Vikings centers Pat Elflein, Nick Easton asked to get up to speed
Vikings would like a starter to emerge quickly in competition between Elflein, Easton
MANKATO – Vikings rookie center Pat Elflein has a few seconds to boil down hours of playbook study. The hand of 329-pound Linval Joseph is stamped in the dirt across the line. An $18 million quarterback waits on him.
Who’s the middle linebacker? What protection adjustment is needed based on the play call and one of the defense’s frenzied looks? Making the right calls — and loudly enough — will help decide whether or not the third-round pick can compete with incumbent Nick Easton for the center job, which is a key opening remaining in the retooled Vikings offensive line.
There’s no time to waste, according to offensive line coach Tony Sparano.
“You really want to get that body in as soon as possible,” Sparano said. “I think the longer a center position competition goes, as opposed to maybe some other competitions within the line, you know, that can cause confusion.
“There’s no real timetable,” he added. “We just know it’s got to happen fast.”
The clock is ticking. Elflein, swapping first-team series with Easton during Saturday’s first padded practice of training camp, makes a late change. Turning his head left and right, he shouts the new call...
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-centers-pat-elflein-nick-easton-asked-to-get-up-to-speed/437415933/#1
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
If TJ Clemmings makes this roster, I'm going to lose my shit. Seriously.
@"greediron" said:How many Berger types do we need and why is he a solid backup?@"MaroonBells" said:Doubt he is on the bubble. If he loses, he is a Berger type of backup. Smart enough to play any spot on the interior. And a solid backup at center.@"twgerber" said: And I think Easton can play guard just like Elflein. Maybe so. But that's probably more of a stretch than Elflein, who, by all acounts, actually played better at guard than center. Personally, I think if Easton wins, Elflein competes with Berger at right guard. If Elflein wins, Easton's on the bubble.
@"Bolstad79" said:@"greediron" said:How many Berger types do we need and why is he a solid backup?@"MaroonBells" said:Doubt he is on the bubble. If he loses, he is a Berger type of backup. Smart enough to play any spot on the interior. And a solid backup at center.@"twgerber" said: And I think Easton can play guard just like Elflein. Maybe so. But that's probably more of a stretch than Elflein, who, by all acounts, actually played better at guard than center. Personally, I think if Easton wins, Elflein competes with Berger at right guard. If Elflein wins, Easton's on the bubble.
In addition to your starting 5, I think you need at least one guy that can play both G and C, and one guy that would be a swing T and be able to take snaps at either spot. After that grab the next 2-3 guys you dont want to exposed to the waiver wire and hope for the best.
@"StickyBun" said: If TJ Clemmings makes this roster, I'm going to lose my shit. Seriously.Uh, why? If he were to get coached up and get it? At this point, I don't know if he can make it mentally, but he has the physical talents. Young guy, I am pulling for him. Not to hopeful anymore, but would love to see him work out.
@"Bolstad79" said:@"greediron" said:How many Berger types do we need and why is he a solid backup?@"MaroonBells" said:Doubt he is on the bubble. If he loses, he is a Berger type of backup. Smart enough to play any spot on the interior. And a solid backup at center.@"twgerber" said: And I think Easton can play guard just like Elflein. Maybe so. But that's probably more of a stretch than Elflein, who, by all acounts, actually played better at guard than center. Personally, I think if Easton wins, Elflein competes with Berger at right guard. If Elflein wins, Easton's on the bubble.
Easton? Well, he filled in last year and performed well enough in his first experience. How many do we need? One at least. And Berger isn't really that anymore.
@"greediron" said:Why, you ask? Because he's a liability and has shown NOTHING thus far. You seem to like guys like Clemmings and Kalil, who don't perform. But bag on guys like Berger, who do perform. Makes zero sense. You have to move on and they've given Clemmings plenty of opportunities. Who cares about physical talent if it never manifests?@"StickyBun" said: If TJ Clemmings makes this roster, I'm going to lose my shit. Seriously. Uh, why? If he were to get coached up and get it? At this point, I don't know if he can make it mentally, but he has the physical talents. Young guy, I am pulling for him. Not to hopeful anymore, but would love to see him work out.
