Since 1966, no NFL team has continuously held training camp in the same location, so the breakup between the Vikings and Mankato is cheerless no matter how inevitable.
The departure blows a $5 million hole in the retail economy of Minnesota’s fifth-largest city outside MSP, and erases a legacy that has boosted its regional and national identity for more than five decades.
There were hijinks, brawls and tragedy. All 11 Vikings hall of famers slept in erstwhile Gage Hall and ate in the same cafeteria as students would every school year.
It was where Bud Grant molded four NFC championship teams in the 1970s during brutal two-a-day workouts, and where tackle Korey Stringer died after succumbing to heatstroke in 2001.

MANKATO, Minn. — Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said last December that linebacker Anthony Barr “has a tendency to coast a little bit.” That’s hardly the case anymore.
Zimmer on Saturday lauded how Barr has looked since training camp began for veterans on July 27.
“He’s been tremendous,’’ Zimmer said. “I look for him to have a big year.’’
Barr in 2015 was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 2 overall linebacker in the NFL and the top outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. Last year, he was ranked No. 79 overall.
Barr was named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate but that was mostly based on reputation considering he had made it for the first time in 2015.
http://www.twincities.com/2017/08/05/vik...-big-year/

Benchwarmer Bob Lurtsema Talks Mankato; 2017 Squad (8/5)
Viking fan favorite, Benchwarmer Bob Lurtsema joins VikeFans to talk about how much he and his teammates enjoyed the fond memories of Mankato at training camp.  He also spends some time talking abo…

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Todd Steussie’s Memory of a Camp Prank Gone Wrong
As the days of Mankato training camp come to final close in Viking history, former Pro Bowl Left Tackl Todd Steussie recalls a moment he will never forget. “When I was a rookie, I had two oth…

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Camp Interviews – Ham, Elflein, Lee, Sendejo, Wright, Isadora
We decided to place them all here so you have one-stop shopping: FB CJ Ham on Friday, 8/4   Center/Guard Pat Elflein – 8/4 Safety Andrew Sender – 8/4   Jarius Wright – 8…

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Saturday AM Camp Interviews – Barr and Sherels
After the AM walkthrough – funny dialogue with Barr about cooking. Marcus Sherels Talks Alan Page Hey Thanks a lot for taking the time to check out our content. It really means a lot to us to…

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Ahmad Rashad Remember Mankato; Giving All for Viking Fans
Leading a contingent of Minnesota Viking Alumni players onto the field before the final intrasquad scrimmage in Mankato, Ahmad Rashad stops by to reminisce about his time at training camp in this s…

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Xavier Rhodes Talks Stability, Viking Playoff Push (8/5)
Xavier Rhodes stopped by after the final Minnesota Viking intrasquad scrimmage in Mankato to talk about his preparedness for the season, and a little bit about touchdown celebrations   Hey Tha…

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Vikings.com’s Mike Wobschall Breaks Down the 2017 Squad (8/5)
Mike Wobschall of Vikings.com and the Viking Entertainment Network joins VikeFans.com after the final Mankato intrasquad scrimmage to share his opinions of Sam Bradford, Dalvin Cook, the offensive …

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Training Camp pics from 8-5-2017
  Hey Thanks a lot for taking the time to check out our content. It really means a lot to us to connect with other fans. If you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it on social media su…

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