Some really nice vehicles will be traveling down Highway 169 today as the Vikings report to training camp in Mankato for a 48th consecutive year.
Here’s rookie cornerback Xavier Rhodes checking in, via Vikings.com:
.@XavierRhodes29_ is checking in at #VikingsCamp pic.twitter.com/LYUhSt3Oal
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 25, 2013
Here’s a shot of the rookie bus pulling up, via KSTP’s Chris Long.
Camp practices begin Friday and wrap up August 14. Check out this training camp guideline if you plan on taking in a practice or two.
The Pioneer Press has a position-by-position preview with a guess as to what the starting lineup will look like when the regular season opens at Detroit on September 8.
Fans headed to Mankato to watch the offense will get a first look at veteran wide receiver Greg Jennings and rookie wideout Cordarrelle Patterson. The duo will have a lot to do with offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave balancing the offense a little more this season.
A more balanced attack will make it harder for Adrian Peterson to rush for 2,000 yards again, according to the Duluth News Tribune.
The Star Tribune has a great piece on Jennings and his goal to prove to the NFL that he can still torture opposing defenses.
Quarterback Christian Ponder will be a marked man during camp. All eyes are on him to improve his game to help the Vikings get back to the playoffs.
Here’s a preview of the defense. The two positions of focus will be middle linebacker and and defensive back. Specifically, Erin Henderson battling Desmond Bishop for the middle linebacker job, and finding out if second year player Josh Robinson can replace Antoine Winfield in the slot.
FOX Sports North put together a close-up look at the coaching staff, including head coach Leslie Frazier entering his third season and “rising star” Mike Priefer.
Sid Hartman’s Thursday column focuses on Frazier bringing a new, more confident attitude to camp this season.
