Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Report
Numerous Questions Need To Be Answered For The Vikings At Camp
With National Football League training camps currently underway, the Minnesota Vikings, like every other NFL team, have many questions that need to be answered before the season gets underway next month.
Who Will Be The Starting Quarterback?
So far in camp, the competition has been fierce between Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.
For Jackson to win the job, he must do his very best to get as many reps with the first team offense as possible. Jackson has already suffered a minor injury setback in camp and has had injury problems plaguing him throughout his career. If he can remain healthy during the preseason and show consistency, he may very well have the inside track due to his familiarity with the playbook and this being his fourth year in the system.
Rosenfels, who was acquired via trade with the Houston Texans earlier this off-season, will need to show a little extra if he is to win the job. So far in camp, it's basically been a dead even competition between the two, so Rosenfels must prove himself worthy of being a starter in the preseason games which begin for the Vikings this Friday in Indianapolis.
If neither quarterback takes charge and takes the lead so to speak, then Childress will, in all likelihood, give the nod to Jackson.
Is Percy Harvin The Real Deal?
The Vikings drafted wide receiver Percy Harvin with the 22nd overall draft pick in April's NFL Draft with hopes of finding a potent offensive weapon to include in an arsenal that includes running back Adrian Peterson, an emerging tight end in Visanthe Shiancoe and fellow wideout Bernard Berrian.
So far, it looks as though Harvin is living up to his potential.
According to various media reports from camp, Harvin has been very explosive and is showing versatility, lining up in the backfield with Peterson as well as playing all receiver positions on the field thus far. The coaches also plan on having Harvin on special teams, returning kicks.
It's going to be very interesting to see what exactly Harvin can do during the preseason games. If he does indeed play the way many people expect, it's only going to open up space for Peterson, which we all know, is not a good thing.
Other Camp Tidbits
The Vikings have been very pleased with their second round draft choice Phil Loadholt thus far. It looks as though the offensive tackle has surpassed Ryan Cook, last year's starter on the depth chart. Cook struggled mightily in that position last season.
The Vikings also have a new starting centre. John Sullivan replaces long-time veteran Matt Birk, who signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason. The coaches have been very high on Sullivan so far in camp and Sullivan, thus far, has not disappointed.
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