@"StickyBun" said:I seem to like Vikings and hope they turn out. Sometimes they don't. And that sucks for Viking fans. So as long as he is a Viking, I don't have to move on, and it seems odd that you think that you feel right to tell me I should.Why, you ask? Because he's a liability and has shown NOTHING thus far. You seem to like guys like Clemmings and Kalil, who don't perform. But bag on guys like Berger, who do perform. Makes zero sense. You have to move on and they've given Clemmings plenty of opportunities. Who cares about physical talent if it never manifests?
As far as Berger, I was always glad he was a Viking. A good guy to have as he can man multiple spots. But he was barely adequate as a starter. Despite PFF having him rated high in the run game (and some translating that to he was a top center in the NFL), he has struggled in pass protection. Which seemed to be our downfall the last couple of years relying on Berger as the man calling the protections.
So thanks for your concern, but I will continue supporting Vikings until, like Kalil, they aren't. At which point I will say, good riddance.
@"greediron" said:@"StickyBun" said:Why, you ask? Because he's a liability and has shown NOTHING thus far. You seem to like guys like Clemmings and Kalil, who don't perform. But bag on guys like Berger, who do perform. Makes zero sense. You have to move on and they've given Clemmings plenty of opportunities. Who cares about physical talent if it never manifests? I seem to like Vikings and hope they turn out. Sometimes they don't. And that sucks for Viking fans. So as long as he is a Viking, I don't have to move on, and it seems odd that you think that you feel right to tell me I should.As far as Berger, I was always glad he was a Viking. A good guy to have as he can man multiple spots. But he was barely adequate as a starter. Despite PFF having him rated high in the run game (and some translating that to he was a top center in the NFL), he has struggled in pass protection. Which seemed to be our downfall the last couple of years relying on Berger as the man calling the protections.
So thanks for your concern, but I will continue supporting Vikings until, like Kalil, they aren't. At which point I will say, good riddance.
Blind support is one thing, thoughtful perspective on players that aren't performing is another. I want performance, and if they aren't, then I'd prefer they become ex-Vikings and put a guy in that does the job. Kalil had plenty of opportunity and so did Clemmings, quite honestly. I don't judge quickly, but if it walks like a talk and quacks like a duck, its a damn duck.They're all Vikings right now anyway, right? I mean, lol....if Clemmings gets cut and Kerin stays its all good then. So I don't follow your 'supporting Vikings' thing. The roster has to be cut down at some point and some will make it and others won't.
@"StickyBun" said:Blind support is one thing, thoughtful perspective on players that aren't performing is another. I want performance, and if they aren't, then I'd prefer they become ex-Vikings and put a guy in that does the job. Kalil had plenty of opportunity and so did Clemmings, quite honestly. I don't judge quickly, but if it walks like a talk and quacks like a duck, its a damn duck.They're all Vikings right now anyway, right? I mean, lol....if Clemmings gets cut and Kerin stays its all good then. So I don't follow your 'supporting Vikings' thing. The roster has to be cut down at some point and some will make it and others won't.
"If TJ Clemmings makes this roster, I'm going to lose my shit. Seriously. "
If TJ makes the roster, good for him and I will support him. If you blindly won't, that is fine. Just thought it a bit overly dramatic.
@"greediron" said:@"StickyBun" said:Blind support is one thing, thoughtful perspective on players that aren't performing is another. I want performance, and if they aren't, then I'd prefer they become ex-Vikings and put a guy in that does the job. Kalil had plenty of opportunity and so did Clemmings, quite honestly. I don't judge quickly, but if it walks like a talk and quacks like a duck, its a damn duck.They're all Vikings right now anyway, right? I mean, lol....if Clemmings gets cut and Kerin stays its all good then. So I don't follow your 'supporting Vikings' thing. The roster has to be cut down at some point and some will make it and others won't.
