EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Vikings opened up their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday morning at Winter Park, practicing in helmets and shorts for approximately two hours on a muggy morning.
Minnesota will hold two more days of the mandatory minicamp on Wednesday and Thursday.
After this week, the next time the Vikings will take the field will be for training camp in Mankato next month.
Here are three observations (and a catch of the day) from Tuesday's practice:
1. Robinson vying for starting spot
Edmond Robinson built off a strong few weeks of Organized Team Activity practices by having a solid outing on the first day of minicamp.
Robinson, who has lined up next to Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks with the first-team defense for much of the offseason program, is aiming for the starting spot vacated by the retired Chad Greenway. The third-year linebacker and Emmanuel Lamur took reps with the first team base defense on Tuesday.
Robinson impressed Tuesday by leaping up to knock away a pass inside the 10-yard line in a red zone drill.
Robinson saved his best for later by perfectly reading a Taylor Heinicke pass, corralling the interception and racing the other way.
2. Vikings kicking pair aims true
Vikings kickers Kai Forbath and Marshall Koehn continued their kicking battle Tuesday by both knocking down every field goal they attempted.
The duo each hit from 37, 41 and 43 yards during team drills, while Forbath made a 45-yard try and Koehn drilled a 46-yard attempt.
Forbath had one an extra chance later on during a hurry-up session and nailed a 42-yard try with less than two minutes left on the clock.
Forbath has made 17 of 19 field goals in team drills this spring, while Koehn has been successful on 14 of his 16 attempts.
3. A vet move
Vikings cornerback Terence Newman has seen a thing or two as he enters his 15th professional season.
The veteran provided a lighthearted moment Tuesday during a team drill after a referee threw a flag for defensive pass interference.
Newman, on the sideline during the play, ran over and picked up the flag before jogging back toward the sideline. The former first-round pick then playfully tossed the flag back to the official and had a laugh with him.
Catch of the Day
Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs made one of the most impressive catches of the spring Tuesday when he made a tumbling catch on a deep pass from quarterback Sam Bradford.
Diggs adjusted his body position on cornerback Xavier Rhodes before twisting back to secure the catch despite sprawling to the ground.
An incredulous Rhodes playfully tried to slap the ball away from Diggs after the play, but the wide receiver was able to celebrate his impressive snag.
