And in discussions last year where some suggested trading Allen (because this team isn't likely to have a winning season before Allen is in a nursing home) everyone insisted he'd be playing and getting double digit sacks until he's 38.

Like I said, there little imagination today in the NFL, except maybe in the Patriots organization.

You're telling me you want Frazier too bash his players in public?

To be fair, even starting Chester Taylor ahead of Peterson was only a bad idea in hindsight.

but if you're unable to figure out how to use a potentially valuable player

@TomPelissero: Really liking what I've seen from Josh Robinson since he came back from the hamstring. Could rise quickly if this continues. #Vikings

@TomPelissero: Helluva catch by Kyle Rudolph in red zone period over Tyrone McKenzie. He doesn't need to be open.

@TomPelissero: I've now counted 10 snaps and two touches for Peterson. Defenders steering clear. He does look pretty good all things considered.

@TomPelissero: Another crazy catch for starters, with Percy Harvin elevating to pull it in in back of end zone. Offense struggled early. Now rolling.

@StribDW: Jamarca Sanford on orders given to the D about Adrian Peterson: “The rules are simple. Do not touch 28. If you touch him, you’re cut.”

I like that comment about Rudolph too: "he doesn't need to be open".

The Vikings haven't been able to say that about any receiver since Cris Carter.

Well, actually, maybe about Rice during the 2009 season.

Moss? That guy used to make catches in triple coverage lol

Moss? That guy used to make catches in triple coverage lol

Asked who has emerged as a leader in this camp, Leslie Frazier volunteers John Sullivan. I've heard the same. Coming into his own as a pro.

Frazier says the no contact rule on Adrian Peterson could be lifted as soon as next week. #Vikings

Visited briefly w Matt Kalil after practice. He said that since April he's been impressed by how on task this Vikings team has stayed.

The Vikings rarely tackle ballcarries to the ground. They do, however, have limited number of short-yardage and goal-line plays in which running backs are "live" and are tackled to the ground. Peterson won't participate in any of those at camp. Frazier said the next time Peterson is "live" will come in a game, whether it's preseason or the regular season.

"Oh, I'm going to lower my shoulders," Peterson said. "Those other guys are probably going to get tired of touching off and get tired of me putting my shoulders into them. So, they'll probably start firing back, and that's pretty much what I want them to do."

Josh Robinson looked good playing at the University of Central Florida, where he was a two-time All Conference USA first teamer with 10 INTs and 36 passes broken up in three seasons. Robinson looked good at the 2012 Scouting Combine, where he was the fastest player time in the 40-yard dash. And Robinson looked good during the Vikings rookie minicamp, Organized Team Activities and mandatory minicamp this spring at Winter Park.

But Robinson didn’t get any looks last Friday in the Vikings preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers. As a precaution, the team held him out of action because of a hamstring injury that hampered him earlier in camp.

This Friday should be a different story, however. Robinson is slated to see plenty of action against the Buffalo Bills.

“I don’t know if he’ll get first team reps, but we’ll try to get him a number of snaps so we can evaluate him and so he’ll be able to evaluate himself and find out what the pro game is all about,” Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier said. “And he wants to win a starting spot, so we want to see him go out there and work and get some snaps against some good receivers and be able to gauge where he is at the end of this ball game. We’re looking forward to watching him play.”

Fans should be looking forward to watching him play, too. Robinson is speedy and quick. He can play defense and special teams. Whether he intercepts a pass or fields a kickoff or punt, Robinson has the explosiveness to be a playmaker for the Vikings.

“He can close and go from point A to point B as fast as anybody we have, or that I’ve seen,” Frazier said. “His closing speed is outstanding.
Of course, we all know he had the fastest time at the Combine, but it shows up on the football field. A lot of guys can run fast straight ahead but it doesn’t show up when you put pads on. But in his case, it shows up.”

From the looks of it so far, Robinson has all the physical traits to be a contributor for the Vikings. The question now, and the question that the Vikings will begin to answer on Friday night when Robinson makes his NFL debut, is about the non-physical part of the game.

“He has great closing speed,” Frazier explained, “but now it’s a matter of ‘can he handle some of the things that come at him, formations, routes, terminology?’ There are so many things that have to come in to play to be a big time corner in our league.

“It’ll be a big test for him. He’s anxious to get out there and perform and show everyone that he’s capable of playing at this level.”

Looking forward to seeing him in action.

Blair Walsh back on track, just went 8 for 8 from 38 to 48 yards as final practice of #Vikings camp begins.

Jarius Wright continues to field (and not field) punts in a way that has to scare #Vikings coaches to death. Josh Robinson much improved.

Hey! Some Jarius Wright news!

Jordan Todman is running like he has a peg leg. Not sure why they're even putting him through individual drills on that ankle.

Tyler Holmes, listed as a guard, working at left tackle this week. Kevin Murphy still not getting any turns in walkthrough. #Vikings

WR pecking order unchanged. Simpson-Harvin-Jenkins, Aromashodu-Taylor-Burton, Arceneaux-Wright-Walters. #Vikings

Winfield getting another light day so in team drills the CBs are Cook, Burton, Carr in nickel. Smith and Raymond at safeties.

Rookie CB Josh Robinson with the twos today. He's rising. #Vikings

And Robinson just baited Webb into a pick six. Wow is he fast.

Reggie Jones has really gone quiet after his hot start to camp. Michael Jenkins beating him up today.

Just a thought, but doesnt Robison have some experience at DT? If he could play inside some it could allow us to get Griffin on the field more.

I know there was some talk of having JA, Robison, and Griffin all on the field for passing downs but I guess i just dont know how they plan on doing it. I think its something they could do more than just in passing situations to get our best players on the field.

Several #Vikings defenders laid down on Adrian Peterson's first snap yesterday. Chad Greenway said Peterson wasn't amused.

Greenway: "He was mad about that. He doesn’t want to have anybody let up on him. You know how he is, his mentality. But he looks good."

Christian Ponder continues to say the #Vikings goal is to make the playoffs and he thinks that's realistic. Not aiming low. Ponder: "The underdog position is kind of a good position to be in ... People are counting us out but internally we have high expectations."

Finishing strong

Wednesday's practice was the Vikings' last here, and the tempo was as high as it has been at any point in camp.

The offense had one of its best days, with Ponder in team drills completing 8 of 9 passes, including a remarkable connection up the seam to tight end Kyle Rudolph with backup linebacker Marvin Mitchell hanging on Rudolph's back.

The defense also had its share of highlights -- most notable, an interception of a Joe Webb pass by rookie cornerback Josh Robinson, who appears to be over his hamstring issue and worked with the second-string nickel defense.

"You just want to come out and just finish," Greenway said. "You don't want to have to go in and have it be a labor. You don't want to go in (Wednesday night) to the team meeting like, 'Well, we didn't want to have a practice like that. We're going into the second (preseason game on Friday against Buffalo), we didn't perform that well in the first game' and have this whole bad feeling going to Winter Park."

The Vikings were scheduled to hold a closed walkthrough on Thursday morning before departing for the Twin Cities.