MANKATO — Jaymar Johnson didn't want to say too much, but he left little doubt that he expects to win one of the Vikings return jobs this season after spending his entire rookie campaign on the practice squad.
"You're going to see during the preseason," he said this summer. "I'm not going to speak on it, but you're going to see during the preseason."
Johnson is making a strong bid in training camp to earn a roster spot as both a receiver and punt returner. He devoted extra time this offseason working on catching punts and even had punter Chris Kluwe kick to him a day before training camp officially started on an otherwise empty practice field.
"Jaymar Johnson is not a guy that has to be chased down to work," special teams coordinator Brian Murphy said Friday. "He had very clear goals going into the offseason and he's worked every day -- and when I say every day, I mean every day -- to accomplish those goals that he has in mind."
Johnson and rookie Percy Harvin are getting most of the punt return reps. Johnson seems more comfortable in the role at this stage.
"Jaymar looks good on punts," Murphy said. "He's put a lot of work into it this offseason. That's really a credit to him. He looks like a different guy. He's confident underneath the punt, he's fundamentally sound. We all know he's gifted with tremendous athletic ability."
Cook getting comfortable By all indications, rookie Phil Loadholt will be the starting right tackle this season, which means Ryan Cook likely will become a utility backup capable of playing multiple positions. He is getting work at tackle, guard and center in camp.
Cook played center at New Mexico and said the transition back to that position has been relatively smooth.
