Welcome to Around the Horns, our daily look at what's happening on the Vikings beat:
The heating system the Minnesota Vikings ordered from England has arrived. It's been installed on one of the team's two outdoor practice fields at its facility in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. And that means the Vikings are ready to head back outside for practice. Probably.
Coach Mike Zimmer wants the Vikings working outside as much as they can, to get ready for the three cold-weather home games they still have left on their schedule. But windy days like Monday probably don't make for an ideal environment, and Wednesday's forecast -- which calls for 1-3 inches of snow during the day -- might not be conducive for an outdoor practice, either.
Zimmer isn't trying to prove a point with the outdoor sessions. He's trying to get work done in as close an environment as he can create to the Vikings' playing conditions. But the chance to get efficient, productive practice snaps is too valuable a commodity for the Vikings to waste; there's no point in working outside if players aren't able to run on a clear field or adjust to the ball in high winds. The Vikings would have to play in those conditions, but it's more important for them to make sure they get their game plan installed correctly.
On the days where the Vikings can practice outside, they're now set up to do so -- much to the chagrin of some players who would rather stay inside. But Zimmer will still opt for sensibility over machismo.
"Everything depends on the day. But yeah, we are prepared to go outside," Zimmer said on Monday. "If it’s windy like it is today, we won’t go out. If we can get out, we will get out."
In case you missed it on ESPN.com:
We reviewed the film of the Vikings' offense, as well as the film of their defense, from Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The first installment of our QB Snapshot feature took a look at Teddy Bridgewater's first touchdown pass to Charles Johnson on Sunday.
J'Marcus Webb tweeted on Tuesday evening he is headed back to the Vikings, who need tackle depth with Phil Loadholt headed for surgery.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said his decision to drink grape soda -- his customary postgame beverage for the last seven years -- at his press conference on Sunday wasn't a shot at the Vikings, ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky writes.
Best of the rest:
Vikings community relations director Brad Madson has plenty of stories to tell about players helping kids in times of need, writes Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Fullback Jerome Felton, who can opt out of his contract after this season, might consider looking for a team that has a bigger role for him than the Vikings have had lately, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.