Wilf getting a feel for Green Bay rivalry now

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is always excited for the start of the regular season, but this year he might be even more eager than usual.

That's because the Vikings open on Monday, Sept. 8 at Green Bay -- the team that has filed tampering charges against Minnesota for having alleged "inappropriate dialogue" with quarterback Brett Favre.

"Let's put it this way, I look forward to the opening game in Green Bay," Wilf said after saying he had "no comment at all" about the charge.

Wilf expressed his support for Tarvaris Jackson, entering his second season as the Vikings starting quarterback.

"I'm very confident [in him]," Wilf said. "He's really matured last year. ... Bringing in a few weapons to help him out and having the weapons we had last year, I think, like they say, it takes a couple years for a quarterback to find his right footing. I think T-Jack is finding it, and I think he's working very well with the coaching staff.

"He's a very hard worker, very dedicated, very unselfish and somebody who we look forward to leading our team into the future."

Wilf, who was a lifelong New York Giants fan before buying the Vikings in 2005, has gained an appreciation for how Vikings fans feel about their longtime NFC North rivals.

"I grew up a New York Giants fan having the rivalry of Philly, Dallas and Washington," he said. "Those are teams I kind of grew up hating. When I first came here, the Green Bay rivalry was talked about so much but I couldn't feel it yet. Well, I feel it now."

The Vikings could lose draft picks and/or be fined if found guilty of tampering.

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson saw Favre at the ESPY Awards show in Los Angeles this week, but the two did not talk. Peterson said the Favre saga has not been a distraction for the Vikings.

"Not at all," he said. "It hasn't been a distraction. I've been watching it. It's been kind of entertaining to me."

Peterson returned from the West Coast on Thursday night and hosted a youth football clinic at Winter Park on Friday morning. The Pro Bowl running back said his offseason was hectic with workouts, appearances and marketing opportunities.

"I've had my time to relax, but it's been pretty much a whirlwind," he said. "[The attention] comes with the territory. I know there are a lot of people that would love to be in my position right now. I'm just enjoying."

Peterson spent the offseason in Oklahoma and worked out with his former college strength and conditioning coach. He said the off-the-field commitments didn't hinder his offseason workout regimen.

"Sometimes it can be too much, but if you balance it out, everything should work out fine," he said.

• The Vikings entered the weekend with none of their draft picks signed. The team has only five draft picks to sign, and no first-rounder.