EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Vikings will have a longer training camp this year.

The team announced Wednesday that players will report to Minnesota State University in Mankato on July 26 and break camp three weeks later on Aug. 16. This will be the 47th straight season the Vikings train at MSU.

Specific practice dates and times have not yet been finalized, but this will be the longest training camp for the Vikings since a three-week stay in 2008.

Counting the number of days from the first to the last open-to-the-public practices, the Vikings were in Mankato for 14 days or fewer in each of the last three years. Last season, the NFL lockout cut into camp time and the Vikings were only on the field there from Aug. 1-11.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Vikings will have a longer training camp this year.

The team announced Wednesday that players will report to Minnesota State University in Mankato on July 26 and break camp three weeks later on Aug. 16. This will be the 47th straight season the Vikings train at MSU.

Specific practice dates and times have not yet been finalized, but this will be the longest training camp for the Vikings since a three-week stay in 2008.

Counting the number of days from the first to the last open-to-the-public practices, the Vikings were in Mankato for 14 days or fewer in each of the last three years. Last season, the NFL lockout cut into camp time and the Vikings were only on the field there from Aug. 1-11.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings safety Tyrell Johnson was arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired early Tuesday.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the 25-year-old Johnson was stopped about 2 a.m. for failing to signal a merge on an interstate ramp while driving in Minneapolis.

During the stop, the trooper noticed Johnson had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. The state patrol says Johnson’s blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent during field sobriety tests. The legal limit in Minnesota is 0.08 percent.

Johnson was booked into the Hennepin County jail and released.

The Vikings say they’re aware of the incident but declined further comment.

Johnson was a second-round draft pick in 2008 who lost his starting job this season to Jamarca Sanford. Johnson dropped what would’ve been a game-saving interception at the goal line in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay.

Last month, the Vikings waived quarterback Rhett Bomar not long after he was arrested on charges of drunken driving during training camp. He did not play in the first three exhibition games.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Minnesota Vikings safety Tyrell Johnson(notes) was arrested on
suspicion of driving while impaired early Tuesday.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the 25-year-old Johnson was stopped about 2
a.m. for failing to signal a merge on an interstate ramp while driving in
Minneapolis.

During the stop, the trooper noticed Johnson had bloodshot, watery eyes,
slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. The state patrol says Johnson’s
blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent during field sobriety tests. The legal
limit in Minnesota is 0.08 percent.

Johnson was booked into the Hennepin County jail and released.

The Vikings say they’re aware of the incident but declined further comment.

Johnson was a second-round draft pick in 2008 who lost his starting job this
season to Jamarca Sanford(notes). Johnson dropped what would’ve been a game-saving
interception at the goal line in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay.

Last month, the Vikings waived quarterback Rhett Bomar(notes) not long after he was
arrested on charges of drunken driving during training camp. He did not play in
the first three exhibition games.

The defense is almost always ahead of the offense at this stage of the preseason, and that was apparent during full-team drills in practice at Minnesota State University in Mankato.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb wasn’t able to take part in practice with his new team until the new collective bargaining agreement was finalized four days into camp. New left tackle Charlie Johnson had trouble blocking Jared Allen and the other defensive ends who lined up across from him. Wide receiver Michael Jenkins worked with offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave in Atlanta, but he’s another new player who must mesh in a new environment.

Everyone from Percy Harvin to Adrian Peterson remains in learning mode with Musgrave’s system.

“I don’t think it will take long at all,” McNabb said, adding: “Hopefully by the third preseason game we will have things clicking. We will start moving the ball down the field methodically and putting the ball in the end zone.”

Sounds easy enough, but is that a reality?

“Patience. You have your highs and your lows. At this point, we just need to work on consistency and gelling together,” McNabb said.

Said Peterson: “Anytime you’re dealing with different schemes it’s going to be difficult when you’re coming from a system you’ve been in for four years. … I feel pretty good and pretty comfortable.”

The Vikings left their dorm rooms Friday for their trip to Tennessee to take on the Titans on Saturday in their first exhibition game. There’s little buzz about this team nationally, now that Brett Favre is retired and the luster of the NFC runner-up finish two years ago dissipated during the disastrous 2010 season. Fans weren’t turned off by the lockout, though. According to the Vikings, more than 45,000 people attended the open-to-the-public practices in Mankato over 10 days.

“You couldn’t ask for a better situation if you’re a player than what we have right here from a weather standpoint and the support that we’ve gotten from our fans,” head coach Leslie Frazier said.

Frazier took over on an interim basis when Brad Childress was fired last November, but this was his first training camp in charge. He said he was impressed by the resiliency and the attitude the players have shown.

“They were able to adapt early on and not have any complaints or worrying or moaning about this and that. They jumped in with both feet, and they have been enthusiastic from day one,” Frazier said.

