Peterson starts training camp on PUP

Pat Christman/The Free Press

Running back Adrian Peterson was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list as he continues to rehab his knee, which means he can't participate in team drills.
He will work with trainers on an adjacent field, and coach Leslie Frazier said that Peterson will be evaluated daily to determine when he can join practice.
Peterson said Thursday that he would prefer to stay off PUP and participate fully, and he discussed that with Frazier.
"He put up a fight," Frazier said. "He said `don't hold me back.' He wants to get out there, but we have to be smart."
Tight end Mickey Shuler (heel) and receiver Stephen Burton (toe) both are on the non-football injury list, which means they will also practice individually. Frazier said he expects both to be back soon.
Percy Harvin spoke at camp and said that all the offseason issues, which reportedly included a trade request and other problems with management and coaches, were resolved.
"I'm at camp, I'm happy," he said. "I'm on board and ready to go out here and start practicing."
Defensive end Jared Allen said that not having to deal with lofty expectations, it might be easier for the Vikings to focus on the upcoming season.
"I think this is the first year where they're are no real expectations going into camp," Allen said. "Our expectations are the same, an NFC North title and get to the Super Bowl. But we were 3-13 last year, and we have a completely new team."

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.

Peterson returns (kind of)

Shane Frederick here following Friday's first practice. ...

Adrian Peterson put on the pads for the first time in three days had what is probably best described as a light practice, doing individual drills but nothing when offense met defense. The running back, who was out with some "tightness," did not speak to reporters after the practice but when someone asked how the session went, he turned back, smiled and said, "Fun!'

In other injury news, fullback Naufahu Tahi left practice with an injury, and John Sullivan, who missed some time earlier in the week, wore no pads and sat out the morning session. Meanwhile running back Darius Reynaud, who was off the field all day on Thursday, rejoined his teammates late in Friday's practice and appeared to have an ankle taped. He also remained out of the workouts.

Others on the field but not participating in team drills included the usual suspects Sidney Rice and Cedric Griffin (both on the PUP list) and Benny Sapp, as well as linebacker J Leman, who was injured on Thursday.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier spoke after the practice and talked a bit about former Viking John Randle, who will go into the Hall of Fame on Saturday:

"He's a special, special guy and a unique player who was in a rare situation. It's a well-deserved honor for him to go into the Hall of Fame."

The rare situation is the fact that Randle went undrafted out of college.

"He had the confidence of the first pick of the draft," Frazier said.

Where's the offense?

This is Chad Courrier, and it dawned on me while watching Friday's morning practice that what is generally considered to be an explosive offense is missing a lot of weapons.

Receiver Percy Harvin is gone from camp to deal with the death of a family member, and receiver Sidney Rice has missed all of camp with a hip injury. Adrian Peterson hasn't practiced for two days because of tightness in his legs, and you-know-who is still in Mississippi, contrary to various rumors, waiting to see if his ankle feels good enough to play.

That's a lot of firepower that isn't on the field, getting ready for the upcoming season. Only receiver Bernard Berrian and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe are projected starters who are practicing now.

Coach Brad Childress said he's not so concerned because all of those players are veterans and should have knowledge of what's being done at practice. But he also said you never make up the lost time at training camp.

It's uncertain when Harvin will return or Rice will be ready, and it wouldn't be surprising is Peterson stayed out until Monday, given that the players are off Sunday. And Favre ... I think we've seen over the last two days that we should't guess if or when he arrives.

NFL officials joined practice Friday morning. They also met with the media and will attend the afternoon practice and team meetings. The officials are here to share the rule changes and points of emphasis for the season.

Shiancoe and Greg Lewis each made nice catches during two-minute drills. Tarvaris Jackson was the most accurate of the quarterbacks. Rhys Lloyd drilled a 49-yard field goal that had plenty of extra distance.

Running backs were the designated autograph signers Friday, and not surprising, Adrian Peterson's line began forming shortly after morning practice began. A couple hundred autograph seekers stood in line for more than an hour, and Toby Gerhart's line also had an overflow before practice ended.

Morning links

Here is some of The Free Press' coverage of Day 1 of Vikings Training camp ...

Tarvaris Jackson is the No. 1 quarterback -- for now. Like last year, mot people are expecting Brett Favre to join the team after camp breaks.

Minnesota State's Adrian Battles (pictured) went through his first NFL training camp but on a very familiar practice field. Te story leads a notebook that includes notes on Toby Gerhart's signing and Sidney Rice's and Cedric Griffin's injury situation.

The Associated Press tracks down Adrian Peterson, who is trying to put some troubles -- fumbles, some hot water from skipping the June minicamp -- behind him.

For more on The Free Press' Training Camp coverage, go to our website, www.mankatofreepress.com.

(Photo by John Cross)