The Vikings are here, the Vikings are here!

Donovan McNabb signs autographs (John Cross photo)

The Minnesota Vikings arrived at Minnesota State's Gage Hall on Sunday, greeted by about 30 fans, most of which looked like the folks who were there last year and the year before that and the year before that.

Head coach Leslie Frazier addressed the media and had a few tidbits:

He called second-year quarterback Joe Webb "the incumbent," meaning that Webb will run with the first-tea offense at Monday's first practice. Newly acquired Dononvan McNabb isn't allowed to practice until Thursday, and rookie Christian Ponder will have to earn reps with the starters.

Negotiations are ongoing with linebacker Chad Greenway on a long-term contract. The Vikings locked up Greenway by using the franchise tag, but Greenway's one-year, $10 million hit on the salary cap would be eased by a multi-year deal. Frazier said that talks are not active with running back Adrian Peterson, who is entering the final year of his contract.

All of the Vikings draft choices were singed by Sunday and reported to Mankato.

Linebacker Ben Leber and defensive tackle Pat Williams, both free agents, could return to the team, though Frazier said nothing is imminent.

Cornerback Cedric Griffin will not be placed on the physically unable to perform list, but he won't take part in 100 percent of the practices. Guard Anthony Herrera may start on the PUP as he rehabs from knee surgery.

Even though he can't practice right away, McNabb arrived on Sunday, eager to start camp. He said he wasn't sure where he'd end up this season and was grateful to be acquired by a veteran team with a chance to win.

The veteran will likely be the starter hen he begins to practice, and he's aware of the expectations that he'll mentor the young quarterbacks on the roster. But he also said he wants to play and win.

See John Cross' photo gallery of the Vikings arrival here.

Vikings invade Mankato

Adrian Peterson (Free Press file photo)

Vikings players are to arrive in Mankato today (Sunday) and check into Gage Center (yes, they're back in Gage after a year in Sears!), likely between noon and 4 p.m. The first practice of training camp will take place at 3 p.m. Monday. However, new players, including Donovan McNabb and Michael Jenkins will not be able to practice until Thursday, according to new NFL rules.

In Sunday's edition of The Free Press, Shane Frederick wrote a Training Camp Primer. Check it out.

Meanwhile, Chad Courrier will be at MSU to cover check-in, and a whole host of Freepers will be at Monday's practice and the rest of training camp.

Vikings make McNabb deal official

The Vikings made it official on Friday, announcing the trade for quarterback Donovan McNabb. You can read the press release here. McNabb arrived at Winter Park in Eden Prairie on Friday. Unlike Brett Favre, we'll see McNabb in Mankato this week. The Vikings also announced the signing of former Saints defensive lineman Remi Ayodele.

Lockout? What lockout?

In Friday's edition of The Free Press, Chad Courrier opines that the NFL lockout didn't really affect football fans at all. In fact, it did away with a lot of the mundane news of the league until the week before training camp started. Everybody wins! Read Chad's column here.

The blog is back!

With the Vikings set to return to Mankato for the 46th consecutive year, The Free Press will once again be blogging from training camp. You can see the schedule for this year's camp at right or click here for a PDF version. Players are expected to report to Minnesota State University on Sunday with the team's first practice set for 3 p.m. on Monday.

Of course, camp will begin with the buzz that the Vikings have traded for former Eagles and Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb (pictured). McNabb will be the bridge between the Brett Favre and Christian Ponder eras in Minnesota.

Add to that the fact that this will be Leslie Frazier's first training camp as head coach (the team's fourth head coach in 11 training camps) and the mad scramble of free agency gains and losses since the NFL lockout was lifted earlier this week, and it should be a very interesting 12 days in Mankato.

Be sure to check out Sunday's Free Press for a Training Camp primer.

Can't wait that long, check out our latest podcast, featuring staff writers Tanner Kent and Shane Frederick talking Purple.

—Shane Frederick