Wednesday July 28th is the
day Viking fans as well as myself have been waiting for and that is Minnesota
Vikings Training Camp in Eagan.
The new
facility opened in 2018 after 52 years in Mankato and I do enjoy it but
sincerely miss the Mankato days.
It was last
season no one was allowed at camp or games making this year like everything
else in life we lost that we loved to do just that more special.
Training
camp is free as you go to the Vikings website and look for Training Camp. You
are allowed up to four tickets each. Parking if you buy online is 10.00 or you
can pay at the Eagan facility for 20.00.
I found out
practice is not the old 2 a day at least not for fans but we will get to watch
from 2:15-4:15. Yes I will be in heaven watching the battles to make the 52 man
squad.
The gates do
open at noon as you can hang out in the Viking Village outside the practice
fields and stay until 5:00. It was announced there will be no player
interaction with fans do to Covid protocol and I understand as I can’t wait to
just watch practice. There will be Viking Alumni in the Vikings museum available
for autographs if you wish. I just don’t know who the alumni that will be
there.
What do I
look forward to watching in camp? Of course everything but to break it down
there are several areas of the team I am intrigued with.
Kirk Cousins
love him or not needs to be protected as we have seen what a nice ball he
throws when given time.
I am excited
to see number one pick Chrisitian Darrisaw perform at left tackle taking on the
likes of Danielle Hunter who when healthy is as elite as they come.
I also want to
see Guard Wyatt Davis out of Ohio State see how he can compete. I know Bradbury
will at center and Brian O’Neil at right tackle so the guard both left and
right will be a huge battle all camp.
Running back
has Mr Versatilty, Dalvin Cook who I love but also a big fan of Alexander
Mattison and his tough running. I love the one two punch but like every year
health will be a main topic because when healthy is as scary as they come
running with the football. It is always fun to see the battle for the 3rd
back.
Tight end
will be interesting with Kyle Rudolph leaving via free agency. I was not
shocked but will always remember him as the man I didn’t think the Vikings used
enough with his size and more important his hand size. I do love the talent the
Vikes still have with Irv Smith Jr. and Tyler Conklin as we saw what they both
are capable of catching and running.
Wide
Receiver I can’t wait to see Justin Jefferson in person running routes and
catching balls form the quarterbacks. I know Adam Thielen and Jefferson are a
potent one two punch so the intriguing will be the battle for the 3rd,4th,
5th and 6th if they keep that many.
The young
man just signed this week from Jacksonville, Dede Westbrook everything I have
read makes me believe he has the best shot at 3 but again this what camp is all
about. Who will be the camp stud and surprises everyone but himself?
I am a big
fan of Bisi Johnson and Chad Beebe as
they have shown their value so they both need monster camps to make the 53 man
squad.
The Vikings
had a great draft on paper in my opinion but no its time to show why they were
each drafted. The Vikes in my opinion like to keep a majority of their picks on
the roster but again time will tell.
It was last
year the Vikings went with youth in the secondary which at times was painful to
watch and yet a few moments they flashed. I know Jeff Gladney is dealing with
legal issues so he won’t be in Eagan but Cam Dantzler will be for year two.
Mike Zimmer this year saw the team bring in big name veterans for secondary
help and d-line help.
The team
brings in Patrick Peterson, Xavier Woods and Rashaud Breeland in the secondary
so camp battles just got that much better with the rookies trying to bat out
these vets. I can’t wait to see Thielen and Jefferson go up against these guys.
The
defensive line made major improvements with the adding of last year Michael
Pierce and this year bring back Sheldon Richardson and sign Dalvin Tomlinson. I
have read Piece and Tomlinson cold be a new age Williams Wall although Pierce
is dealing with an injury but I believe Richardson will be just as good.
Linebackers I
can’t wait to see Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr who is coming back off a
season he suffered an injury. These two have unlimited talent but the concern I
have is letting Eric Wilson leave via free agency. This 3rd
linebacker battle will be huge and I can’t wait to see who steps up??
The kicking
battle I honestly have no opinions until I see them in camp. I just want a
kicker who can put the ball through the uprights and not give me a heart attack
when I see the snap, the hold and the kick and not have to pray as the ball is
sailing through the air and I am saying to myself please, please, please go
through. This might be a top story in camp. I just want a guy after we score a
touchdown and he comes through and drills it automatically through not just
once but all game and all season!!!
Thank you
for reading
Purplestick
SKOL!!!!
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