Five days into training camp, the pecking order at receiver remains in deference to the veterans. Running a majority of three-receiver sets, the Vikings have stuck with Jerome Simpson, Greg Jennings and second-year pro Jarius Wright in the slot. Rookie first-round draft pick Cordarrelle Patterson appears to be the fourth receiver, although his size and skill level suggests that will change. When is the question, not if.
Because the Vikings do a good job of mixing and matching receivers with quarterbacks, all the top receivers get ample opportunities to work on their timing with both Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel. One of the highlights Wednesday came during one-on-one drills when Patterson leapt high in the air against starting cornerback Chris Cook and showed the concentration to make a falling catch of a Ponder deep ball.
Patterson will eventually beat out Simpson, but the veteran has shown enough in his career to hold off Patterson if the rookie doesn't pick up the offense quickly.
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