Sidney Rice Is Back In A Minnesota Vikings Uniform.

The Pro Bowl wide receiver, less than two months after hip surgery, was catching passes today during the Vikings' practice session at Winter Park.



Wearing a purple No. 18 jersey and black sweats, Rice slowly jogged across an empty practice field while injured reserve receiver Jaymar Johnson threw him a couple of passes in stride. When we say slow, we mean slow — his lower-body movements were minimal.



But it's progress for a guy who was on crutches last week. Rice ditched the crutches on Tuesday, and he should find out soon when he can return to football activities.



Quarterback Brett Favre threw passes during the media's 15-minute window of availability. Favre was limited in Thursday's practice and did not participate Wednesday because of elbow tendinitis. He likely will be listed as limited again today.



Guard Chris DeGeare (ankle) is the only Vikings player not participating in practice.

Vikings Need Convincing Win To Forestall Panic

C'mon Seriously.......Let's Win

Vikings Need To Pummel The Lions

An 0-2 start by the Vikings is no reason to panic. However, a calamity against the Detroit Lions today at the Metrodome and card-carrying members of Purple Nation would be fully justified in jumping off the IDS Tower, throwing themselves on the tracks at the nearest light rail station and/or watching several hours of prime-time network television. The latter, death by boredom, might be the most horrible of all.



First, let's define calamity. Obviously, a loss qualifies. But a squeaker of a victory in which the Vikings luck out? Calamity. A come-from-behind last-minute rally for a victory? Calamity. Anything other than an impressive show of muscle on offense? Calamity.



It won't be enough for the Vikings simply to beat the Lions. They need to look good doing it. They need to look in sync.



"We could care less about looking like we're in sync," guard Anthony Herrera said. "Football isn't about looking pretty. It's about winning."



But Anthony, there's a panic brewing. Vikings fans are the new Red Sox fans, anyway. They are convinced that terrible events are inevitable. There is fatalism at work here. The locals believe in predetermined misery. It's as if free will has become a nonfactor. Am I getting too technical?



Put it this way, the overriding feeling appears to be: "What will be, will be. And it will be bad." An impressive, sharp-looking victory at least might put a smile on people's faces for a little while.



"We aren't here to please anybody," Herrera said. "We're here to win. People think that stuff's got to be pretty. That's Pop Warner. It's about winning football games."

He's right, of course. But so am I. If the Vikings look lousy against Detroit, win or lose, just imagine how interminably long the upcoming bye week will seem.



Obviously, it's all about the offense. Specifically, it's all about the passing game. Adrian Peterson ran hard and gained 145 yards against the Dolphins. Unfortunately, it was the one yard he didn't get — on fourth and goal from the 1 — that was the most important. Still, he's not the problem. What we have to figure out is if the wide receiver corps is underachieving or under-talented.



Big difference there. Under-talented can't do it. Underachievers might do it.



I'm undecided as to the answer. Bernard Berrian is playing like he's never been a primary target in his life. He's like a hockey player who suddenly is skating against the other team's top checkers. Or a mop-up relief pitcher who suddenly has been called on in a close, important game.



Greg Camarillo simply hasn't been used. Either he's running the wrong routes or not getting open. One of his primary strengths always has been his route running. And he never really gets open. At least, not wide open. He has made a career out of hanging on to the ball in traffic. So I don't know what the deal is.



Greg Lewis always seems like an afterthought. Once in a great while, a ball will be thrown in his general direction and we'll all say: "Oh, Greg Lewis. I forgot about him." Other than his last-second catch against San Francisco early last season, he's done virtually nothing.



Percy Harvin can't get healthy enough to be a factor. Normally, getting the ball in his hands is a very good thing. Right now, though, he's struggling and is as out of sync with Brett Favre as anybody.



Newcomer Hank Baskett at least can run fast downfield. Maybe he will be a significant upgrade to the receiving corps. What we do know for sure is that the wives' section of the Metrodome received an upgrade with the arrival of Baskett's wife, former Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson.



I just don't know what to make of that group. Two (Baskett and Camarillo) are newcomers, one (Harvin) is banged up, one (Lewis) is an afterthought and the other (Berrian) simply isn't getting the job done. Somebody needs to step up and be a hero.



The Detroit game is the perfect opportunity. The Lions are 0-2 — they're always 0-2 — and aren't going anywhere. They perhaps are better than in recent years but remain a team the Vikings should steamroll. This ought to be the game in which the receivers build their confidence. It should be the game that puts the Vikings back on track.



Most likely, it will be. Because if it isn't, well, the alternative is too depressing to think about.

