Vikings Tweak Back End Of Roster & What It Means

In this final week of the NFL season… Also known as sign and stash time the Vikings have made a handful of moves that when all piled up are worthy of a TVA post.

On the tight end front the Vikings waived Allen Reisner and promoted Mickey Shuler from the practice squad. Reisner was a hero in Mankato before the season began catching nearly everything thrown his way. He was cut from the team before the season began, signed the next day onto the practice squad after no other team deemed him worthy of a roster spot, promoted onto the team in November and then cut again now. He’ll finish his rookie season being active in 4 games netting one reception for 5 yards (the Atlanta game) and will try to find work next season with another team. Shuler is a more recognizable name being drafted last season during the Brad Childress era. He was waived before the season began, then was claimed by the Miami Dolphins catching two balls in six active games with them, tried out for the Bengals only to fail his physical, was then signed onto the Vikings practice squad and is now promoted. Many felt the Vikings should have kept Shuler over tight end Jeff Dugan last season, but that’s all a moot point now considering he’s back now.

And why should we care? Vice President of Player Personnel Rick Spielman has a thing for players he once drafted and likes bringing them back. Visanthe Shiancoe is a free agent when the season is over and very well may walk. So if that happens we have a blocking specialist in Shuler to compliment Kyle Rudolph for all of the two tight end sets offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave loves to run.

On the running back front the Vikings promoted Caleb King from the practice squad and signed Jordan Todman. We’ve written about King in the past, he looked okay in the preseason playing in garbage time and has apparently gotten in tiptop shape on the practice squad. Todman is a smaller back at 5’9” and just over 200 lbs. He has quick feet, decent instincts finding running lanes and is also an asset in the passing game. He was productive at UConn being the Big East player of the year and was a 2nd team All American by the Associated Press.

And why should we care? The Vikings are clearly throwing spaghetti at the wall at the running back position to see what sticks. Lorenzo Booker is a free agent and probably won’t be back next year giving next to nothing to the team this season. And sadly Adrian Peterson was moved to injured reserve, may not be ready to begin the 2012 season the Vikings have to find options (plural) behind Toby Gerhart with hopes our All World running back returns and returns to form sooner rather than later.

Jon Merckle may be followed on Twitter @thevikingpig