2012 Vikings Offseason: Leslie Frazier Believes Rookies Will Play Big Roles

After seeing his rookies in offseason OTAs and minicamps, Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier came away pleased with their progress and looking forward to seeing the youngsters compete in pads, says Sid Hartman of the Star-Tribune.

The Vikings finished 3-13 last season, so left tackle Matt Kalil, the No. 4 overall selection out of USC, as well as former Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith, the No. 29 overall pick, will be immediate upgrades to Minnesota's personnel. Frazier also praised cornerback Josh Robinson, the team's third-rounder, and former Arkansas receivers Jarius Wright and Greg Childs.

Kalil's development will be crucial so that the Vikings can protect quarterback Christian Ponder, their first-round pick in 2011. Frazier says facing off against Jared Allen and Brian Robinson in pads in training camp can only help Kalil get better quickly.

Hartman mentions that Ponder did not have much practice time before last season began, so his first true offseason with the team could be an opportunity for the former Florida State Seminole to make a big leap.

All told, early playing time is readily available in Minneapolis.

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Minnesota Vikings Announce 2012 Training Camp Schedule

The Minnesota Vikings' 2012 Training Camp will open on Thursday, July 26.

2012 Vikings Offseason: Christian Ponder Looking To Improve In Sophomore Season

A big improvement from QB Christian Ponder is going to be needed if the Minnesota Vikings want to improve their fortunes in 2012 after one of the worst seasons in a long time back in 2011.

Fortunately, Ponder had been working hard to bulk up and improve his game before mini-camps opened, and it seemed to work out well enough. Ponder increased his weight from 212 to about 230 as he looks to avoid a repeat of his injury plagued rookie season.

He's worked on improving a lot of his game, and Leslie Frazier has been impressed by his progress, though as with most sophomore quarterbacks there is still work to be done:

Frazier said the game has clearly slowed a bit for Ponder, who is doing a better job with pre-snap reads. "He's improving, but he has a ways to go for some of the things we want to do with him," he said.

His own growth along with his ability to get good chemistry with all of his new receivers including Jerome Simpson will determine how the offense rolls this season for the Vikings. Of course, after last year, it can't really get much worse:

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder was asked Thursday if he feared a sophomore slump.

"I had a freshman year slump last year," he joked. "I don't think it can get any worse."

More on Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings can be found over at The Daily Norseman. More news and analysis on everything around the NFL can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Percy Harvin Not Holding Out After All

If Percy Harvin was supposed to hold out, some one might want to tell Percy Harvin. The Vikings wide receiver said he didn't know where the reports came from and has no plans to hold out.

I'm really clueless on the crazy reports...had great prac today ....to all my real fans and real vikes fans see u at Mankato..salute

— Percy Harvin (@Percy_Harvin) June 21, 2012

Whether Harvin actually was unaware of where the reports came from or not is unclear, but it appears as though he will be in training camp when it begins.

For the Vikings, it is one more unnecessary distraction that the team was able to avoid as it prepares to recover from a disastrous 2011.

More on Percy Harvin and the Minnesota Vikings can be found over at The Daily Norseman. More news and analysis on everything around the NFL can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Vikings Have No Interest In Trading Percy Harvin, General Manager Says

On Wednesday afternoon, Minnesota Vikings management made it clear that the organization has no interest in trading disgruntled wide receiver Percy Harvin. Harvin came out on Tuesday insinuating that he was going to holdout if unspecified "issues" weren't resolved, prior to requesting a trade on Wednesday.

The Vikings have no plans to honor the request.

Via ESPN 1500:

"We have no interest at all in trading Percy Harvin," [general manager Rick] Spielman told reporters on Wednesday afternoon, one day after Harvin said he's unhappy about multiple issues and hours after news broke the dynamic receiver has requested a trade.

Harvin was present at morning practice on Wednesday but failed to report to the team's afternoon practice, which means the club can fine him $30,000 unless they decide to excuse him.

Regardless, Spielman made it clear that Harvin is an important member of the team and the management wants to keep him in a Vikings uniform.

"He's a key part of our organization," Spielman said. "He's a key part of our football team, and any issues that are out there or reported, we always handle those internally and will continue to handle those internally.

