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The 2012 ESPN.com blog network mock draft is in the books. It was actually a lot of fun, and I hope you got a chance to jump into the fray for at least a few moments. If not, here is the chat transcript.

I learned a few things. First, I'm much more conservative than I thought I was. I tried to drum up trade interest in the Minnesota Vikings' No. 3 overall pick, but for the most part I was content to let everyone else wheel and deal and then sit tight for targeted players to drop in a way that I thought would only happen in my dreams.

Second, every draft has some unexpected trades and some unconventional picks. Having eight people participate helped lend a sense of that dynamic, even if the trades we made and the picks that resulted don't happen this week. You got a more realistic sense of how it could go, I think, than in a conventional mock draft.

We faced decisions at each stop, which I'll detail below for those interested:

3. Minnesota Vikings
My pick: USC left tackle Matt Kalil
Final decision: Kalil or LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne
Process and reasoning: I felt obligated to solicit trade offers for anyone who might be interested in Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. I pressured AFC North blogger Jamison Hensley, who is convinced the Cleveland Browns do not want to trade up from No. 4. I leaned on AFC West blogger Bill Williamson, suggesting Tannehill would be a nice target for the Kansas City Chiefs. "I'm good," Williamson said. And I tried to entice AFC East blogger James Walker, letting him and the Miami Dolphins know I was talking to the Hensley/Browns and Williamson/Chiefs.

Walker sat tight. With my time (almost up), I was left to the decision we've been discussing in recent days. I can't see the Vikings taking Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, so it was down to Kalil or Claiborne.

In the end, I took Kalil because my top goal in this exercise was to avoid overthinking. Left tackle is one of the most difficult jobs to fill in the NFL. The Vikings don't have a left tackle, not since they released Bryant McKinnie last summer, and their quarterbacks were pummeled in 2011. Kalil is one of the draft's best prospects and certainly the top left tackle available.

It's true that the Vikings are short on cornerbacks as well, but I would feel more comfortable finding a cornerback at the top of the second or third round than a left tackle. Claiborne and Kalil are both excellent prospects. So Kalil it was. We'll soon see if the Vikings agree.

19. Chicago Bears
My pick: Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
Final decision: Mercilus or Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones
Process and reasoning: If the real thing goes anything like our mock draft, it appears the Bears will have their pick of defensive ends to fill an important but untouched roster hole. I was holding out hope for North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples, who slipped as far as No. 17 before Hensley grabbed him for the Cincinnati Bengals. But ultimately I was left to choose between Mercilus, Jones, USC's Nick Perry and Alabama's Courtney Upshaw.

Why Mercilus? The Bears have spent a good bit of time visiting and researching Mercilus during the past few months, and while there are questions about the best positions for some of the other defensive end prospects, Mercilus is a clear and obvious 4-3 defensive end. I liked him more than any of the receivers on the board at the time, and I didn't think the Bears would chose an offensive tackle -- even Stanford's Jonathan Martin -- in this spot.

Ultimately, Martin went at No. 22 to the Browns, where he will presumably play right tackle.

23. Detroit Lions
My pick: Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Final decision: Kirkpatrick or trade down
Process and reasoning: Frankly, I was surprised that Kirkpatrick fell that far. I can see a team jumping first for South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore, as Paul Kuharsky did for the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 15. But having Kirkpatrick available at No. 23 for a team whose secondary collapsed in 2011 was a pretty good situation.

I had previously discussed a trade with Hensley and the Baltimore Ravens at No. 29, something that could arise Thursday night. But I was more than happy to sit with Kirkpatrick at that point.

Why Kirkpatrick over North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins? Frankly, for the obvious and previously-stated conservative reasons. The Lions had three members of their 2011 draft class run into marijuana-related issues. Jenkins has a long history dating back to his removal from the University of Florida team two years ago.

I realize Kirkpatrick was cited in January for marijuana possession, but ultimately he was not prosecuted.

28. Green Bay Packers
My pick: Boise state outside linebacker Shea McClellin
Final decision: McClellin or Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw
Process and reasoning: I had targeted McClellin as someone I would hope to draft for the Packers and was caught off guard when Upshaw was still available. I got some tweets and live suggestions for both players, but chose McClellin because I think he's a better fit for the Packers' 3-4 and that he'll be ready to start in Week 1 for a team that is a Super Bowl contender in 2012.

There is enough concern about Upshaw's fit as a 3-4 linebacker, as opposed to a 4-3 defensive end, that I felt more comfortable with McClellin here.

I would be willing to discuss this further in the blog, probably Tuesday. Your thoughts, as always, are welcome.

» NFC Wrap-ups: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Arrow indicates direction team is trending.

Final Power Ranking: 30
Preseason Power Ranking: 20

Biggest surprise: It has never been clear why anyone thought acquiring Donovan McNabb as a stopgap starting quarterback was a good idea. All indications were that McNabb had taken a significant step back since his heyday as an annual Pro Bowler, and in truth, he had no more familiarity with the Vikings' new offense than did rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. He threw for an embarrassing 39 yards in a Week 1 loss at the San Diego Chargers, was benched after six starts and waived with five games remaining. I'm not sure the Vikings would have won more games with Ponder or Joe Webb as their Week 1 starter, but the entire episode was a failure waiting to happen. Why wasn't that obvious to everyone?

