report that Christian Ponder really, really likes Minnesota. A lot. More relevant is Wiederer's piece on Christian Ponder, which includes some backstory and a bit of fluff (including some grand promises). The Pioneer Press does one better and has a healthy discussion of what the Detroit game meant for Christian Ponder and his confidence.

Brian Murphy at the Pioneer Press noted that Toby Gerhart has added muscle, and speculates that this is related to his increased workload. That other running back has assessed his own health and unsurprisingly thinks he is ready to go. He can cut at full speed, and it's been reported for a while that his burst and straight-line speed are back to normal as well. Peterson wants to test his running in contact situations to see if he has everything back, and discussed it with Frazier and Sugarman late last night.

The two receivers expected to start seem ready for business, with the news of the day apparently being that Harvin showed up, like everyone said he would. Simpson, who was not a threat to miss camp, is talking about the silver lining of missing other, more important things (I'm not talkin' about practice. A game. Or three).

Cook is excited to show up to camp, and that's sort of it. He's talked about how he's matured, and how he feels blessed to be there. In the past, he and the coaching staff have been very serious about his role on the team following the domestic violence charge, and they expect significant improvement.

Also, pictures from camp! Here's one of Chris Kluwe ripping cords out of the walls in Gage Hall.

I've also published an extremely lengthy roster prediction at the Bleacher Report, with some breakdowns of the lesser known camp bodies.

Enjoy.