We look ahead to Thursday (when the Vikings report to camp in Mankato) with a few fine photos from yesterday, courtesty Vikings.com.

Fox Sports North's Tim Yotter put together an off-season checklist for the Vikings to follow. He says they have to finalize the coaching staff, settle on a QB, fix the offensive line, find starters in the draft and get a new stadium approved.

As much as the Vikings might want to avoid talking about it, there is no doubt they are in the middle of a rebuilding stage. They made some moves before the start of last season that could pay dividends in the future, and they're aiming for more help via free agency and the draft this off-season.

Five-and-a-half sacks in two games is no small feat. But if anyone can do it, it's the oft-mulleted maven of machismo, Jared Allen. The Vikings defensive end sits at 17-1/2 sacks and will need two stellar showings to surpass Michael Strahan's 2001 total.

These are the words that come to mind when thinking of the Green Bay Packers: Super, Bowl, Champions, Aaron, Rodgers, Touchdowns, Cheeseheads. That's why the Vikings' No. 1 priority Monday night will be stopping the best cheesehead, and Super Bowl MVP, Aaron Rodgers.

Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press says the last thing the Vikings need right now is a public relations nightmare. He writes that the Vikings look "sneaky" after being accused of having under-the-table talks with Republicans about a roofless stadium.