Biggest disappointment: Tailback Adrian Peterson's shredded left knee will cast a shadow over the organization for months. The Vikings have said they hope to have Peterson back on the field when the season begins, but the truth is no one can know for sure how a running back will come back from two torn knee ligaments and other assorted damage. Newly-promoted general manager Rick Spielman will have a difficult decision to make: Can the team continue to build its offense around Peterson? Does it necessitate the acquisition of a replacement or a philosophical shift? Of all their positions, running back represented the least of the Vikings' concerns at midseason. Now it's among their first priorities.

Biggest need: On a roster full of holes, no positions are more needy than defensive back and offensive line. The Vikings finished the season with Week 1 backups playing both cornerback and one safety positions, and the only incumbent who should have a decent chance to start in 2012 is veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield. Although they led the NFL with 50 sacks, the Vikings' coverage was so poor that opposing quarterbacks still compiled a 107.1 passer rating, the second-highest mark in NFL history. Meanwhile, the Vikings must find a long-term replacement for deposed left tackle Bryant McKinnie and might have to find a new left guard if Steve Hutchinson retires. The future of right guard Anthony Herrera is also up for debate.

Team MVP: Defensive end Jared Allen finished a half-sack shy of tying Michael Strahan's record for sacks in a season (22.5), along the way setting an example of how to continue playing hard despite the weight of a lost season. Runner up goes to Percy Harvin, who shed his migraine issues to become the kind of all-purpose receiver/running back the Vikings envisioned when they drafted him in 2009. He caught a team-high 87 passes and also took 52 carries, combining for 1,312 total yards and eight touchdowns.

Questionable call: Cornerback Chris Cook was arrested in October and eventually charged with strangulation and domestic abuse. In the end, the Vikings took the highly unusual path of dismissing him for the season while keeping him on the active roster and paying him game checks for the final eight games of the season. Coach Leslie Frazier said the organization wanted to give Cook a chance to get is life in order, but Frazier admitted this week that it's unclear what progress he has made. Unless he is incarcerated as a result of his upcoming trial, Cook seems likely to return to the team in training camp.

» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

FALLING

1. Offensive line, Minnesota Vikings: I don't want to pick only on left guard Steve Hutchinson, who quite clearly isn't playing at the same level he did at the height of his career. The biggest problem is that Hutchinson remains the Vikings' best offensive lineman. Watching this group get manhandled Sunday by the Oakland Raiders suggested it will need a significant overhaul in the coming months. We've discussed the need to find a long-term replacement for departed left tackle Bryant McKinnie, but the reality is that no job should be safe. The Vikings have a pair of 2011 draft picks, center/guard Brandon Fusco and tackle DeMarcus Love, serving as backups at the moment. I'm not sure if either projects as a long-term starter, but it's clear that immediate action is necessary one way or the other.

2. Bench-warming time for Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers tailback: Grant has started nine of the Packers' 10 games this season but is averaging about nine touches per game. That figure could increase significantly Thursday at Ford Field, given the knee/ankle injury of "backup" James Starks, who is averaging about twice as many touches per game. Even if Starks is available, you would think Grant could see his workload increased. Grant has been a perfect citizen and teammate during what must be a personally disappointing time. Typically, players who understand the big picture get an opportunity to make a big contribution at some point and in some way. Odds are that Grant will get that chance soon, if not Thursday.

3. The future of Chris Cook, Minnesota Vikings cornerback: Cook hasn't played since he was arrested Oct. 23 on a charge of felony strangulation following a domestic incident with his girlfriend. He is currently on what amounts to a paid suspension as he sorts through his issues, but you wonder whether his standing with the team will change at all after prosecutors added a second charge of third-degree assault. According to reports, the second charge resulted from news that the victim suffered a perforated eardrum during the incident and has experienced hearing loss. Cook has a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.

RISING

1. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers receiver: It was overshadowed by the performance of some teammates, but Driver had his most productive game of the season Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His four catches matched the season high he set in Week 1, and his 72 yards -- powered by a 35-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter -- were the most he has had in a regular-season game since Week 13 of 2010. Those figures are a reminder that Driver, 36, is no longer a primary option in the Packers' offense. But Sunday served notice that he can still make plays downfield when the opportunity presents itself.

2. Amateur medical practices in Chicago: Everyone has an opinion, medically based or otherwise, on how long a fractured right thumb should keep Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler out of action. Initial reports suggested he would miss the rest of the season and possibly be unavailable for the playoffs, but coach Lovie Smith appeared confident Monday that Cutler will return before the end of the regular season. But Smith wouldn't divulge enough details about Cutler's condition to give us a chance to verify his timetable. What we do know is that the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends a cast or splint for between two and six weeks after surgery. Depending on severity of the injury, the rule of thumb (sorry) is that it can take up to three months to regain full use of the hand.

3. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions quarterback: We noted Monday how Stafford reversed his early game struggles against the Carolina Panthers on the way to a five-touchdown performance. Let's allow the folks at Cold Hard Football Facts to provide a wild glimpse at the big picture. In his three-year career, Stafford has trailed by at least 17 points in 10 of 23 starts. He has led game-winning comebacks in four of them. That's a pretty impressive trend for any quarterback, let alone one who is four months away from his 24th birthday.

I'm sure many of you assumed the Minnesota Vikings finally got fed up with receiver Bernard Berrian's nonchalant attitude when they waived him Tuesday. You might be right, but I tend to think they were more frustrated with his ineffectiveness than his personality.

You could read Tuesday's transaction as the latest move to break up the tenured-veteran status new coach Leslie Frazier inherited, a process that ostensibly began with the dismissal of left tackle Bryant McKinnie in training camp. But the reality is Berrian has never been an effervescent personality or a team leader. It's not in his makeup. He's quiet and sensitive and slips easily into sourpuss mode.

