The 53

[Eli]

QB: I'd love to see the Vikings move just a _little_ out of their comfort zone and take a chance with two QBs, but I don't expect it. Not even with Joe Webb as a possible 3rd QB. Face it, once you need a 3rd QB in a game, and you're calling up either Joe Webb or MBT, you're pretty well screwed.

RB: I don't think they'll keep Zach Line as a FB unless they release Matt Asiata. They have Ellison to fill in for Felton, and Asiata made the team last year as a tweener RB/FB only because of uncertainty at FB before Felton stepped up. What I'd really like to see is the Vikings getting rid of Asiata in favor of Joe Banyard or else someone else off of waivers that is more dynamic than the likes of Gerhart/Asiata/Line/Felton.

WR: I don't see them considering Joe Webb as a WR/emergencyQB or ST player. He either makes the squad as a receiver or he doesn't.

TE: There could be an outside chance of carrying 4 TEs due to the Felton situation requiring Ellison to play in the backfield, but I kinda doubt it.

OL: They may keep Travis Bond over Jeff Baca on the 53. Flip a coin. Baca has greater versatility, but I think Bond has played better at guard.

DT:

DE: Yes, unfortunately. That's on hell of a dropoff from the top three DEs to D'Aundre Reed.

LB: I think you've got it.

CB: That looks pretty good. Fringe DBs are the always the hardest for me to call.

S: Yep.

ST: Yep.

[Crax]

RB: I don't think they'll keep Zach Line as a FB unless they release Matt Asiata. They have Ellison to fill in for Felton, and Asiata made the team last year as a tweener RB/FB only because of uncertainty at FB before Felton stepped up. What I'd really like to see is the Vikings getting rid of Asiata in favor of Joe Banyard or else someone else off of waivers that is more dynamic than the likes of Gerhart/Asiata/Line/Felton.

I believe one of the main reasons Asiata has stuck around is special teams. I know he's had some good blocks there and catching the ball when necessary as well(when teams were purposely kicking it short away from harvin last year). I'm not sure who of the other guys are playing special teams. He essentially backups 2 positions and plays ST, so a replacement may need to as well.

[VikingPaul73]

When are final cuts?

[Crax]

When are final cuts?

Tomorrow - Aug 31st, 6PM EST

[VikingPaul73]

Tomorrow - Aug 31st, 6PM EST

Cool thanks

[mansquatch]

I kind of wonder if they are going to keep 3 QB. MBT is a worthy developmental prospect at this point. He keeps showing stuff. I think if you PS him he'll get picked up.

To me it comes down to how many LB and WR they keep. Joe Webb might supplant a ST LB with his versatile skill set. Cutting Mauti is risky, IMO.

I htink they are going to shed some OL and try to pick up a castoff swing guy. They don't have a swing tackle/utlity back up for the OL and they need one bad.

Going to be interesting to see where the suprises are.

[TheCoolerOne]

I kinda think they'll cut Raymond

[Mothman]

I kinda think they'll cut Raymond

Nah, Everybody Loves Raymond.

[dead_poet]

Nah, Everybody Loves Raymond.

[dead_poet]

Andrew Krammer's 53: http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Pred ... ster083013

[Texas Vike]

Andrew Krammer's 53: http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Pred ... ster083013

I agree w/ most of his list, but I'd be surprised to see Burton let go and to see Audie Cole make the squad. Neither should have much of an impact on the team over the season anyways.

[Eli]

I htink they are going to shed some OL and try to pick up a castoff swing guy. They don't have a swing tackle/utlity back up for the OL and they need one bad.

They usually only keep three backup offensive linemen. Most likely Baca, Keith and Olsen this year. They might pick up somoene on waivers, but I'm not sure who'd they'd replace.

Jeff Baca has played all three positions. I didn't see him play OT in preseason, but he's been in at both center and guard. Brandon Keith is a veteran who's looked very good in preseason and is easily their best backup OT. Seth Olsen is a vet who can play either inside position. I think that last year the Vikings first move at backup tackle would have been to slide Charlie Johnson over and fill in at guard. This year they have a backup who can actually play the position.

[Eli]

Andrew Krammer's 53: http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Pred ... ster083013

Krammer's prediction is very status quo, with few, if any surprises. I think there will be one or two, but largely I agree. Frazier and the Vikings aren't known for surprising anyone. LB and WR will be the interesting stories play out.

[mondry]

P.A. was talking about a possible trade on the o-line kinda like he did last year at CB with A.J. Jefferson. Nothing major, just a late round pick to bring in a more versatile guy. Last year we had geoff schwarts or whatever his name was but this year we may just need to keep an extra guy if we can't make it happen.

[Eli]

The only guy they lost on the OL was Schwartz. Last year their three backups on the OL were Schwartz, Berger and Mark Asper. I think they're much better off than last year. Unless they can find a solid starter at guard, I don't see any moves there.