NFL's fastest first step? Turner gives nod to Broncos LB Von Miller

The Vikings are on their second day of practice in preparation for the Denver Broncos. Then again, can you really simulate a Sunday afternoon at sold-out Mile High against the league's No. 1 defense with a scout team defense on a Thursday afternoon at empty Winter Park?

Probably not.

"I don't know if you can prepare for this situation in terms of [left outside linebacker] Von Miller and the setting where we're playing them," offensive coordinator Norv Turner said earlier today. "I've coached against him a number of times and he's a dynamic player and a dynamic rusher. He probably has the quickest first step in football. And if he doesn't have it, then 94 on the other side [DeMarcus Ware] does. So it's going to be a challenge for our guys."

Asked if the Miller-Ware combo is the best in terms of edge rushers on the same team in the league, Turner said, "That's why they lead the league in total defense (259.0 yards allowed per game). That's why they lead the league in third-down defense (18.8 percent conversion rate). We need to manage that part of what we're doing."

Other highlights from today's press conferences with the coordinators …

More from Turner

— On the depth at receiving possibly being tested this week with Charles Johnson (rib) and Jarius Wright (hand) missing practice time: "I hope we're not [tested]. We're still holding out hope on CJ and Jarius, but we're getting other guys ready to play. That's why you have six receivers. That's why you carry three tight ends. We just have to be flexible and see where we are when we get out there on Sunday."

Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer

— On holding opponents to a league-low two yards on punt returns through three games: "First of all, we've only punted 11 times, which is a good thing. I think the returns that people have run against us have been penalties, so we've been fortunate that our opponents have been penalized. But I also give our guys credit for that too because they're playing fast, they're playing physical and doing a good job of causing penalties. We cause penalties, so our opponents start backed up. … We cause penalties by being aggressive, by being physical, by playing fast, by stacking our man as we're going down the field. The little things that I think our guys have bought into that we've well so far."

— On how people should interpret the effectiveness of punter Jeff Locke, who ranks 29th in the league in average (40.6) and 15th in net average (40.6) even with only two return yards against him: "The net average won't rank high now because we have a lot of plus-50 punts [punts from the other team's side of the field]. He's had six punts downed or caught inside the 20 out of 11 punts. So when you don't have a lot of punts that are backed up, you're not going to have as many opportunities to have high net punts. The other day, he had a 28-yard net punt that was a great punt that was fair caught at the 11. He's doing what we're asking him to do, and that's the big thing."

— On Locke's punt against San Diego that went from the 50 and was downed at the 20: "I was upset with that one. Anytime we punt from around the 50, our goal is for it to be fair caught at the 10 or better. There have been a couple of punts that we need to do better on. But on the flip side, he's doing a nice job overall. His consistency is better. Three of his four punts against San Diego were outstanding, so we're going in the right direction."

Defensive coordinator George Edwards