Minnesota Vikings Roster Run Down

Offense Coordinator: Darrell Bevell

QB: Brett Favre

Coming off arguably his best season as a pro. And now he’s even a grandpa!

RB: Adrian Peterson

Could be angling for a new contract in 2010. Has led the league in rushing over the last three years.

RB: Toby Gerhart**

Bruising runner who must learn to find a rhythm without a high volume of carries. Better athlete than people realize.

WR: Sidney Rice

Not quick-twitch or explosive, but good long-striding vertical threat. Will he keep working?

WR: Bernard Berrian

Solid No. 2 receiver, especially when defenders don’t physically challenge his frail frame.

WR: Percy Harvin

Became more and more of a focal point as his rookie season wore on. Outstanding stop/start ability, shiftiness and burst.

TE: Visanthe Shiancoe

The exact type of tight end you want playing with Favre. Not a go-to guy, but versatile and very good at keeping plays alive.

H-Back: Jim Kleinsasser

Utility veteran who may lose playing time if coaches decide they want more power-blocking on the edges.

LT: Bryant McKinnie

Below average left tackle. Is never the aggressor in run blocking and struggles with mechanics in space.

LG: Chad Hutchinson

Has lost a bit of his power but still creates holes through angles and second-level mobility.

C: John Sullivan

Not strong enough to win in a phone booth, though shows bright signs for future as a technician and finesse-based blocker.

RG: Anthony Herrera

If he dips to anything below 100 percent, he becomes a liability, particularly as a run-blocker.

RT: Phil Loadholt

Someone needs to tell the second-year pro that he’s 6’8”, 343 and long-armed.

6 OL: Ryan Cook

Sloppy athlete but has starting experience and is capable of playing all five positions.

Defense

Coordinator: Leslie Frazier

LDE: Ray Edwards

Might not be underrated anymore after his 3-sack, 2-tackle for loss performance in the playoffs against Dallas.

UT: Kevin Williams

Down-to-down, the most disruptive defensive tackle in the NFL.

NT: Pat Williams

Turns 38 in October but is delaying retirement for one more year. Good – he’s still immovable against the run.

RDE: Jared Allen

High-octane superstar who commands double teams and makes plays no matter the situation.

5 DL: Brian Robison

Speed and space pass-rusher who can be an excellent fill-in guy off the bench.

SLB: Chad Greenway

Outstanding in coverage and quick wrap-up tackler. Should be getting more Pro Bowl consideration.

MLB: Jasper Brinkley

Was not completely terrible filling in for injured E.J. Henderson last season. Must fight the urge to play east and west rather than downhill.

WLB: Ben Leber

The definition of a solid role player.

4 LB: Heath Farwell

Primary value comes as a special teams standout.

CB: Antoine Winfield

Broken foot basically ruined his ’09 campaign. The best run-defending corner in the game, but at 33 he must prove he’s not running low on gas.

SS: Tyrell Johnson

Good straight-line speed, but coaches want to see the highly-touted ’08 second-round pick make more plays.

FS: Madieu Williams

High-character leader off the field. Lately, has been a tad too quiet on the field. Understands Leslie Frazier’s Tampa 2 scheme well.

CB: Cedric Griffin

Finally figured out how to be at least a borderline-elite cover corner last season. However, tore his ACL in Conference Title Game and may begin year on PUP.

NB: Lito Sheppard

Has become a maligned journeyman, but Vikings realize he was a two-time Pro Bowler when he played in an Eagles scheme that was somewhat similar to this one.

6 DB: Chris Cook**

Second-round rookie could see action right away in nickel. If he’s not ready, Benny Sapp and Asher Allen are decent options.

Special Teams

K: Ryan Longwell

Has unhappily ceded the kickoff duties to Rhys Lloyd, but won’t be giving up the field goal duties anytime soon. He made 92 percent of his attempts last season.

P: Chris Kluwe

One of the smartest people in the NFL. His punting is fine, too.

RS: Percy Harvin

Electrifying breakaway speed makes him a home run threat. 

Minnesota Vikings Schedule

9/09 Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

9/19 Miami Dolphins @ Minnesota Vikings

9/26 Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings

Vikings Bye Week

10/11 Minnesota Vikings @ New York Jets

10/17 Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings

10/24 Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

10/31 Minnesota Vikings @ New England Patriots

11/7 Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings

11/14 Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears

11/21 Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings

11/28 Minnesota Vikings@ Washington Redskins

12/05 Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings

12/12 New York Giants @ Minnesota Vikings

12/20 Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings

12.26 Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles

1/2/2011 Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions