Still a big problem on offensive line
Not solidifying the center position is going to be a problem. Unless the new OL coach and exorcise the incompetence that has plagued multiple renditions of the Vikings offensive line the last several years, I dont see a starting center on this team. A converted tackle in his 6th season learning center on the fly and a 6th amd 7th round backup? Just draft a legit center prospect for Pete's sake and be done with it. Horrifying decision to go this route with a vertically challenged signal caller that will be dealing with having to leave the pocket every other pass play to find a receiver.
The Vikings outlook and management in regards to S, CB, RB & C dont jive with me either...I think they like players like Ward, Brandel and others more than fans think. Happy with the Golday and Claiborne picks though
Maybe they can groom that olde Bearcat over the next season or so? Developmental guy who I dont think he's going to be pushing for playing time this year though.
Best thing that could happen to this OL is a healthy Darrisaw.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I think the elephant in the room is Brandel. Looks like they are giving him an entire offseason and TC to absorb the C position, one he had never played before getting thrown into last year. He proved vast improvement in his second 3 games after a rough first three games.
I suspect Jurgens is bye bye.
Please God, just one Lombardi before I die.
Montana Tom wrote:
I think the elephant in the room is Brandel. Looks like they are giving him an entire offseason and TC to absorb the C position, one he had never played before getting thrown into last year. He proved vast improvement in his second 3 games after a rough first three games.
I suspect Jurgens is bye bye.
As a pass blocker, Brandel ranked 16th of 40 qualifying centers, having never played there before. He wasn't very good as a run blocker though. I think there's still some upside there. At any rate, it will be Brandel, Jurgens, Gerhardt and Lemieux competing.
If this center group struggles in camp, I can see the Vikings bringing in Bradbury, who might get released or traded if Logan Jones wins that starting job.
"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand." —Steven Wright
I just think the Draft fell in a way that didn't allow MInnesota to nab a center with their Board. We gnash our teeth about center but NFL teams sure don't put a ton of equity in the position outside of the unicorn top-shelf candidates that appear every few years in the Draft. I mean, if Matt Birk can have the career he had being a 6th round pick, I think the Vikings will figure it out. Wes Phillips said its going to turn out that center is Brandel's best position as a pro, then he should at least compete for the starting job.
The starting center for the Rams is an undrafted free agent on his 5th team. The starting center in Baltimore was undrafted. The Seahawks starter was undrafted. Remember Austin Schlottman? He’s the starting center in Tennessee. Might be time to cut bait on Jurgens, but the competition between Brandel, Gerhardt and Lemieux could produce a decent long-term starter.
"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand." —Steven Wright
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