EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Vikings inched another step closer toward the 2016 season when they opened their first Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice Tuesday morning.
Players donned helmets and shorts and practiced at Winter Park for approximately 90 minutes with temperatures in the high 70s.
Tuesday's practice was the first of 10 OTA practices for the Vikings, who will also hit the field Wednesday and Thursday.
Here are three quick observations from practice:
1. Ready to roll
The Vikings were ready to go right from the start as Tuesday's practice was lively and spirited. After weeks of focusing on the weight room and conditioning drills, players enjoyed the live action, even if full contact wasn't allowed. Perhaps the best battles were between the wide receivers and cornerbacks, two of the most talkative units on the team.
2. Going deep
The quartet of Vikings quarterbacks — Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill, Taylor Heinicke and Joel Stave — likely enjoyed Tuesday's practice. The signal-callers each aired it out on multiple occasions, firing some deep balls down the field. Bridgewater connected with wide receiver Charles Johnson on a roughly 50-yard pass. Wide receiver Adam Thielen later caught a nice pass in coverage along the sideline.
3. Adrian in attendance
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was present for the first OTA practice of the offseason. The three-time NFL rushing champion (including last season's 1,485-yard performance), looked like his normal self. The 31-year-old was quick and elusive during team drills and spent a quick bit of practice joking around with Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer.