Berrian, of course, was more than tolerable when he was averaging 20.1 yards per catch in 2008. But over the past three seasons, we've seen a decline in production that made his continued employment baffling. The Vikings probably saw all they needed to see last season, when he managed just 28 receptions in 14 games. But with few explosive weapons in their passing game, they decided to give him one more try this season with new quarterback Donovan McNabb.

After seven catches and two game-day deactivations, it became clear that pairing him with a new quarterback wasn't going to help. With rookie Christian Ponder taking over for McNabb and the Vikings staring at a 1-6 record, now was as good of a time as any to move on.

It's quite possible that an incident behind the scenes sparked the timing of the decision. But the explanation really isn't important. We've seen it with our own eyes. If you need a reminder, check out the chart below.

Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier spent four seasons with the team as a defensive coordinator and has holdover assistants sprinkled throughout his coaching staff. It is now clear, however, that Frazier's promotion in no way ensured continuity within the Vikings roster.

Frazier released left tackle Bryant McKinnie at the start of training camp, and news is beginning to trickle out about the departures of some other stalwarts of the Brad Childress era. Linebacker/special teams ace Heath Farwell confirmed to multiple media outlets, including 1500ESPN.com, that he has been released. Meanwhile, agent Ralph Cindrich tweeted that tight end/fullback Jeff Dugan will be a free agent as of this evening, implying he will be released.

Dugan confirmed the move to Mark Craig of the Star Tribune.

Reserves throughout their careers, Dugan and Farwell were nevertheless among the Vikings' most tenured players. Dugan was a 7th-round draft choice in 2004 and Farwell joined the team as an undrafted rookie in 2005. Only two players, tight end Jim Kleinsasser and linebacker E.J. Henderson, have been with the Vikings longer than Dugan, and both he and Farwell were the kind of easy-going glue players that Childress and former coach Mike Tice wanted in the locker room.

That's not a knock on Frazier and his staff for moving on. It's difficult to develop young talent if you keep veterans as backups. Schemes change, players age and circumstances transform. Dugan and Farwell are dependable, of high character and unfortunately for them, they are replaceable.

If there was any question, it's now clear that Frazier will be blazing his own trail despite his relatively deep roots within the organization.

As you probably know by now, former Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie has re-entered the NFL and signed with the Baltimore Ravens. His departure took place more than a month ago, but I think it's worth reviewing his first interview since then and applying it to the still-gaping hole the Vikings still have at the position.

Speaking on ESPN Radio's "The Brian Kenny Show," McKinnie said he was released after refusing to restructure a contract that called for him to earn $5.4 million in 2011. He admitted he came in "heavier than I normally have" and alluded to a high cholesterol level but said he was never given an opportunity to test his conditioning.

Some excerpts:

On leaving Minnesota:

Bryant McKinnie: "Minnesota, it was honestly more of a numbers game about having their salary cap in a certain point by that Thursday, which really wasn't mentioned too much. But that's what it really was about, restructuring my contract and me and my agent didn't really agree with it. That wasn't mentioned too much. That's what it really was about. So we chose for me to be released."

On if he reported to camp in shape:

BM: Honestly, we never took any conditioning tests and the two days I was there, we had two walk-through [practices]. So I wasn't able to do anything. I never participated in anything. We didn't have a conditioning test, and [then] just a walk-through. So there was nothing to determine where my conditioning really was. I did come in heavier than I normally have. But I was still training ... Another thing that came up, but I've already had this issue, was high cholesterol. That's something I take medicine for anyway."

On if he is in shape now

BM: "I've felt like I've been in shape the whole time...."

McKinnie's departure left the Vikings with a utility-type player starting at left tackle in Charlie Johnson. It's still not clear if Johnson will be able to hold down the position all season. So I'm highly skeptical that the Vikings would release McKinnie, leaving themselves exposed at one of the game's most difficult positions, solely to create salary-cap space.

The truth is McKinnie was not just a few pounds overweight. He was nearly 400 pounds, about 35 more than where he was at the end of the 2010 season. And from what I've been told, his cholesterol number was astronomic and indicative of potential long-term health problems. I'll stand by what I wrote last month: At the start of a new coaching regime, the Vikings weren't prepared to coddle McKinnie any longer. They might take some short-term hits but they'll make it to the other side having established a new level of personal expectations for their players.

MANKATO, Minn. -- The summer of 2011 is not the time for Nervous Nellies. After the NFL lockout wiped out five months of offseason work, there is a lot to do and (almost) no time to do it. If you freak out under stress, you aren't going to be much good to anyone this August.

Fortunately for the Minnesota Vikings, their new coach is probably the most serene leader in the NFL. Leslie Frazier makes Tony Dungy look like a spaz. No matter what curveball he has been dealt since accepting the Vikings' interim job last November, Frazier has projected a tranquility that should serve the team well during the hectic run-up to the 2011 season.

In the span of about six weeks, Frazier will oversee the installation of a new offense. He'll preside over the transition to quarterback Donovan McNabb, develop a new left tackle and do his best to instill a tone of professional confidence that reflects his own personality.

Three days at Minnesota State University, Mankato, revealed the Vikings are well on their way to adopting Frazier's style. Players and staff worked hard but with an emotional ease that belied the tense tenure of former coach Brad Childress. It's been a while since I've seen smiles during a full-contact Vikings practice, and I was amazed at how downright happy people were -- from the elite players on the roster to the lowest-level staffers. Even left guard Steve Hutchinson, whose next career is certain to include a role as Oscar the Grouch, chatted gregariously with reporters after last Wednesday's practice.

