Former Mavericks get chance with Vikings

Had an opportunity to take in about an hour of practice Friday, watching former Minnesota State football players Kelvin Rodgers, Randy Earl and Adrian Battles participate in the Minnesota Vikings' rookie tryout camp at Winter Park.
The first thing you notice is that it's tough to tell them apart from the others who were on the field. That can be a good thing, given that the former Mavericks look the part, but it's also a negative, meaning that it's very hard to stand out.
The practice consisted of the Vikings draft picks and some priority free agents, then a whole lot of filler. Given that the Mavericks were not listed on the team's roster speaks to the uphill nature of their task.
Rodgers, who also will participate in the Baltimore Ravens camp next week, probably has the best chance of the three to stick somewhere. His speed is top-flight, and his ability as a kick and punt returner gives him at least one NFL skill.
Earl and Battles, while big boys at Minnesota State, don't seem to stand out much so they're going to need to find a way to catch a coach's eye.
It's tough for any Division II player to catch on with an NFL team, and the three Mavericks surely have a tough road ahead of them. But their chances are better now than they were before they were invited to this tryout camp.

Two more Mavericks get pro tryout

Add Kelvin Rodgers and Adrian Battles to the growing list of Minnesota State football players who will get tryouts with professional teams.
Rodgers and Battles will attend the Minnesota Vikings' rookie camp, which runs Friday through Sunday at Winter Park.
Rodgers, a cornerback, is more known for his return skills, having scored on seven punt or kickoff returns in his Mavericks' career. His speed and explosiveness could catch the eye of a professional team.
Battles, a tackle, started 43 of 46 career games at Minnesota State. The 310-pounder was consistent throughout his days at Minnesota State, which could be something that interests an NFL team.
Saty tuned for a story in the print edition later this week or weekend.
Defensive tackle Junior Aumavae, who played just one season at Minnesota State after transferring from Western Washington, was signed as a priority free agent by the Dallas Cowboys shortly after the conclusion of Saturday's NFL Draft and will report to rookie camp Wednesday. A priority free agent means he's more likely to get invited to training camp later this summer.
There's been no news on defensive end Randy Earl, who also could get invited to an NFL rookie camp.