PR Outsider - Training Camp report - Day 1 (7/28/2007)

[retailguy]

I want to be in Mankato Minnesota.......

Are you wanting to protest the evil people who locked Koren up? :P

[GrnBay007]

I want to be in Mankato Minnesota.......

Something special going on?

Some non important event called training camp.....something we here never pay attention too!

LOL! sorry, I'm not up on the Viking schedules.

[Bretsky]

Thanks for the report Justin

[LL2]

I want to be in Mankato Minnesota.......

Something special going on?

Some non important event called training camp.....something we here never pay attention too!

LOL! sorry, I'm not up on the Viking schedules.

The Vikings have a schedule to be in last place with the Bears and Lions right in front of them.

[OS PA]

I want to be in Mankato Minnesota.......

Something special going on?

Some non important event called training camp.....something we here never pay attention too!

LOL! sorry, I'm not up on the Viking schedules.

The Vikings have a schedule to be in last place with the Bears and Lions right in front of them.

Don't they always have that schedule? I mean, playing the Packers two times a year kind of makes that happening a certain fact

[TopHat]

GOOD PICS

http://www.jsonline.com/site/photographerphotos/gallery.aspx?catid=751

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=U0&Dato=20070728&Kategori=PKRTRAIN&Lopenr=707280806&Ref=PH

BRETT LOOKED FINE

DENDY COVERING BODIFORD

BARNETT "NO COMMENT"

HARRELL CLEARED & RUSTY

DRIVER "CAUTION"

DENDY COVERING HOLIDAY

FRANKS CATCHING BALL!

RYAN LOOKED GREAT!

MM WORRIED "OFFENSIVE PLAYMAKERS"

[Scott Campbell]

This is what Pickett and Jolly looked like. Williams was in the best shape, Cole probably second and Harrell third. The other two were way behind as evident by these pictures. They aren't Grady Jackson fat, but Pickett is approaching it.

Holy crap. They're going to name a burger after Pikett is he's not careful.

[the_idle_threat]

Those two look like underwear models compared to Grady or even big Gil.

I don't see how people think they look so outrageously fat in that photo. Put it in context---they're defensive tackles, not cornerbacks. :P

Perhaps we're not used to seeing them look bigger in the middle than up top, but in this picture they're not wearing shoulder pads.

[MJZiggy]

I see what you're saying Idle, but the problem is they didn't pass their physicals. And from what I read, M3 is not thrilled...

[Scott Campbell]

Those two look like underwear models compared to Grady or even big Gil.

I don't see how people think they look so outrageously fat in that photo. Put it in context---they're defensive tackles, not cornerbacks. :P

Perhaps we're not used to seeing them look bigger in the middle than up top, but in this picture they're not wearing shoulder pads.

Pickett looks fat relative to how he looked last year. I'm not surprised MM is pissed.

I'm not sure what a typical weight is for Jolly, so it's hard to say.

[the_idle_threat]

I see what you're saying Idle, but the problem is they didn't pass their physicals. And from what I read, M3 is not thrilled...

Did you see why?

From JSO:

Huffing and puffing

On Friday, McCarthy said he'd be very surprised if any of his players showed up for the start of training camp out of shape.

On Saturday, he expressed his displeasure with defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly, both of whom were unable to finish their conditioning tests and were placed on the non-football injury list.

Until they pass the running test, which requires each player to complete a series of gassers from one sideline to the next in less than 20 seconds, they won't be allowed to practice. Both broke down toward the end of their eight sprints and weren't able to make time.

"I'm not happy about it," McCarthy said.

Pickett, who appeared heavier than normal but claimed he was only 2 or 3 pounds over his weight from a year ago, said it's not the first time he has failed a running test at the start of camp. He said he didn't consider himself out of shape; he just wasn't able to finish this particular test.

"It's a matter of bad timing," said Pickett, who is listed at 322 pounds. "I thought I was ready. I got to the last one (sprint) and I started having headaches, and I didn't make the rest of them."

Pickett said he may take the test again today and that he was confident he would pass it soon. Teammates said they weren't that concerned about him because he's a nose tackle and he's not known for being lazy on the field.

He most likely will be watched closely during camp to make sure he gets in top condition. After missing off-season workouts a year ago, Pickett attended a good portion of them this year.

Jolly's failure to pass the test was more alarming given he's a second-year player who has a chance to earn some playing time. The 6-3, 312-pound tackle should have come ready to do some damage.

He swore he didn't let himself go in the month between the end of the off-season conditioning program and the start of training camp.

"Things happen and now I have to move on," Jolly said. "I thought I was good. I'll be fine. I'll do what the coaches want me to do and I'll be ready."

Interestingly, first-round pick Justin Harrell, who signed late Friday night, didn't have to take the test before he took the field.

I'm about the same height, weight and build as Ryan Pickett, and I understand from experience that a series of 8 gassers from sideline to sideline in quick succession is no sure thing on a given day for a big man.

Of course, these guys are expected to be in peak condition and all given that it is their job, and McCarthy is right to be pissed because of that. But their actual on-the-field job requires them to be heavy and strong with short area quickness. It doesn't require them to run 50 yard sprints.

I'm sure they'll pass this test shortly on another try. I'm not too worried about it unless we're still talking about it in the middle of the week.

[BallHawk]

Don't these guys learn anything from what Grady went through?

[Rastak]

I'm about the same height, weight and build as Ryan Pickett

Well that completely validates my decision not to ever insult you.....

[BallHawk]

Interestingly, first-round pick Justin Harrell, who signed late Friday night, didn't have to take the test before he took the field.

Again with the double standards. Listen, I understand he is the first round pick, but these guys are a team and if one guys does it then everybody should have to.

If anything, I hope these things light a flame under Williams' ass.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I wonder if it had to do with Harrell coming in under weight. Maybe Jolly and Pickett didn't.