As a football team, the Vikings have a long way to go in terms of chemistry and scheme. But I can tell you this: No one seemed worried.

"I've been around enough successful teams," said Frazier, who won a Super Bowl as a player [the 1985 Chicago Bears] and assistant coach [the 2006 Indianapolis Colts]. "I think I have an idea of what it takes to win in this league. That's what I've tried to get across to the players over and over, and will continue to do that."

THREE BIG ISSUES

1. How quickly can the Vikings install Bill Musgrave's new offense? Players are learning different terminology and an entirely new scheme, one that will roughly resemble what the Atlanta Falcons run under coordinator Mike Mularkey. Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder received a partial playbook during the one-day lockout respite in April, and he helped distribute it to teammates by making copies himself.

Still, Musgrave freely admits there isn't enough time to install everything. He has cut back the volume of the playbook and won't have his full arsenal installed for some time, if at all, in 2011.

"We're in uncharted territory," he said. "We've never been through anything like this, whether as a coach or a player. We're trying to be smart in whittling down the volume that we present to the players. We want to be diverse and difficult to defend on offense, but at the same time, we want to know what the hell we're doing. We also want to get these guys back in football shape, so we don't want to work hard mindlessly. We want to work smart. We're balancing all those factors."

For now, at least, less will have to be more.

2. Cedric Griffin's quick recovery: I'm not sure if Griffin's story has gotten enough national attention, but it will be remarkable if it holds up. Griffin tore both anterior cruciate ligaments in a span of 10 months, starting with the right knee in January 2010 and then the left knee last October. But doctors cleared him for full participation when training camp began and he was working with the first team throughout my three days in Mankato.

Griffin was never the fastest cornerback in the NFL, and it's fair to wonder how two major knee surgeries will impact his ability to run downfield with receivers. But the Vikings appear to be counting on Griffin, who is backed up by a pair of young cornerbacks -- Chris Cook and Asher Allen -- who each struggled last season.

Griffin probably won't play in the preseason opener, but Frazier said he has every intent of starting him in the Sept. 11 season opener against the San Diego Chargers. Said Griffin: "Injuries are a part of this game. If you get hurt, you get back up and continue to work hard. That's what I do."

3. Replacing Sidney Rice: The reality is the Vikings weren't going to find a receiver who could duplicate Rice's ball skills and leaping ability. Instead, they signed Michael Jenkins to offer reliable hands and precise routes. They renegotiated the contract of receiver Bernard Berrian, who should be motivated to put aside two lost years caused by a poor connection with former quarterback Brett Favre.

Most of all, however, the Vikings have thrust their faith behind third-year pro Percy Harvin, whom they hope will be their pseduo-No. 1 receiver and the top playmaker in their passing game. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Harvin doesn't have the prototypical size for that role. But he has already earned the respect of McNabb, for one.

"I have played with guys that play big, but are short in stature and have been so successful," McNabb said. "You talk about guys like DeSean Jackson and Santana Moss. There is no reason why Percy can't be a perennial Pro Bowler, as a starter at the receiver position with over 1,000 yards receiving, 90-100 catches."

BIGGEST SURPRISE

The release of left tackle Bryant McKinnie could qualify as both the biggest surprise and biggest disappointment of the Vikings' summer. We'll classify it as the former because no one, not even Frazier, saw these circumstances coming. Specimens like McKinnie, who is 6-foot-8 with a 94-inch wingspan, are rare and can take years to suitably replace.

Last week, I suggested McKinnie's departure was a warning shot to a roster that might have underestimated Frazier's demeanor. But I really don't think Frazier arrived at training camp intending to make that kind of splash, a belief Frazier reinforced during an interview.

"It really wasn't intended to send a message to our team," he said. "I had not planned in this offseason to have a new left tackle. That was not the plan. It was just a matter to do what's best for our team and our organization. If there is anything from them to get from this, it's that. That's why I did what I did it. Every decision I make is going to be what's best to bring a championship to Minnesota. No hidden agenda. No personal agenda, that was it."

Indeed, Frazier could have chosen a less crucial position if he was just looking to make a point. No, Frazier arrived in Mankato to find he had an unexpected crisis on his hands: a key player who was in no condition to play anytime soon. The Vikings planned for uncertainty at quarterback. They orchestrated intentional changes at receiver and defensive line. All the while, they were counting on McKinnie as their left tackle. His condition stunned and angered them and will leave them weakened for some time.

MOST DELICATE JOB

The Vikings acquired McNabb for the shortest of short-term jobs: To help them win until Ponder is ready to start. In order to give McNabb a fair chance to do that, Frazier and Musgrave must give him unconditional support. But they'll have to do it while keeping one eye on Ponder's development as well.

The first week of training camp suggested the Vikings aren't close to having a quarterback controversy on their hands. McNabb authoritatively took control of the offense, working with several veterans at a local high school until he was eligible to practice, and then learning enough of the playbook to effect a smooth transition on his first day as the starter.

Ponder, on the other hand, looked like a rookie in his first week of professional practices. He displayed a quick release and an obvious ability to throw on the run, but his inexperience manifested itself in poor downfield accuracy and some bad interceptions.

McNabb's one-year, $5.05 million contract doesn't suggest he is in the team's long-term plans. But Frazier said he hasn't given much thought to the eventual quarterback succession, and I for one believe him.

"I really haven't thought that far ahead," Frazier said. "From time to time I'll look a little bit ahead, but there is so much to get done right now. It's all-encompassing. So to start saying right now what we're going to do a year from now or two years from now, that we're going to do this or that in certain positions. ... With all the changes we're having in 2011, you better get your focus on right now or you'll look back and regret certain things."

