Heading to Vikings Training Camp 8/7 to watch evening practice (1 Viewer)

[datonn]

Just curious. The stuff I'll be watching for in particular:

1. How the three QBs look.

2. Percy Harvin...and if the "wildcat" makes an appearance.

3. Jaymar Johnson. Aundrae Allison wasn't worth keeping ahead of him, apparently, so I'm anxious to see him live and in-person.

Anybody else got anything in particular they'd like me to report back on? Can't promise anything, of course...but I'll do my best!

 

[Donnybrook]

Please watch the battle at nickel back spot. I am hoping Asher Allen is the real deal since I don't have much faith in McCauley or Sapp. It's too bad that Charles Gordon couldn't recover from his injury.

 

[gorf]

i'd like to know how sidney rice looks...nothing in particular, just trying to get a feel.

 

[kneeshooter]

i'd like to know how sidney rice looks...nothing in particular, just trying to get a feel.

Ditto. Don't know how much production he'll get this year with Harvin/Peterson/Berrian in the mix, but I'd like to see him to start showing what we saw in 2007. I think he's got top end talent and have been waiting him out. Make or break year for him.

 

[Winning IS Everything]

I heard blurbs about Peterson lining up in the slot at times. Curious to see if this continues and general use of Peterson in the passing game.

 

[THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA]

Im interested in if S.Rice is back healthy and going full speed out there.

 

[Pickle Rody]

Other than anything having to do with Percy Harvin, anything at all, I too am interested in Sidney Rice. I look forward to your report later tonight datonn.

 

[Stryker]

i'd like to know how sidney rice looks...nothing in particular, just trying to get a feel.

I have gone to camp about 4 days this year already and Rice has done nothing but succeed, he looks great to me, making Larry Fitzgerald type catches in the endzone repeatedly.

Im interested in if S.Rice is back healthy and going full speed out there.

He looks just fine, looks if he is now 100%. We will see how we use him.

 

[livingfire]

i'd like to know how sidney rice looks...nothing in particular, just trying to get a feel.

I have gone to camp about 4 days this year already and Rice has done nothing but succeed, he looks great to me, making Larry Fitzgerald type catches in the endzone repeatedly.

Im interested in if S.Rice is back healthy and going full speed out there.

He looks just fine, looks if he is now 100%. We will see how we use him.

What are the other WR's (minus harvin) looking like?GO VIKS

 

[sho nuff]

Going to Vikings TC? On purpose?

 

[Stryker]

i'd like to know how sidney rice looks...nothing in particular, just trying to get a feel.

I have gone to camp about 4 days this year already and Rice has done nothing but succeed, he looks great to me, making Larry Fitzgerald type catches in the endzone repeatedly.

Im interested in if S.Rice is back healthy and going full speed out there.

He looks just fine, looks if he is now 100%. We will see how we use him.

What are the other WR's (minus harvin) looking like?GO VIKS

uhhh, Jaymar Johnson has been great. Shows good hands and fantastic speed, likely will be the 5th WR behind Berrian, Harvin, Rice, and Wade. Another guy looking decent is Lance Moore's brother Nick.

Going to Vikings TC? On purpose?

 

[Drop]

Phil Loadholt #71 RT 6-08 343

He should stand out even among the huge offensive linemen. I'm curious as to how he does in drills against the defensive line, especially against any starters. Does he look sloppy or overmatched at times? Is he often times a wall with feet? Any info you can provide on him in general is welcomed as well. (Attitude, personality, coachability, etc.)

I'm also wondering if Adrian Peterson is focusing on holding the ball any differently. Just about the only problem he has is fumbling so what's he doing to focus on improving that hole in his game?

 

[Stryker]

Phil Loadholt #71 RT 6-08 343He should stand out even among the huge offensive linemen. I'm curious as to how he does in drills against the defensive line, especially against any starters. Does he look sloppy or overmatched at times? Is he often times a wall with feet? Any info you can provide on him in general is welcomed as well. (Attitude, personality, coachability, etc.)I'm also wondering if Adrian Peterson is focusing on holding the ball any differently. Just about the only problem he has is fumbling so what's he doing to focus on improving that hole in his game?

Loadholt looked great that first week..last 2 days Ray Edwards has been beating him off the edge every once in awhile. He looks pretty decent, hasnt really looked sloppy at all to me. His footwork is great as he works with McKinnie.

