It’s not the start of the regular season or even the beginning of training camp, but it’s the closest we’re going to get to actual football until the Vikings do report to Mankato for training camp later this summer.
It’s Phase 3 of the Vikings voluntary offseason program, and it begins on Tuesday. This is the final phase of the offseason program, and it will include 10 voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs) that set the stage for the team’s mandatory 3-day mini-camp that concludes the offseason program.
Here is what’s permitted during Phase 3…
-- 10 voluntary OTAs during the 4-week period (May 27-June 20)
-- 1 mandatory mini-camp during Week 3 or Week 4 of Phase 3
-- All coaches on the field
-- Helmets
-- Team offense vs. team defense
-- Kicking team vs. returning team
Here is what’s not permitted during Phase 3…
-- Live contact
-- Individual offense vs. defense
As the action around Winter Park picks up during Phase 3 of the offseason program, so too will the Vikings Entertainment Network’s coverage of the offseason program. We’ll get a jump on the action Tuesday because the first open day for the media is Wednesday. So stay tuned to vikings.com for updates, highlights, interviews and more as the Vikings continue their preparations for the 2013 season.
