This week marks yet another major step for the Vikings as they continue preparations for the 2014 season. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) sets forth rules and provisions that allow a team that has hired a new head coach to conduct one extra voluntary minicamp prior to the draft, and the Vikings will do just that this week, holding a voluntary veteran minicamp from Tuesday-Thursday.

The minicamp provides a stage for Mike Zimmer to make his on-field debut as Vikings Head Coach, although he will have no interest in that storyline and is instead focused on getting to know his new team even better. Several of Zimmer's assistants, including defensive coordinator George Edwards and offensive coordinator Norv Turner, will also make their on-field Vikings debuts.

Zimmer won't be the only one making his Vikings debut during the minicamp. The Vikings were active in free agency, particularly on defense, and the new signees will have an opportunity to participate or at least be around the facility during the minicamp. A few of the notable new Vikings include safety Kurt Coleman, cornerback Derek Cox, offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse, defensive tackle Linval Joseph, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and defensive lineman Corey Wootton.

Soggy weather conditions over the weekend and into the week may force the Vikings indoors for much of the three-day minicamp, but a determination on that hasn't yet been finalized and it will likely be a day-to-day decision for Zimmer and his staff. Zimmer and select players will be made available to the media on Wednesday morning, but we'll have comprehensive coverage of the three-day minicamp on vikings.com all throughout the week.

Phase 2 of the Vikings offseason program is now underway and will unfold over the next several weeks. The 2014 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, May 8 and runs through Saturday, May 10, and the Vikings will conduct their rookie minicamp the following week (May 16-18).