The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

August 7, 2008

Tuesday's Vikings' camp report

MANKATO — The Brett Favre watch subsided considerably at Vikings training camp Tuesday, enabling coaches, players and fans to focus on drills at the MSU football practice fields.

The Vikings worked on their long passing game during the morning session with some decent results. During 11-on-11 drills, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson connected on a long throw when Aundrae Allison got behind the defense down the middle of the field.

Earlier, during 6-on-6 drills, Jackson twice found Allison for about 35 to 40-yard hook-ups along the left side line. The starting QB also hit Bobby Wade with a 45-yard pass during the same drill.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevel is working toward making the passing game more prevalent in the Vikings offense this year.

“Our running game is outstanding so you really rely heavily on that and this year we have to change it up, we have to throw the ball more, we have to get the ball down field,” he said. “We have to get the ball into the hands of Bernard (Berrian), Aundrae (Allison) and Sidney (Rice). We feel like we have good weapons out there and have to find ways to utilize those guys.”

Bevel cautioned, however, that the Vikings were still not going to get too far away from the run, “That is our bread and butter,” he said.

Allison improving


Bevel said second-year wide receiver Allison has shown significant improvement this summer.

“The biggest change from last year is that he’s doing it the way we want him to do it.” Bevel said. “(Now) he takes the correct split, he runs the right route, he makes the right adjustment. I’m seeing him do that and you see him in practice every day showing up, making a play.”

Defense has potential


Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier admits his team has the chance to be pretty strong when the other team has the ball, but he wants to see his players perform in games before making any rash judgments.

The addition of defensive end Jared Allen and safety Madieu Williams through free agency, coupled with some strong draft classes the last two years, has Frazier optimistic.

“On paper, we have a chance to be a very, very good defense, but it’s going to take guys playing together and getting reps together and playing up to our potential (to make us successful in games),” he said. “Nobody knows until you get in the games and start performing how good you’re going to be.”

Injury update


Second-year defensive end Brian Robison (varicose vein) was not at practice Tuesday morning and defensive coordinator Frazier said he’s not sure what the prognosis is.

“It’s a concern because Brian is a guy we’re counting on to give us the depth we’d like to have. For us, a year ago, he turned out to be a key player for us (when Ray Edwards missed the last four games). We’re still waiting to hear the results of his test.”

Two other players — second-year cornerback Marcus McCauley (knee) and third-year tight end Garrett Mills (ankle) did not participate in Tuesday morning’s practice but both are expected back soon. Frazier said McCauley could play in Friday’s preseason game against Seattle and Bevel said Mills needs to pass a few tests before he can get back on the practice field.

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