"We've had a very good offseason. I know our players have worked and coaches have worked extremely hard and look forward to everybody getting down to Mankato (for training camp) and having a great season coming up."

More on Percy Harvin and the Minnesota Vikings can be found over at The Daily Norseman. More news and analysis on everything around the NFL can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

A Percy Harvin Trade Appears Unlikely Given His Importance To Vikings

The Percy Harvin situation is certainly a point of focus for the Minnesota Vikings. He's essentially the team's top receiving target, and a definite catalyst for Christian Ponder's development in his second year. First, Harvin was just talking about holding out in lieu of the Vikings solving some issues that the young receiver has with the organization. But now he's asked for a trade, as of Wednesday morning.

It's debatable whether or not the team would trade Harvin, but it certainly doesn't seem very likely. From the Vikings' standpoint, it wouldn't make sense to trade him at all. As SB Nation's Vikings blog, Daily Norseman points out, Harvin is a big part of Minnesota's offense:

You just don't trade a guy that was 25% of your offense on a 3-13 club. Because with the offense in it's current state, there is no value that the Vikings could receive in return that would constitute a 'good trade'. In the running game, Adrian Peterson is coming off of a devastating knee injury and could very well end up on the PUP list for the first 6 weeks of the season. Toby Gerhart is good, but Harvin and Gerhart could be a Thunder and Lightning combination that could be tantalizingly good until AP returns.

They also go on to note that this is the first real test for general manager Rick Spielman. He hasn't had to put an issue to rest yet. He's had a draft under his watch and oversaw free agency, but there's not a crisis of any kind that he's had to deal with just yet.

That said, they're confident that Spielman is the guy to get things done. The prevailing theory is that a new contract will solve things for Harvin. It's hard to argue against that, especially given the fact that Harvin is set to make just under a million dollars this season and is still playing on his rookie contract. He's under contract until 2014, but a holdout would certainly hurt the Vikings, especially with Jerome Simpson suspended.

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Vikings Mini-Camp 2012: Minnesota's Roster Filled With Youth

The Minnesota Vikings got a bit of a jolt on Tuesday when Percy Harvin shook things up with talks of a holdout and perhaps even a trade if he gets his way, but there's plenty more to talk about in the mini-camps for the Vikings than Harvin's need to let everyone know his problems with the team.

Specifically, there is a bunch of youth filling the 90 man roster as we head into day two of the mini-camps for Minnesota. Health is good for the team right now too, with only one player missing from the 90 man roster on the first day. Without pads, the coaching staff is checking out the influx of new talent on all levels, specifically in what head coach Leslie Frazier is calling 'pressure situations'.

"Put them in stressful situations, see how they respond," coach Leslie Frazier said Tuesday, June 19. "Until we get the pads on in Mankato, you have to be careful of passing judgment. But we're trying to do some things to see where they are mentally."

It should prove to be an interesting group of camps for the Vikings with so much new blood around. Hoepfully, the Harvin problem gets solved quickly as well, so the Vikings can have one of their biggest stars happy during the first real tests of the off-season.

For more Vikings 2012 mini-camp coverage, stay with this StoryStream. For more on the Vikings, head over to Daily Norseman.

Percy Harvin Requests Trade: Vikings Receiver Unhappy In Minnesota

The Minnesota Vikings were fairly sure that Percy Harvin was going to be at their training camps despite talks of a holdout from the young, star receiver. Unfortunately, Harvin has now made it clear that he's not expecting to be there, and doesn't really want to be either.

It was announced on Tuesday morning by several different sources that Harvin had requested a trade from the Vikings, a somewhat surprising development:

APNewsBreak: Percy Harvin has requested a trade from the #Vikings.

— Jon Krawczynski (@APkrawczynski) June 20, 2012

It had been hinted in the past few days that Harvin was considering a holdout, but trade talk was never really in the books. The Vikings will most likely not grant his request, but it's still a strong step to be taking for Harvin, who has said he has issues with the Vikings:

Harvin said yesterday he had several issues with the team. League sources say Harvin has requested a trade, but doubtful it's granted.