Clearly, the tension of last year has subsided, without the drama surrounding the status of Favre and Childress, without the pressure and expectation to contend for a Super Bowl. These Vikings have started the season with essentially a blank slate.

“We have all the tools, all the pieces. It’s going to be all about jelling and going through this preseason each week, making sure we take a step forward in all phases,” Peterson said, adding: “So I’m excited just to get this ball rolling.”

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—With a new offense to learn and a new quarterback to run
it, the Minnesota Vikings need all the time they can find this month to be ready
for the regular season.

After finishing the out-of-town portion of training camp, the Vikings
emerged with a palpable satisfaction about their progress, even if they’re still
a team with more questions than answers at several positions.

The defense is almost always ahead of the offense at this stage of the
preseason, and that was apparent during full-team drills in practice at
Minnesota State University in Mankato.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb(notes) wasn’t able to take part in practice with his new
team until the new collective bargaining agreement was finalized four days into
camp. New left tackle Charlie Johnson(notes) had trouble blocking Jared Allen(notes) and the
other defensive ends who lined up across from him. Wide receiver Michael Jenkins(notes)
worked with offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave in Atlanta, but he’s another new
player who must mesh in a new environment.

Everyone from Percy Harvin(notes) to Adrian Peterson remains in learning mode with
Musgrave’s system.

“I don’t think it will take long at all,” McNabb said, adding: “Hopefully
by the third preseason game we will have things clicking. We will start moving
the ball down the field methodically and putting the ball in the end zone.”

Sounds easy enough, but is that a reality?

“Patience. You have your highs and your lows. At this point, we just need
to work on consistency and gelling together,” McNabb said.

Said Peterson: “Anytime you’re dealing with different schemes it’s going to
be difficult when you’re coming from a system you’ve been in for four years. …
I feel pretty good and pretty comfortable.”

The Vikings left their dorm rooms Friday for their trip to Tennessee to take
on the Titans on Saturday in their first exhibition game. There’s little buzz
about this team nationally, now that Brett Favre(notes) is retired and the luster of
the NFC runner-up finish two years ago dissipated during the disastrous 2010
season. Fans weren’t turned off by the lockout, though. According to the
Vikings, more than 45,000 people attended the open-to-the-public practices in
Mankato over 10 days.

“You couldn’t ask for a better situation if you’re a player than what we
have right here from a weather standpoint and the support that we’ve gotten from
our fans,” head coach Leslie Frazier said.

Frazier took over on an interim basis when Brad Childress was fired last
November, but this was his first training camp in charge. He said he was
impressed by the resiliency and the attitude the players have shown.

“They were able to adapt early on and not have any complaints or worrying
or moaning about this and that. They jumped in with both feet, and they have
been enthusiastic from day one,” Frazier said.

Clearly, the tension of last year has subsided, without the drama
surrounding the status of Favre and Childress, without the pressure and
expectation to contend for a Super Bowl. These Vikings have started the season
with essentially a blank slate.

“We have all the tools, all the pieces. It’s going to be all about jelling
and going through this preseason each week, making sure we take a step forward
in all phases,” Peterson said, adding: “So I’m excited just to get this ball
rolling.”

MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback Rhett Bomar returned to training Monday with the rest of the team after being arrested on suspicion of drunken driving over the weekend.

Bomar, 26, was booked about 5:15 a.m. Sunday for third-degree driving while intoxicated, Blue Earth County Jail spokeswoman Amber Carlson said.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said Bomar addressed the team prior to practice Monday morning at Minnesota State University and apologized for his actions.

“It’s not something we’re pleased with. We think we can handle it internally,” Frazier said. “Hopefully, he can learn from this mistake and move forward.”

Bomar did not comment to the media after practice.

The Vikings signed Bomar last December from the New York Giants practice squad. He was a fifth-round draft pick in 2009 out of Sam Houston State. Bomar is a long shot to make the team, fourth on the depth chart behind veteran Donovan McNabb, first-round draft pick Christian Ponder and second-year man Joe Webb.

MANKATO, Minn. (AP)—Minnesota Vikings quarterback Rhett Bomar(notes) returned to
training Monday with the rest of the team after being arrested on suspicion of
drunken driving over the weekend.

Bomar, 26, was booked about 5:15 a.m. Sunday for third-degree driving while
intoxicated, Blue Earth County Jail spokeswoman Amber Carlson said.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said Bomar addressed the team prior to
practice Monday morning at Minnesota State University and apologized for his
actions.

“It’s not something we’re pleased with. We think we can handle it
internally,” Frazier said. “Hopefully, he can learn from this mistake and move
forward.”

Bomar did not comment to the media after practice.

The Vikings signed Bomar last December from the New York Giants practice
squad. He was a fifth-round draft pick in 2009 out of Sam Houston State. Bomar
is a long shot to make the team, fourth on the depth chart behind veteran
Donovan McNabb(notes), first-round draft pick Christian Ponder(notes) and second-year man Joe
Webb(notes).

