[Bryan88]

Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » Cool conditions

The Vikings were back at work today opening another round of organized team activities on a chilly day at Winter Park. Actually, it was pretty good football weather. A few players I’ve talked to about this haven’t complained, pointing out they will be working in plenty of heat and humidity when training camp opens in late July in Mankato.

Highlights today included quarterback Tarvaris Jackson hooking up with receiver Aundrae Allison on a deep route down the right sideline. Allison beat safety Eric Frampton in the one-on-one drill. Receiver Sidney Rice also caught a deep pass from Jackson down the same sideline. Rice put a nice move on rookie cornerback Travis Key. Allison and Rice, both entering their second NFL season, appear far more comfortable and confident than they were as rookies.

Running back Adrian Peterson and nose tackle Pat Williams are among those who continue to get limited work in the practices. The Vikings said last week that they wanted to get a look at some of their other running backs but it’s clear they are being cautious with Peterson.

The Vikings also had two new players in uniform. Receiver Daniel Davis (Texas Southern) and linebacker Brannon Carter (Northern Iowa) were signed to take the roster spots formerly held by Erasmus James and Brent Little. Carter is wearing No. 48 and Davis is wearing No. 86.

Center Matt Birk and running back Chester Taylor continued to be the only players absent from the OTAs. Taylor was at Winter Park a few weeks ago but is working out on his own at this point.

As for James’ future employment, it sounds like a few interested clubs have called his agent. James, coming off knee surgery, was placed on waivers on Friday by the Vikings.

After Tuesday’s practice, Peterson and several of his teammates spent time taking part in a Punt, Pass and Kick clinic with Special Olympics athletes.

Candid comment: The quote of the day comes from second-year right end Brian Robison, who is expected to serve as the primary backup to Jared Allen. Asked about what he learned last year that he can apply in 2008, Robison said: “It’s ridiculous. I look at film of what I did last year. I go around telling the guys all the time, ‘I was that terrible?’ It’s ridiculous the things you learn from your first year to your second year. They say that’s the time where you make your biggest jump. We’ll see what happens.”

Surprise move: Defensive end Ray Edwards admitted he was caught off guard by news that James had been waived. “Definitely,” Edwards said. “The guy was a first-round draft pick. You don’t expect them to cut a guy like that. It was definitely a big surprise.”

A comfort level: Jackson and veteran receiver Bernard Berrian continue to work on their chemistry during the OTAs. Berrian is expected to be the Vikings’ deep threat and could make life much easier on Adrian Peterson and Co. “The more we’re out here, the more we’re throwing the ball together, it’s getting a lot better,” Berrian said of catching passes from Jackson. “Being outside as opposed to being indoors [helps].”

[Bryan88]

I like hearing that Jackson is looking good and developing chemistry with Berrian.

[Bleedin Purple]

Yea thats always important, sounds like things are going well. I just hope McKinnie can play.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Bleedin Purple

Yea thats always important, sounds like things are going well. I just hope McKinnie can play.

Right now McKinnie is my biggest concern for the upcoming season. I still think that chances are he is a goner, but part of me doesn't want to believe that. How do you feel about Marcus Johnson?

[Bette]

Its great Jackson is developing a chemistry with Berrian but think I would rather see it happening with one of the younger guys.
Did the Vikings draft a young receiver this year or not?

If you are going to have a competitive team in the years to come it seems like the players have to kind of grow up together.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Bette

Its great Jackson is developing a chemistry with Berrian but think I would rather see it happening with one of the younger guys.
Did the Vikings draft a young receiver this year or not?

If you are going to have a competitive team in the years to come it seems like the players have to kind of grow up together.

We have Sidney Rice (2nd round pick last year) who has #1 potential and he is only 21. Right now he is a solid #2 guy. Berrian is only 27 or so and Bobby Wade is only 27. Aundrae Allison is 22 and has a chance to be a good #3 guy. So the Vikings do have some solid talent, it certainly isn't Moss and Carter, but I do think they can be effective.

[Bryan88]

Another OTA update.


Access Vikings: » Blog Archive » Jackson, Peterson absent from OTA workout

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and running back Adrian Peterson missed today’s organized team activities while taking care of personal issues. Jackson and Peterson are both expected back on Thursday, according to coach Brad Childress. Keep in mind these workouts are voluntary.

Linebacker Ben Leber also was absent today but he had a very good excuse. His wife, Abby, is due to give birth to the couple’s first child.

Childress also said he expects running back Chester Taylor to return on Monday. Taylor hasn’t been at any of the OTA workouts the past two weeks; Childress said last week that Taylor had a family issue. There is no great concern about Taylor’s conditioning and he has been around the team’s facility this offseason.

Veteran center Matt Birk remains absent and isn’t expected to take part in the offseason activities until the mandatory minicamp June 6-8 at Winter Park.

Childress said the offseason program ”will continue on for another couple weeks.”

With Jackson gone, veteran Gus Frerotte took the majority of snaps with the first team offense. Frerotte has limited experience in the West Coast offense and made it clear that he’s still learning on the job.

Frerotte did make a few nice passes, including a 40-yard completion that he threw on a rope to Bernard Berrian down the right sideline. Berrian was covered by cornerback Antoine Winfield and safety Madieu Williams on the play.

Other notes:

Rookie free-agent receiver Darius Reynaud was on the field but did little work today. Reynaud appeared to suffer a hamstring injury last week.
Second-year linebacker Rufus Alexander, who missed last season because of a knee injury, appeared to injure his hamstring during a team drill. Alexander left the field and went to the locker room with head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman.
With Peterson gone, running back Maurice Hicks got reps with the first team.
Center John Sullivan, a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame last month, has been seeing the majority of work with the top offensive line.
Pro Bowl nose tackle Pat Williams has been on the field throughout the OTAs but has been limited in how much he’s allowed to do. Today, free-agent pickup Kenderick Allen replaced Williams on the first team.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Bryan88

We have Sidney Rice (2nd round pick last year) who has #1 potential and he is only 21. Right now he is a solid #2 guy. Berrian is only 27 or so and Bobby Wade is only 27. Aundrae Allison is 22 and has a chance to be a good #3 guy. So the Vikings do have some solid talent, it certainly isn't Moss and Carter, but I do think they can be effective.

I didnt realize Berrian was so young so he can hang around awhile longer.
Actually sounds more positive than it has been for some time. Dang I hope they can beat Green Bay and shut the Packer fans up around here for awhile.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Bette

I didnt realize Berrian was so young so he can hang around awhile longer.
Actually sounds more positive than it has been for some time. Dang I hope they can beat Green Bay and shut the Packer fans up around here for awhile.

Nothing would make me happier than to have the Vikings shut up the Packer fans. Seriously though, this is the best we have been at WR since Moss was in town, we will just have to wait and see what Jackson can do with this group.