Fans come out for a beautiful day
Both stands were overflowing as the largest crowd of Vikings training camp took advantage of the first weekend practice and the first day players were in full pads, not to mention the fact it was a sunny, 80-degree day with low humidity. Fans also lined the fences near the stands, while others climbed to the top of nearby Blakeslee Stadium to watch from the top row. One fan down below staked a spot on the fence and hung a sign proclaiming that he has attended every Mankato practice since 1985.
Laquon treads a tad too slowly
Receiver Laquon Treadwell and quarterback Sam Bradford had trouble connecting on the deep ball throughout practice. Treadwell, the Vikings' first-round draft choice last year, obviously needs more work with Bradford. Bradford clearly overestimated Treadwell's speed on two deep balls in 1-on-1 drills and one in team drills. All three times, Bradford threw the ball long, apparently hoping for Treadwell to run under the ball. Treadwell got open but wasn't able to get to the ball.
Rookie Cook is fast but looking for faster
Rookie running back Dalvin Cook still had the same quick foot speed in pads that he's shown in shorts. He said the NFL so far is about what he expected, although the speed of the game still amazes him. "I knew coming up to the next level, it gets faster and faster," he said after practice. "You come up here and it's like, 'Can it get any faster [than college]?' And it does. You just got to adjust to it. Once you know what you're doing, you can move at the speed they're moving. But you got vets who have been out there seven, eight years. They just know what to do. They ain't as fast as you, but they know where to be at and how to do it. You just have to study the game and be a mastermind of your technique."
Kickers Forbath, Koehn go 3-for-4
The second field-goal attempt in a training camp team drill was no good from 42 yards. Incumbent Kai Forbath missed that one but made kicks from 40, 43 and 45. Challenger Marshall Koehn missed his first attempt wide left from 40 yards, but then made three straight from 42, 43 and 45 yards. In the punting battle, Taylor Symmank had a better day than Ryan Quigley.
Camp chatter
"Nah. I'm more focused on scoring right now. We'll worry about the celebrations afterward."
— Receiver Stefon Diggs, when asked if he's working on his celebrations now that the NFL is relaxing its rules against player celebrations.
Injury report
RB Jerick McKinnon went through the morning walkthrough but missed his second straight practice in the afternoon. … LB Kentrell Brothers didn't practice after appearing to pull his left hamstring Friday. … LT Riley Reiff missed practice for the second consecutive day. … DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, a rookie seventh-round draft pick, left practice after injuring his right leg.
MARK CRAIG
