Vikings quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson makes his case - KMSP-TV

While it may have been a presumed assumption that the names of Vikings quarterbacks will be Ponder, Webb and Rosenfels, a second year free agent with a law-firm type name is making his case to make the team.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson, may not be a household name, but Vikings fans may want to get aquainted because Bethel-Thompson is doing everything he can to stick.

"I love football and can't get enough of it," said Bethel-Thompson. "Especially when you are working a little bit further down the depth chart, you don't get as many reps so you really need to make your mental reps count when you come to practice and do the extra stuff to prepare yourself."

That extra stuff includes being the last player off the practice field after throwing extra passes and on the last practice before leaving for San Francisco for his return to the Bay, Bethel-Thompson was still on the field mentoring a young ball boy and not only working on his own mechanics, but coaching, teaching, and loving the game that has given him this opportunity.

"I'm excited about the fact I still get to play football everyday," said Bethel-Thompson. "That really pumps me up and is a dream come true. It's not work to me, I could be here all day and all night."

He has the biggest arm of any of the four quarterbacks in camp and to this point has been the most accurate even when working with the third team. He knows those two facts don't guarantee him a roster spot and although he has been one of the bigger surprises in camp, Bethel-Thompson continues to put in his time and his work.

"I feel I can throw with anyone in the league," said Bethel-Thompson. "If you tell me something is wrong with my game, I'm going to work hard enough until I fix it."

As most players in his position, he is his own worst critic. While taking his reps he threw a ball a little behind his running back on a screen pass which ended up being completed, but Bethel-Thompson yelled at himself in frustration. Knowing that little things can turn a small play into a big one or a complete loss.

"I just have to prove to myself everyday that I'm working hard enough," said Bethel-Thompson. "Whatever they think of me is kind of out of my control. I can control what I do on the field and how I feel I perform."  

Bethel-Thompson signed with the 49ers last year as an undrafted free agent but was cut and then signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad later last season. He is poised and although only in his second year, has a grasp on how things work.

"The first go-round was a whirl. Everything was flying pretty fast. I just learned you are always being watched," said Bethel-Thompson. "You always want to put your best foot forward and never put a bad play on tape."

Friday, the kid better known as MBT returns home to San Francisco, the place he first put on an NFL uniform. Don't let the under the radar persona fool you. He is ready to leave his mark, to many that have closely followed training camp, he already has.

Just ask the ball boy he played catch with for 20 minutes after practice.