OBSERVATION DECK

• After spending four seasons in a West Coast, zone-blocking scheme, tailback Adrian Peterson appears invigorated by the potential of Musgrave's offense. "The running back is definitely asked to do a lot more," Peterson said. "I'm excited about it. [There are] different formations, different looks that a running back has outside of the box. I'm excited to get this installed in my mind, this playbook, and get out there on Sunday to showcase the new Vikings offense." If all goes as planned, Peterson will play a much bigger role in the Vikings' downfield passing game than in previous years.
• Peterson wants to be on the field for every play, but obviously the Vikings will need to establish both a backup and some potential relief on third down as well. Conventional wisdom suggests it will be Toby Gerhart, a second-round pick in 2010 who ran for 322 yards in limited service as last season. But I wouldn't rule out fourth-year pro Lorenzo Booker, a late addition last season who could also return kickoffs. During full-padded goal-line drills, Booker hit the holes quicker and more decisively than Gerhart, who seems to need time to gather a head of steam.
• The Vikings' left tackle transition has attracted national attention, but it's not the only offensive line position in flux. Right guard Anthony Herrera is still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last November and has not yet returned to practice. His status for the start of the regular season is uncertain at best. The Vikings are using second-year player Chris DeGeare in his spot, but they also re-signed veteran Ryan Cook as a possible alternative. From what I saw, neither player can match Herrera's aggressive play. On the plus side, Hutchinson and right tackle Phil Loadholt both reported to camp in the best shape of their Vikings careers.
• While the offense is under significant schematic renovation, the defense doesn't appear much different under new coordinator Fred Pagac. That's no surprise. Pagac was the Vikings' linebackers coach for five years, including four under Frazier, and will run a similar hybrid form of the so-called "Tampa-2" scheme. Pagac implied that his game-day calls might be more aggressive than Frazier's, and there was plenty of blitzing during the team drills I saw. "The calls might be a little different according to the different situations but that's just a difference in philosophy," Pagac said. "Our defense is going to be the Viking defense that you've seen here for the last five years except again, we're going to push running to the football, playing with our hair on fire and having fun. We're going to get after it."
• Fourth-year pro Erin Henderson is working with the first team at outside linebacker, the position vacated by the unsigned Ben Leber. It's not clear if Henderson is merely the first of a rotation of players who will get an opportunity or if the Vikings intend for him to be their starter. Henderson has been a good special-teams player but hasn't previously done much to distinguish himself on defense. Another candidate, Kenny Onatolu, is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.

MANKATO, Minn. -- Donovan McNabb sat through four practices this week. Then he watched for another 37 minutes Thursday afternoon before finally getting the all-clear to jump into drills. At 4:03 p.m. local, McNabb took his first snap from center John Sullivan. At 4:07 p.m., he lined up for his first 11-on-11 series.

Receiver Bernard Berrian sprinted down the left sideline. McNabb watched him the whole way, drawing on what we later learned were some throwing sessions he had with Berrian and others this week at a local high school. Berrian got a step on cornerback Cedric Griffin, and McNabb dropped a deep pass into his hands in stride for a 60-yard touchdown.

We all had our theories on how McNabb would practice after a whirlwind week that saw him traded to the Vikings, thrust into an unfamiliar offensive system and forced immediately into a leadership role -- all while knowing the Vikings' No. 1 draft choice is in hot pursuit of his job. Given the circumstances Thursday, McNabb proved more than competent and was nowhere close to the top of the team's concerns.

(That trophy goes to the left tackle position. We'll get to that in a moment.)

"Our first play we connected and just kind of started going after that," McNabb said. "For myself, [the focus] was really just to calm down. Everything's moving a mile a minute, your legs feel so fresh, your drop is extremely fast and you just have to calm down. As practice continued on, I started to get in that rhythm and relax a little bit. We still have time to work on our chemistry and timing from quarterback to receivers. This is my first day having an opportunity to throw to all the guys, so it was a good start. But we have a lot to clean up."

Let it now be said: McNabb has now devoted more practice time to Minnesota State University, Mankato, than their most recent starter did in the past two summers combined. (The math was heavily in McNabb's favor as soon as he reported Sunday afternoon.) As it turns out, McNabb organized daily outings this week for players who, like him, were ineligible to practice because of the unratified collective bargaining agreement.

That meant McNabb, Berrian, receiver Michael Jenkins and others were making regular trips to a local high school for light football work.

"I think it was something that really is going to pay off," McNabb said. "This is my first time with these guys. I'm unfamiliar with how they run routes and the speed and things of that nature so the guys who weren't able to participate in the early practices, we spent some time together, we were able to bond and now it's time for me to work with the rest of the guys and the offensive linemen so we can be on the same page."

There's no sense trying to deeply analyze and evaluate McNabb's first full practice of the summer. But if you/I/we thought he would look lost, overwhelmed, frustrated or tense, then you/I/we were wrong. From an amateur vantage point, he appeared in command of the offense. I spotted only one glaring mistake, when he pulled away from center ahead of the snap count, and he even took some good-natured ribbing from now-backup quarterback Joe Webb -- who squirted water on his head in a mock cool-down attempt after McNabb sat idle for the first portion of practice.

After a while, in fact, I stopped watching McNabb and focused on the massacre taking place at left tackle, where Jared Allen and other Vikings defenders were blowing up new left tackle Charlie Johnson. Like McNabb, Johnson was dropped unexpectedly into a new role over the past week. McNabb admitted he was disappointed when the Vikings released former starter Bryant McKinnie and said: "As a quarterback, you don't want to hear about anything like that."

