Rodney Adams and Stacy Coley both play wide receiver, have the ability to return kickoffs and went to college in Florida. 

And Adams, a fifth-round pick, and Coley, a seventh-round selection, will both make their professional preseason debuts for the Vikings tonight in Buffalo. 

Tim Yotter of Viking Update recently wrote that as Adams and Coley compete for playing time on offense and special teams, there isn't much that has separated them so far.

Yotter wrote:

*In fact, Adams and Coley were separated by only 1/100th of a second in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Adams ran it in 4.44 seconds and Coley in 4.45. Adams beat Coley by three inches in the broad jump, but Coley beat Adams by 4½ inches in the vertical jump. *

*Their placement on the depth chart is similar, too. They are often in on the same plays with the second- or third-team offense. *

"I feel like everybody brings something to the table, but I feel like me, just being explosive and run after the catch and just my speed," Coley said.

*Zimmer also sees some similarities in the two rookie receivers, but he said he believes Adams is quicker and Coley has better long speed with the pads on. *

*Ultimately, if one makes the 53-man roster and the other doesn't, it very well could come down to special teams. *

*Both appear to be in line for early preseason work on kickoff returns as the replacement for Cordarrelle Patterson. *

"You don't replace Cordarrelle Patterson. I think he's one of the most unique athletes that I've ever had the opportunity to work with. What you do is you find a returner that's going to be very, very good, whether it's Jerick McKinnon, Rodney Adams, Marcus Sherels, Stacy Coley or even Dalvin Cook," special teams coordinator Mike Priefer said.

Yotter wrote that although there is a ways to go in determining roster spots, Adams and Coley can make an early impression against the Bills.

*Both should get an extended opportunity to show what they can do, both returning kickoffs and on offense, in Thursday night's preseason opener. *

*By the time roster cuts are made next month, it might come down to Adams and Coley for that final spot, but they seemed to enjoy their time as roommates in training camp. *

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Floyd ready to take the field for Vikings

It may just be a preseason game, but Michael Floyd is ready to make his Vikings debut tonight in Buffalo.

The Vikings wide receiver and his teammates kick off their first preseason game at 6 p.m. at New Era Field.

Floyd recently chatted with Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press about what he's looking forward to in his first game in Purple.

Tomasson wrote: 

*The 27-year-old receiver from St. Paul signed with his home-state team in May, a month after players had reported for offseason drills, and it has taken time for him to get up to speed with the offense. *

"I'm learning it a lot better now than I did in the spring," Floyd said. "I was kind of out there with my head cut off" during the early sessions.

Floyd was a first-round pick in 2012 and has 264 career catches for 3,781 yards and 24 touchdowns. He is suspended the first four games of the season.