 

[Mark Wimer]

How's the chemistry between Shiancoe and Rosenfels look? Also, any upstarts at TE you see that might challenge Shiancoe?

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I was wondering how the backup DT's are doing and who will be there. That will be the biggest factor for this team if the suspensions hold up. Guion, Kennedy, Tremaine Johnson are all in the running, but there are still a few FA's out there - Dewayne Robertson comes to mind. With the improvements the Bears have made and the Packers getting healthy, this team is going to need every victory they can get. I haven't seen too many reports on this position.

Thanks. BTW, it sounds like the weather may stay bad for the evening practice.

 

[Drop]

Phil Loadholt #71 RT 6-08 343He should stand out even among the huge offensive linemen. I'm curious as to how he does in drills against the defensive line, especially against any starters. Does he look sloppy or overmatched at times? Is he often times a wall with feet? Any info you can provide on him in general is welcomed as well. (Attitude, personality, coachability, etc.)I'm also wondering if Adrian Peterson is focusing on holding the ball any differently. Just about the only problem he has is fumbling so what's he doing to focus on improving that hole in his game?

Loadholt looked great that first week..last 2 days Ray Edwards has been beating him off the edge every once in awhile. He looks pretty decent, hasnt really looked sloppy at all to me. His footwork is great as he works with McKinnie.

Did you get to see any intense run blocking drills? Was he moving people regularly or getting stalemated often? Did he have any issues with false starts or missed assignments picking up blitzes? Was he able to pass guys off to the guard in pass protection and/or pick them up from the guard? Did he have any concerns with his center of gravity in anchor situations where guys got under his pads and drove him back?I don't know how much you got to see of him, but thanks for the reply and anything you can add is appreciated.

 

[Stryker]

How's the chemistry between Shiancoe and Rosenfels look? Also, any upstarts at TE you see that might challenge Shiancoe?

It looks pretty good, I dont think hes his number 1 guy but there is something there, same with jackson. No its Shiancoe's job far and away.

 

[jurb26]

I'm curious as to how Sidney Rice and Marcus McCauley, CB are looking.

 

[ookook]

Bus Cook?

 

[datonn]

Okay everybody! I'll do my darnedest to watch Rice, McCauley/Allen, Loadholt, Peterson (lining up in the slot and how he's holding the ball if I can), the back-up DTs and the chemistry between Rosenfels and V.S. Strong chance of rain in Mankato tonight...which I'm not then sure what happens to evening practice! However, if practice is on and I haven't been hit by lightning or ???, I'll do my best to share a few thoughts and observations. Away from a computer Sat/Sun this weekend...but will report back as quickly and as best I can.

 

[Mark Wimer]

How's the chemistry between Shiancoe and Rosenfels look? Also, any upstarts at TE you see that might challenge Shiancoe?

It looks pretty good, I dont think hes his number 1 guy but there is something there, same with jackson. No its Shiancoe's job far and away.

xcellent, that is my read on the situation too. I still want to hear impressions from datonn on this too, thanks 2 you both.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

I know I am late with another request, but maybe he notices. I am wondering who will have the RB3 job: Albert Young or Ian Johnson? Might be interesting - although not having a huge impact on the club, but Chester (I think) is in a contract year.

 

[Stryker]

I know I am late with another request, but maybe he notices. I am wondering who will have the RB3 job: Albert Young or Ian Johnson? Might be interesting - although not having a huge impact on the club, but Chester (I think) is in a contract year.

Uhh, that one is going to be interesting, both have looked pretty good, we were high on Young last season, and Ian is the hardest worker Childress said he has ever seen. It will be a fun one.

 

[datonn]

Okay folks, I was away from my computer and the 'net for most of the weekend, but here is my take from Friday night's Vikings practice at Training Camp.

I couldn't get much of a read on the DBs and DTs situation...as the reps they ran for the 90 minutes or so weren't really designed to answer the questions folks were asking. That bummer of a disclaimer aside:

1. Sidney Rice looked good....REALLY good. He looked big, and he was catching everything even remotely close to him! He's gonna tease me again in 2009 like he teased me again in 2008, only he hopefully can stay healthy this time around. Curse him! LOL.