— Jon Krawczynski (@APkrawczynski) June 20, 2012

There will surely be more on this story released throughout the day as the team reacts to their young star's want to get out.

More on Percy Harvin and the Minnesota Vikings can be found over at The Daily Norseman. More news and analysis on everything around the NFL can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Vikings Offseason: Minnesota Shows Interest In Safety Melvin Bullitt

Former Indianapolis Colts safety Melvin Bullitt is preparing for life after football at the NFL's "Broadcast Bootcamp" but that doesn't mean he's ready to step away from the game anytime soon. After injuries the past two seasons made him dispensable in Indy, Bullitt is looking to land with a new team and according to NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal, the Minnesota Vikings are among the team's that have shown an interest in Bullitt.

Former Colt Melvin Bullitt is at Broadcast boot camp. Fully expects to continue playing. Said KC, Min have showed interest.

— gregg rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) June 19, 2012

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier coached Bullitt when he coached defensive backs for the Indianapolis Colts. Bullitt has to remain healthy, though after playing in only six games the past two season. But as Daily Norseman mentions, this is the type of move the Vikings would be willing to make.

The 6'1", 200-pound Bullitt seems to be the kind of player that Rick Spielman has been taking chances this off-season. . .relatively low investment price with a fairly decent ceiling. If he could stay healthy, he would be an interesting addition to the Vikings' safety mix.

For more Vikings 2012 mini-camp coverage, stay with this StoryStream. For more on the Vikings, head over to Daily Norseman.

Vikings Mini-Camp 2012: LB Chad Greenway Rejoins Team After Brief Absence

After missing a number of voluntary workouts, Minnesota Vikings veteran linebacker Chad Greenway was welcomed back by teammates at Tuesday's mini-camp.

Coming off a 154-tackle campaign with the Vikings last year, Greenway had been unavailable for team practices while he was in South Dakota tending to his ailing father who continues his fight with leukemia. And while the star linebacker's father is not actually in hospice care as was earlier reported, he remains at the Mayo Clinic and doctors warn that his leukemia, while currently in remission, will likely return.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier gave Greenway the assurance that he could miss his squad's mini-camp if needed, but the sure-handed tackler was happy to be back with his teammates and get back to football. "Every day and every minute you're thinking about it," Greenway said. "But at the same point you have to go to work and it is a reprieve to be at work and be around my friends and do something that I love."

For more Vikings 2012 mini-camp coverage, stay with this StoryStream. For more on the Vikings, head over to Daily Norseman.

Vikings Mini-Camp: Minnesota Sack Leader Jared Allen Eyeing Record-Setting Season

Exactly one-half of a sack away from tying Michael Strahan's NFL record of 23 in a season, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen is fully healthy and ready for another run at history in 2012.

Allen made his first appearance at a Vikings organized practice on Tuesday, and spoke at length about what the future might hold for the coveted sack record. "I think 25 is possible," Allen told the Pioneer Press. "Then again, no one has ever had two 20-sack seasons in their career in the history of the NFL, so someone has to do that first."

When asked what specific thing from his 2011 campaign allowed him to flourish his way to 22 sacks, Allen credited his mental growth as both a player and human off the field. "I really grew in my faith last year" he said. "I really was able to play more free."

For a man who literally had the NFL sack record in his grasps last season, it will be hard to count the interview-friendly Allen out of contention for the league's sack championship once again. Even if he isn't able to match his output from a year ago as double and triple teams predictably come his way, the 30-year-old veteran remains one of the sport's premier pass rushers.

For more on the Vikings' 2012 mini-camp, stay with this StoryStream. For more Minnesota Vikings coverage, head over to Daily Norseman. Also be sure to visit SB Nation's NFL hub for more NFL news and analysis.

Vikings OTAs: Minnesota's Joe Webb Focused On Quarterback, And Only Quarterback, Heading Into Minicamp

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Webb is excited -- maybe relieved is a better word -- to enter minicamp focused solely on quarterback.

Webb, a third-year player out of Alabama-Birmingham, went into minicamp last year tasked with working out as a receiver as well as quarterback. But according to an article from ESPN1500.com, Webb's role this year, thankfully, is simply to be a quarterback.

