The Minnesota Vikings will open their first minicamp under new head coach Mike Zimmer on Tuesday.
The three-day voluntary minicamp at Winter Park will give Zimmer his first opportunity to get a thorough look at his players on the practice field.
Jerseys are ready for the first day of Voluntary Veteran Mini-Camp tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/iP2jVsxBk8
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 28, 2014
The extra minicamp could have an impact on the Vikings draft plan.
Last week, The Viking Age reported the Vikings will use the minicamp to evaluate the team’s need at quarterback.
Both Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder are expected to attend and Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said that is when the Vikings will truly make up their mind about what they will do in the draft.
A key, according to the report, will be offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s assessment of the Vikings veteran quarterbacks. If Turner feels Cassel and Ponder perform up to his expectations then Spielman could wait and take a quarterback in the later rounds, who could sit the bench and learn.
If Turner isn’t impressed by what he sees, there could be more pressure on Spielman to select a quarterback with the first pick, who could possibly compete to start this first year.
The assessment could stretch further than the quarterback spot.
Zimmer told the Star Tribune, “To me that’s the most exciting part right now, to go out on the field with them for three days. We may rearrange things a little bit.”
Participation is not required in the minicamp, but it is expected to be high. Running back Adrian Peterson is back in Minnesota and some of the new Vikings like defensive linemen Linval Joseph and Cory Wooton and defensive backs Captain Munnerlyn and Kurt Coleman will have their first chance to prove themselves to their new coaches and teammates.
The Vikings minicamp lasts through Thursday at Winter Park.