MANKATO, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback Rhett Bomar returned to training Monday with the rest of the team after being arrested on suspicion of drunken driving over the weekend.

Bomar, 26, was booked about 5:15 a.m. Sunday for third-degree driving while intoxicated, Blue Earth County Jail spokeswoman Amber Carlson said.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said Bomar addressed the team prior to practice Monday morning at Minnesota State University and apologized for his actions.

“It’s not something we’re pleased with. We think we can handle it internally,” Frazier said. “Hopefully, he can learn from this mistake and move forward.”

Bomar did not comment to the media after practice.

The Vikings signed Bomar last December from the New York Giants practice squad. He was a fifth-round draft pick in 2009 out of Sam Houston State. Bomar is a long shot to make the team, fourth on the depth chart behind veteran Donovan McNabb, first-round draft pick Christian Ponder and second-year man Joe Webb.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MANKATO, Minn. (AP)—Minnesota Vikings quarterback Rhett Bomar(notes) returned to
training Monday with the rest of the team after being arrested on suspicion of
drunken driving over the weekend.

Bomar, 26, was booked about 5:15 a.m. Sunday for third-degree driving while
intoxicated, Blue Earth County Jail spokeswoman Amber Carlson said.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said Bomar addressed the team prior to
practice Monday morning at Minnesota State University and apologized for his
actions.

“It’s not something we’re pleased with. We think we can handle it
internally,” Frazier said. “Hopefully, he can learn from this mistake and move
forward.”

Bomar did not comment to the media after practice.

The Vikings signed Bomar last December from the New York Giants practice
squad. He was a fifth-round draft pick in 2009 out of Sam Houston State. Bomar
is a long shot to make the team, fourth on the depth chart behind veteran
Donovan McNabb(notes), first-round draft pick Christian Ponder(notes) and second-year man Joe
Webb(notes).

August 4, 2011

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI, AP Sports Writer

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said Wednesday that he remains hopeful that there will be a special legislative session in the fall to consider a stadium bill for the team.

Wilf said the team is still working on its $1 billion plan for a
new stadium in the Twin Cities suburb of Arden Hills, but remains
confident that they are getting closer to presenting it to
lawmakers for approval.

“We still have some work ahead of us to put all the pieces in
place, but we’re very confident that we will have something worked
out in the near future,” Wilf said at training camp at Minnesota
State University, Mankato. “Hopefully that could be addressed in a
special session. But we’re very confident in our location and the
future of the franchise in a new stadium in Arden Hills.”

Gov. Mark Dayton said last month that the Vikings plan was
“incomplete and unsatisfactory.” The Vikings initially were
hoping to be included in a special session this summer to address
the state’s budget shortfall, but the ensuing government shutdown
forced the stadium issue to the back burner yet again.

Dayton did say he would seriously consider calling another
special legislative session later this year if he sees a stadium
plan that’s a “good deal for Minnesota.” He says this “takes
every partner” and “that hasn’t occurred yet.”

The Vikings’ lease at the Metrodome expires after the upcoming
season, and the team has been pressuring Dayton and the legislature
to address the issue and ensure the franchise’s long-term viability
in Minnesota.

The team and Ramsey County officials have at times expressed
frustration with the process, with vice president of stadium
affairs Lester Bagley saying in July that the team was “assessing
its options.”

But Wilf said on Wednesday that he has not reached a breaking
point in the process and that the team remained committed to
getting this deal done.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us and it’s an ongoing
process,” Wilf said. “We want to make sure when it’s all said and
done that the facility works out for everybody who is a partner in
the venture and that it’s a venture that everybody can look forward
to and utilize for the best benefit of everybody in Minnesota and
for our fans.”

Wilf also expressed relief and excitement that the NFL’s labor
battle with the players ended before the start of training camp.
While Commissioner Roger Goodell and representatives from the
players’ union were still working on the finishing touches of the
new collective bargaining agreement on Wednesday, Wilf said he was
pleased that the focus was shifting from the courtroom back to the
field where it belongs.

He said he was very pleased with the addition of new quarterback
Donovan McNabb, whom he called “a consummate professional and an
exceptional quarterback.”

Wilf and his brother Mark addressed the team after the second
practice of the day on Wednesday, and both said they expected big
things after a disappointing 6-10 finish last year.

“We’re all very excited to get going here and compete,” Zygi
Wilf said. “That’s always been our goal, to win championships. We
start out all even and hopefully we’ll be on top when it’s all
over.”

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Vikings arrive in Mankato

By Chad Courrier

Free Press Staff Writer
The Mankato Free Press

Sun Jul 31, 2011, 05:52 PM CDT

Copyright
2011
The Free Press, Mankato, MN. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten or redistributed.