**Official '12 Vikings Training Camp Thread

[dead_poet]

@StribDW: Wondering who the head-turners have been at Vikings camp? @markcraignfl asked the players themselves. Good stuff: http://t.co/3F1Nfc5Y

[Mothman]

Thanks for the link. I sure hope Simpson stays out of trouble and fulfills his promise on the field. The team seems very excited about him.

[dead_poet]

Ouch.

Geoff Schwartz - T - Vikings

Vikings OG Geoff Schwartz will be sidelined 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a sports hernia.

Schwartz will miss the remainder of camp, and possibly 2-3 regular season games. The injury locks Brandon Fusco in as the Vikings' starting right guard. Schwartz is a valuable run blocker when at full health, but missed all of 2011 with a hip injury. With so little time in the Vikings system, he could have a hard time carving out consistent snaps upon his return.
Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter Aug 4 - 10:57 AM

[Eli]

Geoff Schwartz - T - Vikings

Vikings OG Geoff Schwartz will be sidelined 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a sports hernia.

Schwartz will miss the remainder of camp, and possibly 2-3 regular season games. The injury locks Brandon Fusco in as the Vikings' starting right guard. Schwartz is a valuable run blocker when at full health, but missed all of 2011 with a hip injury. With so little time in the Vikings system, he could have a hard time carving out consistent snaps upon his return.
Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter Aug 4 - 10:57 AM

"Carving out consistent snaps"?? How often do you see a backup offensive lineman get _any_ snaps, except on special teams?

[VikingLord]

Talked to Craig Johnson for a story after practice. He said he told Ponder he's never seen a QB go 7-of-10 in 2-minute and only gain 25 yds.

This is my concern about Ponder. He's apparently looking good and completing a higher percentage of passes, but if the majority are of the short, safe variety, that's not going to get the job done. I read about Ponder hitting Harvin and Simpson deep, but those might just stand out because they are fairly rare.

Do the Vikings track yards per attempt in training camp? I would say for Ponder to be successful this season not only does he need to improve his completion percentage, he needs to improve his YPA as well. With Harvin and Simpson and even Childs all capable of getting deep, that should be possible.

I don't expect to see Ponder going down the field as much as guys like Rodgers and Cutler, but if the Vikings remain a dink-and-dunk passing offense, it's going to be another long year even if Ponder completes a higher percentage of passes.

[S197]

Nice article. Gotta love the Henderson quote.

"Who's turned my head the most?" Henderson asked. "The kid, Reggie. What's his last name?"

[S197]

This is my concern about Ponder. He's apparently looking good and completing a higher percentage of passes, but if the majority are of the short, safe variety, that's not going to get the job done. I read about Ponder hitting Harvin and Simpson deep, but those might just stand out because they are fairly rare.

Do the Vikings track yards per attempt in training camp? I would say for Ponder to be successful this season not only does he need to improve his completion percentage, he needs to improve his YPA as well. With Harvin and Simpson and even Childs all capable of getting deep, that should be possible.

I don't expect to see Ponder going down the field as much as guys like Rodgers and Cutler, but if the Vikings remain a dink-and-dunk passing offense, it's going to be another long year even if Ponder completes a higher percentage of passes.

Yeah 7 of 10 for 25 yards is a LOT of checking down. I don't know about on this particular day but it was mentioned that the Vikings were working on blitzes a lot so that may have something to do with it. Generally in camp the defense starts off stronger than the offense. Hopefully Ponder will start to get a little more comfortable with his rebuilt line and new WR's as camp progresses and gets his eyes down field a little more.

[Eli]

If they're calling short, safe plays it's not that big of a concern, except maybe with the play calling. If he's checking down every play, then yeah, that's going to be an issue. But if they can just consistently move the chains, convert third downs, and score in the red zone this year, that will be a huge improvement over the past two seasons.

[dead_poet]

@TomPelissero: Alan Williams spoke highly of improved depth at corner. Said if #Vikings keep usual 5 or 6, there will be 1 or 2 who land with other teams.

[A.D_blazing]

http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/vide ... 68860d23b6

"Training Camp Highlights, Slow-Mo Style"


TE Rudolph put a sick move on Greenway....

[Mothman]

Yeah 7 of 10 for 25 yards is a LOT of checking down. I don't know about on this particular day but it was mentioned that the Vikings were working on blitzes a lot so that may have something to do with it.

It could easily have something to do with it. Camp reps aren't game reps and camp stats are even less meaningful than preseason stats, especially without any real context. The quote from Craig Johnson is amusing but I wouldn't worry about it at all. It just sounds like a coach pushing a player.

[Crax]

Both knees.....

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero

Greg Childs' MRI is not complete but two sources say it's a significant injury to both knees and he's almost surely done for the season.

[Eli]

Tom Pelissero ‏@TomPelissero
Greg Childs' MRI is not complete but two sources say it's a significant injury to both knees and he's almost surely done for the season.

Wow. Just like that.

[Juice]

MANKATO, Minn. -- Greg Childs screamed in pain as he hit the ground and left the field on a cart after suffering what two NFL sources said late Saturday night were believed to be significant injuries to both of his knees.

An MRI was not complete as of midnight, hours after the rookie receiver was injured on the penultimate play of the Minnesota Vikings' annual night practice at Blakeslee Stadium.

But sources said Childs' knees were swollen and the worst-case scenario was he might have ligament damage in addition to tearing both of his patella tendons -- the same injury he suffered to one of his knees as a junior at the University of Arkansas in 2010.

Childs was leaping for a deep ball thrown by McLeod Bethel-Thompson when he hit the ground hard and untouched, with cornerback Corey Gatewood trailing the play. His left knee appeared to take the brunt of the impact, but he initially grabbed his right knee as he rolled to his side.

More at the link: http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Viki ... jury080412

Damn, I was really looking forward to watch him play.

[PurpleMustReign]

BOTH knees??? My goodness, that has to be painful.

Well, looks like no NFL career for him. Too bad because I was hoping he'd be able to contribute.