A learning experience as Allen and McKinnie go head-to-head

By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune

Last update: July 28, 2008 - 12:10 AM

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MANKATO - Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie knows he might not face a tougher pass-rushing defensive end this season than he does every day of training camp in Jared Allen.

That's why McKinnie said he's trying to learn as much as possible from Allen, who had an NFL-best 15 1/2 sacks last season.

"I think he will help me as far as moves that I might struggle with," McKinnie said Sunday. "He has some moves that [other defensive ends] have that I want to learn how to stop."

The two have gone head-to-head a number of times through the first three days of camp; Allen got the better of the matchup in team drills Saturday. Allen's speed off the edge clearly has been a challenge for McKinnie, who has picked Allen's brain about different moves.

"It helps me more, because defensive ends come up with different techniques to try and get around offensive linemen, so we share information with each other," McKinnie said. "It will help in the long run."

Allen said he also benefits from facing McKinnie because of his size (6-8, 335 pounds).

"He's a big dude," Allen said. "I told Coach, 'Another week and a half of this, I might have to take a little break. Pushing 350 around all day [is hard]. For me and Bryant to be working together, it's going to make us both better."

Turn on the lights

Several players said they enjoyed the rare night practice Saturday under the lights at Blakeslee Stadium.

"You get the lights on and I think we revert back and think we're in high school," Allen said. "The tempo picks up a little bit. It's exciting."

The team typically practices in the mornings and late afternoons during two-a-days. Saturday's second practice started at 7 p.m., which gave the players extra recovery time and allowed them to hold meetings before practice.

It also meant they got to work in a cooler part of the day, which brought no complaints. The intensity was noticeably higher when the practice moved inside the stadium.

"We definitely enjoyed that," running back Adrian Peterson said. "A little more contact. We were able to go out there and compete."

Several players said that coach Brad Childress' schedule so far has been kind. The team will practice in full pads for the first time today, and Sunday's practice was strictly installation and lasted only an hour.

"It's been nice," linebacker Ben Leber said. "He's kind of taken care of us a little bit. It's not the Childress of the last couple of years. I think we're repaying him with a couple of good practices that we've had and some good contact and a lot of excitement."

Missing time together

Nobody seems overly concerned about injuries to defensive end Ray Edwards (lower back) and defensive tackle Pat Williams (elbow), but neither player has participated in team workouts. It's still early in camp, but the much-discussed defensive line has yet to play together in a full team setting.

"You want continuity," defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. "You want guys to be able to practice together and work on their timing and conditioning as well. The fortunate thing is that those guys are veteran players, so you feel good about the fact that they are not going to fall so far behind mentally. It's just physical conditioning you get concerned about, and sometimes the communication. But those guys are pros, and when they get back they will be ready to go."