2. Adrian Peterson was being used in the passing game a lot more than I expected. Several plays where he split out in the slot out of the backfield...and a few check-down dump offs as a 2nd/3rd option. Don't think he dropped a single ball (no fumbles rushing either). What amazed me more than anything though is how he was able to catch up to overthrown balls. There were two passes where the QBs lead him a couple yards too far and while the ball was in the air, Peterson just kicked it into some other gear that the defenders didn't have to chase it down. He also generally took it to the house every time he touched the ball. Liked that. If the defenders didn't/couldn't stop him, he ran the extra 50-60 yards after the coaches blew the whistle until he crossed the goal line. Chester Taylor did the same thing, FWIW.

3. T-Jax looked terrible, IMHO. Probably the third best QB on the field that night (behind Rosenfels and Booty, in that order). He threw several balls at the feet of his WRs. Booty did great connecting with receivers over the middle, and Rosenfels had several nice hook-ups along the sidelines. Both timing routes (i.e. curls) and a couple over the top...one very nice one to Mr. Percy Harvin.

4. Speaking of Harvin, he didn't really do much during the practice, IMHO. Looked solid the couple of times he touched the ball! Very fast and can cut on a dime. Not anything that really spectacular though...just very solid. A couple passes, that one really nice hook-up with Rosenfels, a couple end-around/sweep types of runs, etc.

That's what I saw. If anyone else was there though and disagrees, chime in too!

Edited to add:

5. Albert Young looked pretty good. A couple guys behind me kept asking "who is that #34?" Didn't notice Ian Johnson on the field at all...whereas Albert Young stood out to me a bit after All-Day and Taylor.

6. WRs Nick Moore and Vinny Perretta were catching everything in sight! Made a lot of great catches over the middle and along the sidelines. Have no idea if they'll even make the Practice Squad, but they impressed me Friday night.

7. Didn't really notice much of anything out of Jaymar Johnson during the practice either. Didn't look bad...just didn't stand out.

8. WR Glenn Holt had to get some medical attention after getting poked in the eye. Not serious, but it quieted the crowd for a minute or two when he initially went down.

 

[Winning IS Everything]

Thank you datonn, I really appreciate you reporting!!!!!

If Peterson is going to be used in the passing game a bit (~ 3 catches a game), he could really have a HUGE season.

 

[datonn]

If they get Adrian Peterson the ball out in space via splitting him wide/in-motion or checking-down, he'll be too big for the CBs and too fast for the LBs to handle. He looked so BIG during practice too! Looked like a LB in a RB's number. Maybe it's just because I didn't see much of him up-close at Camp last year, but he just looks like a tank out there on the field. Defenders are going to have to hit him low, as if DBs or smaller LBs try and tackle him above the waist, they might get a concussion from how fast and hard they'll be flying backwards into the ground. Man among boys on that field. He looked (and acted) like the superstar player than he is...

 

[tdmills]

Phil Loadholt? Can he move his feet?

 

[datonn]

Hard to tell with the particular drills and simulations they were running, especially from my vantage point 4-5 rows up in the bleachers. I thought he looked pretty good though. All I could think of watching him play though was "Mt. Loadholt"...lol. He's absolutely huge. The one thing I was trying to watch, in addition to footwork, was how well he "bends" and "flexes" at the knees and around the waist...as he'll have 4-5+ inches in height over a lot of the defenders who will try and shoot the gaps. If he doesn't get down low and drive with his legs, those shorter players are going to be able to drive his higher center of gravity back or left/right a bit. What I saw of him though? I thought he looked fine. An O-Line coach I am not, however, so what looked fine/solid to me might have been Pro Bowler or it might have completely sucked. A-OK/solid from a Joe Average fan's perspective though...

 

[Mark Wimer]

