Vikings Training Camp Notes

[MikesVikes]

Vikings Training Camp Notes from 8/2/07:

 

- On the first play, Tarvaris Jackson and Bobby Wade mis-communicated on a pass route. Jackson threw the ball to no man's land, and Chad Greenway knocked him on his butt after flying through on a blitz.

 

Play #4

[Chadman]

- The crowd also appreciated a diving catch by Troy Williamson along the sideline.

 

Probably the best use of a word in a sentence in the history of mankind.

[Outshined]

Vikings / Chiefs practice notes:

 

 

Author: Mike Wobschall, vikings.com

 

 

In front of over 7,000 fans the Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs conducted a joint practice Friday evening at Blakeslee Stadium on the campus of Minnesota State University. The Chiefs made the 115-mile trek on Friday evening and the Vikings will return the favor on Saturday evening by traveling to the Chiefs training-camp facility in River Falls, Wisc. The Wilf family and the Vikings will donate the proceeds to the efforts to support the relief and rescue efforts of the Interstate-35 bridge tragedy.

 

The practice began at 6:30 p.m. and lasted for just over two hours as the teams ran through a typical training camp practice together. The squads conducted seven-on-seven passing drills, one-on-one pass rush drills, shell drills and more against each other.

 

Each side of Blakeslee Stadium was filled, with a large Chiefs contingent and a smattering of purple- and gold-clad fans on one side of the stadium and Vikings fans filling the other.

 

After the teams stretched on separate fields the Vikings offense and Chiefs defense gathered inside of Blakeslee Stadium while the Chiefs offense and Vikings defense worked together on the adjacent practice field.

 

Vikings defensive backs Charles Gordon and Cedric Griffin recorded interceptions during the one-on-one drills and Gordon recorded another one during seven-on-seven work. Ean Randolph, a rookie receiver for Kansas City, made an impressive catch over Vikings defensive back Mike Hawkins in the left corner of the endzone during one-on-one drills.

 

Eventually, the teams came together and went live against one another.

 

"It happens so fast and we practice at such a high tempo that we really have to go off and see who played well, who didn't play well, who needs to improve, and you know what, we've got meeting time in the morning before we get on the bus to go down there," Childress told reporters after the practice. "We'll be able to see some of the things that they do. Again, they are playing base defenses; we're playing base offense and defense. I just feel like our young guys really get a chance to respond and we get to see them with the bright lights on."

 

Quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Brooks Bollinger each spent time with the first units and continued improved play from earlier in the week. At one point, Jackson completed three straight passes to rookies Sidney Rice and Chandler Williams as well as second-year receiver Jason Carter.

 

The teams also designated a portion of practice for special teams work. Each team's punting unit went up against the other's punt return unit. Vikings punter Chris Kluwe performed well, sending the Chiefs punt returners back pedaling several times.

 

Coach Childress seemed happy with how the practice went but acknowledged there is still work to be done.

 

"I thought there were some decent things in terms of the looks they gave us in the blitz protection. I'd like to complete a few more down the field."

 

Bryant McKinnie impressed on the Vikings offense, handling talented pass-rusher Jared Allen for most of the night. For the Chiefs, middle linebacker Derrick Johnson looked impressive, especially in pass coverage.

 

McKinnie, who missed significant time at the beginning of camp, appreciated the opportunity to go live against another team.

 

"It's always nice to go against a different set of spamshirts instead of the same guys each day," McKinnie said. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow's scrimmage as well because it's another day where I can get better at what I do."

 

On Saturday the Vikings will travel to River Falls for a second practice with the Chiefs.

 

Here are a few other notes from Friday night's action:

 

-- The Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders performed for fans prior to the Vikings-Chiefs practice and they signed autographs throughout Blakeslee Stadium before, during and after practice.

 

-- Vikings safety Greg Blue recorded the best hit of the night, abruptly ending a run by the Chiefs Derrick Ross along the Vikings sideline with a hit that drew a rousing reaction from his teammates and the crowd.

 

"Oh yeah," Blue said when asked if the intensity was increased on Friday night. "When we're out there with another team we don't have to worry about not hitting our teammates. It's fun to see some red spamshirts out there and not just white and purple."

 

-- Seven-year veteran Rod Gardner made the play of the night for Kansas City when he ran a seam route from the slot and made an acrobatic one-handed catch on a pass thrown from second-year quarterback Brodie Croyle.

 

-- Justin Surrency, a one-year veteran and St. Paul native, continues to impress by making outstanding catches. On Friday night, Surrency made an incredible grab on a fade route down the right sideline. He leaped and made the reception over the Chiefs Michael Bragg, coming down with both feet in bounds. He also made a tight-rope catch along the Vikings sideline later in practice.

 

-- Rookie linebacker John Kerr made a nice play for the Vikings defense during 11-11 work when he leaped and intercepted a pass going down the right seam.

 

-- Aundrae Allison (leg), Seppo Evwaraye (personal), Ben Leber (leg), Adrian Peterson (hip), Chester Taylor (arm), and Troy Williamson (infection) did not take part in Friday evening's practice. Billy McMullen and Erasmus James also did not participate but they did continue to work on the side.

[Randall]

The Chiefs said their defense kicked arse,

 

 

 

"Defensively, the Chiefs were dominant. There’s no other way to describe how they went after the Vikings. It started with the 9-on-7 drill, which is designed for the running game. The Chiefs No. 1 defense just slammed Minnesota. The Vikings were without injured running backs Chester Taylor and No. 1 draft choice Adrian Peterson, so that made a difference. But they had their No. 1 offensive line out there and the Chiefs shut them down on four of the five plays. The fifth was a botched Minnesota handoff.

 

Cunningham sent two linebackers on one blitz, he sent the nickel back Tyron Brackenridge on another blitz. Second-year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson never was able to get comfortable. Even with the blitzes, the real pressure was coming from the Chiefs front four. Jared Allen had a sack. Jackson stepped up into the pocket to run and if this had been a real game, Ron Edwards would have buried him. Edwards and Tamba Hali combined on another sack.

 

The player who really stood out was middle linebacker Napoleon Harris. Whether it was the chance for action against his old team, or just the chance to let loose, he was everywhere, filling the gaps and shutting down any Vikings running play.

 

 

Tonights practice should be interesting.