Links Of The Week: Minicamp Underway

With the Vikings hosting their mandatory minicamp this week, and media access for a portion of the event, there seems to be plenty of fresh content to pass along.  Also, there are a few new Vikings sites popping up, which is always great to see.

Go there.  Read it.  And tell them who sent ya.

• Some think Christian Ponder didn’t get a fair shake in Minnesota and may never get one.
• This week was Arif’s turn to run the gauntlet at Purple FTW!  (Arif #1)
• I know you can’t get enough hot takes regarding the current quarterback situation.
• A Strib beat writer takes time out of his day to discuss a multitude of Vikings topics.
• If the Vikings find themselves having to fire special teams coordinator Mike Priefer the impact might not be as terrible as you’ve been lead to believe.  (Arif #2)
• Jerome Simpson might leave the door open for other pass catchers to surpass him this season.
• The Vikings reportedly made a late offer to Kevin Williams and some wonder if that is a bad sign.
• A profile of rookie defensive tackle Shamar Stephen.
• Are you tired of seeing Arif talk about football everywhere you turn?  Here… listen to him talk about futball instead.  (Arif #3)
• Cordarrelle Patterson is currently experiencing what Percy Harvin once did, meaning the coaching staff might want to limit his kickoff returns as his role in the offense grows greater.
• A statistical analysis of how often an undrafted free agent actually makes waves for the Vikings.
• Linebacker Michael Mauti is the healthiest he’s been in three offseasons and looking to make a name for himself.
• Mike Priefer isn’t eager to talk about the Chris Kluwe allegations and pending results of the investigation.  The report should be out next week, but Priefer is only thinking about football, so he says.
• Nobody with the Vikings ever seems to have anything negative to say about running back Jerick McKinnon at all.
• A half dozen observations from the first day of mandatory minicamp.
• Top pick Anthony Barr is finally getting his crash course on life on an NFL football field.
• The first order of business for offensive coordinator Norv Turner is to “modernize” Minnesota’s plan of attack.
• Knee problems slowed Matt Kalil’s progress as a sophomore and is something to keep an eye on moving forward.
• Longtime Viking Steve Hutchinson is hoping to return to the team as a pro scout and it might just happen.
• Unemployed quarterback Josh Freeman (remember him?) is trying to get his career back on the right track.
• The cornerback depth chart continues to provide plenty of mystery and intrigue.
• A list of five things to keep an eye on during these minicamp practices.
• Here it is, your moment of Zen: