lol "down" to 324. That is almost two of me...

NT Pat Williams said he dropped 18 pounds this offseason and is down to 324 pounds.

Pat Williams on weight loss: "I just want to feel good this year so if I want to take some days off at practice coach won’t get mad at me.

Pat Williams on whether he feels faster: "I’m always fast. I’m always a sideline to sideline person.”

Chip Scoggins on Twitter

Pat Williams on whether he feels faster: "I’m always fast. I’m always a sideline to sideline person.”

Pat was asked about the team’s mentality as it reports to training camp with the sting of last year’s loss to eventual Super Bowl champion New Orleans still in the back of their minds.

“It’s time to finish it,” Williams, often times loose and joking, said in straight forward fashion. “We didn’t finish it last year, so this year we’re going to start here at training camp and we’re going to finish it this year.”

Was listening to Childress' press conference on NFL Network (verizon rocks), looks like along with Cedric Griffin, Sidney Rice will also be on the PUP.

EJ looks like he has the green light to practice.

I'm surprised. After that nasty break, I thought his career was done. I'm thrilled at how quickly he's been able to heal. Hopefully he can be 100% by September 9th.

Wide receiver Sidney Rice said there is no doubt in his mind he will be ready for the Sept. 9 regular-season opener at New Orleans. Rice is beginning training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list and did work off to the side on Friday. Rice said he suffered the injury in the Vikings' loss to New Orleans in the NFC title game. Rice saw three specialists this offseason because of the hip problem and admitted a couple thought he should have had surgery "but but didn’t need it necessarily." Said Rice: "The plan now is just to rehab and getting everything back like it’s supposed to be.” He added that if he had had surgery he thinks he would have been out four-to-six weeks.

Middle linebacker E.J. Henderson began 7-on-7 drills working with the first-team defense.

Sage Rosenfels took second-team reps after being demoted to the third team (behind Joe Webb) in minicamp. He said he still hasn't addressed what happened with coach Brad Childress. Asked about the possibility he will be showcased in training camp for a potential trade, Rosenfels said: "I don't worry about all the possibilities. I just worry about my ability to come out here and work hard and get myself better and get my teammates better. To sit around and worry about all the possibilities that could happen with me or Tarvaris, with Brett, with Joe, it makes no sense. That's great stuff for fans and great stuff for maybe my family but it's not something that I can sit around and worry about it all day."

Adrian Peterson drew a big crowd of reporters after practice and the All-Pro running back said his fumble problems last season were "mental." "Basically it’s that simple," he said. "Just mentally being aware of my surroundings at all times. Knowing guys are definitely throwing those extra punches to knock it out it at all times. So just mentally knowing that I have it high and tight at all times." Peterson said he needs to focus more on carrying the ball high and tight. "When I was holding it low it gives those guys that space to be able to punch up and knock the ball out at times. Bring it up high. Keep it high and tight. Just getting back to the way it’s taught and the way you’re supposed to carry the ball. It’s pretty simple."

Peterson also said he tried to ignore all the talk locally and nationally about his fumbling issues. "I tried to stay away from NFL Network and ESPN," he said. "But it doesn’t bother me at all. I’m the only one that can do something about it. Adrian Peterson. My mind knows it’s all mental. It’s something that I just have to be more aware of when I’m out there. People are going to say what they want say, voice their opinions my whole career. If I’m thinking about all the negative things then I can’t move forward. I’m focusing on the positive things."

The day has finally come and gone – the Vikings 1st practice of training camp on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato is now in the rear-view mirror and fans of the Purple can settle in for what is sure to be another exciting year of Vikings football.

I, too, have been waiting a long time for this day to come after spending over 2 months away from vikings.com and am ready to get the ball rolling again.

As Mike mentioned earlier, I spent most of my time Friday afternoon watching the core of LBs with a close eye on a rehabilitated E.J. Henderson. Henderson, who had his 2009 season cut short due to a fractured femur suffered at Arizona in Week 13, eased his way back onto the field by working out with the defensive linemen while his fellow LBs took a few snaps with the punt team early in practice.

Once the punting was over, Henderson joined the group of LBs to take part in position-specific drills that had each of the LBs quickly running to and from 4 cones placed in a square about 5 yards apart. This particular drill proved to me – and anybody else watching – that Henderson’s rehabilitation period has exceeded any expectations that one may have put on his ability to recover from such a horrific injury.

Henderson was making his cuts just as quick, if not quicker, than the rest of the group. The next drill – which had each LB dropping back into pass coverage and receiving the football – proved that not only Henderson’s quickness was back but also his range to cover his position is well on its way back to Vikings Defensive MVP form.

“Everything felt natural,” Henderson said when asked how his leg felt. “There’s no uncertainty about my ability to play again. A lot of mental toughness is involved but we put together a program and I followed it to a T, so it’s important to get back out there and show my veteran leadership.”

Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress has consistently expressed his astonishment with Henderson’s rehabilitation period. Henderson expressed to Childress the first day after his injury that he was “going to change the protocol with the way this injury is rehabilitated,” and that seemed to be evident with the way Henderson went about his business on the practice fields Friday.

When asked about a timeline on his return to the game field, the 8-year veteran had no qualms about what the future has in store for him.

“I know I can start now,” Henderson said. “It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon.”

Although his practice time was limited on Friday afternoon, Henderson’s body of work showed me, and Vikings fans alike, that we might be in store for an impressive comeback year from #56.

New assistant head coach offense Eric Bieniemy working with RBs on blocking drill. "Be strong with ur hands." Bieniemy starts drill over because he didn't like the pace. Bieniemy's intensity can't be questioned.

