Minnesota Vikings Fullback Zach Line Is Ready For Action

After the departure of fullback Jerome Felton, the Minnesota Vikings will be looking to fill his shoes with a young blocker that has shown some flashes of potential in the past. However, the transition for Zach Line to take over that position could be a rough one, as Felton used to (and probably still does) refer to himself as the best fullback in the NFL.

That doesn’t mean that Zach Line’s standards at the position and desire to improve himself won’t help his cause for more playing time in 2015. In fact, it seems like some of Jerome Felton’s mentality has rubbed off on the young fullback over the course of their two seasons together.

According to an article on the Pioneer Press website, Line is confident in his ability, but still looking to better himself:

"“I’ve got to continue to make strides to be the best fullback in the league, and that’s what I want to be. I feel like I’ve bided my time and I’ve worked really hard. It will be a waste for me not to take everything I’ve learned over these past few years from the best fullback in the NFL (Felton). That’s what I want to be. Everybody wants to be that. But talk is talk. You’ve got to step in the white lines on Sunday, so that’s what we practice for.”"

Sep 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings fullback Zach Line (48) against the Cleveland Browns at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Browns defeated the Vikings 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Line has been being groomed by the Vikings to take over for Jerome Felton when the time was right. With Felton’s large salary looming for 2015, he ended up using an option on his contract to move on from the team. It didn’t take long before the former Vikings fullback was snatched up by the Buffalo Bills, leaving Minnesota to turn to Line as their potential starting fullback for the 2015 NFL season.

It will be interesting to see how Line accepts the challenge of being a starter for the team. There is even some debate as to how necessary having a fullback on the team is when a blocking tight end or player at another position could be used in that role.

In order for Line to prove his worth of a roster spot for the Minnesota Vikings, he may have to play as though he’s the best fullback in the NFL or at least one of the top players at the position. Personally, I’m excited to see him try to rise to the challenge.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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