Offseason Leaders

The impact of football team leaders are seen during the seasons. That's certainly no surprise as everything done for football comes to the surface during the season. That's what everyone works toward. The weight training, conditioning, film study, everything is done for in-season results. It's during the offseason that team leaders emerge. The players that take charge when the coaches aren't around are often the ones that take charge in the huddle, on the sideline, when the games matter most. Player participation at team facilities are mostly optional right now. I've never understood why any football player would stay away from football workouts at any time during the year. So, it warms me when I see that participation is at or near 100% around the league. The Minnesota Vikings are one of those teams. Unfortunately, two of the missing are receiver Percy Harvin and defensive end Jared Allen. Two very important players to any Vikings success in 2012. Fortunately, both have acceptable reasons for not being there. Harvin just had shoulder surgery and is expected at team workouts as soon as he is cleared. Allen has his own very serious, very dedicated offseason workouts at his home in Arizona. He'll be in Minnesota when the coaches expect him. What especially warms me are the team leaders that are emerging for the Vikings this offseason. Quarterbacks Christian Ponder and Joe Webb, defensive end Brian Robison and linebacker Chad Greenway are setting the tone in the weight room and in on-field conditioning. Coaches and players want to see the quarterback lead. It's only natural to look to that position to step forward. They have to take charge in the huddle and take charge of the game. I'm glad that Ponder and Webb are doing just that and doing it at such a young age. This is Ponder's first NFL offseason. Webb's second. Both are doing what's expected of them and more. It's great to see. It'll be even better to see it all pay off during the season.