Training Camp

This week I took a look at the Vikings training camp and watched several of the practices. Obviously the situation in Mankato is very fragile right now and the Vikings are in damage control but I think that this may help bring the team together. We suddenly have an entire team of good to great players that is gelling because of a tragedy. Moss has stated in several interviews that Korey would want him to do what ever was needed to bring a championship to this team. The young offensive linemen have stepped up to try and push through this together and the defense is starting to look solid.

The offensive line is still up in the air as far as who will fill in for the Pro Bowl Stringer. However the line seems to be working as a unit much the way the Broncos of 98 did. That squad in Denver was like a wall and it seems the Vikings have tried to replicate that with several big young talents to compete for the job.

I saw a couple of things in camp that made me get excited about this year's team. First off was Culpepper. Culpepper seems to have more comfort this season as the leader of the offense. Even though Moss and Carter are the start Culpepper is the leader on the field and he seems to have accepted that this season. Several times he barked at Moss when Moss make a poor cut or turned out to quickly, all very good signs from a young QB. The one problem I saw was his outs to the left side. He was either over throwing or throwing behind Carter. This I am sure will be fixed with repetition. As always his long ball was outstanding. Culpepper hit Moss in stride on a 70-yard touchdown against double coverage. It is a beautiful thing.

The other significant difference this season was Chris Hovan. The man is big and looks mean! He sat several offensive linemen on their rears during one-on-one drills and looks ready to explode onto the NFL scene this season. Look for Hovan to make a run at the Pro Bowl.

The last two things I saw had to do with the running back situation and the defensive back situation.

First the running backs: I am assuming Bennett will be the opening day starter. There are a lot of questions in the media about whether or not he will be ready but I think he will. He almost has to be. From watching him in practice this guy has S-P-E-E-D!! He is not a shifty runner but he can leave people behind in a flash. Several times he would hit a whole and it looked like he had one more gear that the others didn't. He turned it up and would be down field in a hurry. The other back that I thought looked great was Mo Williams. Williams has the size and ability to help and if Bennett is not ready come game day Williams should start.

Now the Dbs. Griffith is obviously the best of this group and will be the cornerstone of the defense again this season. However despite the common theme in the media I think the Vikes have some quality at the corners. The most improved in the backfield has to be Wasswa Serwanga. Twice he made great interceptions, once over Carter and once over Jake Reed. With solid help up front on the d-line the backs should be able to hold their own this season.

This week's question is: How will the Vikings do this season after the loss of Korey Stringer? Will they be able to use it as a rallying point or will it become too much of a distraction for them? You tell me.

-- Jan Zumbo (dvt99@aol.com), August 10, 2001