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| Ponder and Jennings, the combo that won't fail |
Well fans only
one day left after Tuesday’s afternoon practice. I will say one thing and that
is the players are ready to go.
The
afternoon practice seemed so chatty by the players. You could hear voices all
the time with players yelling out. It was so fun to be part of this practice. I leave tomorrow with the thought this team
is ready to make another playoff run.
The NFL has
seen its share of season ending injuries but not the Vikings. It was one of the
healthiest camps that I can remember in years here in Mankato. I have seen Greg
Childs doing some running on the far fields. He is really the only one who did
not participate.
The practice
Tuesday afternoon spent a good chunk of time on the running game. Adrian
Peterson is running like he is game form. He will break through the line and
give it some gas. The cuts he is making are sharp and looks like he is eager to
play Friday in Buffalo. We will see if this happens.
The subject
of running backs I cannot help but be so impressed with Bradley Randle. The guy
is amazing. One of the disappointments I forgot to add in the review of the Houston
game was when Randle was back for the kickoff. The ball went out of the end
zone so we just did not get to see what I see in Mankato.
The offense
did quite of few run plays from the far five giving each back a chance. The
defense jumped one time other than that it was hand off after handoff.
I must
mention speaking of defense; I have been impressed with Audie Cole in the
middle linebacker when he gets in. He seems to be getting more comfortable and
has a good nose for the ball just ask the running backs he is meeting in the hole.
The catch of
the day came on a deep seam pass from Ponder to John Carlson. The crowd
approved as they clapped. I love the camp Carlson is having after last year’s
disaster with the injury bug.
Greg
Jennings had another Jennings day as he gets open and does not drop a ball. If
he dropped 10 all camp I would be shocked. The guy just gets open and gets the
job done.
Odds and end during and after
practice
I love
talking to people about their memories of the past training camps and the changes
people have seen. I met a man who grew up in Mankato and said he can remember
being around 7-8 years old and carried Fran Tarkenton and Grady Alderman’s
suitcase to the Gage Towers where the Vikings had stayed in previous years.
I saw a golf
cart with players coming off the field and to the locker room. Jerome Simpson
was driving with Patterson, Jennings and Wright all aboard. Simpson not only
drove up to the locker room he drove into it. What a sight!
Chad
Greenway was along the fence signing autographs for fans. Toby Gerhart came
running over as well. One fan said you are the man Toby. Greenway told Gerhart
that fans said he was the man. It was so funny to see these guys having fun.
Gerhart told Greenway that all day fans have been calling him Greenway. One fan
added that he thinks John Sullivan and Jared Allen look alike. You should have
seen the look Greenway gave the fan. It was great being over there and watching
these 2 players interact with fans. I love it.
A sad part
of camp also as I was leaving I watch a semi backup to the locker room so they
could start packing up to head back to the cities.
It has been
a great camp and I hope you have enjoyed these. I will write one last one
tomorrow. Thanks to you that have read them. I appreciate it. I have had 2500
page views since camp began.
That’s all from Mankato
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
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