From the article:

The Vikings have told Webb they want him to focus all of his energies on playing quarterback and the plan is for him to enter the regular season behind starter Christian Ponder on the depth chart.

"Yeah, it's easier," not having to focus on multiple positions, Webb said. "But quarterback is still a difficult position. You still have to be on top of your game. Study the game and know where you're going to go with the ball."

The article goes on to say that when the Vikings drafted Webb in the sixth round of the 2010 Draft, they planned for him to eventually move to receiver. But Webb's strong arm -- coupled with a case of the dropsies -- kept quarterback in the fold.

And that's what he'll be when minicamp kicks off Tuesday.

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Vikings LB Chad Greenway Expected To Be At Mini-Camp On Tuesday

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway is expected to be present when the team opens mini-camp Tuesday. Greenway has missed much of the Vikings' Organized Team Activities this offseason so that he could spend time in South Dakota with his father Alan Greenway who has fallen ill.

According to a report by KELO Television in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Alan is battling cancer and will be admitted to hospice care. As long as no unforeseen event occurs, Greenway will be in attendance Tuesday.

Via ESPN 1500:

an NFL source said Monday that the current plan is for Greenway to be at Winter Park on Tuesday for the opening of the team's minicamp. Of course, if Alan Greenway takes a turn for the worse that could change.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier already said last week that if Greenway is unable to attend the mandatory three-day mini-camp next that his absence will be considered excused.

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Minnesota Vikings OTAs: Geoff Schwartz Battles Brandon Fusco For Starting Job

Offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz is battling for the Minnesota Vikings starting right guard job at organized team activities this week. After having hip surgery in August, he signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Minnesota in March.

The job will go to either Schwartz or Brandon Fusco, via 1500 ESPN's Tom Pelissero. Fusco was taken with a sixth-round pick in the 2011 draft and has taken most of the first-team reps. Schwartz, though, has the edge in experience, having started 19 games with the Carolina Panthers before his injury.

Schwartz says he feels comfortable in Minnesota, as Vikings offensive line coach Jeff Davidson was with him in Carolina as the offensive coordinator:

"It's very similar to when Jeff was doing it (in Carolina) as the O.C.," Schwartz said of the Vikings' blocking schemes. "I really like the concepts and it's stuff I do well."

Mandatory team minicamp begins next week.

For more on Minnesota's 2012 OTAs, stay with SB Nation Minnesota's StoryStream. For more Vikings coverage, head over to Daily Norseman, and for full NFL news and analysis be sure to visit SB Nation's NFL hub

Minnesota Vikings OTAs: Leslie Frazier Discusses Key Players

The Minnesota Vikings are still doing Organized Team Activities, completing their third and final week before mandatory team minicamp begins next week. After Tuesday's practice, the Star Tribune caught up with Leslie Frazier to discuss several important players for fans to think about this offseason.

There's linebacker Erin Henderson, who seems to be growing more vocal and assuming a greater leadership role on the defense, cornerback Chris Carr, who was signed as a free agent this spring to add much-needed depth in the secondary.

Frazier also discussed safety Jamarca Sanford, a starter last season who is trying to keep his job. This is what the coach had to say about Robert Blanton, who is making the switch from cornerback to safety in the NFL:

"There are some things you look at and you just know will take a little bit of time, just getting accustomed to being out in space. That's different for him. When you have the sideline as a twelfth man at times, you don't have that safety. There's a lot more space and the angles are a lot different. That takes time. But he's getting it and we have to continue to expose him to more situations and we're doing that. I think he'll get it, but it's just a matter of how fast it'll be."

Read more about the Minnesota Vikings at Daily Norseman.

Minnesota Vikings OTAs: LB Chad Greenway May Be Excused From Minicamp Due To Family Emergency

The Minnesota Vikings are expecting to be be without veteran linebacker Chad Greenway at next week's mandatory minicamp, as the team is willing to excuse him from team activities due to a family emergency according to the Pioneer Press.

Greenway will most likely be in South Dakota with family when minicamp gets underway, meaning that he will have missed three consecutive weeks of activities. "His family situation is something that he's dealing with," Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said. "We may or may not have him back."

