[Bryan88]

Vikings minicamp: Time to analyze, experiment

1 Progress report

Sure, it's silly to read too much into offseason practices that feature no contact, but that won't stop us from attempting to gauge whether quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is making progress. If one positive can be gleaned from OTAs, it's that Jackson appears more confident and in control than he did a year ago. The minicamp should take things up a notch. Last year, red flags were raised when Jackson appeared indecisive during blitz drills. It will be interesting to see how he handles similar situations this time.

2 Sorting through the QB situation

The Vikings have five quarterbacks, including Jackson, veterans Gus Frerotte and Brooks Bollinger, and rookies John David Booty and Kyle Wright. Will they take that many to training camp? One reason they won't: The six roster exemptions teams received when NFL Europe was around are gone (that league folded) and training-camp rosters will be capped at 80. Decisions are going to have to be made early. Considering Booty was a fifth-round pick and Wright was signed as a free agent, Bollinger could be the odd man out.

3 Return of Birk

Pro Bowl center Matt Birk, who is entering the last year of his contract and has yet to be approached about an extension, hasn't taken part in voluntary OTAs but plans to be at the mandatory camp. Birk, though, has been working out with former Vikings long snapper Mike Morris and appears in excellent condition. Nonetheless, this likely will be Birk's only participation in the Vikings' offseason program.

4 Double trouble

Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor provided the Vikings with a formidable 1-2 punch out of the backfield last season, but rarely were they on the field together. With Peterson working to become a more well-rounded player this offseason, the Vikings could begin to experiment with formations that feature both running backs.

5 New technology

The NFL's decision to allow communication between a defensive player and a coach means experimenting is in order. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said middle linebacker E.J. Henderson and safety Darren Sharper are the primary candidates to wear the radio device in their helmet, which will enable them to hear defensive signals.