Quiet but productive

John Cross/The Free Press

Mornings are rather quiet up on the Minnesota State University practice fields, but Vikings coach Leslie Frazier says he likes the schedule.

The stands were only about one-third to half full for the walk-through (which all morning sessions will be), as most of the action takes place in the afternoons now.

"It seems like the schedule we've put in place is working pretty good for us, being able to have our walk-throughs in the morning, have our meetings in the morning," Frazier said in a press conference. "Then (we can) come back in the afternoon and actually some of the things we talked about, go back and execute those in live practices."

Frazier talked about tight end John Carlson, who sprained his knee during Tuesday's practice when another player fell into the back of his leg while Carlson was blocking.

Carlson, an off-season acquisition from Seattle and a Litchfield native, has a Grade 2 sprained MCL and will be out of action for a week or two. "A lot of it will depend on his pain tolerance," Frazier said. Carlson was on the field watching Wednesday's walk-through.

Frazier said the injury will open up some reps for other tight ends, including Kyle Rudolph, Mickey Shuler and TE/FB Rhett Ellison.

Another interesting note from the press conference was Frazier's attitude toward rookie hazing. He's against it.

"I really don't want them to haze those rookies," he said. "I remember when I was a rookie myself, I didn't like it a whole lot. I said if I ever get in a position where I can control it, I'll control it."

Frazier said making them sing their college fight songs are minor discretions.

"There's a point where you don't want them to go, where it becomes a little more combative, then it becomes fun and games and we don't want that."

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