The Minnesota Vikings are heading into the start of training camp this weekend and players like Adrian Peterson, Teddy Bridgewater, Jerick McKinnon, Mike Wallace and Cordarrelle Patterson are ready to get things going in 2015 for Mike Zimmer, as Peterson is returning after missing all but one game last year.
The Vikings have rookies and veterans reporting on Saturday and camp is from Minnesota State University in Mankato. The team is opening early along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as those teams are matching up in the Hall of Fame game this year. The Vikings have high expectations for the season after going 7-9 playing without Peterson, as the team feels they have a QB for the future in Bridgewater.
Norv Turner helped Bridgewater get used to playing in the NFL and he finished with 2919 yards passing and 14 touchdowns. The team expects him to be even better in 2015 and having Peterson back should give the team a much more consistent rushing attack. Bridgewater had accuracy concerns when coming into the NFL by some scouts, but he put that to bed by completing 64 percent of his passes last season. Bridgewater had 12 interceptions last year and the team is hoping he cuts down on that a bit.
Adding Wallace to the mix should open things up for Bridgewater after his trade from the Dolphins and it also will take pressure of of Cordarrelle Patterson. Wallace is one of the fastest receivers in football and he had a couple down seasons with the Dolphins after his first run with the Steelers. Wallace gives Bridgewater a deep threat and with Patterson also an explosive player, the offense should be much better.
Peterson is coming back after missing 15 games last season and that means he will have less wear and tear on his body heading into the season. The Vikings are going to be cautious with Peterson at 30 now, but in his last full season he had 1266 yards rushing and double digit touchdowns again. The Vikings have depth with Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata getting experience last season and that gives the team a three deep chart at RB.
Peterson is looking to come back strong after rushing for 75 yards last season and head coach Mike Zimmer said that the running back has shown "no rust" this offseason. Peterson signed a new contract with guaranteed money for the Vikings last week after the two sides were in dispute this offseason and now it appears the RB is in Minnesota to stay. The team went 6-9 without Peterson last season and adding him could make a huge difference for the Vikings.
Check here for more on the Vikings and for the full training camp schedule.