The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

August 16, 2007

Fields hold up well for Vikings

Chad Courrier

MANKATO — Just a month before training camp started, Minnesota Vikings’ officials were not happy with the practice-field conditions, but extra attention by groundskeeping crews alleviated those concerns.

“The fields came a long way from July 5 to the start of training camp,” coach Brad Childress said. “They’ll continue to grow and get better. The fields held up very well.”

Minnesota State made a $400,000 upgrade to the practice fields, with the Vikings chipping in about one-quarter of the money. Team officials came to Mankato in early July and took pictures of the project.

Childress said he looked at about 500 pictures of the fields and wasn’t happy, particularly with some of the seams that hadn’t closed in the sod. Minnesota State groundskeepers then filled those seams by hand to get the fields ready for the first practices July 27.

Heavy rain fell on the field early Wednesday so Childress moved practice into Myers Fieldhouse.

“We didn’t want to get out there and tear up their fields,” Childress said.

Childress had thank-yous for Minnesota State officials, including President Richard Davenport, and the city of Mankato, and he was complimentary of the universities’ facilities.

“It’s a great arrangement for us,” he said. “Everything is very closely located.”

Childress said that more than 50,000 fans had attended practices in the last three weeks, with more than 15,000 player signatures signed before Wednesday, which was dubbed Fan Appreciation Day. After the team practiced indoors, all players remained to sign autographs for about a half-hour.

“It’s been a very good training camp,” Childress said. “We have a lot of work to do, but I’m happy where we’re at.”

Not Blue about situation

Greg Blue doesn’t need a mathematician to figure out his status. He’s the third-string safety with four proven NFL starters in front of him: Darren Sharper, Dwight Smith, Tank Williams and Mike Doss.

However, he’s chosen not to worry about his veteran teammates but instead learn from them.

“Competition is the best thing,” the second-year safety said. “I just have to play hard and do all I can do.”

Blue played in all 16 games, starting two, as a rookie and made 12 tackles. Blue said he played OK in Friday’s preseason game against St. Louis with two tackles, including one for loss.

He played some at safety and was on the coverage units for punts and kickoffs.

QB rotation

Tarvaris Jackson will make his second start of the preseason when the Vikings play at the New York Jets on Friday. Childress hinted last week that Bollinger might start against the Jets, where he played from 2003-05.

Jackson will play the first quarter, followed by Bollinger in the second. Drew Henson will get the third quarter, with Tyler Thigpen finishing. Henson was the only quarterback not play in the preseason opener.

Notes

Defensive end Erasmus James will likely not play in Friday’s preseason game at the New York Jets. James was activated from the physically-unable-to-perform list Monday after rehabbing from surgery on his left knee. ... linebacker John Kerr (back) and tackle Adam O’Connor (knee) did not practice. Cornerback Chad Johnson had not returned from taking care of a family matter. Johnson has been in Louisiana all week to be with his mother, who was undergoing surgery, and he’s expected back today or Thursday.









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