Saturday was
family day at Training Camp in Mankato. The morning practice went as usual
except one noticeable difference and that was the people in the stands. I
looked behind me and around and it was as many people as I have ever seen for a
walk through. My thought was if this many people for a walk through what will I
find tonight at the scrimmage. I did talk to one lady who flew in from Denver
with her son so they could attend the family day and go to the scrimmage.
Today was a
rare day where Vikings Village was open all day. It usually is open from
10-noon and 2-6. It was nice to see families have access all day.
We got to
our seats in Blakeselee Field around 6 pm and the stands were filling quickly.
I have never seen this many people in all the years of coming. The figure I
heard after the night was over was 12,000 attended the scrimmage. The last 3
days totals have been just over 25,000 fans. There is so much excitement in
Mankato I can’t describe it other than the word that comes to mind is simply
put, AWESOME!!
The PA
announcer had asked the crowd when the Vikings players come to the field that
we should shout as one unit, SKOL Vikings, Mankato loves you. It was loud but I
honestly could not hear what people were saying. I think it was just too many
words at once. I will say it was fun yelling.
AP came to
the field to a huge 12,000 person applause and the chants of MVP rang
throughout the stadium. Coach Frazier got a warm welcome as well.
The first
hour was individual drills but still it was fun just to see the guys in full
gear. Special Teams also worked during this period as well. We saw Jeff Locke
hit bombs with punts in the range of 4.3-5.4 seconds of hang time along with a
few more 60-70 yard punts that drew applause from this big crowd.
Blair Walsh
went 5-8 with all kicks having plenty of distance but the 3 missed were wide.
The last kick of the session went 60 and good by a long ways. I feel like Walsh
will have another banner year. He just needs to get used to a new holder and
that will come with practice.
One of the
sights in the first part of practice had nothing to do with football. There was
a rabbit that somehow got in the stadium and that poor animal ran scared with
fans and players pointing. There were so many people trying to get it safely
out and finally success.
The
scrimmage itself, Christian Ponder continued to look sharp. He was right on
target. I really like the ball he is throwing.
Greg
Jennings came to play tonight making several catches including running one down
in the back of the end zone.
Cordarrelle
Patterson drew some reaction with his kick returns. He showed the crowd the
burst he has coming through the wedge. Patterson also is showing very good
hands and is showing he is not afraid to fight to get away from his defender.
Wide out
Chris Summers made a great touchdown catch from MBT as Summers went up and over
to take the ball away from AJ Jefferson. I did think Jefferson had very good
coverage but Summers made the play.
It is what I
am seeing with different players making highlight catches each day of camp. I
am so antsy to see how these guys react to Mall of America Field.
Adrian
Peterson did not see scrimmage time. He just participated in drills. It is time
for the youngsters to show and my man, Bradley Randle made a run that made the
crowd take notice. He hit the hole and was gone. I am pulling so hard for him
to make the 53 man roster.
John Carlson
I feel is having a great camp and tonight he supported my thought by catching 3
touchdowns. He for now is looking like a human vacuum cleaner.
I can’t
ignore the defense. Two guys I thought had excellent nights were Everson
Griffen and Marcus Sherels. Griffen is in beast mode coming around the edge.
Sherels is looking even faster in the return game and had an interception tonight.
If this
defense can stay healthy I am very excited about their potential. There were 4
guys held out of pads and they were: Desmond Bishop, Mistral Raymond, Xavier
Rhodes and Nathan Williams. All were
held out for a little rest with none of the injuries serious.
The night
was full of excitement and plenty of purple in the stands. The practice ended
and then the team did player introductions. Each player was announced and then
that player threw 2 autographed footballs into the crowd. It is a crazy sight
as people are stretching for balls without falling forward or backward. The
last man introduced was Adrian Peterson. The cheer he got never gets old and
send chills through my body. The chant MVP just does not get old.
The darkness
had finally come and with that we watched fireworks. It is an amazing sight and
one of the better ones I have ever seen.
I can’t go
without saying my 11 year old daughter met Adrian Peterson and got her football
autographed. She has never met him. The day was a win from the time it started
to the time it ended.
I thank the
Vikings organization for a great day.
That’s all
from Mankato
Remember-No
practice Sunday
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
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