We are more than three weeks into training camp, and yet there has been precious little drama surrounding the Vikings. Other than the untethering of the Bryant McKinnie balloon, Leslie Frazier’s first training camp has been almost serene.

Frankly, I miss the constant Brett Favre “will he or won’t he,” the StarCaps intrigue and the daily parimutuel wagering on the number of weeks remaining in Brad Childress’ Vikings career. This time last year, we had helicopters circling overhead and stakeouts at the airport. You can’t beat that for entertainment.

“I think it’s been very well done,” linebacker Chad Greenway said of this year’s camp. “Guys came in ready to work, kept their mouths shut and just started playing.”

The temperature soared into the 90s on Tuesday, and the Vikings practiced for 2-1/2 hours. It was so hot that I sought shade in Phil Loadholt’s shadow. In fact, about a dozen of us did. But there were no complaints about the heat from the Vikings. No tempers flared. The guys got after it and then walked off the field with smiles on their faces. Apparently, there is something to be said for tranquility.

Off to the side, several media types watched the workout while sitting in the grass beneath a tall tree. This would have caused great commotion last year, as Childress would have sent a SWAT team to remove them from the facility. Under his rule, all reporters had to stand erect on the sideline – no kneeling, no sitting, no leaning, no squatting, no touching. Or else. Yet on Tuesday, the world continued to spin on its axis despite this casual approach.

All in all, the players appear eager to work for Frazier. And this preseason harmony could prove to be a boost to the team’s chances. Anyway, it couldn’t hurt.

“It was a rough situation last year,” Greenway said. “A lot of things happened. But you take that and you learn from it.”

What could anyone learn from such a screwy year, other than that life sometimes stinks?

“It wasn’t one singular thing that happened,” Greenway noted. “There were different distractions throughout the year. We were 6-10, and there were times when we didn’t play well. But we handled it all with as much class as anybody could. And no one gave up.”

I’ve started taking an informal poll on which distractions were the goofiest last season. The early favorite is the Metrodome roof collapsing. But I still don’t think you can beat getting stranded in Philadelphia when a game was postponed because of a snowstorm that never materialized.

Greenway is experiencing a few changes during camp. New linebackers coach Mike Singletary has a presence that can fill a room. He’s been there, done that and thinks nothing of getting in a guy’s face.

“It’s been really good,” Greenway said. “Sometimes, change is hard at first. Fred (Pagac, since promoted to defensive coordinator) still has his mark on things. But coach Singletary has brought his own swagger into the room. He’s upfront and honest.”

Also, when Greenway looks toward the defensive line from his linebacker position, he sees a different group of guys.

“Ray (Edwards) and Pat (Williams) are gone,” he said. “We might miss Kevin (Williams) for the first few games. But the guys we’ve brought in are the right types. They are character guys.”

Negotiations with regard to a contract extension for Greenway appear to have stalled, by the way. But he dismisses it all with a wave of the hand.

“It’s something I don’t think about too much,” he said.

He also noted that preparations seem a bit behind right now because of the summer lockout. But it’s getting there. And like all his teammates, he’s optimistic.

“I like where we’re at right now,” he said.

So far, there’s been no hubbub over Adrian Peterson Day in Palestine, Texas. Tarvaris Jackson isn’t sulking. There’s been just one DWI and no high-speed chases. And the new quarterback, Donovan McNabb, appears to be relatively low maintenance.

It’s been smooth sailing and, yes, a bit boring. But this lack of stress and drama could pay dividends once the season starts. It better, because there is nothing worse than a team that is both dull and bad.

Tom Powers can be reached at tpowers@pioneerpress.com.