Fans know about Adrian Peterson, Chad Greenway, Jared Allen, Christian Ponder and the cast of familiar names associated with the Vikings. I would like to thrown out 10 names to watch for Friday night. Names you or may not have heard of.
Tight End, Rhett Ellison will wear number 40 and is part of the 2012 Draft Class. Thus far in Mankato seems to really have a set of good hands. I have been impressed with what he has brought to camp.
Wide receiver, Stephen Burton will wear number 11 and in his 2nd year after being part of the 2011 draft class. It seems the last few days he is really making his presence felt. The theme of youth on this team Stephen has everything to gain.
Wide receiver, Jarius Wright will wear number 17 and is part of the 2012 draft class. He is extremely quick and also has shown to make the tougher catches. I am more excited to see him in the return game. In Mankato he has shown the ability to find the crease and kick it into another gear.
Wide receiver, Bryan Walters will wear number 13 and is a free agent from the San Diego Chargers. He just reminds me of Wes Welker from the Patriots. I really think the team has found another possession receiver.
Full back, Matt Asiata will wear number 48 and is in his 2nd year after coming 2011 as a rookie free agent. Matt is the lightest full back on the roster weighing 220 pounds. This week at practice he had some very nice runs through the hole. He has shown signs of catching the ball well out of the backfield.
Quarterback, McLeod Bethel Thompson, will wear number 4 and is a free agent out of Sacramento State. He might just be the biggest surprise in camp. He has a rocket of an arm. A few years ago a quarterback Tyler Thigpen was put on the practice squad by the Vikes only to see Kansas City Chiefs swoop in and sign him. It would be a shame if this would happen again. I am real anxious to see how he handles NFL pressure. He is 24 years old and is 6’4” which is the same as Joe Webb but Bethel-Thompson weighs in at 230 making him the biggest quarterback on the squad by a whopping pound.
Guard, Brandon Fusco will wear 63 and is playing with the first unit as the right guard. He is his 2nd year after being taken in the 2011 draft. He got some playing time last year with all the injuries plus this camp currently is really given him an opportunity. He practices against Kevin Williams every day, bonus for Fusco facing the best defensive tackle in football.
Linebacker, Marvin Mitchell will wear 55, came as a free agent from the Miami Dolphins and before that played for the Saints. Marvin has a very good nose for the football that included an interception this week in Mankato.
Defensive End, Nick Reed will wear number 66, came as a free agent from Chicago Bears. Reed has speed on the outside reminding me a lot of Brian Robinson. A relentless pass rusher has at times in camp looked very strong on the pass rush.
Defensive End, Anthony Jacobs, will 67 and is a 2012 rookie free agent. His home town is Northfield and he played his college ball at the University of Minnesota. I just feel it would be an awesome story if he could make the Vikings. He has a lot of competition, but who knows. I look at Marcus Sherels who played high school ball at Rochester John Marshall and followed that up by playing at the U of M. Marcus made the team last season proving it can be done.
Enjoy the game and remember win or losing is not important rather is there progress from last season’s disappointment.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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