Thoughts on the fist three days of Vikings Training Camp

 

Training Camp at last was here so on Wednesday July 28^th made my first trip to TCO Performance Center in Eagan. The gates open at noon but practice is not until 2:15 and goes to 4:15.

There is a morning walk through but no fans are allowed but at least we get to watch one of the practices.

I have been the first 3 days to camp and what I am noticing fan wise is growth and what I mean by that is first day a guestimate of 500 fans plus or minus a few and Friday the stands were packed. I did see a sign that says capacity is 2902 which is a strange number but anyways I am sure the crowd was close to that number.

Practices I used to get so excited for but through the years I tend to watch players and where they line up first team, second team and so forth.

I listened to KFAN on the way up and Paul Allen had Randy Moss on and it was a tremendous interview discussing Justin Jefferson. Randy brought a lot of good points up with Jefferson with the fact rookie year was no mini camps and everything virtual so teams trying to get ready for Jefferson was a little tougher. Randy brought up the 2^nd year to see how Jefferson does as teams now know way more about him obviously.

I have watched Jefferson three days and am so impressed with his routes and how he gets off the line of scrimmage so quickly. I believe Justin will face more double teams this season but feel Justin will be just fine with no proof as of right now other than watching him battle vs the likes of veterans Patrick Peterson on the right side and Bashaud Breeland on the left side. Breeland and Peterson have been around for a while and will give Justin great work.

I add even if Jefferson sees double and or Adam Thielen sees a double team I have seen and loved the play of the tight ends both Irv Smith Jr. and Tyler Conklin’s great hands. I think the loss of Kyle Rudolph does hurt a little but I believe Conklin and Smith Jr. are primed for huge seasons.

The offensive line has been tough to watch the last few years but I love how the Vikings addressed it in the 2021 Draft. Christian Darrisaw the new left tackle has not seen any action in camp as of yet as he is out there but watches while wearing a baseball cap. He is supposed to be the real deal so only time will tell. The Vikes also drafted Wyatt Davis out of Ohio State. What excites me about Davis is he comes from a winning program with Ohio State constantly a top 5-10 team in the nation so he knows what it takes to win.

The line I believe is set with Brian O’Neil at right tackle, Garrett Bradbury at center, Ezra Cleveland at left guard and Darrisaw when he is ready. The question spot is the right guard and what a great battle with Davis vs Oli Udoh. Oli is getting majority of snaps but now Friday Davis was seen at center so could be a very versatile player.

The receivers I mentioned with Jefferson and Thielen along with newcomer Dede Westbrook so watch for the battle between KJ Osborn and rookie out of Iowa, Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Ihmir is extremely impressive with his speed. The other player to watch is Chad Beebe.

Running backs everyone knows what Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison bring to the table but watch for rookie #26, Kene Nwangwu and his speed. He is extremely fun to watch.

The defensive side can only get better after last year’s disappointment with so many injuries. The team added in the draft and also free agency.

I love the defensive line talent starting with Danielle Hunter who is a beast every day with his blazing speed. I have also seen him lined up on the line standing up. I don’t know what NFL Tackle would not be concerned by this.

I love being at camp to see the size of these guys because you read Michael Piece 6’0” and 340 and say that’s big but you see him in person and yes that’s huge and pair him with 6’3” Dalvin Tomlinson at 319 you have 650 pounds of men.

Sheldon Richardson is back and wearing #9 in camp and I must say he is the biggest #9 I have ever seen.

The names to watch preseason are Janarius Robisonson and Patrick Jones III with both big and very explosive coming off the ball.

Linebackers it looks like Anthony Barr is back Barr like and you have Eric Kendricks so who is the 3^rd? I recommend watching #59 Nick Vigil and #45 Troy Dye and see what you think?

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The secondary made major improvements in the offseason and what I am seeing is Patrick Peterson out right and Cam Dantzler and Bashaud Breeland out right which will be a great battle.

Safeties all world, Harrison Smith and Veteran Free Agent, Xavier Woods have the majority of snaps with the 1^st team. Smith is an obvious but I am curious to see how Woods does with Anthony Harris gone. I am excited for the secondary to make major strides in improvements.

