John Clayton Viking Observations

MANKATO, Minn. -- Here are five observations on the Minnesota Vikings, based on Aug. 2 practice:

1.

The wide receiver who is stepping up the most after the departure of Randy Moss is Nate Burleson, who caught 68 passes for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Now in the spotlight, Burleson is starting to develop an on-the-field personality.

During Tuesday's practice, Burleson streaked down the left sideline and was covered closely by veteran Ken Irvin. Burleson made an incredible catch behind Irvin's back, kept his feet and went the distance for an 80-yard touchdown. He moves to the role of flanker, acting as Daunte Culpepper's main threat.

Culpepper has no doubts Burleson can have an 80-catch season, and if he does, he should have a 1,200-yard season. He has averaged 15.1 yards a catch his first two years. Plus, he has the deep speed to take advantage of Culpepper's long throws.

"Everybody knew the type of guy Nate was," Culpepper said. "He's definitely getting noticed more by other people. He's a great player. Those who don't know him will, because he's going to get a lot of touchdowns. He's going to be in the elite group of receivers pretty soon." Coach Mike Tice reminds those who don't know Burleson that he led receivers in yards after the catch last season.

Daunte Culpepper remains one of the league's top QBs.

2.

The sleeper wide receiver on the team is Travis Taylor, not Troy Williamson. Taylor was considered a first-round disappointment for the Ravens, but the Vikings attributed his struggles to the constant change of quarterbacks in Baltimore.

The 10th pick in the 2000 draft, Taylor caught 61 passes in 2002 but never had a 1,000-yard season. He has good size: 6-foot-1, 200 pounds.

"Travis has always been good," Culpepper said. "I've watched him play in high school and college, and he's always been good. In Baltimore, I think he played with eight different quarterbacks. That would be tough on anybody."

Taylor is being used as the team's third receiver, playing the slot. He has good quickness and a willingness to go for the ball. He has impressed Culpepper with his work ethic. Williamson, the team's first-round choice and seventh pick in the draft, signed Tuesday after a brief holdout. The plan is for him to be used as a fourth receiver. The team will create packages to put him on the field. Williamson should be able to streak down the field and stretch defenses until he gets familiar with the offense.

3.

Culpepper remains the biggest quarterback in football, but has amazing quickness for his size. He has been playing at 268 pounds for the past several years. Once, Tice asked him to take a water test to determine his proper playing weight fully. The coach believed 258 would be the right number.

Culpepper went through the ordeal of getting body fat tests in water and going through other types of analysis. The results, which pleased him, said he should be at 267. He just has a big body. After six years in the league, he hasn't lost any of his speed or skills. Culpepper can scramble with the best of them. When he gets in the open field, he can give a move that freezes a defender, then run by him. He's a rare talent and is in the elite quarterbacking group with Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, Brett Favre and others.

Fantasy focus: Michael Bennett

It seems that every year, Bennett graces the list of potential breakout candidates. Onterrio Smith's suspension seems to clear the starting job for Bennett once again, and we're hearing rave reviews already about his health and offseason regimen at the onset of training camp. Unfortunately, although Bennett does have one 1,296-yard rushing campaign to his credit, demonstrating that he does possess the ability to perform, he had a combined 1,405 yards in his three other seasons. Coach Mike Tice already is talking up Bennett as the starter, but we've come to learn not to trust Tice at his word with his running back plans, especially with so much competition at the position -- Moe Williams, Mewelde Moore and Ciatrick Fason are still in the picture. Bennett needs a strong preseason to ensure his starting job, and how he fares in August will play a huge part in determining whether he really has the potential to be a No. 2 fantasy RB. -- Tristan Cockcroft, associate editor of Fantasy Games Sign up for free FFL More fantasy football

4.

The Vikings have moved on since the season-long suspension of Onterrio Smith. Michael Bennett is the starter and is having one of his best camps. He's more focused than ever for several reasons. First, he's a free agent after the season. This is a money year for him and he's coming off two injury-plagued seasons in which he gained only 447 and 276 yards. His goal is a repeat of 2002, the only healthy season of his career, when he gained 1,296 yards.

Don't expect an early challenge from Mewelde Moore, who might be the back of the future if Bennett leaves after the season. Moore led the NFL last season for yards after first contact. He's a compact power runner who hits the hole hard and is hard to tackle. Unfortunately for Moore, the Vikings are going with the experience. Bennett is first team. Moe Williams is the backup. Moore is on the third team, but he's too good not to get on the field.

5.

Losing offensive coordinator Scott Linehan was a big blow. Because the franchise was for sale, the Vikings could offer Linehan only a one-year contract. He left for big money from the Miami Dolphins. The question is whether Steve Loney, a former offensive line coach, can take over as offensive coordinator.

It was only three years ago that outsiders thought Tice was crazy going with an inexperienced offensive coordinator such as Linehan. Tice's instincts were right. The Vikings finished second, first and fourth in offense during the past three years. The switch to Loney will bring a new emphasis on the run, something that slipped away last year. Linehan called a few too many passes last year. Minnesota had only 435 running plays, which didn't take advantage of the deep group of runners and the big offensive line. Offensive linemen often had to retreat on seven or eight consecutive plays in pass-blocking situations.

The Vikings will mix the run with the pass. The return of right tackle Mike Rosenthal and tight end Jim Kleinsasser from injuries should help the running game. Plus, the Vikings have good runners. It would be an upset if Bennett doesn't have a 1,200-yard season if he stays healthy.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.