Thankfully for the rest of the Vikings roster, Frazier does not expect anyone else to be limited or unable to participate starting next week. "I expect full participation from everybody. The only question mark will be Chad," said the third-year head coach.

The 29-year-old Greenway made his first career Pro Bowl after a 154-tackle, two-sack campaign with the Vikings last season. For both Greenway and his family's sake, hopefully everything in South Dakota will work itself out in due time and everyone involved can return to a sense of normalcy.

For more on Minnesota's 2012 OTAs, stay with SB Nation Minnesota's StoryStream. For more Vikings coverage, head over to Daily Norseman, and for full NFL news and analysis be sure to visit SB Nation's NFL hub

Brian Banks Could Get Tryout With Vikings After Getting Rape Conviction Overturned

According to Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, there is a high probability that the organization will have Brian Banks, whose 2002 rape conviction was recently overturned, in for a workout this week with the team.

Frazier told the Pioneer Press at the Vikings' organized activities on Tuesday that there had already been discussions about giving the 26-year-old Banks a shot. "I know in talking to Rick Spielman and the scouting staff, that's something we've talked about and there's a good chance that he may be coming in," Frazier said.

A former high school star at California's Long Beach Poly, Banks served more than five years in a state prison for a rape in which he was falsely accused. While it is heavily assumed that Banks will reunite with Seattle's Pete Carroll, the man who originally recruited him to come to Southern Cal, the resurrected linebacker has been making the rounds across the country at a number of NFL minicamps, and would certainly look good in a purple and white uniform.

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Vikings' Christian Ponder Thrilled To Have Matt Kalil Protecting Him

Minnesota Vikings fans can expect better quarterback play in 2012 - that's almost entirely guaranteed. Donovan McNabb was the guy to start the season, or more accurately, the quarterback formerly known as Donovan McNabb was the guy. He was benched in favor of rookie Christian Ponder, who played well with the usual rookie jitters.

One thing that seemed to limit him in his rookie season is the fact that he spent a sizable portion of it on his back. Offensive line play was certainly lacking for Minnesota in 2011, and that's something the team addressed in the first round with the drafting of left tackle Matt Kalil - making him the No. 4 overall pick in the draft.

As it turns out, Ponder recognizes that the drafting of Kalil will help him, and is ecstatic about the move, according to the Star Tribune:

"I haven't stopped smiling since that Thursday night of the draft," Ponder said Wednesday afternoon during an interview on "NFL Total Access" which aired on the NFL Network. "I'm definitely excited that we picked up Matt. He's already impressed me. He's come into these OTAs and he's working hard. He's a big guy, he's really athletic and he's going to do a great job. Obviously he did really well at USC and he's going to continue that and be really good in the NFL. Hopefully we have 10-15 years together with the Vikings."

In so many words, Ponder is saying "Oh my God the guy we had last year was terrible. I don't even remember his name, all I know is Tupac at Coachella was more solid than he was. Matt Kalil is my hero." Of course, that's paraphrasing, but it's basically what he said. Just read it again.

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Minnesota Vikings OTAs: Toby Gerhart Is Ripped, Jerome Simpson Makes Great Catch, According To Report

The Star Tribune had some notes from the Minnesota Vikings' OTAs on Wednesday.

Among the topics discussed: Toby Gerhart -- who few have ever mistaken for a wuss -- is apparently more jacked than ever. According to the Star Tribune post:

Running back Toby Gerhart says he has maintained his playing weight of approximately 230 pounds during this offseason. But Gerhart sure looks bigger in his upper body and said he has made an effort to add more lean mass.

"Just trying to get the guns going a little bit this year," Gerhart joked after Wednesday's practice...

As for Gerhart's increased bulk, the Vikings are doing a bit of offseason experimenting to determine how he can be most effective.

Coach Leslie Frazier said that Gerhart might have to shoulder the load early in the season as Adrian Peterson recovers from a knee injury. In the four games Peterson missed in 2011, Gerhart averaged 18 carries and just over 4.0 per run.

