Training Camp

[Eli]

Lol, again? Wasn't this guy signed in January? When was he cut?

He was cut when Desmond Bishop was signed. Last year they carried 7 LBs on the active roster and right now they only have 10 in camp. With Nathan Williams hurt, that meant only 9 were healthy, so they clearly needed another body for practices.

[The Breeze]

Another way Jennings helps is by schooling the DBs. Robinson has recently commented on how much he is learning and improving by covering GJ in practice. He just makes the team better, there's no doubt about it. Urlacher would have been similar for the defense...but, unlike Jennings, his career was over. He even stated he didn't have the desire to play any longer.
Over in GB players are dropping like flies in the 1st week of camp. We have some hamsrting, groins and an ankle turn. Aside from Bishop's injury none of it sounds remotely serious.

[King James]

I think you're forgetting the Favre days

Lets be for real, that Favre days were a miracle. NO ONE, expected the Vikings to get as far as they did.

[dead_poet]

QBs having a good outing in 7 on 7, Ponder and Cassel are a combined 6-6 in the drill, Cassel just completed a 30-plus yarder to Burton

[vikeinmontana]

Lets be for real, that Favre days were a miracle. NO ONE, expected the Vikings to get as far as they did.

I can only speak for some on this board and the lines at vegas but when we signed favre MANY were thinking superbowl. we had good pieces in place and a pretty easy schedule. we went from about 25 to 1 to win it all to 4 to 1 to win it all over night. I was one who thought we had a great shot of at least making the big game and i'm still sick that we blew it.

[headless_norseman]

Lets be for real, that Favre days were a miracle. NO ONE, expected the Vikings to get as far as they did.

Personally, I expected them to have a shot at getting to the NFC Championship if not getting it. I was right, even though it was taken away from us

[headless_norseman]

Ha! They obviously hired him to play but the experience he brings and the knowledge he can impart to young players like Wright and Patterson is a nice bonus.

Hence the signing bonus!

[dead_poet]

Just talked w/rookie RB Bradley Randle (@VIKINGS_Rebel) for first time. Classy guy. Also took calls from ATL, MIA, but MN 'showed most love'

Andrew Krammer on Twitter

Bradley Randle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbb0-EmddKU

Looks shifty, aggressive blocker. Quick north-south runner. Explosive little guy that seems to be a bit more aggressive Darren Sproles. Not sure how he carves a role out, though.

[Texas Vike]

Andrew Krammer on Twitter

Bradley Randle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbb0-EmddKU

Looks shifty, aggressive blocker. Quick north-south runner. Explosive little guy that seems to be a bit more aggressive Darren Sproles. Not sure how he carves a role out, though.

This kid looks solid. He's buried on the depth chart right now, though:
HB
Adrian Peterson
Toby Gerhart
Matt Asiata
Joe Banyard
Bradley Randle
Jerodis Williams

He looks fast and strong on tape.

[Eli]

Andrew Krammer on Twitter

Bradley Randle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbb0-EmddKU

Looks shifty, aggressive blocker. Quick north-south runner. Explosive little guy that seems to be a bit more aggressive Darren Sproles. Not sure how he carves a role out, though.

Here's how:

* The Vikings have found their ideal fullback in Jerome Felton and I expect him to be here for years. What does Matt Asiata add to the roster? Nothing. Toby Gerhart is another glorified FB.

* Toby Gerhart is unlikely to be here next year. The Vikings need a solid 3rd down back and could be replacing two RBs in this year and the next.

There should be some good opportunity for a fresh RB to make the team this year.

[dead_poet]

Innnnnteresting. I know I'd feel more comfortable with Wright on the outside with Jennings instead of Simpson. He's earned it (IMO).

Jarius Wright still turning heads

Jarius Wright was the Vikings' most impressive receiver during the time I spent with them earlier in camp, and from most accounts, he has continued practicing at a high level. At one point, we all assumed the 5-foot-10 Wright would serve in the Vikings' slot position when they go to three-receiver sets. Now, you wonder if the Vikings will be tempted to pair him with Greg Jennings in two-receiver formations. Bill Musgrave, the Vikings' usually-reserved offensive coordinator, said this week that Wright is "so sharp" and levied heavy praise about his football instincts.

"He's done a fantastic job outside the numbers as well as in the slot," Musgrave said. "He looks quick, his weight is exactly where it needs to be and the bottom line with Jarius is he knows what to do all of the time. He can help the other guys in that room with all of the new faces in the receiving room, he helps them in the meeting room, during the drills and also of course when they break the huddle."

Wright didn't get into a game as a rookie last season until Percy Harvin injured his ankle, but as the chart shows, the Vikings directed more passes in his direction than any other wide receiver. Amid high anticipation for Jennings and rookie Cordarrelle Patterson, it appears that Wright has just kept doing his thing.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... ning-heads

[Mothman]

Innnnnteresting. I know I'd feel more comfortable with Wright on the outside with Jennings instead of Simpson. He's earned it (IMO).

I don't know if he's earned it yet but it sure sounds like he's making a good case for himself.

[dead_poet]

I don't know if he's earned it yet but it sure sounds like he's making a good case for himself.

To clarify: I think he's earned it more than Simpson. YMMV.

[Demi]

To clarify: I think he's earned it more than Simpson. YMMV.

Like when they said they wouldn't believe Patterson could earn a starting spot...why not? They're competing with Jerome Simpson for Pete's sake. Not like they have some proven veteran or all pro talent ahead of them.

[Mothman]

To clarify: I think he's earned it more than Simpson. YMMV.

For me, it's just too early to say. He certainly did more to earn it last year than Simpson but at this point in the summer, without a preseason game even under their belts, I don't think anybody competing for a position has earned one yet. I hope Wright is the mix though and if he is, I'd love to see Simpson raise his game and fight for the job and I'd love to see Patterson working hard to take it from both of them! That kind of competition can only be good for the team.