Okay folks, I was away from my computer and the 'net for most of the weekend, but here is my take from Friday night's Vikings practice at Training Camp.I couldn't get much of a read on the DBs and DTs situation...as the reps they ran for the 90 minutes or so weren't really designed to answer the questions folks were asking. That bummer of a disclaimer aside:1. Sidney Rice looked good....REALLY good. He looked big, and he was catching everything even remotely close to him! He's gonna tease me again in 2009 like he teased me again in 2008, only he hopefully can stay healthy this time around. Curse him! LOL.2. Adrian Peterson was being used in the passing game a lot more than I expected. Several plays where he split out in the slot out of the backfield...and a few check-down dump offs as a 2nd/3rd option. Don't think he dropped a single ball (no fumbles rushing either). What amazed me more than anything though is how he was able to catch up to overthrown balls. There were two passes where the QBs lead him a couple yards too far and while the ball was in the air, Peterson just kicked it into some other gear that the defenders didn't have to chase it down. He also generally took it to the house every time he touched the ball. Liked that. If the defenders didn't/couldn't stop him, he ran the extra 50-60 yards after the coaches blew the whistle until he crossed the goal line. Chester Taylor did the same thing, FWIW.3. T-Jax looked terrible, IMHO. Probably the third best QB on the field that night (behind Rosenfels and Booty, in that order). He threw several balls at the feet of his WRs. Booty did great connecting with receivers over the middle, and Rosenfels had several nice hook-ups along the sidelines. Both timing routes (i.e. curls) and a couple over the top...one very nice one to Mr. Percy Harvin. 4. Speaking of Harvin, he didn't really do much during the practice, IMHO. Looked solid the couple of times he touched the ball! Very fast and can cut on a dime. Not anything that really spectacular though...just very solid. A couple passes, that one really nice hook-up with Rosenfels, a couple end-around/sweep types of runs, etc.That's what I saw. If anyone else was there though and disagrees, chime in too!Edited to add:5. Albert Young looked pretty good. A couple guys behind me kept asking "who is that #34?" Didn't notice Ian Johnson on the field at all...whereas Albert Young stood out to me a bit after All-Day and Taylor.6. WRs Nick Moore and Vinny Perretta were catching everything in sight! Made a lot of great catches over the middle and along the sidelines. Have no idea if they'll even make the Practice Squad, but they impressed me Friday night.7. Didn't really notice much of anything out of Jaymar Johnson during the practice either. Didn't look bad...just didn't stand out.8. WR Glenn Holt had to get some medical attention after getting poked in the eye. Not serious, but it quieted the crowd for a minute or two when he initially went down.

Rosenfels to Shiancoe? Impressions?

 

[datonn]

Rosenfels to Shiancoe? Impressions?

I didn't see Shiancoe catch a single ball. In fact, I didn't even see a single pass thrown his direction! Garrett Mills had a couple nice catches over the middle...but V.S. didn't do much in the practice session. I don't read anything into that at all...as it could have been any of 20-30 things that caused that to be the case. Long story short, that one gets a grade of "incomplete."As for how I think the hook-up might go, I think the tight end is going to see a lot of good opportunities in this offense...particularly if they are splitting Adrian Peterson out from the backfield in-motion and causing a LB or DB (at LEAST one) to rotate over to cover him. Peterson goes in motion to the right, V.S. makes a move a few yards off the line of scrimmage and then goes over the middle or to the left while Berrian, Rice or Harvin draw some of the remaining DBs left in the middle or left side away from the play.The Vikings passing attack could actually surprise a few people this year. If Peterson is catching balls and Harvin is wreaking havoc in defensive backfields, SOMEBODY (Berrian, Rice, Harvin, V.S., Peterson) is going to be open down the field. Then it will just depend upon how well C Sullivan does in leading the line...and how well Loadholt or ??? does at holding down the right tackle position. If the O-Line performs well, this is a team that could go deep into the playoffs. If the O-Line performs poorly, they could be in for another year of sweating out Weeks 16-17 to see if they get a Week 18-19 date, and then be one-and-done.

 

[jurb26]

Okay everybody! I'll do my darnedest to watch Rice, McCauley/Allen, Loadholt, Peterson (lining up in the slot and how he's holding the ball if I can), the back-up DTs and the chemistry between Rosenfels and V.S. Strong chance of rain in Mankato tonight...which I'm not then sure what happens to evening practice! However, if practice is on and I haven't been hit by lightning or ???, I'll do my best to share a few thoughts and observations. Away from a computer Sat/Sun this weekend...but will report back as quickly and as best I can.

Impressions?

 

[datonn]

I like him well-enough, jurb26...but I just don't have any quantifiable justification for saying so. I also like Asher Allen a lot too though, and I just don't have a feel yet for which one of them is next on the depth chart after Winfield and Griffin. Most have Sapp and McCauley ahead of Allen and Paymah for now...but I think Allen could easily sneak up there if he has a really strong Camp/pre-season and the right type of opportunity presents itself.

A lot of words to say "I don't know." However, Allen is the guy I've been stashing in my deeper dynasty IDP leagues for 2010-2011. We'll see.