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.

Dec 6, 2009; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Steve Hutchinson may still return to the Vikings, but it won’t happen unless Hutch is willing to restructure his current contract, which is set to pay him $7 million for 2012. Tom Pelissero tweeted earlier Thursday morning that a restructure has been discussed but no final decision will be made until the big front office-ownership meeting on Saturday. I only have one question: Will there be cupcakes at the meeting? Some mini-carrots and dip maybe? Possibly punch?

Personally I wonder why the Vikings would even bother messing with a Hutch restructure. The idea here is to get younger and cheaper. Paying Hutch less takes care of the cheaper part but ain’t anything in this world gonna make him younger. His presumptive replacement at left guard, Charlie Johnson, IS younger, and at this point could probably beat Hutch out in a camp competition for the spot. And you’re likely not going to shift Hutch to right guard where you have Joe Berger and Brandon Fusco waiting to duke it out. So bringing Hutch back would be a pure depth move. But it would also take up a spot that you could use on a younger guy. And that wouldn’t make a ton of sense for a rebuilding team.

I think the Vikings are just doing Hutch a courtesy by offering him the restructure. The only way they actually keep him is if he’s willing to take a tiny amount, and I don’t see Hutch doing that. He can probably still go out and score a real one-year contract from a contending team, even with age and health issues diminishing his skills, so in the end I think he gets the old “thanks for being our left guard and we’ll see you down the road” treatment. It was a nice run for Hutch.

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Dec 18, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Steve Hutchinson (76) against the New Orleans Saints at the Metrodome. The Saints defeated the Vikings 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Steve Hutchinson’s run as a Viking may very well be on the verge of ending. With the Vikes looking to cut salary and get younger, old, expensive players like Hutch are marked men. And Hutch, for his part, seems resigned to this reality. When asked about his future with the team Hutch said, “I know what the cap situation is and all that, but it’s out of my control.”

Not only is Hutch old and pricey, but there are questions about his durability too. After years of being more invincible than Iron Man, Hutch has suffered through two straight injury-plagued seasons. In 2010 he battled back injuries before finally being sidelined with a broken thumb, and in 2011 he landed on IR after suffering a concussion. All those years of opening holes for running backs are finally taking their toll on the former Pro Bowler.

There’s still a chance the Vikings could ask Hutch to redo his contract and stay, but realistically, I don’t think that will happen. Knowing his time is limited, Hutch would likely prefer a chance to sign with a non-rebuilding team over staying with the Vikes for less money and a bench role. When Hutch leaves, last year’s starting left tackle Charlie Johnson becomes the prime candidate to take over at left guard. Johnson is probably only marginally better than Hutch at this point but he is younger and cheaper and hasn’t been hurt. And that’s how it goes.

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