Training Camp Schedule Released

Courtesy of Vikings.com:

Friday, July 31: 9-11:15 a.m. and 3-4:55 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1: 9-10:55 a.m. and 7-9:15 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2: 3-4:55 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 3: 9-11:15 a.m. and 3-4:55 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 4: 9-11:10 a.m. and 2:10-3:10 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 5: 9-11:10 a.m. and 2:45-4 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 6: 9-11 a.m. and 2:10-3:10 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 7: 9-11 a.m. and 7-9:10 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8: 2:45-5 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 9: Players day off
Monday, Aug. 10: 9-11:15 a.m. and 2:10-3:10 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 11: 9-11:15 a.m. and 2:45-4 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 12: 9-11:15 a.m. and 2:10-3:15 p.m

Vikings Ink Draft Pick Brinkley

The Vikings came to terms with 5th round pick LB Jasper Brinkley today. Brinkley becomes the second draftee to sign this season as the team signed 7th round S Jamarca Sanford to a 4 year contract a week ago. The figures or years are not yet known on Brinkley's contract.

1 Down, 4 To Go

The Vikings announced today that 7th round draft choice Jamarca Sanford has signed. The Ole Miss safety becomes the first of 5 draft picks to sign, as he agreed to terms on a 4 year deal earlier this morning.

The roster currently stands at 83 players for the Vikings and must be down to 80 by the start of training camp at the end of July. Since Sanford signed, he now counts against the roster limit. Earlier this week the team released 3 undrafted players: QB Sean Glennon, TE Nick Walker, and OL Bobby Lepori.

*Photo on right courtesy of Scout.com

3 Vikings Waived

The Vikings did some roster tuning today as they waived a trio of undrafted free agents. QB Sean Glennon of Virginia Tech, TE Nick Walker of Alabama, and OL Bobby Lepori were all given the axe today.

The most notable of the cuts may be Glennon, considering the Vikings generally go in to training camp with 4 QB's. Dare I say making room four someone?

Training Camp Battles to Watch - Part 1: CB

The first installment of training camp battles to watch takes a look at the defensive back field for the purple, more specifically the CB's. The Vikings currently have 9 CB's on the roster, and assuming Antoine Winfield reports at some point, the Vikings have their starters set in him and Cedric Griffin. Then it gets messy. Apart from Winfield and Griffin, the Vikings have 7 other plays vying for roster spots, 5 of which all have realistic chances of being the team's nickel back on opening day.

Benny Sapp, Marcus McCauley, Karl Paymah, Charles Gordon, and '09 3rd round draft pick Asher Allen will all be in the mix for that 5th defensive back spot. Then you have Marcus Walker, who was a mainstay on the practice squad his rookie season a year ago, and Derrick Roberson rounding out the competition.

Charles Gordon took the job and appeared to be running with the opportunity coming out of training camp last year before being lost for the season with a gruesome ankle injury midway. His health very well could determine his fate for the nickel job and possibly a roster spot. Seeing how hardworking and determined Charles Gordon has been throughout his career and coming back from the injury, I don't see him getting cut, but you never know. He is expected to be healthy by training camp, but will probably be eased into work.

Another guy who may be a step behind come training camp is the rookie, Asher Allen. Allen missed most of mini-camp after supposedly going under a minor arthroscopic procedure on his knee, which Childress would neither confirm or deny. I'd be surprised if Allen did win the job considering Childress' reluctancy to hand rookies jobs and the veteran mix that the Vikings have in the secondary.

Karl Paymah was brought in as a free agent this off-season, despite the Vikings having a logjam at the position and Paymah receiving interest from several other teams. He only signed a one-year deal, but does have some starting experience. Sapp, like Paymah also signed a one year deal, however he has a year in the system under his belt.

The forgotten man in all of this is 3rd year player Marcus McCauley. After playing in all 16 games and starting in 9 of the contests his rookie season, McCauley's playing time took a huge cut last year. The former Fresno State Bulldog was active for just 10 games and recorded only 6 tackles on the season. He faces an uphill battle just to make the team this year, however he has one thing going for him in that he has been the regular starting CB in practice with Antoine Winfield sitting at home throughout the off-season. McCauley will need to show consistency or he could be cut.

I really can't recall a time where there has been so many players realistically fighting for the nickel back job. The Vikings undoubtedly will have to cut some good players come late August/early September and the competition is sure to be intense.

1 Year Anniversary of Capital J's Corner

Well I started this thing a year and a day ago to be exact (missed the actual date, oh well). Just wanted to say thanks for all the support I've received and hits. It's been fun and I'll continue to try and update as much as possible. I'm working non-stop lately between the internship and my other job, so I haven't had much time. Not to mention I am completely sick of the Favre talk and don't like reporting on it since there's such conflicting reports all the time. Once again sorry for the lack of activity on here lately, but I will get up training camp battles within the next week hopefully. Stay tuned.

Favre Has Surgery, Decision Coming This Week?

Just when you thought the speculation had all died down, ESPN has reported that Brett Favre in fact did have surgery on his injured shoulder last month. Subsequently, Brad Childress and the Vikings have given Favre an ultimatum - make a decision this week or don't play in purple next season.

The mum on everything Favre the last month or so may have proven to be just the calm before the storm. There is a very good chance that Favre will be a Viking this season. Why else would the "retired" QB have a surgery that otherwise wouldn't be required if he wasn't planning to come back? Of course nothing is set in stone, because there's no telling if the procedure was successful or if Favre was just preparing himself just in case he gets that itch to play again at the last minute. Obviously Favre still wants to stick it to Packers' GM Ted Thompson.

So if Favre does come to the Vikings, who is the odd man out?

The Vikings currently have four QB's on the roster: Sage Rosenfels, Tarvaris Jackson, John David Booty, and Sean Glennon. Glennon, gone, but then what? It's not unheard of for a team to keep 4 QB's on the roster, but it isn't a popular move. The Bucs are a team that seems to do it annually, but other teams like the Colts only carry 2 on their active roster. The Vikings wouldn't get rid of Sage Rosenfels after giving up a draft pick for him to come here. So, John David Booty and Tarvaris Jackson battling for one spot? It's a possibility. I can't see Childress releasing Jackson, but then again do they want to lose John David Booty, who likely wouldn't make it through waivers?

A lot of questions might be answered this week.