Sage Rosenfels is second team QB. That is worth noting because Webb got many 2nd team snaps in minicamp.

Vikes 2nd team O line in install: LT Chris Clark, LG DeGeare, C Cooper, RG Ryan Cook, RT Radovich.

Jamarca Sanford getting some first-team reps in place of Tyrell Johnson in group install.

Jamarca Sanford in place of Tyrell Johnson with first team at safety in 9 on 7.

Sanford continues to work with first-team defense in team. Tyrell Johnson with second team

Tyrell Johnson now with 1s. Jared Allen gets his first sack of camp on Rosenfels.

Watching D-line during individual drills. Everson Griffen looks very athletic.

Asher Allen working with 1st team secondary at right corner in 7 on 7.

Chris Cook playing left corner in 7 on 7. His arm length makes him effective in press coverage. Really redirects receiver off the line.

Jackson completes 4 of 5 in 7 on 7, including two to Shiancoe. Shiancoe made nice catch on final pass

Darius Reynaud, moved to RB, was working with the third team offense.

Pat Williams just welcomed Toby Gerhart to NFL. Drilled him on run.

Jasper Brinkley gave Gerhart another nice hit to break up a pass.

Percy Harvin left the field near end of practice but don't know what is wrong yet.

Pat Williams just welcomed Toby Gerhart to NFL. Drilled him on run.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/blogs/99688744.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUz33Dii_9PmP:Qi_17cQiU47cQUU

Eke! Harvin carted off field with injury. I hope that this is nothing serious, and he's back on the field soon.

Some other quick observations from today's first practice:

Kicker Ryan Longwell made five of seven field-goal attempts, making kicks from 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 yards. Longwell missed his final two kicks, which were from 50 and 53 yards. The last attempt hit the right post.

Ray Small, Darius Reynaud and Harvin worked on punt returns. Reynaud, who has been moved to running back, held that job for much of last season.

Rookie quarterback Joe Webb was picked off by Greenway on a pass over the middle in a drill early on. It looked as if the receiver was supposed to be running a crossing route but Greenway was able to read the play.

Jamarca Sanford got several reps with the first-team defense and most of the time it appeared to be in place of strong safety Tyrell Johnson. It won't be surprising at all if a real competition develops for that job.

E.J. Henderson is in uniform and taking part in portions of practices but it's clear the Vikings don't want him having any real contact. Thus, Jasper Brinkley is getting the majority of the work at middle linebacker. This isn't a surprise considering Henderson is coming off a broken femur suffered last December.

Talked to cornerback Antoine Winfield after practice and he said his broken foot is fully recovered. Winfield saw action Saturday both at left corner and inside in the nickel and said he would be fine with playing inside if that's what the Vikings want him to do.

Cornerback Chris Cook got some work with the second team and watching the second-round pick you can see his ability in press coverage. Cook, who is 6-2, 212 pounds, has long arms and does a nice job re-directing wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.

The final two periods of the practice featured special categories (where team's work on specific situations) and then an 11-on-11 (team) period. Jackson got the work with the first team, as expected, and completed three of six passes by my count in team. One of the incompletions came when he tripped while rolling out but attempted to force a pass for tight end Visanthe Shiancoe on the sideline. Instead, safety Husain Abdullah stepped in front of the ball and picked it off. Sage Rosenfels and Joe Webb got two snaps apiece in team. Webb did not throw a pass, handing off to Ian Johnson and then pulling the ball down and running (he didn't run, of course) with it.

Finally, this doesn't come from practice but we should note that veteran receiver Kelley Washington, in whom the Vikings expressed an interest, has signed with Philadelphia.

Peterson did little to no work in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills in today's two practices and I thought it might have been because the Vikings need to get a look at Toby Gerhart, Albert Young, Darius Reynaud, Ryan Moats, and Ian Johnson.

However, it sounds like the Vikings wanted to be careful with Peterson as well.

Center John Sullivan, who had offseason ankle surgery, went down in the night practice after being kicked by another lineman. Sullivan limped off the field and did not return to practice. He downplayed his injury afterward. “I’m fine,” he said. “I’ll be out there [Sunday].”

Things got a little physical during a 11-on-11 session when right guard Anthony Herrera knocked over linebacker Jasper Brinkley.

E.J. Henderson didn't practice in the second session. Childress said they are "spoonfeeding" Henderson as he makes his way back from a broken leg. "You always want to go back and see where he is tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow," Childress said.

Webb continues to impress and Vikes.com bloggers speculate he has too much talent/potential to stash on practice squad.

Hearing him in an interview...I've already written him off. A NFL caliber QB should be able to string together sentences without sprinkling "you know" and "uh" throughout them by the time they're in the NFL. Between Webb and Jackson we have a couple half wit practice superstars. They aren't going to be able to make the reads when the pressure is really on, they aren't going to be able to make quick decisions or adjustments. There was clearly a reason they played college ball where they did. Neither of them have what it takes upstairs, and no amount of coaching is going to give it to them.

Man I hope Favre stays around for a while, or by some miracle McNabb manages to accidentally not sign a new contract. It's clear Childress wants nothing to do with Rosenfels, and the other two clowns should both be converted to receiver.

I'm very interested to see Webb in real action. It's easy to say he has great talent and ability during practices and camp, but come game day when the game is moving a 100MPH, how does he hold up? Not saying he will suck - I hope he is great, but let's not read too much into it. We all know Tarvaris does real well in camp/practices AND has alot of talent, but come gameday, he just can't put it all together (consistently - or really very often for that matter).

But hopefully, this will all be a moot point, and #4 comes in and has another career year.