Frazier says that he's looking to use Patterson more as a kick returner right now, and that a half-dozen guys (Randle, Jerodis Williams, Robinson, Sherels and McCoy) were catching punts today.
In team drills, Ponder went 6-12 (INT), Cassel 6-9, Bethel-Thompson 3-5, Vandenberg 1-1. Clearly, Ponder reads my blog and was so incredibly nervous he couldn't get his head on straight...lol. I'm dying to start a "Start Vandengberg" campaign, only people might actually take me seriously. Still, I'm curious to see if Bethel-Thompson sees any action...I was shocked when he beat out Sage Rosenfels (no matter how much I'd been advocating a younger QB corps), so I want to see what it is the coaches see in him!
Harrison Smith got the INT by the way. My ideal of a football player, let's hope he stays that way!
Peterson said in an interview his biggest interest in the OTAs is building team chemistry. Thank heaven we've got strong leaders this year! I can't begin to say how grateful I am that we're finally developing a team spirit and leadership. Now all we need is accountability...and something shiny...
Peterson also said Webb is improving, and praised him greatly for being the team player he is - keeping his head up, switching positions, and just generally doing what's best for the team. That's high praise from a guy like Peterson!
Cordarrelle Patterson has taken Randy Moss's old jersey number, #84. Let's hope it just confers good football karma, and none of the shenanigans. Frazier was also praising him and quoted as saying he's going to be a great asset to our team.
Can we all give Kevin Williams a round of applause? Not only did he take a $2.5 million paycut to stay on the team, but he's at these voluntary OTAs in his 11th season to make sure he sets a good example for the young guys and is there to provide veteran leadership. I'm beyond impressed over here!
Erin Henderson missed a couple big tackles at practice today but I'm not particularly worried. Get the rid of the offseason rust, let him settle into his new position, and then we'll talk about how he's going to be this season. Chad Greenway was quoted as saying he'll be great (Henderson, that is), and all he needs is to get caught up on pass coverage, since it's new to him. Cole didn't get any work with the first team today, and Mauti is still recovering from his ACL injury.
I have now been informed that at this point in the year we have a 90 man roster, which means 89/90 turned up yesterday. Pretty badass considering they're voluntary!
People are making jokes about Greg Jennings having an injury already, but it's just a tweaked ankle, and anyone who thinks they're either serious or avoidable has clearly never played a sport in their lives. I don't think I played a single lacrosse game without being on a sore ankle at some point!
Other injuries were John Sullivan (center) with microfacture knee surgery, Michael Mauti (linebacker) with left knee reconstruction, Chris Summers (receiver) with a hamstring injury, and of course Greg Childs who did some jogging for warmups before doing a rehab workout inside. So I guess he's progressing, which is very nice to hear.
Turns out Jared Allen isn't such a bad boy after all - he's coming off knee and shoulder surgeries and had a "family obligation" this week, so I'm sure the coaches didn't mind him not turning up. Glad he's become such a family man - does anyone else remember the clucking going on when we signed him, saying he'd never reform and always drink and mess up everything?
Fred Evans started both team periods at nose tackle instead of Letroy Guion, which is interesting. I wonder if they plan to move Guion?
Jarius Wright and AJ Jefferson apparently had something of a fight at practice, which was broken up by Jennings. Interested that it's getting so scrappy so early, but spirit is good as long as no one gets injured IMO.
Phil Loadholt apparently wasn't doing much on the field today. Now that would have me concerned if it continued, so I'll keep an eye out for it. DeMarcus Love was also bumped down to third string...not good news for him.
We have also signed a linebacker named Stanford Keglar, who played for the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans during 2008-2010, but he hasn't played in the NFL since he got cut right before the 2011 season started. He did play for the UFL - the Las Vegas Locomotives - so I'm not sure if he'll make the 53-man roster, but he's 6'2" and 240 pounds, so I'm happy enough for him to have his shot. It's pleasant to have a properly sized team for a change. (You can tell I'm sick of having undersized Gators WRs, I'm sure.)
In general Vikings news: Brian Robison twitted Matt Kalil about tweeting and driving. Dude has a point. Can you imagine how sick we'd all be if we lost Kalil for getting into a car crash because of a text?!
Greg Childs tweeted "Patiently waiting"...to get better? Or was someone late for a lunch date?
In general NFL news: Gronkowski will need back surgery after all, scheduled for June and will definitely miss at least part of training camp. Poor sucker. I'm no fan of the Cheatriots, but it's gotta suck to be so good and so injured.
Steve Smith has retired...it's rather sad. I like cheering for the Giants (since I hate the Patriots), but I feel for anyone who has a knee injury. Sympathy pains, you know. Still, he played for six seasons and has a ring, so that's something.
In general football news: "
Please, oh please God, let this be true!! (I'm crying with laughter right now!)
SKOL!
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