**Official '12 Vikings Training Camp Thread

[dead_poet]

I would give anything had we picked Mllet over Ponder.

Why? Did you believe Mallett to be a better prospect? People said we "reached" for Ponder at 12 overall. Imagine the fury had we selected Mallett (who lasted until round 3 and who was, last I checked, on the Pats' practice squad). I'm not saying Ponder is going to be a better quarterback when all is said and done, but it appears many NFL experts believed Ponder to be the superior talent with none of the character concerns. We'll see.

[dead_poet]

Another efficient day for Christian Ponder, who was 12-of-14 in team drills. Webb 7-of-9, Rosenfels 2-of-5, MBT 4-of-5. #Vikings

“@Aaron_Nagler: @TomPelissero Ponder throwing downfield at all?” Lot of short to intermediate stuff. Rudolph easily his favorite target.

[Demi]

hope he makes it. i believe he is extremely slow like ryan mallet however.

Maybe he can actually throw the ball down field, unlike Webb or Ponder.

[Eli]

I recall Pelissero mentioning that Bethel-Thompson was the better QB in OTAs than Sage. Great arm and lots of upside, just a matter of if the Vikings want to keep a vet on the roster or not. Seems to think he has a good shot at finding a roster spot somewhere if the Vikings drop him.

Unless he does something crazy good in a preseason game (which seems unlikely, considering he'll be working with the threes or worse) then he should be a safe stash on the practice squad. And if not, it's no big deal if he's claimed. He didn't grow that cannon overnight. He had the same arm when he was cut by both the 49ers and Dolphins.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

‏@TomPelissero
Frazier says he doesn't want to expose Percy Harvin a whole lot on kick returns. Will be decided week to week, case by case. #Vikings

And that is why I do not like Frazier. He coaches scared.

[PurpleMustReign]

And that is why I do not like Frazier. He coaches scared.

Me too. Coaching scared dos no good what so ever.

[Mothman]

And that is why I do not like Frazier. He coaches scared.

Are there other examples that illustrate why you feel that way? He strikes me as a little conservative but not scared. I certainly don't think limiting Harvin's participation as a KO returner is coaching scared. Harvin's an extremely important part of the Vikings offense and he's had trouble getting through a season without either missing time or being limited by injuries. Using him on KO returns on a case by case basis could be a wise way to reduce the number of hard hits he takes and preserve his health so he can contribute on offense for 16 games (or more!) while still having opportunities to make some big plays on special teams.

To put it another way, if Frazier was truly coaching scared with regards to Harvin, why would he be willing to use him on kickoffs at all?

Jim

[VikingPaul73]

I wish he'd been a little MORE conservative last Christmas eve.

[PurpleMustReign]

I wish he'd been a little MORE conservative last Christmas eve.

Because our draft would have been so much better, right

[Demi]

And that is why I do not like Frazier. He coaches scared.

Wanting to make sure you limit your best offensive weapon to as little risk of injury, and as many offensive snaps as possible, isn't coaching "scared", it's coaching "smart".

[PurpleMustReign]

Wanting to make sure you limit your best offensive weapon to as little risk of injury, and as many offensive snaps as possible, isn't coaching "scared", it's coaching "smart".

My philosophy is that you want your best players on the field doing what they do best. If they get injured doing what they do best, then so be it. #### happens whether you try to prevent it or not.

[jackal]

you have to risk at times...

especially in big games .. injuries are part of the game

[Mothman]

My philosophy is that you want your best players on the field doing what they do best. If they get injured doing what they do best, then so be it. #### happens whether you try to prevent it or not.

That's true but I think there's a difference between holding a player back from something due to concern about him getting injured and holding him back because you don't want him to get worn down. I realize it's a fine line but I think you can only ask a player to wear so many hats before it will impact his endurance and performance (and that can lead to injury). With AD coming off a major injury, Harvin will likely remain THE focal point of the offense. They need him to be at his best.

you have to risk at times...

especially in big games .. injuries are part of the game

I assume that's what they mean when they refer to a "case by case basis". I doubt the Vikings will completely remove Harvin from KO return duty. They didn't last year. They will probably use him in big games and key situations.

[dead_poet]

Some (positive) Blair Walsh news.

The most impressive aspect of Walsh’s game to me as been his leg strength. I can’t speak for the coaches and what impresses them, but for me it’s leg strength. On Saturday I watched Walsh hit six consecutive 46-yard field goals and then he was good on two of three tries from 55 yards. This spring he made a 59-yarder in practice and I was told on Saturday that Walsh hit a 60-yarder on Friday. Where Walsh’s leg strength will also come in handy is on kickoffs. The Vikings were near the bottom of the League last year in touchback percentage, and I expect that number to jump significantly in 2012 with Walsh handling those duties.

http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/M ... 9069b35953

[mansquatch]

Me too. Coaching scared dos no good what so ever.

I think that is exactly the right call by Frasier. Harvin is smaller player in the leagues and has had some durability issues. The question really is if you want to risk losing him on offensive downs so you can put him into the return game. I do not dissagree that he is their best return guy, but is it worth having him return punts/kicks if you risk losing him on offense to do so? I don't think that is coaching scared, I think it is coaching smart.

EDIT: Demi beat me to it.