Notebook: Training Camp Dates Announced

The Minnesota Vikings recently announced the start and stop dates of their 2008 training camp in Mankato.

The Vikings announced their key training camp dates, the first sign that the 2008 season is getting closer.

Players will report Wednesday, July 23, with the first practice held Friday, July 25. The first preseason game of the season will be Friday, Aug. 8 vs. the Seattle Seahawks at the Metrodome. Camp is scheduled to break Friday, Aug. 15.

Vice president of sales and marketing Steve LaCroix told Viking Update earlier that he doesn’t expect any major changes to the format of training camp.

TUESDAY NOTES

Former Vikings defensive lineman Darrion Scott, a free agent that the Vikings showed little interest in re-signing, remained in Hennepin County Jail Tuesday morning without bail a week after being arrested on charges on probable cause felony assault involving a child. The county attorney was able to receive an extension that runs through today to file a criminal complaint. At that point, bail will be set. The three pending charges are assault, domestic assault and malicious punishment of a child. His agent said in a statement last week that Scott is looking forward to proving his innocence.

The Vikings were on the giving and receiving end of a couple of draft-related accolades. They gave the Kansas City Chiefs three draft picks for defensive end Jared Allen, and, according to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, “the consensus among NFL scouts is the Chiefs added the most talent in the draft. And the team that added the most talent after the draft was the Vikings.”

One source told the Tribune that the Vikings had eight undrafted free agents sign with them who were rated as draftable prospects. Vikings coach Brad Childress confirmed after the first rookie minicamp workout that linebacker Erin Henderson and offensive lineman Drew Radovich were each rated as draftable players among the Vikings’ 16 undrafted free agents. According to the Tribune’s source, wide receiver Darius Reynaud, linebacker J. Leman, safeties Marcus Griffin and Husain Abdullah, and cornerbacks Brandon Sumrall and Marcus Walker were also among those with draftable grades.

Quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, who briefly played with the Vikings, is said to be in the mix for the starting QB competition in San Francisco, according to 49ers coach Mike Nolan. O’Sullivan is battling another former Viking, Shaun Hill, and incumbent Alex Smith for the starting spot.

Saints owner Tom Benson made a statement Monday affirming his intention to keep the Saints in New Orleans. Benson announced Monday that he had purchased WVUE-TV, the local FOX affiliate in New Orleans and said he intends to buy other TV and radio stations in Louisiana.

Former Viking Toniu Fonoti is trying to make it back in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers. Fonoti, whose weight blew up to almost 400 pounds, is now playing at 340 pounds and says he feels better than he has in years.