Dennis Green and company open their 2001 training camp in Mankato on July 30, with the players reporting on July 29. It will be the shortest training camp in some time, only 2-1/2 weeks.

For many Vikings fans, training camp at Minnesota State University is their best chance to see players up close and personal. However, thanks to an abbreviated summer schedule, the fans will have to play hit and miss to see their favorite Vikings this year, as camp will last just a bit over two weeks.

Players will begin arriving Sunday, July 29, with the first practice coming at 8:45 a.m. Monday, July 30. Camp highlights include the annual intrasquad scrimmage at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, a mock game at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 and a pair of scrimmages with the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Aug. 6.

The Vikings’ preseason schedule begins Aug. 11 when the team meets New Orleans in San Antonio and, when that game concludes, the Vikings will have just two more practices — breaking camp Aug. 15. The abbreviated camp will come three weeks before the regular season opener, when the Vikings host Carolina at the Metrodome.

TUESDAY NOTES
* The Vikings continue to get good news on the defensive line front from NFL Europe. DT Winfield Garnett had 2-1/2 sacks Sunday to give him 5-1/2 for the season. Garnett is currently second in the league in sacks, a 1/2 sack ahead of fellow Viking Tim Engelhardt.
* Minnesota's 2001 legislative session ended without a number of high priority budget items being resolved, meaning a special session is on the brink. However, on the sports front, the Twins also did not get their stadium bill passed, meaning they will try again in 2002, which is probably bad news for the Vikings. Having two teams vying for a stadium in one session makes it less likely either team will succeed next year.