I'm sure Johnson will settle in as he learns the offense, but it will be interesting to track the Vikings' transition at the two most important positions on offense. Just a few days ago, would you have guessed left tackle would be a greater early-camp concern than quarterback -- or that the following quote from coach Leslie Frazier would be about Johnson rather than McNabb?

"We've got to start somewhere," Frazier said, "and the downside is those guys didn't get a chance to go through that period where we were just in shoulder pads, not in shoulder pads, but in helmets. So he missed that from a timing standpoint but, hey, he'll catch up to the speed of the game like we all will."

In reality, the time has finally come for the Vikings -- and everyone else in the NFL -- to move past the logistical strains caused by the lockout and focus on the season in a single-minded way.

"[We're] looking forward to normalcy if there is such a thing in the National Football League," Frazier said. "Every team has gone through the same things that we've gone through this entire offseason and every team experienced what we experienced today so we're not in the minority in that regard. Right now we can put some of those things behind us and we can concentrate on getting our team prepared to play this season."

At last.

We’re Black and Blue All Over:

MANKATO, Minn. -- NFL teams are expected to take things up a notch Thursday upon formal ratification of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The latest hope is that the process will be complete by mid-day, which would allow a host of players who have recently signed contracts to begin practicing by Thursday afternoon.

I think that’s why the Minnesota Vikings flipped their practice schedule Thursday and will now have their full-pads session at 4 p.m. ET instead of 10 a.m. ET. The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are scheduled to practice at 8 p.m. ET and the Detroit Lions will take the field at 4:15 p.m. ET. If everything goes as expected, all four teams will have close to full-roster workouts for the first time since the 2010 season.

We’ll keep you updated.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette on Packers cornerback Charles Woodson’s recovery from a broken collarbone: "The early signs after three days of practice, including one in pads, are that Woodson at age 34 looks fine after the broken collarbone late in the first half of the Super Bowl knocked him from the game. He appears to be practicing full time and not having his snaps limited by anything other than being in his 30s, similar to the past couple of years."
• Packers receiver James Jones spent the offseason working on over-the-shoulder catches because they comprised the majority of his drops last season, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• The Packers aggressively addressed their special teams this offseason, writes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Vikings owner Zygi Wilf signed off on the release of left tackle Bryant McKinnie, notes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• The Vikings are remaking their receiving corps, writes Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• It’s time for Vikings safety Tyrell Johnson to prove he is a starter, writes Patrick Reusse of the Star Tribune.
• Newly re-signed Lions cornerback Chris Houston, via Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: "There's no bitterness about anything. It all worked out to the best of its ability and I am ready to get back to business."
• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press on the injured foot of defensive tackle Nick Fairley: "Good thing they didn't draft for need."
• The Lions have re-signed linebacker Bobby Carpenter, notes Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com.
• Bears safety Major Wright thinks he can get "a lot of picks" this season, notes Justin Albers of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• The Bears have big plans for defensive tackle Henry Melton, writes Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.

MANKATO, Minn. -- I came up about, oh, 85 players short Wednesday of talking to everyone on the Minnesota Vikings roster. So I can't say for sure that no one was upset by the decision to release longtime left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who reported to training camp weighing nearly 400 pounds.

Here's what I can tell you, however: Some players would have been upset if the Vikings hadn't released McKinnie.

Cornerback Antoine Winfield, for one, said he thought coach Leslie Frazier would give McKinnie a chance to get his weight and conditioning under control. But ultimately, Winfield agreed, "no one is untouchable."

Winfield added: "We all understood, everyone as professionals, that all we had to do is come in and come in shape. Coaches really had no choice but to do what they did."

The Vikings have a predominantly veteran roster, most of whom went to great lengths to stay in shape during the lockout. Winfield looked as fit and trim as ever. Left guard Steve Hutchinson said he is "in the best shape I've been in the last seven or eight years" after participating in Twin Cities workouts with six teammates. Defensive end Jared Allen, meanwhile, laughed when asked about his approach to working out this offseason.

"My philosophy is this is my job," Allen said. "This is my livelihood. You've got to assume the lockout is going to be done at some point, so it's your job to stay in shape. Everybody can find a gym."

No one blasted McKinnie nor expressed disappointment that he had left them searching for a left tackle in the first week of August. In my opinion, after watching McKinnie's immature behavior and dispassionate play for years, few of them counted him as part of the trusted core of veterans.

"You can't be mad at him," Winfield said. "I'm sure he's disappointed in himself. That's kind of embarrassing. But I think he's going to have to deal with it."

In the offseason, Winfield said, "guys do different things. Some guys relax, some guys travel. Some guys like to party. But you have to be disciplined. All you have to do is go work out, stay in some kind of shape, and perform."

McKinnie wasn't a disciplined teammate or player. That's why I don't think anyone who works as hard as Winfield, Allen or Hutchinson was really ruing his departure.

"Realistically," Hutchinson said, "if you came and showed up at camp with the hope that every player was in tip-top shape, I don't think anybody can whole-heartedly say, 'Yeah, everyone is going to be in the best shape of their life.' I'll admit, as you get older, you're not 23 years old anymore. It's hard to kind of get up maybe sometimes on your own and go run in the heat of the day, and push yourself to do the things that you would do when you're in an offseason conditioning program with all of the guys."

But that's just the point, isn't it? Hutchinson got a group together that included center John Sullivan, linebacker Heath Farwell and linebacker Chad Greenway, among others, to push each other on days when there were no conditioning coaches on top of them and no football coaches getting reports on their progress.

