The new collective-bargaining agreement stipulates that teams can't have two full-contact practices in a day, which means one of the workouts will be a walk-through, in shorts, T-shirts and caps.
On Friday, that was the morning practice, and anyone who paid to get into the practice-field stands should get their money back. To say that nothing interesting for fans happens at these practrices doesn't quite capture the depth of dull in that hour.
Of course, at a press conference after practice, defensive coordinator Fred Pagac rejoiced in how much technique and teaching was accomplished.
Of the newsworthy things Pagac offered, cornerback Cedric Griffin has made good progress from his knee injury, and he anticipates Griffin being the starter in the season-opener at San Diego. Hussain Abdullah is the starting safety, with Jamarca Sanford and Tyrell Johnson competing for the other safety spot, tthough he sees all three rotating.
Pagac hopes that Kevin Williams isn't suspended for the first four games, but if he is, a rotation of Remi Ayodele, Letroy Guion and Fred Evans will be used at the two defensive tackle spots.
Running back Adrian Peterson returned to practice. He left Mankato on Monday to be with his fiancee, who gave birth to a son Tuesday.
There was a transaction as the Vikings added defensive tackle Colby Whitlock, a rookie from Texas Tech. The 6-foot-2, 302-pound Whitlock, who made 57 tackles last season with two sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss, and another player were put through a tryout Thursday on one of the practice fields. Receiver Ryan Lincoln was released.
The afternoon practice, scheduled from 3-5:30 p.m., is expected to include contact, which should make it more interesting, though no one should have to pay anything to watch.
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