Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder and an estimated 10 to 15 teammates will hold a voluntary three-day "minicamp" beginning Tuesday at the IMG Madden Football Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Ponder will be joined by the Vikings' two other roster quarterbacks, Joe Webb and Rhett Bomar under the supervision of former NFL quarterback Chris Weinke. Webb and Ponder have been working privately with Weinke during the past two weeks, much of it focused on learning the terminology and concepts of the new Vikings offensive playbook.

The Vikings are the latest team to turn down a chance to appear on the HBO reality series "Hard Knocks." "We declined," Vikings owner Zygi Wilf told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press. "We have other issues, the stadium and football, and we need to focus on those." The Vikings are busy trying to get a $1.1 billion stadium proposal through the political landscape in a state that has major budget issues.

The Vikings are making progress in their quest to find a new home to replace the fading Metrodome, but major hurdles remain to reach their goal. The Vikings and Ramsey County have agreed to build a $1.1 billion complex, but the partners still need the government to approve a plan that requires $300 million in state investment but potentially more public money to improve roads, highways and interchanges near the area. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has said from the start his priority is keeping his team in Minnesota for the next generation of fans. When asked how the stadium would help Minnesota, he cited a major lift to the economy. "First of all, the jobs it's going to create: 13,000 jobs, including 7,000 construction jobs, more than 3,000 ongoing full- and part-time jobs," Wilf told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "It's going to generate a significant amount of local and state tax dollars -- in excess of $20 million a year. It's going to keep the Vikings in Minnesota for their fans. It's easy access for everyone, being so close to the highways, whatever they're going to the stadium for." Wilf added that a new facility would give Minnesota the opportunity to host events like the Final Four and the Super Bowl. "I'm very confident we'll get the Super Bowl," he said.

Charley Walters of The Pioneer Press writes that quarterback Matt Hasselbeck might be the best option for the Vikings this coming season. If the NFL lockout continues into July, Minnesota may not have enough time to groom rookie Christian Ponder or second-year quarterback Joe Webb. Minnesota would like Ponder to start.

Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams, who will be a free agent once the NFL lockout ends, puts his chances of returning to the team at 50-50, according to The Star Tribune. Williams, 38, said he talked to Vikings coach Leslie Frazier last month during the short time that the lockout was lifted and he received assurances that the team wants him to return. Williams previously said he didn't trust the Vikings, with whom he has spent six seasons after eight years with the Bills. "It's just guys up in the office, man," Williams said. "You know how the front office is. It's just certain guys up in the office. I don't have a problem with Coach Frazier. Me and Coach Frazier talked. We talked a lot of times. It's just people up in the office, man. With a lockout going on now, it's all the same. Business."

Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards won his pro boxing debut, a four-round bout that ended with a unanimous decision after he knocked down former amateur kickboxer T.J. Gibson twice at Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minn. Edwards scored knockdowns in the first and fourth rounds of the otherwise subdued fight; the judges scored it 40-34, 39-35, 40-34. "A little rougher than I expected, but I wrestle 300-pound guys all day so I'm used to it, guys trying to be rough," Edwards told The Star Tribune. Edwards was reportedly guaranteed $5,000 plus 50 percent of the gate proceeds for the fight.

Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder sees himself as the team's starter from Day One. "I'm talking to a lot of guys," Ponder said on ESPN Radio. "We're setting up practices over the next couple of weeks to go over stuff and put in some work. I know a lot of other teams have already gotten started. We're kind of behind the eight ball but I'm doing everything I can to prepare myself. My mindset is that I want to start by Week 1."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said after meeting with Gov. Mark Dayton and supporters of a new Vikings stadium that the league will contribute financially to its construction. Goodell also said that he believes efforts to get the facility built are ensuring the team's future in the state. "I think the commitment here is to get something done and I think that will ensure the success of the Vikings," he said.

Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder is planning workouts with wide receivers Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin. Ponder, the 12th overall pick from Florida State, already had planned a workout with Harvin in Tampa when Rice inquired about joining them through Twitter. "I hope it happens," Ponder said. "That's something I'm looking forward to. I'd be great to spend time with those guys on the field."

The Vikings do not have any interest in acquiring quarterback Vince Young this offseason. Minnesota is looking for a veteran quarterback and Young is not expected to return to the Titans.