Monday morning reading

The Vikings picked a good day to take off. Sunday was hot and humid in Mankato. Even in the evening it was 90 degrees with 86% humidity. Yuck! Today should be a little better but just a little.

If you're going up to Blakeslee, do what the players will be doing regularly -- hydrate. New a reminder? Think of coach Brad Childress' words to describe the Brett Favre saga: "It's a fluid situation."

The Free Press does have some Vikings news this morning, namely a feature on second-year linebacker Jasper Brinkley. Brinkley (pictured), who made an impact on special teams last season, was thrust into a starting role when E.J. Henderson was lost for the last four games of year and the playoffs after suffering a horrific leg injury (broken femur). Brinkley said one of the reasons he was prepared for the task was the fact that Henderson took him under his wing early in the season. Read more here.

The Associated Press, meanwhile, did a story on safety Husain Abdullah, who, beginning Wednesday, will be fasting during daylight hours for Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and prayer. Abdullah will be working with the Vikings' nutritionist to make sure he remains healthy during the holiday. Abdullah says he will not even have a cup of water between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan.

Check back following today's practices for blog updates from Chad Courrier and Jim Rueda.

(Photo by John Cross)

WRs -- Who are these guys?

Logan Payne

Shane Frederick back on the blog with some observations following Monday's afternoon practice, which, by the way, ended about 25 minutes early, not long after the sun came out and made conditions quite steamy (thank goodness for the cool breeze blowing across Blakeslee).

With Sidney Rice (hip) on the physically unable to perform list and Percy Harvin out of practice and likely leaving town due to a death in the family, the Vikings receiving corps looks like Bernard Berrian and his band of merry men (hey, that rhymes!).

Marko Mitchell

Berrian caught 55 passes last season. The rest of the WRs on the field today hauled in a grand total of 13.

Late in practice, with the offense and defense competing 11 on 11, the No. 1 offense (led by quarterback Tarvaris Jackson) had Berrian, Greg Lewis (eight catches last season) and Jaymar Johnson (one). The 2s (led by Sage Rosenfels) had Marko Mitchell (four -- with Washington), Taye Biddle (none) and Logan Payne (none). Undrafted rookies Marquis Hamilton and Ray Small rotated in with the 3s (led by Joe Webb, whom the Vikings considered moving to receiver after the draft).

Taye Biddle

Payne has been the most impressive of those unknowns. The former Gopher, who caught two NFL passes for the Seahawks two seasons ago, has made some nice catches, including a diving grab in the corner of the end zone on Sunday afternoon. Be sure to check out Tuesday's Free Press for more on Payne's progress.

All in all, it was pretty quiet afternoon session. A couple of highlights included linebacker Nate Triplett's interception of a Webb pass and another nice, deep hookup between Jackson and Berrian with Lito Sheppard covering. Also, I have to agree with Mr. Courrier that the QBs looked better today, especially Rosenfels who struggled with interceptions on Saturday and Sunday.

Don't forget: Full pads and tackling tomorrow (Tuesday)!

Finally, you can follow Minnesota State alum Adrian Battles around training camp a bit on his Twitter feed, which can be found here.

Waiting for Favre

Shane Frederick here, posting my first observations from camp ...

Sunday afternoon's practice certainly didn't make anyone forget about Brett Favre. As the Vikings were working on red zone -- now, apparently, called "red area" in NFL circles (why the change?) -- the passing game was anything but crisp with high passes drops and more interceptions by Sage Rosenfels.

Rosenfels, who threw four INTs during Saturday night's practice under the lights at Blakeslee Stadium, tossed three more on Sunday, including two to rookie cornerback Chris Cook. The second-round pick showed more flash on the field, also intercepting third-string quarterback Joe Webb.

Despite some of the sloppiness, there were a couple of highlight catches, however, as Logan Payne made a diving catch of a Rosenfels pass in the back-left corner of the end zone, and Greg Lewis made a nice grab from Tarvaris Jackson in the same spot.

As for the interceptions, coach Brad Childress said that they are "double-edged swords," he asks quarterbacks, receivers and defensive players to be "extremely aggressive" on plays "to see what they can do," however he doesn't like seeing INTs that are "taken back the other way." "I'd like to see those come back," Childress said.

All in all, it was pretty quiet day on the practice field.

A few other observations: WR Percy Harvin (pictured), who was injured on Saturday morning but returned for the night practice, was not on the field on Sunday. Childress said Harvin was in Mankato but dealing with a death in the family. ... C John Sullivan was on the field but not participating after limping off the field on Saturday night. Childress said he didn't know how long Sullivan would be out, saying, "I hope it's just a cramp and a nag." Second-year C Jon Cooper took Sullivan's place on the No. 1 offense. CB Benny Sapp also missed Sunday's practice.

(Photo by John Cross)

Sunday morning links

Day 2 of Vikings Training Camp is in the books, and it ended with a night practice complete with fireworks. Here's a look at The Free Press' Sunday-paper coverage:

Defensive end Ray Edwards says his contract concerns are behind him right now and is glad to be practicing.

There was a lot of concern on Saturday morning when Percy Harvin was taken off the field on a cart, but the second-year receiver returned to practice in full strength during the night practice. This notebook also features info on Lito Sheppard and Toby Gerhart.

The Associated Press tackles linebacker E.J. Henderson's stunning recovery from a broken femur.

The Free Press' news side even got involved on Saturday, talking to loyal Vikings fans, many of whom are still a little bitter about the way last season ended in New Orleans.

(Photo by Joelle Pipal)

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)