Expert advice

Heading into his first full season as an NFL starter, Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson got some advice over the weekend from a pretty good source: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

"He just told me play safe but don't play scared," Jackson said. "There's a difference. You don't want to go out there and take a checkdown just to be taking a checkdown if you've got guys open down the field. … I don’t want to get in a habit of playing it safe or just trying to take care of the football and end up playing scared. I just want to go out there and execute the offense, and if it's there, take it."

Jackson said defensive coordinator and former Colts assistant coach Leslie Frazier set up the call, which took place over the weekend.

"Just a quick conversation," Jackson said. "You know, what things to look for. Just quarterback stuff, pretty much."

Roster note: The Vikings filled out their practice squad by signing linebacker Brandon Archer, a Cretin-Derham Hall graduate who was in training camp with the Colts this summer.