When you think of holding in the NFL, it's not usually a good thing. Offensive holding is a 10-yard penalty that seems to wipe out a lot of good plays, and defensive holding gives the offense an automatic first down.
But the Vikings are focused on a different type of holding during this training camp, as rookie punter Jeff Locke is trying to replace Chris Kluwe as the holder for PATs and field goals.
"I have two separate roles to work on, and (holding) is not something I take lightly," he said.
Special teams coordinator Mike Preifer said he is working more than normal on the snap-place-kick routine this camp, trying to get Locke in rhythm with long snapper Cullen Loeffler and kicker Blair Walsh, who is coming off an outstanding rookie season.
Kickers are a quirky lot, and they want the ball placed precisely, within the proper time frame, so they can concentrate on making a good stroke.
The team went though its usual morning walk-through at Blakeslee Stadium. The results might be important to the coaching staff, but it's not visually interesting to most of the rest of us.
The Vikings will be back on the field from 2:30-4:45 p.m. today, and the players will get Sunday off. We'll get a better idea of who might have gotten nicked up at Friday's first practice when they get out there this afternoon.
It looks like wind is going to be a factor again today. On Friday, the quarterbacks, punters and kickers all struggled some with a 25-mph wind, and it seems about the same out there today.
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