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The PP's Ben Goessling provides his position0by-position take on the Vikes as the head into training camp:

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_237 ... ining-camp

Here's what he had to say about the WRs:

WIDE RECEIVERS

Training camp roster (12): Greg Jennings, Jarius Wright, Jerome Simpson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Stephen Burton, Joe Webb, Chris Summers, Greg Childs, Erik Highsmith, Adam Thielen, Rodney Smith, LaMark Brown

Projected opening day roster (5): Jennings, Wright, Simpson, Patterson, Childs

Outlook: The Vikings sank more time and money into revamping this position than any other on their roster. After all that, they still don't know quite what to expect. Will Jennings stay healthy after missing 11 games the past two seasons? Will Simpson rebound from a disappointing season? Can Childs return from two major knee injuries? Can Patterson learn the offense as a rookie? Can Webb make the shift from quarterback? Don't be surprised if Thielen -- who had a strong showing in OTAs and minicamp--makes a strong push on his old college campus. The same goes for Summers, who spent last season on the practice squad.

Reports are all three first-rounders have signed.

dead_poet wrote:Reports are all three first-rounders have signed.

Cool. I figured the deals would get done quickly once the necessary dominoes fell. Thanks for the info!

Image from the Vikings facebook page.

It's so nice not having to worry about rookie holdouts anymore.

Leslie Frazier just finished his opening presser. Biggest news: Bishop will open camp at outside LB. frazier feels it's best fit initially.

Frazier also said that Greg Childs is the only player likely to begin on Camp PUP list.

Dan Wiederer on Twitter

Thanks for posting that picture, Cliff. It's good to see.

I really like that C-Patt is sporting his Vikings gear! I think I love this kid already.

dead_poet wrote:

Interesting... but not all that surprising. I think some people were just thinking "Bishop was an inside LB in GB, he's an inside LB" but in reality, his duties as a 3-4 inside LB in their system were pretty similar to those of an outside LB in the Vikings 4-3. That doesn't mean he won't end up moving inside but it looks like Henderson is going to get his shot to seize the MLB job.

The issue that peaked my ears when I heard this news is Greenway moving to the weak side. Maybe someone with a better knowledge of the responsibilities of the weak side in the Vikes' scheme could enlighten me but would that be a huge transition for him? Would we then have 3 people playing new positions and could that have a negative effect on the whole unit?

Wow. Michael Mauti won't be on the PUP to open camp? That's big news.

Did someone actually say Greenway is moving to weak side linebacker, or was that speculation?

Eli wrote:Wow. Michael Mauti won't be on the PUP to open camp? That's big news.

Did someone actually say Greenway is moving to weak side linebacker, or was that speculation?

I hadn't noticed that. Very interesting.

Eli wrote:Wow. Michael Mauti won't be on the PUP to open camp? That's big news.

Did someone actually say Greenway is moving to weak side linebacker, or was that speculation?

It appears to be speculation from Mike Florio:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... r-vikings/

MikethePurple wrote:The issue that peaked my ears when I heard this news is Greenway moving to the weak side. Maybe someone with a better knowledge of the responsibilities of the weak side in the Vikes' scheme could enlighten me but would that be a huge transition for him? Would we then have 3 people playing new positions and could that have a negative effect on the whole unit?

It could... or it could have a positive effect.

I doubt moving to the weakside would be a huge transition for Greenway. In terms of coverage, I think the responsibilities are similar and if I'm not mistaken, he's spent some time at that position for the Vikes in the past. If I remember correctly, the biggest differences between the will and sam (weakside and strongside, for anyone who isn't familiar with those terms) LBs in the Vikes scheme are in gap responsibility and who covers the TE. Depending on what coverage the defense is running, the sam LB may be responsible for covering the TE (who is, naturally, on the strong side). I think the will LB has less gap responsibility and his primary job on running plays is to make tackles. The gaps are supposed to get plugged and the flow of the play is supposed to be directed toward the will LB, who then makes the tackle.

That's only speaking generally, of course, and I'm no expert so I may not be right on target with all of that.

Mothman wrote: It could... or it could have a positive effect.

I doubt moving to the weakside would be a huge transition for Greenway. In terms of coverage, I think the responsibilities are similar and if I'm not mistaken, he's spent some time at that position for the Vikes in the past. If I remember correctly, the biggest differences between the will and sam (weakside and strongside, for anyone who isn't familiar with those terms) LBs in the Vikes scheme are in gap responsibility and who covers the TE. Depending on what coverage the defense is running, the sam LB may be responsible for covering the TE (who is, naturally, on the strong side). I think the will LB has less gap responsibility and his primary job on running plays is to make tackles. The gaps are supposed to get plugged and the flow of the play is supposed to be directed toward the will LB, who then makes the tackle.

That's only speaking generally, of course, and I'm no expert so I may not be right on target with all of that.

I bought it.

Mothman wrote:I think the will LB has less gap responsibility and his primary job on running plays is to make tackles. The gaps are supposed to get plugged and the flow of the play is supposed to be directed toward the will LB, who then makes the tackle.

That's how I understand it. The Will LB tends to be a little more free to move in space and is more often blitzed as well. I think that if Greenway is moved it will be because they feel Bishop is better in coverage. But that would run counter to most things I've read about Bishop, who is said to have poor coverage skills and isn't very fast.