Part-timer Edwards rushing up depth chart

As the Vikings look for ways to improve their pass defense, one player is getting a long spring look at their premier rushing position.

Ray Edwards, a part-time player as a rookie in 2006, has been taking most of the first-team snaps at right defensive end since Vikings offseason practices began May 22. Coaches are praising his progress, and with Erasmus James rehabilitating a knee injury, Edwards is an increasingly likely option as a starter.

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, in fact, approached Edwards Saturday morning. "I told him I was really proud of the way he was practicing and competing," Frazier said.

Frazier has introduced several new wrinkles to the Vikings' pass rush he said should benefit Edwards' style.

"He's really adapting to what we're trying to do," Frazier said.

Edwards had three sacks in 2006, tying him for third on a team that ranked last in the NFL in pass defense. This spring, Frazier has locked him into the right end position while Kenechi Udeze and Darrion Scott rotate at left end. James also figures as a right end, but his status is uncertain until he returns to practice, probably next month.

At 268 pounds, Edwards once projected as a situational pass rusher. But he hopes to spend this spring showing he can play every down.

"I need to prove to them that I deserve to be out there with the [first-team]," Edwards said. "I'm definitely trying to go hard every day and improve."

Follow through

Placekicker Ryan Longwell did not stand pat after averaging an NFL-worst 59.1 yards per kickoff last season. Longwell changed his offseason workout routine, putting a greater emphasis on endurance while also tweaking his technique.

"I'm in my 11th year," Longwell said. "You can get in a comfort zone in this league, and you don't want to be there. So I figured it's time to throw a wrinkle or two in and see if it pays off."

Special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro said, if nothing else, Longwell has been getting more consistent distance on his kickoffs during the first round of offseason practices.

"I think good things are going to happen this year with his kickoffs," Ferraro said. "At times last year he did a nice job, but he wasn't as consistent as we would have liked. But he's definitely done some good things here in the last two weeks."

Etc.

• A subcommittee of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission is scheduled to take up a discussion Wednesday of a city-owned parking ramp the Vikings consider a key to their stadium project. The Vikings are attempting to buy the ramp, located beneath the Metrodome light rail station, but the city has several bids for the property.

• Receiver Maurice Mann (left hamstring) has missed three consecutive practices after taking part in Friday's first workout. Mann is hoping to take part in the final minicamp practice this morning.

• Gophers coach Tim Brewster and his son, Clint, took in the afternoon practice. Tim Brewster played at the University of Illinois when Childress was an assistant coach there.

Kevin Seifert • kseifert@startribune.com