Nerves go away quickly for Farwell

Heath Farwell admitted he was nervous before the Vikings' preseason opener Friday night in Indianapolis. He couldn't be blamed.

Farwell had not played in a game since a year earlier when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the Vikings' first exhibition game. But Farwell said it didn't take long for his nerves to disappear during his team's 13-3 victory.

"Once I was out there I was having fun and just playing football," he said. "I didn't even think about it the whole time I was out there. It was fun to be back and playing with my teammates."

Farwell, a backup linebacker, had three tackles on defense. More important, his return meant he was once again contributing on special teams. Farwell's value on special teams is such that the Vikings signed him to a three-year, $7.75 million contract ($3.25 million in guarantees) to keep him from leaving as a free agent.

Farwell was named MVP of the special teams by his teammates in 2006 and '07, and without him last season various facets of the unit struggled.

"I felt it was a good game, special teams played well," Farwell said Friday. "There are things that we have to improve on obviously but it was a good sign. Guys were flying around, hustling. People were having fun out there. That's the most important thing."

This marked the first game with new special teams coordinator Brian Murphy, who had been the assistant to Paul Ferraro. Among the highlights: The Colts' average starting position in 10 possessions was their 21-yard line, safety Eric Frampton had a team-leading three tackles, wide receiver Glenn Holt forced a fumble on a punt return and veteran kicker Ryan Longwell connected on field goals of 35 and 36 yards. Taylor Mehlhaff missed a 51-yard attempt in the fourth quarter.

"I thought those guys were whipped up pretty good," coach Brad Childress said of the special teams. "I think any time you can kick the football the way Longwell was kicking it and then people doing the things that they need to do lanewise. Any time you can tackle them inside the 20 now it's a pretty good deal."

The Vikings were off Saturday, so there was no update from the team on the status of receiver Bernard Berrian. He appeared to suffer an injury to his right hamstring Friday while blocking on a running play and was walking extremely gingerly after the game.

Given the fact Berrian's effectiveness is based on his speed, it would not be a surprise to see him held out for a few weeks to make sure his injury heals completely. No one with the Vikings seemed overly concerned about Berrian after Friday's game.

While the Vikings began pulling several starters early in Friday's game, center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt received extended looks in the first half. Childress said that was part of the plan for the two newcomers to the starting line.

Back in town

The Vikings will resume practice this week at Winter Park. Practices will not be open to the public.