The Vikings, who started their offseason program for veterans almost a month ago, will take another step next week when they begin Organized Team Activities on May 18.
The first week of OTA practices will run through Friday. There are 14 such practices scheduled and all are voluntary. The mandatory minicamp will be June 11-13.
The one player who is not expected to take part in the voluntary portion is defensive end Ray Edwards, who has yet to sign his restricted free-agent tender and has made it clear he won't do so until June 15. That is the date on which the team could drop its tender offer to 110 percent of Edwards' 2009 base salary. Edwards also won't be required to attend the mandatory camp because it falls before June 15 and indications are he will not be present.
Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman also pointed out today that running back Toby Gerhart, the Vikings' second pick of the second round in the NFL draft last month, will miss the May minicamps because he won't graduate from Stanford until June.
At this point, the Vikings quarterbacks for these workouts will be Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels and rookie free agent R.J. Archer.
- Foxsports.com has ranked the NFL's top 10 undrafted rookies of all-time and two former Vikings made the list. Defensive tackle John Randle, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer, was rated No. 8. Quarterback Warren Moon was No. 2. The No. 1 player on the list is Dick (Night Train) Lane.
- The Vikings have 14-1 odds to win the Super Bowl, according to online wagering site Bodog.com. The Colts and Saints are co-favorites to win next season's Super Bowl at 9-1. The Packers also are 14-1, the Bears are 35-1 and the Lions are 90-1.
