The Minnesota Vikings have completed their first mini-camp session, an outdoor practice held at Winter Park. The big news was that Antoine Winfield indeed showed up – and he spoke to the media. His comments were perhaps not that enlightening, but hey – they were comments. Included among them was this statement about whether he had asked the Vikings to renegotiate his contract:
"I haven’t went upstairs and asked for any money, any extensions. So that’s not it. It’s just me, not being here. I’m doing this thing on my own. And I’m just getting ready to play ball."
Winfield also talked about the meeting he had with coach Brad Childress, saying “they were both honest” and “got some things off their chest.” So I guess that means they’ll be going to the prom after all.
Seriously though, it’s nice to have Winfield at mini-camp, and it’s good to finally get a little clarification about his contract position. Antoine, by the way, also says he plans on attending training camp in July. Said Antoine:
"When training camp starts, I’ll definitely be here. I don’t plan on holding out. I don’t want to be a distraction to what [owner Zygi] Wilf is trying to accomplish."
Winfield refused, however, to answer speculation that he had been upset about the team’s direction. “They’re doing some things to help us get better,” was about all he had to say on the moves the organization has made this off-season. Sounds rather lukewarm. If you want my opinion, Winfield is still not satisfied with the quarterback situation, and it wouldn’t surprise me if other veterans feel the same way. I can’t believe these guys are really behind the Tarvaris Jackson project. Winfield and the others may be too tactful to say it, but they wanted some kind of veteran brought in, at least as insurance.
Tarvaris, as we know, is Chilly’s guy – and some of the players, we’ve heard, are not entirely sold on Chilly as the man to lead this team to the proverbial next level. There was a mini-revolt after Marcus Robinson was cut last year, and Childress made his infamous “skills and abilities” remark. If this team starts off poorly, say 2-5 or something, with Tarvaris struggling, there could be a full-on mutiny.
There was, of course, other business today besides the seeming resolution of the Antoine Winfield soap opera. There was – gasp – actual practice! With footballs and running and stuff! Here are a few notes courtesy Kevin Seifert‘s Access Vikings blog at Star-Tribune.com:
Tank Williams sat out the morning session, but hasn’t suffered a set-back in returning from his injury. Word is he will practice this afternoon, while fellow safety Mike Doss takes a breather.
Troy Williamson and Jim Kleinsasser committed false starts during one-on-one drills, and Matt Birk and Tarvaris Jackson had some problems with their exchanges. All right, it’s the first day of mini-camp – but these guys better not still be this jumpy come Week 7 or else my TV might end up drenched in green Kool Aid.
Chester Taylor reportedly lined up wide left on a play that featured Adrian Peterson in the backfield. See? Kick-ass.
Speaking of Adrian Peterson, the future Hall-of-Famer is apparently getting a look as a kick-returner, along with Bobby Wade, Troy “Right-Eye” Williamson, Aundrae Allison and Chandler Williams. Please God, not a freak special teams injury. I’m begging you.
Kenechi Udeze is back at left-end after getting time at right-end during OTAs. That’s the left end of the line, not the left end of the bench (where maybe he should be).
More to come in the afternoon session report.