For Vikings players, the first day of training camp is like the first day of school — a reunion for the veterans, some nervousness for incoming rookies and free agents — except that thousands of people wearing purple jerseys and face paint never watched shop class with this intensity. Pace yourselves: The regular season starts Sept. 8.
Vikings defensive end Jared Allen said “I haven’t felt this good in years,” coming into camp after offseason surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Vikings fan Tom Nickerson, 27, of Waterloo, Iowa, showed his true colors as he watched afternoon practice at Minnesota State Mankato on Friday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Rookie Cordarrelle Patterson made a good first-day impression with a one-handed catch against Andrew Sendejo. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Cordarrelle Patterson hopes he will be as popular a target in the Vikings’ passing offense as he was with autograph seekers Friday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Quarterback Christian Ponder (in red) surveyed the field during a no-pads morning practice Friday. Ponder will help (and compete with) new backup QB Matt Cassel. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
![Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) spoke with the media after the morning practice on Friday. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com July 26, 2013, Minnesota Vikings Training Camp, Mankato, Minn., Minnesota State University, Mankato – Morning practice](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/6AIAKYXKWZJ42LTAP2T5R4LXCE.jpg?&w=1080)
![] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com July 26, 2013, Minnesota Vikings Training Camp, Mankato, Minn., Minnesota State University, Mankato – Morning practice](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/KB57FF7NGP2KLR4O6WCKII2JOE.jpg?&w=1080)
![Minnesota Vikings fan Tom Nickerson, 27, of Waterloo, IA, watched the afternoon practice on Friday. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com July 26, 2013, Minnesota Vikings Training Camp, Mankato, Minn., Minnesota State University, Mankato - Afternoon practice](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/LQKHZIBNE6RQUIVATHDAVHHRLU.jpg?&w=1080)
![Minnesota Vikings rookie receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) made a one handed catch while being defended by Andrew Sendejo (34) during the afternoon practice on Friday. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com July 26, 2013, Minnesota Vikings Training Camp, Mankato, Minn., Minnesota State University, Mankato - Afternoon practice](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/A2OZY57VLGSLKQQTTLW7V522HY.jpg?&w=1080)
![Minnesota Vikings rookie receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) signed autographs after the morning practice on Friday. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com July 26, 2013, Minnesota Vikings Training Camp, Mankato, Minn., Minnesota State University, Mankato -](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/K6OGQP75HOW3TZRL6KNSK2ESYE.jpg?&w=1080)
![Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) surveyed the field during morning practice on Friday. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com July 26, 2013, Minnesota Vikings Training Camp, Mankato, Minn., Minnesota State University, Mankato – Morning practice](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VWIN3R6MUTZWW73JRWRATH5FVQ.jpg?&w=1080)
