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Minnesota Vikings HC Mike Zimmer discusses the offensive line

By Adam Carlson

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The Minnesota Vikings answered a lot of their questions during the 2015 NFL Draft.  They spent high draft picks on several positions of need, including cornerback and inside linebacker.  However, one spot that they waited on until the 4th round of the draft was the offensive line.

Although many fourth round picks pan out, losing former left guard and veteran blocker Charlie Johnson leaves a hole to fill on the offensive line.  The team has some ideas moving forward about how to help protect and create running lanes, but fans from last year are likely skeptical.

Recently, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer talked about how important the offensive line will be to the team’s success in an article by Sid Hartman on the Star Tribune website:

"“This offensive line needs to play big for us this year.”"

No truer statement can be made.  Last season, the team’s blockers were hit with huge injuries and lack of effectiveness at times that left rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with nearly no time to deliver the ball and another rookie at running back scrambling to pick up extra yardage.

The first big question involved left tackle Matt Kalil, who struggled next to Charlie Johnson on the offensive line while dealing with injuries and confidence issues.  The Minnesota Vikings exercised their 5th year option Kalil’s contract, showing a willingness to pay him $11,096,000 for his 2016 season unless a long-term deal is worked out.  That kind of investment proves that the team isn’t giving up all hope that Kalil will return strong.

"“Kalil is looking better and hopefully will continue to get better.”"

The spot next to Matt Kalil used to belong to Charlie Johnson, but now it sounds as though last season’s right guard Brandon Fusco will be taking that spot.  Mike Zimmer likes what he’s seen from Fusco in that spot:

"“We moved him over to left guard because we had talked about those kinds of things in the draft, if we drafted somebody who could play on the right side. [Fusco] has actually done a very nice job over there. I think him and [center John] Sullivan have a good relationship and now he is developing a good relationship with Kalil.”"

There are two other guys on the offensive line that will keep their current positions on the line.  Center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt are two guys that are anchors for the team.  But that leaves the right guard position wide open for any player that wants to step up, and Mike Zimmer is excited to see who is ready to take over that spot.

"“Maybe one of these young offensive linemen show up, Tyrus Thompson or T.J. Clemmings or [Austin] Shepherd, one of those guys, they have a chance to come in and help us.”"

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will have a new quarterback handing him the ball, a new fullback blocking for him, and a new group of guys making holes for him to run through.  It will take a solid year from all those guys involved to help Peterson have a strong season after missing all of the 2014 season with the exception of one game.

What do you think?  Do you feel the Vikings offensive line got stronger by letting Charlie Johnson walk?  Will Brandon Fusco’s move to left guard be a good move?  And which young player should win the starting right guard job?  Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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