Camp Draws Near

Its close. The energy is high in town, you can feel the Vikings presence already. Riverfront strewn with the Purple and Gold and businesses preparing for the invasion drawing upon our city. The Vikings are coming. Not to pillage and plunder, but to practice. 80 roster hopefuls will come to compete and train for the 44th year in Mankato, and to me, it couldn't have come sooner.

With the announcement earlier today of Favre continuing his retirement, I'll be adding QB to the list of close battles going on during camp. Tavaris & Sage will be battling it out. Ryan Cook is fighting for his job with a young second round draft pick vying for his job. A plethora of hungry defensive backs, rookie and vet, will be fighting for the nickle spot. An inexperienced John Sullivan is expected to step up in a big way for the departed Pro Bowler and beloved Minnesotan man Matt Birk. Is Harvin the sprinkles we needed to add to the Vikings Vanilla offense? If the Williams Wall is torn down like the Berlin, do we have the guys to step up and take their place? Can an young Tyrell replace the veteran ballhawk seamlessly?

There's a lot of questions, and a lot of competition going into this year. Its going to be exciting, so get ready. Vikings season is almost here!




--- I expected to have a new website up by the dawn of camp, but its coming soon. Until then, keep an eye out here for my updates, and I'll keep you posted on the new site! Thanks for reading.

Official Website Near

Ok, so I know the blogging fell off on this website, during the season I was working two jobs and getting back into the grind of school. Just didn't have the time or the means to put into doing my game reviews on here.

BUT! With in a week or two I will have my own professional website up and running. The site will have interviews, constant updates on the latest from the Vikings and around the league, my personal blog page, forums, polls, etc.

The webpage will be http://www.VKVillage.com

Until its up and running, you may also find me here:

http://www.twitter.com/King718
http://www.wearevikingsfans.com/Community.aspx?id=461
http://affiliate.kickapps.com/92076/Vikes_King

Kenechi Udeze Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=10483923833&ref=ts

And of course, I'm always reading and posting on PurplePride.Org, KFAN.com, and other fan pages.

SKOL & Thanks for your support!

The Season is Here: Game 1 Updates & Observations

Hello once again everyone, sorry about the stint of inactivity for a while there, been a busy time for me, but we're back! Well, the regular season is officially underway, the world is at peace, the birds are singing, and life is once again worth living. A bit dramatic? I suppose, but thats up for debate.
Like many of you, I've been waiting for last night (Monday, Sept. 8th), since December 30, 2007, when our Vikings walked off the field following a 19-22 loss to the Denver Broncos. Expectations are sky high for our beloved Vikings this year following our spending spree during an active offseason, which landed us Bernard Berrian, Madieu Williams, Thomas Tapeh, and Jared Allen. Not to mention the Vikings' strong finish (despite losing their final two games) and six out of seven Pro-Bowlers returning.
After quite a drama filled offseason, the season finally arrived and the Vikings were ready to kickoff their 2008 season on Monday Night Football versus the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Talk about a season opener, huh?

When the teams took the field, some might have noticed, there was a guy wearing a #12 jersey lined up behind center. No, I'm not talking about Gus Frerotte for the Vikings, but some kid named Aaron Rodgers for the Packers (the first time since 1992 its been anything but #4, might I add). I really hate to say it, and it actually hurts my fingers to type this, but Rodgers played well and looked very efficient in his first career start.
Two things were very clear while watching this game. One: it was the first game of the season. The two teams combined for 21 penalties equaling 160 yards. It should have been much more... but I won't go into that. Two: it was a rivalry game. You could just see it in the players faces and reactions. Sure, there was some pushing and shoving here and there after the plays, but nothing really said it more than the emotion showed by both Quarterbacks. Rodgers and Jackson both got very heated at times when they played poorly, Jackson threw his helmet down on the sideline and Rodgers was visibly saying some less than cheery words.
Following the game, many fans are disheartened and upset, I am not one of them. Sure I really, really wanted to win this game, but believe it or not theres some upside to how our boys played last night. Here are some observations and statistics for you guys

• The Rushing D looks just as strong as it has the past two years. I know, I know, we gave up a total of 139 rushing yards and a touchdown at an average of around 5.1 yards a carry. Now, need to look at it from a different stand point besides just "the facts". You take away that disheartening 57 yard rushing play by Ryan Grant, and those numbers drop down to 82 rushing yards and a touchdown at an average of around 3.1 yards a carry. The lone touchdown allowed on the ground came on a second attempt from the one yard line on a QB sneak. The defense recorded four tackles for a loss.
• The rushing attack, while not recording the numbers we all love to see, still looked strong in the opener (especially missing the bulldozer Bryant McKinnie. The Vikings RBs & QBs rushed 33 times for 187 yards and a touchdown, at 5.7 yards per carry.
  
• The Offense showed promise, putting up 355 net yards. Tavaris Jackson had a slow start, but did wind up making some plays, leading the offense to scoring drives of 79 and 80 yards. They totaled 21 first downs, converted 7 out of 16 3rd downs, and 2 out of 2 4th downs. Now, I know they weren't perfect, but I look for these numbers to improve while we begin to utilize the right weapons. I expect Bobby Wade and Sidney Rice to become reliable, consistent weapons for Jackson, with Peterson and Berrian opening up the lanes for them.
  
