Vikings: Big Problems Bring on Big Changes

With the NFL Combine underway, it's time we talked about the black sheep on the team. We had to talk about this at some point, so lets just pull it off like a Hello Kitty band-aid.  The Vikings biggest problem on offense: the line.  Now, granted I've already blamed many of the offensive deficiencies on Norv Turner and Adrian Peterson and I still stand behind what I said.  However, the line isn't exactly where it should be if we are considering the Vikings as a contender.  It's probably the one thing holding us back to be honest.

(USA TODAY Sports: Bruce Kluckhohn)

Of course you can't scoff at a line that helped lead the Vikings to their first division title since 2009. When you have two of your most important starters go down in the preseason, you basically plan for the worst. An 11-5 record was probably above anyone's standard thinking at that point of the year. So let's try and put together the pieces of a position that are completely scattered at the moment.

Offensive Line: T Matt Kalil (26), C John Sullivan (30), C Joe Berger (33), G Brandon Fusco (27), T Phil Loadholt (29), T T.J. Clemmings (24), G Mike Harris (27), G Austin Shepherd (23)

(AP Photo: Jim Mone)

These positions are of course the heart, nay, the sole of the offense.  The only thing that can make or break an offense from working well like a greased-up-deaf-guy.  And it’s pretty broken as I see it now.  Let’s just begin with who we know will probably be starting next year.

Matt Kalil at left tackle.  He wasn’t horrible.  He wasn’t great.  He was...Matt Kalil.  He will be at the left tackle spot next year unless the Vikings decide to unload him to get cap space.  Hopefully he gains some more passion for the game (after admitting he lost it) so he can go back to his top 10 potential. I believe he can, I just don’t think he believes he can.  That’s what scares me.  It's heart breaking for a rookie tackle who went to the pro bowl and that had so much talent, turn into such a dirty rug (aka gets beat constantly). He has the ability to be a top 5 but plays like a bottom 5. Get your head in the game, Kalil.

John Sullivan will be back (hopefully) to take over the center spot once again.  He was an All-Star type player and when healthy was the leader of this line.  The problem here is that his injury is one that is hard to come back from completely.  Having issues with a back (believe me I know that pain and I don't lift anything and I still find ways to hurt myself) is difficult to recover from. And his replacement, Berger, didn’t do so bad. So, I give you...

(USA TODAY Sports: Brad Rempel)

Joe Berger: the best damn lineman the Vikings had all year.  With a healthy Sullivan back in the lineup I can see the Vikings moving Berger back to the left guard spot.  If Sully stays hurt and is unable to play, Berger will stay at the center position where he was the only bright spot on the line.  Let's just pray and make human (Packer) sacrifices to the football gods so Sully can play again. Then we can have possibly 3 spots taken care of for next year. If Sully can't play and we let him go, we still have a solid center in place.  (Cool, that's the only spot on the line I'm not worried about.  1/5 Alright!) Sully being healthy will help out tremendously because for some reason my next person, Mike Harris, was doing pretty bad at left guard.

Mike Harris: Nope.

Brandon Fusco 2 years ago was one of the top rated guards and last year, he was unnoticeable by the fans and by the approaching defensive lineman. Maybe with a move back to right guard he will bring himself back to the future with some sweet new shades and new attitude. Otherwise, he might be on his way out if he's not already.

Phil Loadholt and T.J. Clemmings are the big question marks at right tackle.  I think that T.J. Clemmings is a very rough project, but he did show some promise during the year.  Loadholt was always a solid player at the right tackle spot, but wasn’t anything to brag about (unlike my humbleness which makes me the best person ever).  I could see either being at the RT spot and the other take over at whatever whole we may need to fill if for some god forsaken reason, we don’t add offensive linemen through FA or the draft.  Clemmings could also be a replacement at either guard position, but I'm not sure about that switch.  

Free Agent options:
Anyone. Honestly. We have a group of below average guys and any upgrade would be wonderful.
G Jahri Evans from NO
G Alex Boone from SF

Draft options:
T Jack Conklin: Michigan
T Taylor Decker: Ohio State
T Jason Spriggs: Indiana
G Vidal Alexander: TCU
G Denver Kickland: Arkansas

I’d honestly draft or sign 2 guards and 2 tackles just for good measure. Maybe a center, too.  A whole line.  Bring in a whole new line.  Not really, but maybe.  This is a position I wouldn't mind stock piling for the future of Teddy and the Vikings.

Skol!