Kalil and His Fellow Linemen

[Purple bruise]

If the Vikes had a top 10 pass-blocking line last year than heaven help the poor QBs playing behind lines that didn't make that list!

I think that Ponder running for his life, way to many times to avoid being killed (usually pretty succesfully) may have skewed those stats.

[dead_poet]

I think that Ponder running for his life, way to many times to avoid being killed (usually pretty succesfully) may have skewed those stats.

116 hurries were tied for fourth-most on the list.

[Purple bruise]

116 hurries were tied for fourth-most on the list.

Denver's #1 ranking is due to Mannings quick decision making and getting rid of the ball in very short order. IMO

[dead_poet]

Denver's #1 ranking is due to Mannings quick decision making and getting rid of the ball in very short order. IMO

And pre-snap reads, football IQ and so forth. No question your QB makes a difference in these rankings. Of course, some is also skill on the offensive line. Unless you think Andy Dalton is really that good.

[AP_AD28]

It seems odd that one season AD nearly breaks the rushing record, and everyone praises the OL that year, and the next year theyre getting grilled? Sure Adrian is a beast and can make something out of nothing and should ultimately get the main credit for the season, but to say the OL didnt contribute greatly would be ridiculous.

Grading last year's season too closely would be a mistake, the entire team seemed to be out of sync besides a slim few exceptions, and rotating between 3 different QBs throughout the year effects the entire offense, OL included.

[Purple bruise]

It seems odd that one season AD nearly breaks the rushing record, and everyone praises the OL that year, and the next year theyre getting grilled? Sure Adrian is a beast and can make something out of nothing and should ultimately get the main credit for the season, but to say the OL didnt contribute greatly would be ridiculous.

Grading last year's season too closely would be a mistake, the entire team seemed to be out of sync besides a slim few exceptions, and rotating between 3 different QBs throughout the year effects the entire offense, OL included.

I think that the conversation is talking about PASS PROTECTION. The line has and does pretty darn good at run blocking.

[Purple bruise]

Kalil was fine last year. He could've been better, but he did his job. The guy has all pro written by his name in the future if he keeps working hard. Big, strong, agile, and smart. He's exactly what I want at LT.

The reason too for many of his blunder, and I didn't want to go this route because threads always get hijacked, but yeah you know who I'm talking about- he doesn't stay in the pocket. He has no pocket awareness, so it makes our OLINE look much more horrible than it actually is.

As for Loadholt, he isn't going to be the greatest ever, but if you rank him against other team's Rt, he's actually above average. The guy is a beast in the run game, and continues to make improvement in the passing game. No worries out our tackles. My opinion.

Yeah you don't want to hi-jack it but you will anyway

[Purple bruise]

I haven't written any names. He-who-shall-not-be-name

It shall remain a mystery

[AP_AD28]

I think that the conversation is talking about PASS PROTECTION. The line has and does pretty darn good at run blocking.

You can talk about pass protection all you want. The thread is talking about the offensive line entirely. I agree the pass protection is shaky, I think its due mainly to the circus we have at QB I would suggest.

[Purple bruise]

Was that the game the end blew past him in five nanoseconds to get a strip sack in the endzone for a TD?

Yes it was Orakpo but I do not think that it even took a nano second to blow by him. Ponder got injured near the goal line on a great scramble and run play (nearly scored) and seperated his shoulder but that was the only sack of the night by the Skins.
http://espn.go.com/blog/washington-reds ... fails-late

[Demi]

Amazing how much better the Oline looked once Cassell was in there...
Replace Johnson with a rookie hopefully, rest of the Oline is more then competent enough, and young. Let's get a group together that can play together for years to come!

[Slick Rick]

I think some people are overlooking the fact that Charlie Johnson was playing right next to him, and in my opinion directly impacted his production. Getting that position fixed is going to be huge, and I expect Matt to be as good as he's ever been this year.

As for Loadholt, the dude's a prototype for what a power run tackle should be. With him and Fusco, our right side has been flat out dominant.

Amazing how much better the Oline looked once Cassell was in there...
Replace Johnson with a rookie hopefully, rest of the Oline is more then competent enough, and young. Let's get a group together that can play together for years to come!

Kind of off-topic, but:

Yeah, Ponder doesn't know how to stay in the pocket. I think the Vikes might platoon their QBs the way that some baseball teams platoon hitters. There were several games last year where I was saying "Cassel could have beaten these guys", and a few games where I was saying "Ponder could have beaten these guys".

I just think certain player skill sets are better off facing different kinds of defenses. Some teams have the luxury of having that franchise QB who can do everything, but we don't. Usually those guys get platooned in baseball, and I bet the same thing would work in football. I remember when Philly was doing it (sort of) with Vick (scrambler) and Kolb (pocket passer). I could see the Vikes doing something like that until they get a real "do-it-all" type of guy.

[Purple bruise]

I think some people are overlooking the fact that Charlie Johnson was playing right next to him, and in my opinion directly impacted his production. Getting that position fixed is going to be huge, and I expect Matt to be as good as he's ever been this year.

As for Loadholt, the dude's a prototype for what a power run tackle should be. With him and Fusco, our right side has been flat out dominant.
Kind of off-topic, but:

Yeah, Ponder doesn't know how to stay in the pocket. I think the Vikes might platoon their QBs the way that some baseball teams platoon hitters. There were several games last year where I was saying "Cassel could have beaten these guys", and a few games where I was saying "Ponder could have beaten these guys".

I just think certain player skill sets are better off facing different kinds of defenses. Some teams have the luxury of having that franchise QB who can do everything, but we don't. Usually those guys get platooned in baseball, and I bet the same thing would work in football. I remember when Philly was doing it (sort of) with Vick (scrambler) and Kolb (pocket passer). I could see the Vikes doing something like that until they get a real "do-it-all" type of guy.

Great points

[HardcoreVikesFan]

I have always liked big Phil. However, I am always one who is looking to improve the team in anyway. If a guy like Matthews/Robinson is available, in my mind, I would strongly consider drafting them. I don't know how well Loadholt could play guard, but dang, he would be better than Johnson. If Loadholt was awful at guard, the Vikings could ship him off as right tackle to a needy team.

[S197]

Sua-Filo is getting a lot of attention recently (and I think he'll be a good guard) but it seems like Yankey has dropped in some of the mocks. I think he's the best guard in the class and would be a good 2nd round pick. He's an athletic type player that I think fits well between Kalil and Sullivan. With the overall draft being so strong in the top 40, the Vikings should have solid 2nd round options. I can see guys like Yankey, Van Noy, and even possibly guys like Shazier and Verrett still around. Carr might be another.