• Speaking of weapons, it was good to see Garrett Mills used in the passing game, hauling in three catches for 49 yards. While I do like Mills, I'm not completely abandoning hope on Shiancoe. Yes, he did tip that pass in the endzone that Berrian might have hauled in. Yes, he did wind up having a pass bounce out of his hands after hitting the ground (which still should have been ruled a catch), but other than that... he wasn't all bad, was he? If he doesn't step it up in the upcoming games, look for Mills to get more and more action
• Special Teams needs to step it up. Here, I blame the omnipresent Injury Bug. Of course losing Heath Farwell for the season really hurts, but one man can't make an entire unit. I don't think I even need to talk about how horrible the punt coverage was when we gave up the TD, so thats as much as I'm saying about that play. One thing that I think affected this game (maybe not dramatically, but at least somewhat) is Maurice Hicks' absence due to an injured foot. Hick is a known special teams ace from his days in San Francisco, where he led the team in special teams tackles two years running, while being a reliable return man. Allison was used as the primary punt and kickoff return man, who I personally really would like to see become a contributor in the passing game instead.
• The sacks will come. Allen drew holds on him twice this game when he had his man beat. Yes, it doesn't give him the sack, but a ten yard penalty is almost as good as 6 yard sack. Allen and Edwards both showed their ability to get into the backfield, now its going to be about turning hurries into hits.
  
• Another plus on D, we only gave up 178 yards through the air. I know, it was versus Aaron Rodgers during his first career start, but while we did give up some gains we shouldn't have, our pass defense looks improved in my opinion. Yes, Winfield ran a bad route covering Donald Driver on a play that was called back due to a penalty, but they still did well. The defense caused two 3-and-outs, and only gave up 15 first downs. I also could mention, as we all know, Madieu Williams is out with a neck injury. What this means, is we had a rookie Tyrell Johnson starting in his first ever NFL game. Johnson will continue to improve and when Williams returns Sharper will once again (presumably) be able to freelance more and make more plays. Also, this could open up the possibility of Johnson getting play time at Corner.
  

As Brad Childress says, this game was only 1/16 of our season, we've got a long ways to go ladies and gentlemen, so lets not dwell on this one game. Next up the Indianapolis Colts come to town, with out starting Center Jeff Saturday. Look for a hungry Vikings team try and prove something this week against a strong AFC team, which lost to a division rival Chicago Bears. Until then, keep on checking for more Vikings and players updates right here, as always, thanks for reading!

August 11th -- PM Practice Pictures

Click the thumbnail to view entire album

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August 11th -- PM Practice

Today was a short practice, scheduled from 2:45 to 3:45. At first it was really dull to me, the same old same old for afternoon practices. Started out with the usual running drills, featuring the back up offensive players holding up pads and just simulating plays. For a while I thought it was just going to just consist of that, luckily it picked up and I've got a lot of highlights for you guys, along with some pretty good pictures.

Observations

• As I mentioned earlier this morning, there was a different #66 on the field, wearing a white jersey instead of the Mike Jones normally wearing the purple. Along with DE Chris Norwood (#66), there were two #73's and two #61's on the field. The new comers were offensive linemen Sean Dumford and Brock Pasteur, brough in after Farwell, Jones, and Mitchell were placed on IR. (the other 73 and 61 are Otis Grigsby and Martial Burnett)
• Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams were both absent from the afternoon practice, after sitting out of the morning practice
• Robison showed up later on walking around the field talking to a team staff member, he was limping as he walked, but thats expected for a guy who just had surgery on his calf

11 on 11s
Today I had a very good view point of these practices, so I've got a lot of play by plays for you guys.

• First up, the first team offense took the field vs the second team defense.
  
• On the first place from scrimmage, Adrian Peterson completely burned the LB's in coverage while running a short route, picking up a big gain on the play
• Tavaris Jackson had a very errant throw to Bobby Wade, which sailed wide left over the sidelines. However, Jackson came right back, finding Bobby Wade again, this time hitting him in stride on the same route for a touchdown
• Robert Ferguson had a nice leaping catch over Charles Gordon with the Safety closing in (didn't catch the number), easy 20+ yard gain on the play
• Sidney Rice looked reminiscent of the #80 of old, coming to a stop along the sidelines and leaning over and hauling in a Jackson pass for a first down on a 2nd & 6 drill
• Gus Frerotte took center and immediately found Martin Nance on a play action pass, gaining around 15 on the play. On the next play, Frerotte went back to Nance, who let the ball bounce right off of his hands on a slant route over the middle
• Naufahu Tahi had a 35 yard touchdown reception, and went untouched to the endzone

The switched things up here, running drills as 1st & 10 from their own 20.