If you are a player who has paid the proverbial price, how much do you care about what happens to someone who didn't? And how would you have felt if that person got a free pass from training camp to do the work he should have done before it started?

You might be upset, and it's a double standard that coach Leslie Frazier avoided by quickly dispatching McKinnie. Frazier wouldn't discuss his reasoning behind the decision while speaking with reporters other than to say: "We made a decision for our organization for our organization that we thought was the best thing as we're trying to bring a world championship to Minnesota."

The Vikings could have left McKinnie on the non-football injury list for a while, hoping he would lose enough weight to regain his effectiveness by the start of the season. Frazier had a choice between extending McKinnie's career-long coddling session or standing up for the veterans who don't need or want to work in that kind of environment.

He chose the latter, and it needs no further explanation.

"Guys need to be on their jobs," Winfield said. "They're not untouchable."

Nor should they be.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

The Minnesota Vikings listed Bryant McKinnie on their roster as weighing 335 pounds.

He admitted to finishing last season at 360 pounds.

When he reported for training camp this weekend, according to Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune, he weighed nearly 400 pounds.

That figure was what prompted Tuesday's surprising release, Zulgad reported. Throughout the lockout, there had been talk of players who might let themselves go without the structure of offseason workouts. I think it's fair to say that McKinnie was one of them. McKinnie said at the beginning of the offseason that he had hired a person trainer, and later he posted a video of him playing tennis with Venus Williams, but obviously things caught up to him this summer.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com: "His legacy as a player will be a rare talent who settled for good instead of great, until the only NFL team he's known decided it wasn't willing to settle anymore."
• Vikings cornerback Chris Cook, via Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "It's just a better year for me. [My rookie year] made me very hungry to come back out here and show everybody what I can do. And prove myself to myself."
• The Green Bay Packers aren't viewed as the team to beat in the NFC this year thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles' free-agency news, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Packers running back Ryan Grant has no problem sharing the load with James Starks, writes Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Rookie receiver Randall Cobb has already made his mark on the Packers, writes Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• The Chicago Bears should play newcomer Chris Spencer at center right away instead of wasting time with Roberto Garza there, writes Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald.
• Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz is "giddy" about the offseason improvement in quarterback Jay Cutler's footwork. More from ESPNChicago.com.
• David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune revisits a questionable play call with Martz from the NFC Championship Game.
• Martz thinks that tight end Kellen Davis is ready for a bigger role in the offense, according to Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports there was "a high level of concern" about defensive tackle Nick Fairley's left foot Tuesday.
• Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press has the story of Quinn Pitcock, a defensive lineman trying to make the team after bouts with addiction and depression.
• The Lions have a receiver on their roster named Demario Ballard, he is 6-foot-6 and weighs 220 pounds, according to Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com, and has made some impressive catches in individual drills.

In 2002, Bryant McKinnie was the No. 7 overall pick of the NFL draft. In 2006, he signed a seven-year contract extension as the Minnesota Vikings sought stability in the first year of coach Brad Childress' tenure.

Those two events gave McKinnie what appeared to be lifetime tenure as the Vikings' left tackle, a position that teams can struggle for years to fill. The Vikings soon forgot the pain of his near-100 day rookie holdout. They never seemed overly concerned about a number of off-field issues. They turned the other way when the NFL kicked him off the 2009 Pro Bowl team and, most important, seemed willing to tolerate some underwhelming seasons -- most recently in 2010.

Finding a true long-term answer at left tackle is arguably as difficult as finding a franchise quarterback. There aren't many of them out there, and in truth McKinnie is better than many of them -- regardless of how short he might have fallen from reaching his potential.

For that reason, if nothing else, I was surprised to hear the Vikings terminated McKinnie's contract Tuesday. He had been placed on the non-football injury list the day before, reportedly overweight and, according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times, fighting off the Vikings' efforts to cut his $4.9 million base salary.

No matter McKinnie's blemishes, real and imagined, you can understand why the Vikings stood by him for so long. Although they have a few options for replacement, none of them will play at the level McKinnie could have been counted on this season. Namely:

1. Charlie Johnson: The Vikings signed him Monday as a free agent who has played multiple positions along the line. Johnson has played left tackle, most recently for the Indianapolis Colts, but at 6-foot-4, he doesn't have the typical frame of a 16-game left tackle.
2. Phil Loadholt: The Vikings' 6-foot-8 right tackle played on the left side at Oklahoma and reported to training camp in good shape. Loadholt, however, has yet to establish himself as an above-average right tackle. Could he make the switch to left tackle at this point in his career?

Obviously, no team wants to part ways with its left tackle two days into training camp. So why did this happen? Why did the Vikings choose now to battle McKinnie on issues that have been present at various times throughout his career?

Perhaps we'll find out more when coach Leslie Frazier addresses reporters Wednesday morning. But until then, I'll consider it a warning shot from a new coach who wanted to shake up a culture of continuity.

Frazier was the Vikings' defensive coordinator for four years before the Vikings promoted him to the full-time head coaching position. So it would be reasonable for players to expect a comfortable transition, robbing Frazier of the unease that many new coaches project on an underachieving roster. In that regard, who better to chase off than McKinnie, who might be the most stark symbol of the Vikings' problems over the past decade?

Latest evidence: McKinnie's three-word summation of his career via Twitter: "Its been fun."

