Q&A with The Viking Age!

Aug 11, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Buffalo Bills fans yell their support at the Bills after they walk of the field at Lucas Oil Stadium after their pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

In working with our other Fansided sites, BLD has reached out to the The Viking Age, the Vikings Fansided page  and work a Q&A out with the Guru editor for The Vikings Age, Dan Zinski.  Go check out The Viking Age and see the Q&A we did for them!

1. What is the biggest position battle on the team?

We expected some good juicy position battles to materialize at linebacker and right guard but so far that hasn’t happened. The best battles going right now are at wide receiver and punt returner. The top four receiver spots are solidified but that #5 spot is still up in the air, with Stephen Burton and Joe Webb leading the list of candidates. The punt return job has belonged to Marcus Sherels in the past but they are trying to move on from him and have been trying out other guys including Stephen Burton and Josh Robinson.

2. Christian Ponder finished solid last year, through camp thus far, is he on pace to build on where he left off

Ponder has had somewhat of an up-and-down camp. What does that really mean? It’s hard to say. I’m curious to see how many snaps he gets during the preseason. The bottom line on Ponder is that, until he does it consistently during the regular season, people will continue to doubt him. Even if he was having a great camp there would still be questions.

3. Who is the biggest disappointment thus far through camp

Injury has forced Desmond Bishop to miss a lot of time. That’s disappointing. We were all hoping Bishop would solidify the linebacker corps but we haven’t seen enough of him. Supposedly he will be able to play this week. Fingers crossed.

4. Which rookie is poised to start and have a breakout season?

I don’t know if Cordarrelle Patterson will start right away but I have a feeling he will be used a lot early not just as a receiver but as a kick returner and all-around weapon. Once he gets his bearings as a pro receiver he will be in there as a starter and I am excited to see what he does.

5. What Vikings player is having the best offseason/training camp so far?

WR Stephen Burton has been winning raves for his improvement. UDFA RB Bradley Randle out of UNLV has also turned some heads (though he didn’t get a chance to show much during the preseason opener). CB Bobby Felder is another guy getting plenty of run.

6. Which player to you think has the most to gain fro the pre-season that hasn’t already been touched on?

Fullback Zach Line is a guy I’m watching. He came in as somewhat of a project player but I think everyone is impressed by how he’s done so far and the thinking now is that he could contribute more than expected. If he plays well throughout the preseason I think he might lock down a roster spot. A guy who was seen as a practice squad player could end up being the #3 running back/#2 fullback before it’s over.

7. With a fantastic year last year after surgery, where does Adrian Peterson stand at this point in training camp?

Adrian hasn’t done very much in camp so far. He’s made only token appearances during practice sessions and he was held out of the preseason opener entirely. I would expect that Adrian will see limited snaps from here till the start of the season and that’s fine with me. He doesn’t need much work in camp to get ready. Better to hold him out and keep him healthy for the real games. If I had my way he would be lounging in a pool someplace with a fruity drink until week 1.