• Brooks Bollinger had a beautiful pass to Branden Jones for about a 15 yard gain. However, if it was full speed/full contact, Bollinger would have already been on the turf courtesy of Jared Allen, who seemed to immediately be in the backfield
• Darius Reynaud had a great leaping catch over Eric Frampton on the next play
• On a Tight End Wing, Albert Young ran wide right, he made it about 5 yards up field, but once again, if it was full contact, Rufus Alexander would have blown him up for about a 3 yard loss

At this point they flipped it around, setting the offense up in different Red Zone situations

• They started out as 1st and 10 from the 12
• On the first play, Shiancoe let a ball sail pass him (which would have hit me if I didn't step to the side, I was about 2 feet behind the endzone) drawing criticism from Brad Childress
• Next up was 1st and goal from
  
• Tavaris Jackson dropped back, and found Bobby Wade for a quick TD strike
• 1st and goal from the 3
• Martin Nance had a great TD reception with Cornerback Marcus Walker draped all over him. Nance reached over Walker and tipped the ball up in the air, then was able to come down with it. Nance received praise from the crowd and Walker received praise from the coaches for sticking with him
• 2nd and goal from the 4
• Aundrae Allison hauled in the first TD reception
• Shiancoe got his TD this time, running to the far back right corner of the endzone
• Allison picked up one more TD reception, this time beating Marcus McCauley on the play
• To finish things out, they flipped it around again, going from the 22 yard line I believe. Booty took center and started things out with a screen to Albert Young. Ray Edwards was already dancing in front of Booty, and at the risk of sounding repetitive, would have impaled him in a full contact situation
• Leger Douzable had a nice play from Defensive End position today, rushing Booty to get rid of the ball, who almost placed the ball right in Marcus McCauley's hands
• They seem to like running the reverse with Booty under center, this time going to Jaymar Johnson, who was nearly tackled for about a five yard loss by #73 (either Dumford or Pasteur, not sure which is which)
• On another play, #61 had what would be a "touch sack", again its either Dumford or Pasteur, good to see these prospects each making a play on their first day here
• For the final play of the practice, they went to the reverse one more time. This time, the entire defense bit just enough for speedy WR Darius Reynaud to beat the safeties deep, and pick up around an 80 yard TD. He even cut right across the field after having the whole D beat deep along the left sideline. He still went untouched.

Overall turned out to be a good practice this afternoon, after a boring first half hour or so. I'll have those pictures up for you guys as soon as they're done uploading. Skol!

August 11th - AM Practice Pictures

Got some good views of the DLine this morning since I was able to walk a couple feet from them.

Enjoy.

(Click the thumbnail to view the album)

8-11-08

Monday August 11th -- AM Practice

Today was the first time I was able to make it to an AM practice in a long time, took off work since a friend hooked me up with a field pass. You can definitely tell the regular season is drawing near just by looking at how many people are out with nicks and bruises. Players were in shells and shorts today, keeping it relaxed after a rough preseason opener.

Injury Report

• Naufahu Tahi was back and practicing after sitting yesterday out
• Robison, Mitchell, Farwell, and K. Allen were all missing from practice
• Radovich was present, but did not participate in team drills
• After suffering a minor concussion on Friday night, Safety Michael Boulware was back and practicing
• Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams both sat out today

Observations

• Anthony Herrera came onto the field late, jogging on at 9:08, after stretches
• Gordon, Allison, and Jaymar Johnson all dropped the ball once during Punt Return drills
• As some speculated, DT Leger Douzable saw time with the 2nd team D as a DE
• A new face was at camp today, DE Chris Norwell, who was brought in because of our injuries at DE. He was seen wearing #66, which means Guard Mike Jones was released from the team
• #32, Cornerback Dee McCann was practicing as a safety today, since they were short a couple bodies in that unit
• As of right now, the depth chart for LDE is looking like this; Edwards, Douzable, Norwell. Can't afford another injury
• Steven Hauschka had another rough date, kicking a few balls wide right of the goal post. To his credit, it was a little windy
  

CB/WR 1 on 1 Drills

• Darren Sharper got faked out by Martin Nance on one play, slipping and falling over. Gus Frerrotte found him for a 20 yard gain.
• Marcus Walker had a nice play, jumping in front of a Jackson thrown ball intended for Daniel Davis, almost picking it off
• The next time Davis and Walker faced off, Davis got the better of him, as Walker hit the turf after slipping while cutting. Booty connected with him down the field
• Robert Ferguson had a nice one handed grab, didn't catch who was on coverage
• Aundrae Allison had another big play today, hooking up with Brooks Bollinger for a big play, which would have gone for a TD. Benny Sapp was in coverage

11 on 11 Drills

• Bobby Wade had a rough day today, letting two balls hit the turf after bouncing off his hands
• They continued to mix things up in the secondary, specifically with the Safeties, giving different people looks. Today Husain Abdullah saw time with the first team unit opposite Darren Sharper
• Sidney Rice had a nice grab as he slipped and was going down, still managed to get underneath it
• Here's one you guys will like... Shiancoe had another drop

Thats more or less it for today's morning practice, I'll be attending this afternoon's Special Teams practice as well, so check back for that later. As always, thanks for reading. Pictures to follow