By Mark Craig

MANKATO -- Some highlights from reporting day while melting away in Mankato (Zulgad saying he's now down to his eighth-grade weight) ...

Coach Leslie Frazier said:

  • The team is talking to franchise player Chad Greenway about a long-term deal. Greenway would make $10.1 million in a one-year deal as the franchise player.
  • The Vikings aren't talking to Adrian Peterson about a long-term deal, but will "eventually." Peterson is in the final year of a contract that would pay him more than $10 million. "We are in the process of trying to negotiate a long-term deal with Chad, and hopefully, that's going to get done," Frazier said. "Adrian is a major part, as we've talked about many times, of our future. So, we're going to eventually get to that point where we want to talk to he and his agent about a long-term deal as well."
  • Peterson reported at about 5 minutes to 4 p.m., so he is in Mankato.
  • The team isn't talking to Ben Leber about bringing the veteran outside linebacker back. "There still are some possibilities maybe here, but couldn't promise him anything. We just have to wait and see."
  • Erin Henderson will open training camp Monday as the starting weakside linebacker in Leber's place. Kenny Onatolu and and Jasper Brinkley will be given a chance to compete for the position. Brinkley's name was a surprise. He seems like strictly a middle linebacker, but we'll see.
  • RG Anthony Herrera (knee) likely will start the season on PUP. The coaches will discuss that tonight.
  • Second-year player Chris DeGeare would be the likely replacement if Herrera can't go.
  • CB Cedric Griffin, who's torn the ACL in both knees over the past two years, will not start on the PUP, but will be limited.
  • With Donovan McNabb unable to practice until Thursday per rules put in place at the end of the lockout, Joe Webb will work with the first team.
  • The team will "keep the door open" for NT Pat Williams.

Other highlights ...

  • McNabb, who turns 35 in November, said he didn't want to play until his was 41, a la Favre, but when asked how much longer he wanted to play and thought he could play, McNabb said, "five, six years." Let's see, 35 plus six is ...
  • Rookie first-round draft pick Christian Ponder was respectful of McNabb, but didn't just lie down when asked about McNabb being the starter and wanting to play another five, six years. Ponder said having McNabb is a "big advantage for me" and that it "takes the pressure off" having to start right away.
  • Ponder said obviously McNabb has certain qualities that have allowed him to be successful for most of his 12 NFL seasons. "Whatever it is, I'll try to copy it and use it against him," Ponder said with a smile.
  • LDE Brian Robison showed up at training camp as a starter for the first time. He replaces Ray Edwards, who went to Atlanta via free agency. "This is an opportunity that I've been waiting for a long time, and it's an opportunity that I plan on taking advantage of," Robison said.
  • Asked about the impact that McNabb will have on the team, Greenway said, "I think we can sneak up on people this season." He sounded more comfortable sneaking up on people than last year when the team was a Super Bowl favorite. "Last year humbled us," Greenway said.
  • Tyrell Johnson, who is in the mix to replace the released Madieu Williams at free safety, said, "This is the most crucial year that I've ever had playing football." Even he admits his career to this point has been a big disappointment.
  • Of playing alongside his brother, MLB E.J. Henderson, Erin said, "This is something the NFL has never seen."

Keep checking back. Judd could be bringing more highlights later on.