Adrian Peterson Misses Three Day Mini-Camp

Running back Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings missed a three day mandatory mini-camp in early June causing a little bit of a stir around Vikings land. Peterson missed the camp to attend "Adrian Peterson Day" in Palestine, Texas. Head coach Brad Childress was less than thrilled with Adrian Peterson missing. When asked about the event, Childress stated "I just know there's a bunch of guys here. This has a term "mandatory" for a reason. The work is here. Period."

The response Childress gave initiated questions about drama between Childress and Peterson through the media. When all is said and done, I think Adrian Peterson just wanted to give back to the community and honor his day. Will the day change next year to avoid conflict? Perhaps. Some people have connected Adrian Peterson's absence from the mini-camp with Brett Favre's ability to miss mini-camps and training camp. I don't see the correlation as Favre has played in the league for 20 years, I think it is justifiable for him missing offseason events. I believe this will all blow over Peterson will be back and perform at the level were used to seeing him play.

Brett Favre Hinting at Return to Minnesota Vikings?

Last week, quarterback Brett Favre offered another reason to think he might be returning to the Minnesota Vikings for the 2010-2011 NFL football season. Brett Favre told Al Jones of the Biloxi Sun-Herald, "I would love to beat the Saints." The opening opponent for the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, September 9th? The New Orleans Saints. Now, no one can obviously 100% predict what Brett Favre's move will be, but this has to be another good sign for Vikings fans that he will return. Favre earlier told the Southern Mississippi baseball team that if they qualifed for the College World Series, he would return for another season. Unfortunately they came up a little short, but most fans believe the fact he told them that promise has to be an indication he plans to return.

Favre also had off season ankle surgery, the one that was injured in the Minnesota Vikings loss to the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game. Why would Favre have the surgery if he wasn't planning to play on it? That's the hope for Vikings fans. Favre also told Jones from the Biloxi Sun-Herald, "I know I can still play at a high level. Last year was a great year, but it could have been better." All indications so far are pointing that #4 will be back with the purple and gold.

Rookie Joe Webb impressing Vikings Staff

The Minnesota Vikings selected a raw, explosive athlete that played for an Alabama college in the 2010 NFL Draft. Sound familiar? No, this is not the story of Tarvaris Jackson. Drafted as a wide receiver by the Vikings in the 6th round, rookie Joe Webb found himself taking snaps at quarterback with the second unit at a three day mini-camp in early June. With Webb taking snaps, it has caused perhaps a quarterback controversy as to who will be with the Vikings when the season begins with Brett Favre (crossing fingers) and Jackson.

Sage Rosenfels was acquired by the Vikings from the Houston Texans last offseason in exchange for a 4th Round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Since arriving to Minnesota, little has gone as planned for Rosenfels, who was expecting to compete as the starter before Brett Favre arrived. Since Webb was promoted to quarterbacking the second unit at mini-camp, Rosenfels may have been shown his place on the depth chart. The emergence of Webb may be Rosenfels last straw in Minnesota, as many teams tend to use a young and raw project for the 3rd unit quarterback.

At Alabama-Birmingham, Webb finished his two seaons at quarterback with 5,771 passing yards and 2,774 rushing yards. He could potentially play wide receiver or as a return specialist if the coaching staff feels Webb is better suited there. Webb became a YouTube sensation while training for the NFL Draft, leaping over 7 dummy bags at a workout. The talent and ability is endless for Webb, as it will be interesting to see if he can in fact develop into a starting quarterback for the Vikings someday. After all, he was chosen 199th overall - the same as a certain quarterback named Tom Brady.

Tarvaris Jackson saying what we want to hear

Is Tarvaris Jackson just a talking head saying what we want to hear when he says he has improved more the last year than any of his previous years?

"I feel like I've grown the most this year over the first couple years," Tarvaris Jackson said Sunday after the conclusion of Vikings minicamp.

If Brett Favre returns, as I hope he does, Vikings fans may never get to see if TJack is telling the truth and frankly that is fine with me. I feel like we have given him more than enough chances and I would rather not find out if he has improved or not. Or more accurately, if he has improved to the level of performing consistently as opposed to playing well and then playing terribly. I dread the playing terribly moments.

There is no doubt that Jackson is a great athlete, but I do doubt he has the ability to be a great NFL quarterback. It is more than muscle and brawn, its foresight, planning and staying cool under pressure.

"I think my concentration level is a lot higher, my focus is a lot higher. Throws I was supposed to make, I make them." - Tarvaris Jackson

First training camp practice in Mankato is July 30. Perhaps Jackson could sway me then, but there is no doubt I am on TEAM FAVRE.

Favorite Quote about the Minnesota Vikings

My absolute favorite news quote about the Minnesota Vikings of late:

“With the Williamses set to play, and the likelihood of quarterback Brett Favre's return, the Vikings field essentially the same team that went 12-4 in 2009.”

Doesn’t that give you a warm and fuzzy feeling Vikings fans?

I am ready for some football!

Thank you Rick Alonzo from the St Paul Pioneer Press for making my day. The quote is from his June 3rd article about Pat Williams.

Vikings Saints Game gets more buzz as players Tweet harassing messages at each other

Trash talk is part of the game right? A whole aspect to professional football is intimidation and getting in the heads of the other player... However, at some point the smack goes too far as seems to be the case with the current Tweet-Fight happening between Visanthe Shiancoe of the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper.

Visanthe Shinacoe and Darren Sharper are friends, supposedly. The two had been having a Twitter battle in jest regarding the upcoming NFL opener between the Saints and the Vikings in the Superdome. However, things got ugly when Minnesota Vikings' Visanthe Shinacoe posted a picture of Bin Laden with a no. 42 on it and a word bubble coming from Bin Laden's mouth reading, "I'm Darren Sharper". Sharper responded via Twitter that the picture was too far, and despite fines from the league Shinacoe should expect to get roughed up in the game. Mention was also made of the New Orleans Saints Roster targeting Brett Favre and his recently surgically repaired ankle.

Both teams coaches have remained fairly quiet on the whole matter and the NFL stated it would not be getting involved in the team matter. Players close to Shinacoe and Sharper say the two are jokesters but this may be too far past practical joking for anyone to be laughing.