The Star Tribune also reported that Jerome Simpson -- who is no stranger to beautiful plays -- had the highlight of the day when he hauled in a deep ball from Christian Ponder. This video corroborates that report.

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Percy Harvin, Adrian Peterson, Chad Greenway And Jared Allen Absent From OTAs Wednesday

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings had several prominent players missing from Organized Team Activities, which included Percy Harvin, Adrian Peterson, Chad Greenway and Jared Allen. Of the three players, Allen is the only player not to attend a single day of OTAs.

Harvin and Greenway both attended practice on Tuesday but missed out on Wednesday's workout. There was no explanation for Harvin's absence, but Greenway had called Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier on Wednesday morning to discuss with him a lingering family matter, which was the explanation for his absence. Greenway missed some time last week due to the same issue.

Peterson, who is coming off of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, was at OTAs last week working with a trainer instead of the team. There was no explanation for why he was absent at Wednesday's workout. In addition, rookie wide receiver Greg Childs did not participate in workouts because of a calf strain.

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Vikings WR Percy Harvin A Full Participant In Week 2 Of OTAs

After being held out of last week's OTA in Eden Prarie, Minnesota due to shoulder surgery, Minnesota Vikings fourth-year receiver Percy Harvin is back on the field as a full participant in this week's sessions.

Harvin suited up for Tuesday's drills, and aside from an obvious level of soreness that was expected in his shoulder, does not appear to be hampered by the injury that many initially feared would keep him on the shelf longer than expected back in April.

The 5-foot-11 weapon played in all 16 games for the first time in his three-year career last season with the Vikings, and tallied career-highs in both receptions (87) and receiving yards (967). In addition to seeing a significant amount of time in the backfield as a runner, Harvin's returning numbers dropped off in 2011 in an effort to keep him fresh throughout the season, and it worked like a charm. And now that he appears close to full health, a career year could be in store for the speedy playmaker in 2012.

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Minnesota Vikings Sign A.J. Love As Percy Harvin Returns To Practice

The Minnesota Vikings resumed their OTAs on Tuesday in lovely Eden Prairie. Wide receiver news has been the hot topic early as the team announced that Percy Harvin is back to practicing and, in a fun turn of events, the team has decided to sign a new guy to run some routes.

Undrafted rookie A.J. Love was signed by the Vikings on Tuesday, the team announced, in a move that is likely more for depth during the offseason than anything else. While the latter part is simple speculation on my behalf, our friends over at the Pioneer Press agree with said assessment.

Love recorded 53 catches for 846 yards and six touchdowns from 2008-09 before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in April 2010. He missed the entire 2010 season and caught 9 passes for 122 yards as a senior.

Love is the Vikings' second signing in as many days as the team fills out the back end of the roster to create competition in organized team activities. The Vikings on Monday signed former Stanford defensive back Corey Gatewood.

Gatewood was signed to take the roster spot of the retired Asher Allen, but Love's addition isn't due to any sort of subtraction. Either way, healthy competition can never hurt -- and the addition of a guy named "A.J. Love" makes it even better.

For more on the Minnesota Vikings during their organized team activities, head over to The Daily Norseman. More news and analysis on the NFL as the off-season continues can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

A Minnesota Vikings Player Was Arrested For DWI In The McDonald's Drive-Thru Lane

Vikings Sign Corey Gatewood To Fill Retired Asher Allen's Roster Spot

The Minnesota Vikings have signed defensive back Corey Gatewood to fill the roster spot left open by Asher Allen's retirement.

Vikings OTAs 2012: Christian Ponder Looks Forward To Offseason Work

For Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, this offseason offers a beneficial first. After having to sit out much of last year's offseason due to the player lockout that was a by-product of the CBA negotiations, Ponder missed out on valuable time that he could have spent becoming acclimated with the Vikings' offense. Now, Ponder will be able to reap the rewards of a complete offseason.

Courtesy of 1500 ESPN:

"It's huge for me," Ponder said of being able to work with his teammates and the coaching staff. "I obviously need as much work as I can get. The more time you put into it, the better it's going to be. I think not only for me, but for the whole offense."

