May 29, 2013; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier (middle) talks with defensive end Everson Griffen (97) and defensive end Lawrence Jackson (94) during organized team activities at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

When the Vikings drafted Travis Bond in the seventh round of the NFL Draft this year, he was immediately labeled as a Guard.  The Vikings seem to have other plans in mind for the massive prospect.  Although the team would be comfortable keeping him at Guard, they want to try him in more of a “swing” role.

A “swing” player is a backup who is familiar with several spots and can be plugged in when needed.  When at the University of North Carolina, Travis Bond had the nickname “Tree Top” because of his height and size.  The official Vikings website has Bond listed as being 6’6″ tall and weighing in at 329 pounds.

In a recent interview with 1500 ESPN, Bond spoke about the team’s idea for him.

“It’s cool.  I’m used to it, because at Carolina, I was like a swing guy.  If somebody goes down, I fill in.  I think I can do it.  Haven’t played a lot of left, but just got to refresh my memory.  It’s a big transition, moving from right to left.  It might not seem like it, but it’s like muscle memory.  You’ve just got to get back in the hang of it.”

He also spoke about his goals during training camp.

“Just out here trying to learn every play I get.  Just got to learn more concepts, think how the older guys think. Getting a lot of feedback from Phil and Fusco. It’s pretty fun out there.”

Last season, the “swing” role was filled by Geoff Schwartz.  Schwartz has since moved on after last season and is currently a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.  After his exit, the Vikings were left with a lack of depth at Offensive Tackle and hope to find a way to fill that hole.  Travis Bond could be the ideal candidate for that.  He even wears the #76 jersey that Schwartz used to wear.

May 29, 2013; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) lines up behind offensive lineman Brandon Fusco (63) in drills at organized team activities at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

One of the goals that the Minnesota Vikings had this offseason was to create competition at the Guard position.  Recently, Coach Leslie Frazier has made it well known that last year’s starters are not locks to return to those spots:

Apr 26, 2012; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier addresses the media as he introduces the 2013 1st round draft picks at a press conference at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

“We’ve tried to, throughout this offseason, talk about creating more competition at the Guard spot. We think that will help our football team. Hopefully, between DeMarcus Love, Travis, Jeff and Seth, who we signed as well, we’ll create some competition and really push the guys who are starters to improve and if for some reason they stumble, we have some other guys that can step up.”

Last season, the weak spot on the Vikings offensive line was the interior.  This is not the fault of veteran Center John Sullivan, who is currently recovering from microfracture surgery.  Competition can always help to motivate current players or find new talent. From the sounds of things inside the Vikings camp, the news has already spread to the players on the team.

Oct 9, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Charlie Johnson (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

One of last season’s starters at Guard, Charlie Johnson admitted he needs to improve:  ”I think I could get a little bit better at everything.  When you’re inside at Guard, you have less room to work with, but you’re going up against bigger guys. It’s a different technique.”

Johnson added some words about the pay cut that he took this offseason:  “I don’t think anybody would be happy if somebody takes money from you, but I look at it in the fact of, I did it, we were able to sign Phil Loadholt back, bring in Greg Jennings.”

Oct 7, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive guard Brandon Fusco (63) against the Tennessee Titans at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Titans 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The other current starting Guard, Brandon Fusco, had this to say:  ”I need to not play so out of control. That’s probably the biggest thing, not trying to be a superhero out there. … I need to use more of my hands. I know I got away with it in college.”

Fusco also spoke about how important it is for the offensive line to play as a unit:  “We see the same things, the same looks out there.  We often ask each other what to do on a play and to help out. We’re a good unit out there.”

The Vikings know they need to protect their investments in Running Back Adrian Peterson and Quarterback Christian Ponder. Hopefully this competition at Guard will help solidify this offensive line and help the team establish more of a balanced attack.

It’s been a rough couple years for Schwartz on the injury front. His entire 2011 season was wiped out by a hip injury, and he came to the Vikings hoping to resurrect his career. Now this sports hernia issue which will almost certainly reduce him to a back-up role at least initially. Respected outlets like Pro Football Focus and PFT rated Schwartz as a potential free agency steal when the Vikings snapped him up but the caveat was health. Now we see why. He can he a very good player but his body keeps breaking down on him.

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