vikings/nfl

Pop goes the weasel

The ball was popping all over the place Monday morning for Vikings QB Brooks Bollinger, but somehow he managed to make one of the more athletic plays of camp. Bollinger leaped to catch a high shotgun snap and rolled toward the right sideline to get more time. He threw a high pass toward WR Cortez Hankton, and he jumped high to make the nifty sideline catch.

Special teams are people, too

This game has three phases — offense, defense and special teams — but sometimes it's hard convincing fans of that. A lull in Monday afternoon's special teams practice afforded the opportunity for a head count in the stands at Minnesota State Mankato. The unofficial total: Six people in the left stands, 31 in the right. Including the handful of people milling around the complex, we'll round it off at 40.

QUARTERBACK QUANDARY: Snippets from the quarterback transition

Vikings quarterbacks are connecting at a better rate on deep passes in practice. Monday, Bollinger hit WR Troy Williamson on a go route for about 60 yards down the left sideline. WR Todd Lowber, meanwhile, came back to a Drew Henson pass to make a long catch against CB Mike Hawkins. Said coach Brad Childress: "The quarterbacks are doing a little bit better job of allowing the receiver to make a play on the ball. They are putting more air under it."

INJURY REPORT

LB Jason Glenn (patella tendonitis): did not practice; day-to-day

LB John Kerr (back): did not practice; day-to-day

RB Wendell Mathis (back): did not practice; day-to-day

CAMP CHATTER

"Touch him, man! What are you doing?"

— Vikings LB Dontarrious Thomas to rookie CB Marcus McCauley, who forgot to tag WR Sidney Rice after a reception. Rice fell to the ground untouched, which in college would have ended the play. In the NFL, a player can get up and keep running if no one tags him.