By Chad Courrier and Chris Jagerson
Free Press Staff Writers
MANKATO
August 15, 2008 01:38 am
—
With the Minnesota Vikings training camp concluded, defensive tackle Pat Williams reflected on a story he’ll never forget from the last three weeks.
“All of the offensive lineman got in an elevator and got stuck for about an hour,” Williams said. “There was nine of them in there, and they got stuck. I was laughing; it was the craziest thing ever because they’re always like hating on people.”
Williams has a guess as to what went wrong.
“(Their weight) was way over the limit,” Williams said. “I was glad; I was laughing when they got off. I was right there waiting on them. They were scared like babies.”
Coach Brad Childress said that he thought his team got the work it needed in the 31 practices since July 25, happy that no practices had to be canceled or moved inside because of weather.
“I can’t see this (camp) getting anything but better and better,” Childress said. “It’s improved every year I’ve been here.”
For defensive end Jared Allen, he will remember his first training camp in Mankato for a different reason.
“How bad the food was,” Allen said. “It’s all fried, and I don’t eat fried food. I’ve been forced to get off of my diet.”
The players will stay until this morning, before heading to the Twin Cities to catch a flight to Baltimore for Saturday’s game. Several players said they were anxious to go to their more spacious homes and sleep on more comfortable beds.
“I’m ready to get out of the dorm, actually,” quarterback Tarvaris Jackson said. “I feel like we came out here and we worked hard throughout training camp. We still aren’t done yet; we’re just leaving here. We have a long way to go.”
Back to Baltimore
Running back Chester Taylor returns to Baltimore for Saturday’s preseason game, the first time he’s been back since 2005, when he left and signed with the Vikings as a free agent.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I still think people there remember me.”
Taylor was drafted by the Ravens in 2002 and rushed for 1,618 yards and four touchdowns in four seasons. Since joining the Vikings, Taylor has rushed for 2,060 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“A lot of the guys I played with are gone,” he said. “It will still be a lot of fun.”
McCauley in, Mills?
Both cornerback Marcus McCauley and tight end Garrett Mills missed last week’s preseason opener, and McCauley said he’ll get about 20 plays Saturday, while Mills wasn’t sure.
“I feel good,” McCauley said. “My teammates are out there, I want to be out there, too.”
McCauley had missed practice time with a knee injury. Mills had been out with an ankle injury. Both have participated in all of the practices this week.
“It’s been tough, I like being out there,” Mills said. “I’ve been able to stay with it, get the mental reps. I’m not (100 percent), I still have a ways to go. Hopefully soon.”
McKinnie report speculation
According a story on the Star Tribune Web site Thursday, a spokesperson for the NFL said a report by Sirius NFL Radio that Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie is likely to be suspended for four games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy is speculation. The spokesman said no announcement has been made.
McKinnie could suffer disciplinary action by the NFL as a repeat offender of the league’s conduct policy in the near future. He met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in early June.
A Vikings official said the team can’t comment on the matter and that any statement would have to come from the NFL.
Notes
Center Matt Birk returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday with a stomach virus. ... Thursday was Fan Appreciation Day, with an all-squad autograph session following the morning practice. An estimated 2,000 fans attended, which was the largest day crowd of training camp. Childress spent about 20 minutes more than the players signing autographs. ... Marcus Johnson (knee), Kenderick Allen (wrist), Brian Robison (leg), Drew Radovich (shoulder) and Madieu Williams (neck) all missed practice Thursday.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.