Ponder has displayed that he is a mature individual capable of handling the pressures of an NFL quarterback off the field; now, he needs to prove that he can handle the pressures on the field as well.

"Number one, for me and the offense, is doing a lot better job on first and second down," Ponder said. "We want to be completing 75 percent of our passes on first down, and I think we were low 60s last year, around 63 percent. (Improvement) is going to help us so much on third down and eventually scoring percentage and points scored per game. That's important for me.

"I have to do a lot better job on that. I have to do a better job of moving around in the pocket and not taking off so early and getting a feel for the pocket and making better decisions."

For more on the Minnesota Vikings during their organized team activities, head over to The Daily Norseman. More news and analysis on the NFL as the off-season continues can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Vikings OTAs: Asher Allen Retirement Opens Door For Others

The retirement of cornerback Asher Allen has thrust a spotlight onto the Minnesota Vikings defensive backfield.

The Star Tribune ran an article looking at the possible alternatives to Allen, and the candidates for playing have changed drastically since last season.

Allen's exit, it's presumed, will open the door for the Vikings to add another body to their secondary. Whoever that turns out to be will have to introduce himself to [Antoine] Winfield, who in recent days has been getting to know new corners Chris Carr and Zack Bowman (both signed in free agency) and rookie Josh Robinson (drafted in the third round in April).

Oh, a pair of rookie safeties (Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton) also could be in line to earn significant playing time this fall.

Plus, promising corner Chris Cook is back after missing last season's final 10 games following his arrest on domestic assault charges.

Of course, having some new faces around might not be the worst thing for the Vikings secondary. Last season the team's pass defense surrendered 4,019 yards -- seventh worst in the NFL -- while giving up 34 touchdowns. Opposing quarterbacks completed 68.2 percent of their passes against Minnesota; only the Indianapolis Colts had a worse mark.

Of the 11 DBs who started for the Vikings last season, five, including Allen, are no longer on the roster.

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Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin Present But Not Practicing At Vikings OTAs

With the Minnesota Vikings in the midst of Organized Team Activities, the team's two biggest stars spent the day with the team but absent from the practice field. Superstar running back Adrian Peterson and wide receiver Percy Harvin spent the day sprinting up a practice hill and working with team trainer Eric Sugarman rather than with Christian Ponder and the rest of the offense.

Peterson is recovering from reconstrcutive knee surgery and is hopeful he will be able to play in Week 1. Harvin is also recovering from surgery, which was performed in late-April to clean out bone spurs in his shoulder and expects to be back sooner rather than later. Via TwinCities.com:

"I feel great," Harvin said Wednesday, May 30. "Right now I have no restrictions as far as on the field. I definitely wanted to get (the surgery) out of the way so I could get up here with the team and get this show on the road."

Harvin also went on to say that Peterson tried to beat him while the two participated in the hill sprints.

For more on the Minnesota Vikings during their organized team activities, head over to The Daily Norseman. More news and analysis on the NFL as the off-season continues can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Vikings OTAs: Christian Ponder Struggles, But Not Cause For Concern

Only two days into Organized Team Activity and the spotlight already shines bright on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder. Entering his first full offseason at the helm of the Vikings offense, the organization and their fans are looking for some growth on the part of Ponder. According to Kevin Seiffert of ESPN.com, you won't be seeing that growth in the earlier days of OTAs:

You would be disappointed if you were hoping to see fundamental and significant improvement. As always, Ponder carried himself like an NFL quarterback. But his hit-and-miss results were indicative of a player who is still gaining confidence within his scheme.

Of course, Seiffert prefaced that statement with the fact that OTAs are merely OTAs and in the long scheme of things, they don't mean anything. More specifically, they don't mean anything to Ponder because he knows what he needs to work on and realizes he has plenty of time to work on it:

"Just [need to make] smarter decisions, I think," he said. "Not trying to force the ball down the field. I think if we have go routes called, if it's not open, have the patience to be able to check it down. It all comes down to patience and knowing your reads and finding the open guy. Football is not a hard game. You've just got to find the open guy and get the ball to him."

For more on the Minnesota Vikings during their organized team activities, head over to The Daily Norseman. More news and analysis on the NFL as the off-season continues can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

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