August 10, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Lex Hilliard (38) carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

Roster cuts will be starting soon and there are several Vikings who are firmly on the bubble. These five players could really use a big performance Friday night vs. San Diego to help their cases for staying. It’s also possible it’s too late for these guys.

1. Lex Hilliard

Rick Spielman has mentioned that he would prefer the Vikings’ #3 running back to also be a fullback. Lex Hilliard would seem a versatile enough player to fill this dual role but unfortunately he hasn’t had a great preseason. Then there’s Matt Asiata, who is also able to play fullback and halfback. Asiata has emerged the last couple weeks and is making a serious push to win a roster spot. Hilliard needs to step up his game to fend off Asiata. He should get a fair number of carries in the second half after the starters are pulled.

2. Andrew Sendejo

What advantage does Eric Frampton actually have in the battle for the last safety spot over Andrew Sendejo, outside of Frampton being a favorite of special teams coach Mike Priefer? I would say none. In fact, Sendejo probably has more value because he can hold his own at safety and perform in special teams, while Frampton is strictly a special teams player (as his brutal coverage in the second half of the Bills game demonstrated). If it were me I’d keep Sendejo as the fifth safety and send Frampton packing but then again I have no particular loyalty to Frampton.

3. Manny Arceneaux

Manny showed up better than Devin Aromashodu against the Bills but then again, Aromashodu didn’t get a lot of help from Joe Webb, so it’s probably not fair to assess based on that. Aromashodu is reportedly getting the extra reps at split end with the first team while the Vikings segue Jerome Simpson into suspension so, despite last Friday, Arceneaux looks like he’s the one on the outside looking in. For now.

4. Jeff Charleston

If the Vikings keep six defensive ends, which is a distinct possibility given Alan Williams’ whole hockey line plan, then Jeff Charleston has a shot to make the squad. He will need to beat out Nick Reed for that sixth spot though, and right now Nick Reed is whupping him all up and down the field. Reed has actually been one of the nice surprises of the preseason with his quick spin moves and general disruptiveness (against second- and third-team linemen I grant you). Charleston might want to show up tonight if he hopes to still have a job come cut down day.

5. Mickey Shuler

Shuler’s best friend right now is John Carlson’s bad knee. Carlson still can’t play and as a result, Shuler is getting a chance to show. It’s still probably going to be Reisner behind Rudolph and Carlson with Rhett Ellison as the H-back but you never know, Shuler could still impress somebody. And what if Carlson’s knee doesn’t start coming around? Shuler could make the roster by default. I’m starting to wonder if we’ll ever see Carlson, quite frankly. Dude gets hurt a lot.

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Dec 18, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Orleans defensive end Jeff Charleston (97) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) in the second quarter at the Metrodome. The Saints win 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

The whole Remi Ayodele thing evidently hasn’t put the Vikings off former Saints defensive linemen. On Thursday the team picked up back-up defensive end Jeff Charleston, who like Ayodele was a member of the Saints team that not only killed the Vikings’ Super Bowl dream but also infamously and much to Roger Goodell’s chagrin put a bounty on Brett Favre. By the way, Charleston is not personally caught up in the Bountygate scandal so there’s no reason for fans to whip anything at him or hurl insults. Even if he had gotten in on the bounties, it’s not like he was on the field enough with New Orleans to cash in much.

Charleston may not have been a big contributor in New Orleans, but compared to many of the young men currently competing for a roster spot at defensive end with the Vikes, he possesses a world of experience. He  appeared in all 16 games each of the last three years for New Orleans and picked up a start in 2010. Twice in his career he’s notched a 3-sack season. He arrives with the Vikings on a one-year deal and should find himself immediately on the roster bubble, grappling with the likes of D’Aundre Reed for a spot behind Jared Allen, Brian Robison and Everson Griffen.

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