If TJ Clemmings makes this roster, I'm going to lose my shit. Seriously.If TJ makes the roster, good for him and I will support him. If you blindly won't, that is fine. Just thought it a bit overly dramatic.
Its like supporting Christian Ponder to the end. Its pointless. He's a nice young man, seems like a good person. But he stunk out loud as a QB. TJ Clemmings isn't a good player. He's proven that. Put someone else in and I'll support that player until he proves otherwise. Who wants to support a Viking's player that isn't good? Nobody. Its the hard truth of fandom. Doesn't make that individual player a bad person. There's a big difference.
@"StickyBun" said:@"greediron" said:@"StickyBun" said:Blind support is one thing, thoughtful perspective on players that aren't performing is another. I want performance, and if they aren't, then I'd prefer they become ex-Vikings and put a guy in that does the job. Kalil had plenty of opportunity and so did Clemmings, quite honestly. I don't judge quickly, but if it walks like a talk and quacks like a duck, its a damn duck.They're all Vikings right now anyway, right? I mean, lol....if Clemmings gets cut and Kerin stays its all good then. So I don't follow your 'supporting Vikings' thing. The roster has to be cut down at some point and some will make it and others won't.
If TJ Clemmings makes this roster, I'm going to lose my shit. Seriously.If TJ makes the roster, good for him and I will support him. If you blindly won't, that is fine. Just thought it a bit overly dramatic.
Its like supporting Christian Ponder to the end. Its pointless. He's a nice young man, seems like a good person. But he stunk out loud as a QB. TJ Clemmings isn't a good player. He's proven that. Put someone else in and I'll support that player until he proves otherwise. Who wants to support a Viking's player that isn't good? Nobody. Its the hard truth of fandom. Doesn't make that individual player a bad person. There's a big difference.
If they are good kids and work hard..I will cheer for them to make the team and get better. Lots of fans aren't front runners...only fans of the star players or studs out of college, and screw the scrubs. they are all Vikings until they aren't IMO and since I'm a fan of the team...I will be a fan of them all...except the shit bags that are me first guys. Cut those fuckers.
@"StickyBun" said:@"greediron" said:@"StickyBun" said:Blind support is one thing, thoughtful perspective on players that aren't performing is another. I want performance, and if they aren't, then I'd prefer they become ex-Vikings and put a guy in that does the job. Kalil had plenty of opportunity and so did Clemmings, quite honestly. I don't judge quickly, but if it walks like a talk and quacks like a duck, its a damn duck.They're all Vikings right now anyway, right? I mean, lol....if Clemmings gets cut and Kerin stays its all good then. So I don't follow your 'supporting Vikings' thing. The roster has to be cut down at some point and some will make it and others won't.
If TJ Clemmings makes this roster, I'm going to lose my shit. Seriously.If TJ makes the roster, good for him and I will support him. If you blindly won't, that is fine. Just thought it a bit overly dramatic.
Its like supporting Christian Ponder to the end. Its pointless. He's a nice young man, seems like a good person. But he stunk out loud as a QB. TJ Clemmings isn't a good player. He's proven that. Put someone else in and I'll support that player until he proves otherwise. Who wants to support a Viking's player that isn't good? Nobody. Its the hard truth of fandom. Doesn't make that individual player a bad person. There's a big difference.
This just isn't a very in-depth comment. Kid only played what, 2 years of College on the O-Line, gets thrown in the fire long before he's ready his first year,gets thrown in again in year two, and bizarrely moved back and forth between the two Tackle spots and predictably gets torched.So now he's a total bum that shouldn't make the squad? Seems like there's a bunch of O-Linemen who are playing very well right now that were bad to awful early in their careers.
