Jeremy Fowler, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn. –
MANKATO, Minn. — Cornerback Chris Cook was the defensive standout with two interceptions, including on quarterback Christian Ponder’s first pass in 11-man drills during the Minnesota Vikings’ scrimmage on Thursday, Aug. 2.
Cook sniffed out a corner route to Percy Harvin that Ponder delivered short. But Ponder returned the favor on the next play with a 50-yard deep ball to Harvin with Cook in coverage.
In one-on-one drills between corners and receivers, Cook made an impressive diving catch on a deep ball, and he wasn’t the only one. Jerome Simpson and Greg Childs had their moments, too.
Childs is improving after some drops early in camp. He ripped a ball away from a defensive back on a pass from Joe Webb.
“Anything that they need me to do, I’m going to do it full speed,” said Childs, a fourth-round pick in April’s draft.
Save a few telegraphed passes, Ponder had a solid day overall. He threw a dart to tight end Rhett Ellison for a touchdown in situational short-yardage work, and he delivered two precise fades, to Harvin and Michael Jenkins, in seven-man drills.
Other standouts on the day: cornerback Reggie Jones (coach Leslie Frazier said he’s caught the coaches’ attention), defensive tackle Fred Evans (strong inside push on a run stuff), linebacker Everson Griffen (blew up a running play), defensive end Christian Ballard (showed plenty of quickness in one-on-one drills) and running backs Jordan Todman and Matt Asiata.
In the kicking game,
Blair Walsh made 6 of 7 kicks from the 30-to-45-yard range.
