EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings report to training camp in Mankato with, seemingly, more questions than answers.

	Dennis Green must find replacements for John Randle and Dwayne Rudd.

Can quarterback Daunte Culpepper repeat his Pro Bowl season? Can the defense that died in the NFC title game last season improve despite losing linebacker Dwayne Rudd and tackle John Randle? Can little-known veteran Brad Badger replace former Pro Bowl left tackle Todd Steussie? And can rookie Michael Bennett carry the rushing load Robert Smith did in recent years?

Coach Dennis Green's answer to those questions: See for yourself.

"It's been a good offseason," Green said Tuesday. "If fans come down and watch this team in training camp, and they see us play in the preseason, they'll learn to like this team very quickly. We'll be a very fast team on offense, and I think we'll be much improved on defense, and we'll be solid on special teams."

The Vikings report Sunday, and the first workout is Monday. Their first exhibition game is Aug. 11 against New Orleans in San Antonio. The Vikings play Carolina in the regular season opener Sept. 9 at the Metrodome.

The 2000 season ended with a 41-0 loss to the New York Giants in the NFC championship game. Since then, the Vikings have significantly changed their coaching staff and personnel. Green added defensive backs coach Willie Shaw and defensive line coach Brian Baker to his staff, while shifting other coaches.

Gone are Steussie, Randle, Rudd, Smith and defensive tackle Tony Williams, and in their place are untested and unproven players. Smith retired, the others either were cut to save cap room or left as free agents.

	“	Everybody has lost players. That's what this system was designed for. You would hope you never lose a player, but you know you're going to, so you have to plan for it, and you have to have a strategy in place. ”
		— Dennis Green, Vikings coach

"Everybody has lost players," Green said. "That's what this system was designed for. You would hope you never lose a player, but you know you're going to, so you have to plan for it, and you have to have a strategy in place."

Among Green's offseason plans: Obtain a carbon-copy of Smith, a shifty back with blazing speed, a large, pass-catching tight end, a proven pass rusher and a threat at third receiver.

Green said re-signing Jake Reed was important because he felt the team relied too heavily on Cris Carter and Randy Moss last season, and he's encouraged by the potential of former Denver Broncos tight end Byron Chamberlain. Defensive end Lance Johnstone, he's trying to regain his form of 1998 and 1999, when he earned 21 sacks with Oakland.

Just as important, Green said, is the emergence of other veteran players on the roster. He said he expects Badger, defensive tackle Fernando Smith and linebacker Gabe Northern to fill the roles of the departed.

Green also didn't rule out the signing of veteran free agents, as he has done in the past. But at the same time, Green said he expects other younger players to improve -- players such as fullback Jim Kleinsasser, who Green said will have a "bigger, more explosive" role for the team this season.

One of the most anticipated battles in training camp will be at running back. Veteran Moe Williams will compete with Doug Chapman, a third-round pick last year, and Bennett for the starting tailback job. While he acknowledged that Bennett has an eye on starting, Green said it will depend on how he progresses.

"In the backfield, all three guys are going to try to find a role, regardless of who starts," Green said. "Who's going to be the primary runner? The primary backup runner? Can somebody be a better third-down receiver than the other guys? Is someone a better pass blocker? Is there someone who can also return kickoffs?"

Training camp will last about 2{ weeks this year, almost a week less than last year.

"We'll just have to have a training camp with a high level of intensity and expectations," Green said. "We have to get a lot done in two-and-a-half weeks what we normally get three weeks to do. But we have the ability to do that."