Mike Zimmer's random game simulations aim to help Vikings in clutchRandom simulated game situations have become more common at Vikings practices as Zimmer tries different teaching tools to improve his team’s "clutch gene."

MANKATO — Mike Zimmer ordered his Vikings offense to its own 2-yard line.

“Make them punt the ball!” Zimmer said to his defense.

As the Vi­kings spend their last train­ing camp in Man­kato, here are the 12 most en­ter­tain­ing play­ers, in one man's opinion.– Dalvin Cook took a hand­off and ran into a hu­man wall. He bounced backward, like a dirt bike equipped with a re­verse gear, then exe­cuted a few steps that might land him on “Dan­cing With The Stars” be­fore burst­ing into the secon­dary.
This oc­cur­red on the first day of full-squad train­ing camp prac­tice for the Vi­kings. The de­fend­ers were not tack­ling, but his deft foot­work and bursts of speed made Cook the most in­trigu­ing play­er on the field.
I’ve been at­tend­ing Vi­kings train­ing camps since 1990. Most of the prac­tices are so bor­ing they make you crave the rel­a­tive thrills of sixth-in­ning pitch­ing changes ... unless there is a rare tal­ent on the field.
Cook might qual­i­fy. As the Vi­kings spend their last train­ing camp in Man­kato, here are the 12 most en­ter­tain­ing play­ers I’ve watched here:
12. Antoine Win­field
11. Joey Brown­er

10. Scott Studwell

9. Randall Mc­Dan­iel

8. John Ran­dle

7. Daun­te Cul­pep­per

6. Chad Green­way

5. Robert Smith

4. Per­cy Har­vin

3. Cris Carter

2. Brett Fav­re

1. Randy Moss

read all the detail here:
http://www.startribune.com/freakish-star.../437406033


Jim Souhan’s pod­cast can be heard at MNSPN.com. Twit­ter: @SouhanStrib. E-mail: [email protected]

Vikings would like a starter to emerge quickly in competition between Elflein, Easton 
MANKATO – Vikings rookie center Pat Elflein has a few seconds to boil down hours of playbook study. The hand of 329-pound Linval Joseph is stamped in the dirt across the line. An $18 million quarterback waits on him.
Who’s the middle linebacker? What protection adjustment is needed based on the play call and one of the defense’s frenzied looks? Making the right calls — and loudly enough — will help decide whether or not the third-round pick can compete with incumbent Nick Easton for the center job, which is a key opening remaining in the retooled Vikings offensive line.
There’s no time to waste, according to offensive line coach Tony Sparano.
“You really want to get that body in as soon as possible,” Sparano said. “I think the longer a center position competition goes, as opposed to maybe some other competitions within the line, you know, that can cause confusion.
“There’s no real timetable,” he added. “We just know it’s got to happen fast.”


The clock is ticking. Elflein, swapping first-team series with Easton during Saturday’s first padded practice of training camp, makes a late change. Turning his head left and right, he shouts the new call...
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-cente...7415933/#1

#Vikings are finalizing a big-money 5-yr extension for star CB Xavier Rhodes, I'm told. @SunnyTheAgent is in town to hammer out the details

MANKATO, Minn. -- Mackensie Alexander played 64 defensive snaps as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings in 2016. In 2017, he likely will get the first chance to man a position that has taken on increased importance across the NFL over the past decade.
Alexander, who has received first-team snaps at nickel cornerback throughout the offseason and was with the Vikings' top defensive group in their first full-squad practice Thursday, could become something of a 12th starter this fall, as the Vikings give the former second-round pick an opportunity to replace Captain Munnerlyn.
Munnerlyn, signed in 2014 to fortify the nickel spot after the Vikings' botched experiment with Josh Robinson in 2013, had long stumped for nickel corners to be added to the Pro Bowl ballot, and was finally given his wish a year ago. It's a sign of the more lucrative opportunities available to corners who can cover slot receivers, but it's also an indicator of how heavily a player like Alexander might be counted on this fall.
As more teams use multiple-receiver sets as a de facto base offensive package, defenses have leaned heavily on their defensive-back depth over the past decade. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the frequency of NFL teams using five or more defensive backs climbed from 44.2 percent in 2007 to 59.3 percent in 2014, before dropping to 50.2 percent and 50.1 percent the past two seasons. That's mirrored a steady rise in the prevalence of offenses with three or more receivers; such sets were used 50.6 percent of the time in 2007 and jumped to 64.8 percent last season.

At home with P.J. Fleck, where family life is just as fast and furious as footballFall football practice begins Tuesday at the U, and the Flecks are all aboard 
The house fits P.J. Fleck’s outsized personality, with six bedrooms and nearly 6,000 square feet. It is white with black trim, soaring roofs and modern decor. A construction crew has been busy adding an elaborate swimming pool. The whole place was built to entertain.
P.J. and Heather Fleck love their Edina home, which they purchased after the Gophers hired P.J. as football coach in January with a five-year, $18 million contract. But it’s not just the outward appearance. It’s what has happened inside those walls that has brought the most joy.
Four years after one of the low points of Fleck’s life — when he went 1-11 at Western Michigan while going through a divorce and grieving the 2011 death of a newborn son — he is proud of the life his blended family has built in Minnesota.
Besides laying groundwork for his program and recruiting at a turbocharged pace, the 36-year-old has reanchored himself at home, with the Gophers set to open training camp Tuesday.
http://www.startribune.com/at-home-with-...437395073/

A Monster Calls...

87% Rotten Tomatoes 

The description of the plot doesn't hint at the emotional depth, beautiful graphics and stark storylines. Well worth the rent imo. Not sure I'd have a kid under 10 watch it. 

We didnt think it was a kid movie at all...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...lback-job/

The slot corner job belongs to Mackensie Alexander
In OTAs, Newman took some reps at nickel, but that hasn’t been the case so far in Mankato. Alexander, a second-round pick in 2016, has gotten all of the work in the slot. He will be under the microscope this season after spending most of his rookie year on the bench and struggling in limited snaps. On the first day of pads, he was aggressive, which we can expect throughout camp because Alexander is known as having a chip on his shoulder.
The most interesting thing about the slot corner spot is that Antone Exum might win a roster spot by finding a place as the backup nickel CB. He was a shutdown corner in college, but moved to safety after being picked by the Vikings in the seventh round, but this year Mike Zimmer decided to try him at corner because he has strength and quickness.

In the N.F.L. 2012 draft, I always thought Riley Reiff was the best tackle. Even better than Matt Kalil. To say that them was taboo. The experts said otherwise and nobody questioned them. Now, we will all get to see who really was the better tackle. Reiff or Kalil.