Kid deserves a fair look at one consistent spot. To do otherwise would simply be bad roster management.
| Eric Thompson@eric_j_thompson | 6m |
Re: Elflein at RG today. More about flexibility/familiarity than actually putting him at RG. twitter.com/MatthewColler/… | |
@"FSUVike" said:This just isn't a very in-depth comment. Kid only played what, 2 years of College on the O-Line, gets thrown in the fire long before he's ready his first year,gets thrown in again in year two, and bizarrely moved back and forth between the two Tackle spots and predictably gets torched.So now he's a total bum that shouldn't make the squad? Seems like there's a bunch of O-Linemen who are playing very well right now that were bad to awful early in their careers.
Kid deserves a fair look at one consistent spot. To do otherwise would simply be bad roster management.
That is so true. Especially with the lack of practice time and lack of physicality in practice that now limit teams. O-Line seems to be suffering more than most and so a few years of seasoning are so important. TJ played decent his first year. He has the talent and ability. Last year he just got so messed up moving around. I hope he gets some time and can get the ghosts out of his head.
Andy Jerome CarlsonVerified account @AndyCarlsonShow 4m4 minutes ago
@"StickyBun" said:Really interesting, regarding both players. Too bad about Clemmings if he is struggling; but what genius thought moving him to Guard would help him? As for Beavers, can someone report what position(s) he has been working at? Obviously the team saw something in him to draft him in the 4th last year, so it's great if he is developing.Andy Jerome CarlsonVerified account @AndyCarlsonShow 4m4 minutes agoIf the last OL spot came down to Beavers or Clemmings, I'm taking Beavers all day. Seems weird to say. 64 improved. 68 has not.More0 replies0 retweets0 likes
@"greediron" said:@"StickyBun" said:Blind support is one thing, thoughtful perspective on players that aren't performing is another. I want performance, and if they aren't, then I'd prefer they become ex-Vikings and put a guy in that does the job. Kalil had plenty of opportunity and so did Clemmings, quite honestly. I don't judge quickly, but if it walks like a talk and quacks like a duck, its a damn duck.They're all Vikings right now anyway, right? I mean, lol....if Clemmings gets cut and Kerin stays its all good then. So I don't follow your 'supporting Vikings' thing. The roster has to be cut down at some point and some will make it and others won't.
"If TJ Clemmings makes this roster, I'm going to lose my shit. Seriously. "If TJ makes the roster, good for him and I will support him. If you blindly won't, that is fine. Just thought it a bit overly dramatic.
If TJ makes this roster, than Spielman didn't get his job done this off season.
@"Bolstad79" said:@"greediron" said:@"StickyBun" said:Blind support is one thing, thoughtful perspective on players that aren't performing is another. I want performance, and if they aren't, then I'd prefer they become ex-Vikings and put a guy in that does the job. Kalil had plenty of opportunity and so did Clemmings, quite honestly. I don't judge quickly, but if it walks like a talk and quacks like a duck, its a damn duck.They're all Vikings right now anyway, right? I mean, lol....if Clemmings gets cut and Kerin stays its all good then. So I don't follow your 'supporting Vikings' thing. The roster has to be cut down at some point and some will make it and others won't.
"If TJ Clemmings makes this roster, I'm going to lose my shit. Seriously. "If TJ makes the roster, good for him and I will support him. If you blindly won't, that is fine. Just thought it a bit overly dramatic.
If TJ makes this roster, than Spielman didn't get his job done this off season.
Completely agree.
It's whoever the coaches think is best to keep. If they prefer Beavers fine. If not fine too.
@"Jor-El" said:I think Beavers has been working at tackle.@"StickyBun" said:Andy Jerome CarlsonVerified account @AndyCarlsonShow 4m4 minutes agoReally interesting, regarding both players. Too bad about Clemmings if he is struggling; but what genius thought moving him to Guard would help him? As for Beavers, can someone report what position(s) he has been working at? Obviously the team saw something in him to draft him in the 4th last year, so it's great if he is developing.If the last OL spot came down to Beavers or Clemmings, I'm taking Beavers all day. Seems weird to say. 64 improved. 68 has not.More0 replies0 retweets0 likes
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