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There are a lot of position battles going on within the Vikings roster and many of them have captured the attention of the media and fans. But one of the most competitive and unsettled position battles to date on the Vikings roster is one that hasn’t generated much conversation.

It’s the fullback (FB) position and the Vikings have a healthy competition for that spot on the roster. While in some respects the FB is a dying position on NFL rosters, the Vikings plan to carry a FB, or at least carry a player who can fulfill the role of a FB.

http://blog.vikings.com/2011/08/16/rost ... -fullback/

Interesting article. Yes, I can see using one of the tight ends in that role. A fullback on this team may never carry the ball. They can line up Gerhart and a fullback for power plays, and they also have Peterson in short yardage situations. Peterson is still the most powerful ball carrier on the team.

Haven't seen much of Matt Asiata, but I keep reading that he's impressed the coaches. At 5'11" and 220 lbs he seems undersized to play fullback, though. I have seen some of TE Allen Reisner and he's been impressive.

At TE I think there's no way that Jeff Dugan makes the team this year, with Kyle Rudolph a certainty and a young Reisner catching everything thrown at him. Jim Kleinsasser is also a near certainty, especially with the problems on the offensive line.

Eli wrote:Jim Kleinsasser is also a near certainty, especially with the problems on the offensive line.

Kleinsasser was lining up at FB during training camp. Would be interesting to see Rudolph, Shiancoe and Sauce all in

I'm very interested in what Matt Asiata brings to the table. I think we need to at least PS him this year

Of all the positions to be full of options at, FB?? Outside of punter or kicker (and maybe not even those positions) the least impactful position to be "full of options" at IMO. We got no OL, no DBs, questionable WRs, but we got FBs!!!! Sweet. The Vikings and the Wisconsin Badgers really value their FBs!

purple guy wrote:Of all the positions to be full of options at, FB?? Outside of punter or kicker (and maybe not even those positions) the least impactful position to be "full of options" at IMO. We got no OL, no DBs, questionable WRs, but we got FBs!!!! Sweet. The Vikings and the Wisconsin Badgers really value their FBs!

I'd rather be full of options at K or P than FB...

I'm more interested in the implications for the TE position. What I got from the article is that the Vikings may consider keeping an additional TE around to do double duty at fullback. I can't say how it will work itself out, but it might mean Reisner could stick if he can also take snaps at FB. I think it would be an awesome bit of luck if the Vikings could bring two talented young TEs onto the roster. That doesn't happen every year.

Also, I have no doubt that the Vikings will be doing a lot to help out pass blocking on the line, particularly at LT. Many people have assumed this will be by using two TE sets, but it might also be by using a blocking back. A blocking back has a greater degree of versatility in this role, as he's not confined to blocking DEs and outside blitzers. For that reason, we could see the FB on the field a lot more this season than in the past.

Give it to Kleinsasser. I think he's played in that position the Vikes in the past...though I may be mistaken. That would be awesome. Rudolph, Shiancoe, and Kleinsasser on the field at the same time would be a dangerous TE/FB lineup.

I'm sure teams are just trembling...at the 20x20 yard box they'll have to worry about.

Teams going shotgun 3+ WR...Vikings going to try and compress their offense to as small an area as possible!

See you in 4 years when this team has to start over again

Demi wrote:I'm sure teams are just trembling...at the 20x20 yard box they'll have to worry about.

Teams going shotgun 3+ WR...Vikings going to try and compress their offense to as small an area as possible!

See you in 4 years when this team has to start over again

Some teams accel with fullbacks out of the backfield. I think with the options we have, you almost can't afford NOT to have all 3 (Klein, Shank, Rudy) on the field at the same time.

D'Imperio did not look good against Seattle. I have a feeling his days with the Vikings are numbered. They could bring him back again on the practice squad, but I don't really know why they would if they find someone young who can play fullback this year.

Just run Kleinsausage at FB and since we're so high on our TEs if we keep Dugan he's taken snaps there as well.

Demi wrote:Just run Kleinsausage at FB and since we're so high on our TEs if we keep Dugan he's taken snaps there as well.

THIS

That clinches it - D'Imperio and Asiata will be gone by Saturday.

80 PurplePride 84 wrote: This would've been a good move had he fell to us.

I just found this old post while doing a search. Good call. Felton spent most of 2011 with the Panthers, then was cut in November and picked up by the Colts, where he finished the season. It's amazing how some players are looked at in detail by several teams, released by each one and then become stars with another team. Sure hope the Vikings can re-sign him.

Meanwhile, there's the question what to do with Matt Asiata. Having found a fullback in Felton, I honestly don't know why the Vikings would want to keep Asiata on the roster. He brings nothing to the table that either Gerhardt or Felton don't bring. I'd much rather see the Vikings use that RB roster spot on a great 3rd down back.