Nothing has happened for the Vikings on the free-agent market since the start of the month, but it should be coming very soon … really, we promise (with our fingers crossed). The window shopping should be ending for a couple of former Vikings.

June 1? Yeah right. Although the official start of the second big round of free agency started just more than a week ago, nothing big has really happened for the Vikings yet.

Why?

Well, this past week was really a week of shopping on the free-agent market. Free agents released from other teams have been testing the water from coast to coast, as have some former Vikings. We should expect some things to happen very soon, according to what VU is being told from management and players.

Among the more likely scenarios to happen sooner, rather than later, according to both sides: Signing wide receiver Chris Walsh and guard Corbin Lacina. Both players wanted to shop their services to other teams in hopes of getting more money and were using this past week to do exactly that. The findings are that many other teams are strapped for cap room, just like the Vikings, and may not be willing to offer much more than the veteran minimum.

Therefore, unless another team does step forward over the weekend, we should expect that either Walsh or Lacina — and maybe just as likely, both — will sign early next week.

Walsh would give the Vikings more veteran leadership on special teams and even more competition for the fourth receiver, behind Cris Carter, Randy Moss and Jake Reed. Lacina would give the Vikings a dependable backup up and down the offensive line and, if given a legitimate chance, might even be able to pull a starting job away from either left guard Chris Liwienski or left tackle Brad Badger. However, he may not realistically get that opportunity.

SATURDAY NOTES
Observations from the week of minicamp:
* Newly signed quarterback Romaro Miller has a legitimate shot at the No. 3 spot, battling Billy Cockerham, who practice much of last year as a wide receiver but played quarterback at the University of Minnesota. Miller has a strong arm and a consistently tight spiral. Once he gets comfortable with the offense, who knows?
* The battle for running back is pretty much a dead heat and don’t expect the feature races (for you racing fans) to start until late in August. Moe Williams, Doug Chapman and Michael Bennett all bring different nuances to the position.
* The Vikings are extremely deep at wide receiver. Jake Reed has dropped weight and looks quicker, faster, happier and, most importantly, more confident. Rookie Cedric James, who was gimpy in the May minicamps, showed consistently impressive hands. And second-year receiver Troy Walters appears to be steady as they come.
* Besides Chris Hovan playing at one of the inside positions and Lance Johnstone being the main pass rusher from the right side, expect all kinds of a movement along the defensive line, especially early in the season.
* Ditto at linebacker, where rookie Patrick Chukwurah was getting a lot of reps with the second team. Kailee Wong and Ed McDaniel should hold down their starting spots for another year, but the third spot and numerous situational roles are up for grabs.
* Robert Tate looked to be the most confident of the cornerbacks during one-on-one drills, where defensive backs coach Willie Shaw was earning his coaching money by the word while installing his more aggressive philosophy. Rookie Eric Kelly also looked strong for not really knowing the scheme and all the reads. With more experience in the system, he could push for a starting spot, Dale Carter or no Dale Carter.
* Dennis Green and several young Vikings players are going to be in Eagan Sunday as part of the Vikings giving back to the community program. Green and the players will participate in Bowling for H.O.P.E., an event designed to assist mentally challenged individuals with assisted living. Green and the players will take part in the event at Cedarville Lanes.