Portland State has less than two weeks left in its spring practice schedule as it continues its development for the 2012 season. The Vikings will practice Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Stott Community Field. Following that are practices on May 2, 4, 7 and 9 prior to the Spring Game which takes place on May 12 at Jesuit High School. Festivities start that day at noon, with the Spring Game at 2:30.

After nine practices, third-year Head Coach Nigel Burton maintains the optimism he has shown throughout the spring.

"It has been great. Short of our scrimmage day we have gotten better every day," said Burton. "The offense has been operating with a new tempo. They have really done a great job improving their execution while keeping things fast and hot.

"The defense has learned to adjust. They are making plays. What you are looking for is that there is really good competition with one group not dominating the other, and that is what we have gotten."

Burton is pleased with what he has seen from two key areas where the Vikings will have new starters in 2012.  He noted the growth of his quarterbacks throughout spring practice as they battle for the starting role in 2012 (SO Josh Milhollin, JR Collin Ramirez, SR Nick Green and FR Thomas Carter). At running back, transfer JR DJ Adams has joined a large returning group in heated competition for playing time. They include SOs Shaquille Richard and Jordan Lewis, JR Justin Lilley, SR Denzel Davis and RS FR Julian Cruell.

"Our quarterbacks have done a nice job," said Burton. "Jordan Lewis has been a good surprise. What we are really showing (in the backfield) is a lot of guys with the ability to run strong, run hard, and get those tough short yards, and yet several guys can also break a long one.

"If there has been a defensive surprise, I think (DE) Sadat Sulleyman would be the guy. On special teams, (K/P) Nick Fernandez really gives us a guy who if anything were to happen to our specialists, he can do multiple things. (S) Henry Organ has done a nice job and been a good surprise on defense."

The remaining two weeks of practice will be just as important as the first three for Burton. "We have to continue to improve our execution and eliminate the mental errors and procedural errors that plagued us in the first scrimmage. And then continue to develop depth in the offensive and defensive lines," he said.

The Vikings expect to have a brief scrimmage during Wednesday's practice.

THREE VIKINGS SIGN WITH THE NFL
No Portland State football players were drafted by NFL teams this past weekend, however three former Vikings have signed free agent contracts as of Monday morning. Offensive tackle Dustin Waldron (6-5, 305, Pleasant Hill, OR-Marist) has signed with the Miami Dolphins. Strong safety DeShawn Shead (6-2, 220, Palmdale, CA-Highland) signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and defensive tackle Myles Wade (6-1, 305, Portland, OR-Central Catholic) has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

SPRING GAME SCHEDULE SET
The schedule for the Portland State football spring game on May 12 at Jesuit High School has been set.

Noon - Youth Clinic (free, featuring Viking players) - details including waiver form
1 p.m. - Alumni Flag Football Game - waiver form for participants
2 p.m. - Spring Game warmup
2:30 p.m. - Special Teams
2:45 p.m. - Spring scrimmage