10 things to watch in Mankato

I was watching NFL network this weekend when I heard that starting Wednesday the channel will show 9 hours of training camp a day and all 32 teams will be shown at some point.

This makes me think I can actually say that this week starts Vikings Training Camp. I am done working at 11 am on Thursday and off for camp for the entirety.

10 things to watch and not in order of importance just a listing.

1)- Rookie Kicker Blair Walsh coming from college to the Pros. How will he do? An extra point could win a game this season.

2)- Christian Ponder in year 2 does he learn from his mistakes in 2011. The full of season could make all the difference in the world along with this full camp. It is his team.

3) Defensive tackle- Can the team find a player to help Kevin Williams in the middle to regain the edge the team had not long ago when it came to being stingy. One step further with the team needing to find a player to give Kevin a rest and still not miss a beat.

4) The tight ends- Can the team get these 2 trees (Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson)involved in the offense?

5) Which wide receiver will step forward to be the go to guy besides Percy Harvin? There is a lot of youth to chose from.

6) Matt Kalil can he show his worth and be the man to stop Ponder from getting killed on the blind side? This O Line might be the story to watch. I love the size of the 2 tackles with Kalil and Phil Loadholt. The center is solid, the left guard should be Charlie Johnson so who gets the nod at right guard?

7) How many of the draft choices can make the 53 man roster and in the same thought how mamy rookie free agents make it?

8) The secondary- The blend of free agents and draft choices, who takes the next step and have their name inserted as a starter. 2011 was a disaster so clean slate it is time to step up and try to shut down the powerful receivers the Purple will see.

9- The middle linebacker- EJ Henderson not coming back so can Jasper Brinkley take over and be the leader in middle? I am comfortable with the 2 outside with Chad Greenwaty and Erin Henderson. It is up to Brinkley to take the reigns. He is young so the potential to be there a while is exciting.

10. The overall question with the team going with youth can they be succesful? All NFL teams are 0-0. The first 2 games are a key in my mind to get of to some confidence building and take it from there.


I have written as much as I can to give you some things to think about. I am also hoping by reading these you make a trip to Manakato ans see why I see it is so fun.
You can come as inexpensive as you want The gas money is always part of life, but the cost to get in to camp is free. Parking can be found cheap as well.

Thanks for reading
Purplestick