CAMP AT A GLANCE
	Randy Moss had a career-high 106 catches last season.
	Location: Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn. Preseason schedule:  Aug. 9: Lost Jacksonville, 16-14  Aug. 16: Lost to Kansas City, 26-16  Aug. 22: at Oakland  Aug. 28: Arizona

In Pro Football Weekly's third and final installment of training-camp reports, we look at the good (biggest positive), the bad (biggest disappointment) and the ugly (injury update) factors surrounding every team halfway through the 2003 preseason. We also set our sights on a rookie to watch on each team, for whatever the reason.

Aug. 19

Biggest positives: Opening camp with a major injury to Pro Bowl RB Michael Bennett forced the Vikings to view the glass half-empty, but breaking camp last week without another serious IR casualty has changed Minnesota's perspective. Another reason head coach Mike Tice may be willing to raise his glass is the play of the Vikings' second-round pick in 2000, NT Fred Robbins. A late-bloomer to be sure, Robbins had been a disappointment until this summer, when Tice pronounced Robbins the best story in Vikings camp.

Biggest disappointment: You could consider first-to-go WR Derrick Alexander, but the Vikings have been disappointed in him since signing the veteran in 2002. Instead, 2002 second-round pick Raonall Smith, expected to compete with Henri Crockett for the top WLB job, will drink from the golden dish in Tice's doghouse. Right now, coaches don't consider Smith one of the top six linebackers in camp, but they don't want to cut him either. After missing last season with a shoulder injury, Smith has practiced no more than a week of training camp because of hamstring trouble.

Injury update: Crockett has a bum shoulder but will be back this weekend after missing Game Two of the preseason schedule. Nickel CB Ken Irvin (dislocated right toe) will be worked back into the mix slowly to ensure his availability for Week One at Green Bay, and the hamstring injury slowing reserve CB Eric Kelly is not considered serious.

Rookies to watch: Get out the binoculars for WR Nate Burleson, an ultraproductive target as a collegian at Nevada with sticky hands. Burleson may overtake Kelly Campbell as the Vikings' third receiver before camp is out the way he performed in the last week or so. Of course, the Vikings expect big things from first-round pick Kevin Williams, who will start at defensive left end, and fourth-round pick RB Onterrio Smith, who figures to be the primary back with Bennett out. Lost in the shuffle behind defensive MVP Greg Biekert at middle linebacker, the Vikings have nothing but praise for E.J. Henderson, but they don't feel he's athletic enough to be used oustide of the base defense in nickel and dime packages.

Part 2 -- Aug. 12

Veteran to watch: DT Chris Hovan. After a five-sack season against constant double-teams in 2002, defensive coordinator George O'Leary is dreaming up ways to free up Hovan, and most of them start with rookie DL Kevin Williams, who may start at left defensive end. Hovan is a very sound every-down tackle because he plays the run and pass almost equally well.

Player on the verge: WR Kelly Campbell has the speed and supporting cast to turn into a real explosive receiver. Locked in as the No. 3 target behind Randy Moss and D'Wayne Bates, the diminuitive Campbell has the waterbug quickness to make plays in the open field and has better ball skills than some of the team's bigger receivers.

Strongest position: The depth at linebacker is too strong to overlook. MLB Greg Biekert was the team's defensive MVP in '02 and the Vikings think they are much stronger with the addition of WLB Chris Claiborne. Veteran Henri Crockett and rookies E.J. Henderson and Mike Nattiel also will see considerable action.

Weakest position: Secondary. Still unsettled, the only certainty is that Denard Walker will line up as Minnesota's left cornerback and that Corey Chavous will play one of the safety spots. Chavous is penciled in at strong safety now but will play free safety if Brian Russell beats out Willie Offord. Second-year CB Brian Williams has an edge over Ken Irvin, but the right CB job remains up for grabs.

Part 1 -- July 18

Most significant changes: Nothing gave Mike Tice heartburn like swallowing repeated special-teams blunders that contributed to close losses. From missed extra-point attempts to missed tackles, Tice withstood a bevy of shortcomings in that area. He attacked that weakness in free agency and the draft, adding players to bolster kick return and coverage groups. Tice also replaced defensive coordinator Willie Shaw with George O'Leary, who promises to feature an attacking unit with multiple fronts.

Reasons for optimism: There is a world of talent on this roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The offensive line is one of the biggest in the league, quarterback Daunte Culpepper has looked more confident in offseason workouts, and wide receiver Randy Moss is more committed than ever. Rookie defensive tackle Kevin Williams was drafted ninth overall to give Chris Hovan a running mate inside, which could set the tone for an improved defense.

Causes for concern: The top concern right now may be running back Michael Bennett, whose fractured left foot may force him to miss part or all of the season. Bennett ran for 1,296 yards in his second NFL season but his injury has not healed as expected. The Vikings also have to find a way to create a pass rush, a problem area a year ago, and have instability in the secondary.

Training-camp battles to watch: The team still is looking for the right No. 2 receiver to pair with Moss. Sound like a broken record? D'Wayne Bates is the front-runner with second-year speedster Kelly Campbell as a longshot because of his tiny frame, rookie Nate Burleson and veteran Derrick Alexander will also compete for time. There is also competition at right cornerback (Ken Irvin vs. Brian Williams vs. Eric Kelly) and free safety (Willie Offord vs. Brian Russell vs. Jack Brewer).

Don't be surprised if: Onterrio Smith, the team's fourth-round pick in April's draft, asserts himself with Bennett out of action. Smith is a tough inside runner with a nice burst to the edge, and he'll benefit running behind a monster offensive line.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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