Without question, this move will cause some short-term pain. It's rare to have a seamless transition at left tackle. You could argue that Frazier might have found a less critical position to sacrifice to make his point. But if McKinnie has lost his tenure, no one on the Vikings roster should feel comfortable. Welcome to Camp Frazier.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

The Chicago Bears flipped their offensive tackles during Monday night's training camp practice, putting J'Marcus Webb on the left side and rookie Gabe Carimi on the right. From the sounds of it, that's how they hope to enter the regular season.

Offensive line coach Mike Tice said he "doesn't want to play games" with the lineup, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Tice said Webb is better suited for the position athletically, and it's now clear the Bears won't be signing another veteran free agent to compete for a starting job.

I'm all for maintaining continuity along the offensive line to allow players to develop in their assigned roles, but let's just say there is some doubt around the NFL about whether Webb can play left tackle. In May, I suggested that Carimi might be the best short-term option on the left side because of his college experience, even if he projected long-term as a right tackle. In the end, the Bears are taking a leap of faith that Webb can develop at a more difficult position after having an up-and-down season on the right side last year.

True left tackles are a rare commodity. If you're choosing from two on the third day of training camp, maybe you have none.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Bears players seemed fatigued after Monday night's practice, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
• Bears teammates were sharing anecdotes of awe Monday about now-departed center Olin Kreutz, notes Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News on the Detroit Lions' free-agent approach: "The Lions have resisted temptation, and for now, they're wise to do so."
• Lions right tackle Gosder Cherilus rested his surgically repaired knee during Monday's practice. Donald Thomas worked in his place, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, while Jason Fox continues to work at left tackle in place of the injured Jeff Backus.
• Lions quarterback Shaun Hill has recovered from offseason back surgery, writes Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com.
• Linebacker Brad Jones is among the players who have returned to health at the start of the Green Bay Packers' training camp, writes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Rookie tight end D.J. Williams is making a good early impression at Packers camp, notes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• The Packers are going to give left tackle Chad Clifton plenty of rest during training camp, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie wouldn't explain why he was placed on the non-football injury list to start the season, writes Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Vikings coach Leslie Frazier on McKinnie's situation, via Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune: "He's on NFI and we're going to take a look at some things and just try to get him where we need him to be. But Bryant's going to be fine. He's going to be fine. We've just got to go through some things and get him ready for the things that are ahead."
• The Vikings have cleared cornerback Cedric Griffin (knee) to practice, notes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- For the first time this summer, we had all four NFC North teams on the field on the same day. I'm here at Lambeau Field for one more night, so let's breeze through Monday's developments elsewhere with links to the source of the information when appropriate:

Item: The agent for tailback Matt Forte visited the Chicago Bears training camp and spoke with the team's front office, according to Forte.
Comment: It's not uncommon for agents to make training camp visits. So if you're hoping Forte will have a new deal tomorrow, you might be a little optimistic.

Item: Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said "no one" will be able to replace the leadership void left by the departure of center Olin Kreutz.
Comment: Urlacher should be first in line. He is not a rah-rah type by any means. But if you're a player in the Bears' locker room, wouldn't Urlacher be the first guy you would look to in this situation? Who else if not him?

Item: Detroit Lions rookie defensive tackle Nick Fairley left practice Monday morning because of a sore foot. X-rays were negative.
Comment: The Lions already have three significant names on their training camp injury report: Fairley, left tackle Jeff Backus (pectoral) and cornerback Alphonso Smith (foot). Eek.

Item: Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie was placed on the non-football injury list to start camp.
Comment: Coach Leslie Frazier wouldn't tell reporters why the move was made but implied that McKinnie's weight was part of the issue and said he would eventually share more information. It's also worth noting that the Vikings signed free agent offensive lineman Charlie Johnson, who can play both tackle and guard positions.

Item: Receiver Bernard Berrian didn't practice Monday.
Comment: Berrian told reporters he has restructured his contract and will be a free agent after the 2012 season. That helped the Vikings' salary cap situation but makes him ineligible to practice before Thursday.

Item: The Vikings held a moment of silence before their first practice of the summer to remember Korey Stringer, who died from complications of heat stroke 10 years ago. The Vikings also painted Stringer's "No. 77" on their field.
Comment: The Vikings organization has almost completely turned over since 2001. They have new ownership, different members of the front office, a new coaching staff and obviously new players. So it's nice to see the next generation pay respect to the darkest day in franchise history.

The NFL lockout has put players and owners in limbo. The ripple effects also are felt by people whose lives or businesses touch their teams. Here are their stories:

Some of you might remember from Elizabeth Merrill's profile of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers that he has a big interest in music. He's been known to participate in open-mike nights in the Green Bay area and has started a record company known as Suspended Sunrise Recordings (SSR).

Yes, on Tuesday we discussed Rodgers' path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Wednesday, we'll note his push toward the Grammy Awards. (Or something like that.)

Coming Thursday: Rodgers' prospects for a Nobel peace prize.

Last weekend, Rodgers was on set to help shoot a music video for The Make, a new California-based alt-rock band that SSR recently signed. The single, "Get It," will be available soon. (Check out The Make's website for more information.)

"This is the first step in the process," Rodgers told KRCR-Ch. 7. "My business partner and I have been working for a couple of years trying to put this whole thing together. We're excited about starting the process, to see what happens with this band. Obviously football is my first priority. Music is my passion after that."

While Rodgers' interest in music isn't new, the NFL lockout has given players the opportunity of time to explore their hobbies. SSR's motto: "We believe everyone needs to have musical inspiration for living an abundant life."

Rodgers is one of several NFC North players who own and/or run music labels. Perhaps the most advanced is Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie, whose BMajor Music Group has a significant presence in the Miami hip-hop scene.