Quarterbacks with Kirk Cousins but I am keeping my eye on Kellen Mond and see how he does in camp. I can’t believe how big Mond is. The other two in camp Nate Stanley and Jake Browning.  All three seem to have big arms but who does the best in preseason games will be an interesting watch.

Kicking I honestly have not seen one kick which I think is strange but obviously it’s being done just not seen close up by fans. This is one area we have to have someone reliable and not give fans heart attacks when it comes to extra points or field goal attempts.

That’s all for now

Thank you for reading

Purplestick

SKOL

Vikings Training Camp is finally here

 

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 3^rd 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 3^rd,4^th, 5^th and 6^th 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 3^rd 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!!!!

Fired up for Vikings Training Camp

 

The year like everything else saw no Vikings Training Camp for fans in 2020 as we lived through the pandemic. I am a passionate Vikings fan and 20 year Season ticket holder proud to say have only ever missed two home games up until last year.

Vikings Training Camp have been so much of my summer time over the past 25 years starting back in 1994 in Mankato.

I had so much so fun when I started going I was taking anywhere from 80-100 hours of vacation from work to make the journey to Mankato ad now Eagan to live my dream life of a football fan.

I know when I first started going I would drive over for morning practice go back to Owatonna and back to Mankato for the afternoon practice. I used to tell people I would do an oil change before and after Training Camp was over as I would be about 1200- 1500 miles on my car going twice to Mankato a day.

The memories I make each year is a lot of reason I go back and of course watching the players trying to make the 53 man squad each camp.

The words Training Camp also brings the word heat as yes late July to early August it is typically steamy and you can’t drink enough water sometimes to help. Yes I am the man who makes the decision to go and watch in the heat but I can’t help it as it is a true passion being committed to my favorite team.

I know one memory amongst many and not so good of memory is having a kidney stone attack at camp and was it ever a painful drive home to Owatonna only to end up in the ER to get some IV’s and help alleviate the pain and hopeful to pass it which I did a day later.

Training Camp is huge for me as stated earlier and know its football we are watching but what I truly love is meeting fans from all over. I know we all share something in common as we are fans of the Vikings so it makes for easy to converse.

I have met fans from Germany, Belguim, Hawaii and other fans from all over. I know many years back I met three guys at camp who said they left their wives for three weeks to see how many NFL camps they can get to. I loved talking to these guys as they had a plan to get to 13 different camps.

I know through the years camps have changed but back in the mid 90’s the Vikings weight room was under tents outside on the parking lot at MSU-Mankato. I had more fun meeting players who were typically very kind in stopping over to meet fans and give autographs and take pictures with fans. I met many but two that stick out in my mind is meeting Korey Stringer and Robert Smith and getting a picture with each.

The thrill of meeting players after practice can’t be described. It’s strange because I am old enough to be their fathers but the rush is crazy. I know in 25 years of going I have gotten pictures with almost 400 different players through the years. It’s a collection I am so proud of. I know I have got my share of autographs but to get a picture with an NFL star just makes me smile.

The memories continue as one year I had EJ Henderson come up to me and say “ you are here every day aren’t you?” I smiled and said yes while EJ responds, “you should put on a set of pads and come out and hit with us.” Ah, no thanks!! I said.

I have a plastic bin in my basement with a year taped to it having memories in each bin from each year along with pictures I took.

I know the last year of Mankato Vikings Camp was extremely hard on me as there were hundreds of memories including every year going to move in day seeing these large men moving into the dorms. I went to MSU and stayed in the Gage A Tower and know they were small so seeing these guys dragging their TVs, quilts, blankets, clothing and anything else they need for the two to three weeks was so interesting to me.

I look back to 1998 when Randy Moss entered camp and watched him along with Cris Carter and Jake Reed spending time after practice catching ball after ball from the jug machine. There was a ball boy I will never forget as he too practiced catching balls and who was that? Yes, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Oh if I would have only known he would turn out to be an elite athlete in the NFL I would have loved to meet Larry.

I could write page after page and even a book on the Vikings Training Camp but instead I wanted to try and show you reading that camp is a must go and see what you think. I always tell people just try it once and if you don’t like it you never have to go but I got a feeling you may see the thrill that I do.

I can’t wait for July 28^th to make my first trip to Eagan and get ready for the 2021-22 Vikings season.

SKOL!!!!!

Thank you for reading

Todd Walkingstick