Representatives of Nike's vision department examined 60 Vikings players this week in an expansion of a program initially designed for receiver Troy Williamson.
Evaluators tested players for balance, stability, muscle strength and other factors that affect the eyesight of professional athletes. In Williamson's case, Nike determined his left eye is stronger than his right and prescribed equalizing exercises.
"I think it helps both sides," coach Brad Childress said. "They're able to collect some data, and we're able to find out some things about our athletes, that we might not have known in some areas, to aid those guys. Because we're all about, 'What can we do to make you better?' "
Childress then glanced at Williamson's post-practice routine and added: "It's a common assumption that a professional football player can't get better, but you're watching someone over here do some things not that we thought of, but that [Nike] thought of."
Nike officials declined comment this week on their methods and philosophies.
"Those folks," Childress said, "would rather, as opposed to thump their chest, watch the results instead of advertising the results."
Williamson, meanwhile, produced a solid first week of Organized Training Activities. Working with the first team offense in three-receiver sets, along with free agent acquisition Bobby Wade and rookie Sidney Rice, Williamson caught a pair of deep passes with no signs of the problems that led to 11 drops last season.
In particular, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell noted two receptions Williamson made this week that proved difficult in games in 2006.
"He had a deep ball ... where he really had to go get it," Bevell said. "He had to speed up, which makes the ball bounce around a little bit. [Then] he made a great catch [Wednesday] in one-on-ones. There was a defender with him, and he made that catch. Those were issues that we had last year, so you can see improvement. But we still have a long time to go."
Winfield set to go
All signs suggest that cornerback Antoine Winfield will report to minicamp as scheduled June 1. Winfield skipped this week's voluntary practices, but he told teammates he would participate in minicamp, an intention confirmed this week by agent Richard Katz.
Players can be fined for missing minicamp, but Childress indicated Friday that it shouldn't be an issue with Winfield.
"It's a mandatory minicamp," Childress said. "So yeah, I expect him [here]."
The full nature of Winfield's displeasure remains unclear. Some in the Vikings organization believe he is frustrated by missing the playoffs in two of his three seasons with the team.
Others assume Winfield is ultimately seeking a new contract. The Vikings have nearly $28 million in available salary cap money. Winfield is midway through a six-year, $35 million deal.
Etc.
• The Vikings agreed to terms on a four-year contract with receiver Chandler Williams, the second of their seventh-round draft picks. Quarterback Tyler Thigpen signed his contract last week.
• Safety Darren Sharper, running back Chester Taylor, defensive end Darrion Scott, linebacker Jason Glenn and placekicker Ryan Longwell were excused from Friday's practice.
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