2018
Training Camp has begun and I have made it the last 3 days feeling like I lived
m Eagan. It was Saturday night when I didn’t sleep well with so much
anticipation of a new experience in a new city.
I have gone
to Mankato the last 24 years so I as anxious to compare which may not be fair
and I understand that but I am human with maybe too many emotions.
I got to
Eagan TCO facility and my first thought was how impressed I am with the parking
of cars organization as I took a left to the parking lot I was met by many
workers who had directing sticks pointing where I should park. The first thing
I should say is everything at the new facility s on my Vikes app. I had to make
sure the bar code was ready for the parking lot so I as scanned and proceeded.
I parked and
made my way to camp but first I was greeted by a few employees who were willing
to take pictures of people before they entered camp. I then walked downhill to
the entrance where I had to put my valuables in a bowl then walk through the
metal detector and once through I had to make sure my phone had the Vikes app
open to my ticket bar code where once I got scanned I was free to walk farther into
camp.
I made my way
and I was simply in awe as it was so open and not congested I felt no pressure trying
to get through people. As you walk you see a Viking Locker Room which was
packed and I understand that. This pace even does customized jerseys. I found
going out the back of the Vikes Locker Room and hall way with bathroom and then
the Vikings Museum which was 20.00 and worth every penny. I did not do that
until Day 2 but so worth it.
I could sit
and write trying to describe everything at camp but feel I would miss telling
you things. I feel the pricing of food is very reasonable as example bottle of
water was 1.00 just as an example.
I also feel
there are plenty of bathrooms all over camp. I also thought the idea of bringing
your own water bottle in was awesome. The bag policy is this, there is no size
not allowed however the bag is subject to search.
When you
first walk in there is a stadium to the right which has bleachers that I believe
are not as steep as Blakeslee Field which is good.
This stadium
for the time being is set up for kids to do things such as football toss, flag
football, kicking field goals and obstacle course to name a few. I was there 3
days and will say it did not seem over crowded for the kids. It is early so
maybe as time goes on it will be busier. I know Saturday night is the night
scrimmage and that will be played in the stadium with player introduction and fireworks
after the night session.
We keep
walking west and go up steps and you encounter 3 more fields with 2 going North
and south and one going East and west.
There are
bleachers for general admission as well as grass you can sit on and watch
practice. The first practice is 10:30-11:30 which is the walk through and then
2:45-5:15 with the players starting to wear pads on Monday and Tuesday and I
will assume the rest of camp.
If you then
look west you will see blue bleachers which are the Kwik Trip seats and they
are 20.00 which you must purchase ahead. The parking, general admission and the
Kwik Trip seats all must be pre purchased which is one disadvantage from MSU
days for Training Camp which you could decide to last minute go and you could
buy parking passes same day. It is a difference but I will say again the Eagan
facility is extremely organized.
The
autograph lines each day are still intact with different position players each
day. Tuesday was Running Back day and was that ever packed.
It has been
a tremendous experience in Eagan and perhaps better than I expected. The one
thing I truly miss is the interaction with players after practice against the
old fence lines in Mankato. Maybe one day that will change in Eagan. I have not
heard many people complaining about that which is good but for 24 years of my
life I miss it. In the same breath I offer up it’s just great to watch football.
As for
players in 3 days I have really seen an improved Laquon Treadwell catching all
thrown his way which truly will be needed. Kirk Cousins throws the football
maybe harder than I have ever seen but also throw out it doesn’t seem to bother
the receivers as they seem to have worked with Cousins there whole career.
Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen just continue to impress.
Dalvin Cook
looks as he was never hurt watching him run without a brace and yet I must caution
myself because yes I understand its practice vs game days with the speed
increasing.
The
defensive side of the ball is filled with so many defenders of name but the one
guy making a name for himself again is Marcus Sherels with 2 interceptions in 2
days. I have also enjoyed watching first round pick, Mike Hughes step up not
looking like a rookie at least so far.
That’s all
for now from Eagan’s TCO Center at Vikes Training Camp
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
SKOL!!!!
