The Minnesota Vikings did a lot to improve the offensive line for the upcoming 2016 season, but is there enough talent to make see positive results?
The Minnesota Vikings’ roster is pretty stacked. From the defensive line which has backups that could start on a lot of teams, to the cornerback position that is at least five deep, there are a lot of positions already set on the depth chart.
However, no team is perfect. There are a few positions that will see heated battles throughout training camp and the preseason games, such as the safety spot next to Harrison Smith or at full back. While those are both important positions, the battle I am most intrigued to see is along the offensive line.
This year, unlike years past, the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line is in total flux and the phrase “nobody’s spot is guaranteed, everyone will be competing” might actually hold some weight.
After five years of being the offensive line coach, Jeff Davidson has been replaced by Tony Sparano. The Vikings also brought in Alex Boone and Andre Smith to compete for starting spots. Not to mention Loadholt and Sullivan will be returning from injury, two veterans who were strengths along the offensive line just a couple of years ago. All this transition will surely lead to massive amounts of competition.
Why have Mike Zimmer and the Minnesota Vikings shifted their focus to the offensive line? On a team with the best running back in the NFL, a top five defense, and a young, emerging quarterback, the offensive line only needs to be average. Unfortunately, whether it’s because of injury, position switches, or just generally bad play, the offensive line was one of the worst in the league.
Next: How was the blocking last year?
Blocking
If someone only looked at the rushing production from the 2015 season, it would appear at first glance that the offensive line was serviceable. Adrian Peterson was able to lead the league in yards and rushing touchdowns, and he couldn’t have done that without decent run blocking in front of him.
According to NFL.com, the Vikings were third in the league last season with 4.7 yards per rush. Part of that was because of Joe Berger, who stepped in and played very well when Sullivan went down with another back injury. However, the biggest reason for the success on the ground was Adrian Peterson, who sat out most of 2014 and wanted to come back and show everyone he was still the dominant player he’s always been.
When you start looking at the Vikings’ pass blocking, that’s where things really start to get ugly. The big uglies who are supposed to protect Teddy Bridgewater allowed him to be sacked 45 times, which was the eighth most in the league. When you consider the Vikings were dead last in the NFL in pass attempts, the 45 sacks become even more hideous. Pro Football Reference has the Vikings beating out only the San Francisco 49ers in sack percentage, allowing a sack on nine percent of Teddy’s drop backs (which surely would’ve been a lot higher had Teddy not been a magician in the pocket most games).
I’m sure I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. Anyone who watched a Vikings game last season could see the offensive line was the weakest link on the team. The Vikings certainly made some changes this off-season, but have they done enough?
Next: Some new faces to the team
Additions
Alex Boone was brought in to compete at left guard, and he brings with him a lot of hope. Pro Football Focus ranked Boone as the 14th best pass blocking guard last season, and his pass blocking grade of 82.1 would’ve been the highest on the Vikings. Getting better at pass protection might come at a cost, however, as Boone’s run blocking grade of 44.9 would have only been better than T.J. Clemmings’ abysmal 33.2 and Andre Smith’s 41.0.
Andre Smith was the other player the Vikings brought in to compete along the offensive line, presumably at right tackle. Smith had a horrible year in Cincinnati last season and they chose to not bring back the former first round pick. Smith’s PFF grade of 36.9 is only slightly better than T.J. Clemmings’ 36.8, and he was equally bad in pass protection (40.9) as he was in run blocking (41.0).
Phil Loadholt will be competing with Smith and Clemmings in an attempt to regain his former spot at right tackle. Last preseason Loadholt tore his Achilles, forcing him to miss the entire 2015 season. In 2014, Loadholt was also put on injured reserve and missed the final five games. Will Loadholt be able to come back and be the same player he was before his injuries? In 2013, PFF listed Loadholt as first team All-Pro. While it’s difficult to see him coming back at the same level, anything is possible.
John Sullivan is in the same boat as Loadholt, coming back from a season ending injury. Unlike Loadholt, Sullivan’s replacement Joe Berger played extremely well last season. In 2015, PFF ranked Berger as the second best center in football with a player grade of 89.1 (which was easily the highest grade along the offensive line). Sullivan is no slouch himself though, being named first team All-Pro in 2012 by both Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Writers Association.
Next: Who will be fighting for which spots?
Competition
At left tackle, there doesn’t seem to be much competition, as Matt Kalil will more than likely be given one more year to prove he was worth the fourth overall pick in the 2012 draft. Early indications are the Vikings are moving last year’s starter T.J. Clemmings to the left side to be Matt Kalil’s backup and possible future replacement.
Left guard is another position that is all but locked up by Alex Boone. The Vikings gave him a lot of money to wear the purple and gold, so the hope is he will come in and provide better pass blocking to go along with a nasty demeanor that is necessary in the trenches.
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Center is where things start getting heated. Joe Berger played very well last season, but he is 34 years old and doesn’t seem to fit in the Vikings long-term plans. John Sullivan is returning from injury, and there is no guarantee he is the same player he used to be. If Sully is able to return at full strength, I see him winning the starting job for two reasons: he’s younger (30 years old) and Berger is an extremely valuable backup who can play any of the three interior positions.
Right guard will see incumbent Mike Harris attempting to hold off Brandon Fusco. Harris made the switch from tackle to guard last season and played well. With another year under his belt, he will be looking to further improve and cement his status as a starter. Fusco, meanwhile, will be making a return to the right side after last year’s failed experiment on the left side. Both linemen will be 27 years old once the season starts, and hope to factor into the Vikings’ long-term plans at guard.
Right tackle might be the most important battle along the offensive line. Gone are the days when an offensive line only had to worry about the left tackle being able to pass block. In today’s NFL, defenses are constantly moving guys around and are usually able to pass rush from either side of the line. Both Loadholt and Smith were drafted in the 2009 NFL draft, and both players are good run blockers. The biggest distinguishing factors very well might be which player can protect Teddy the best.
Next: Ranking the Vikings best defensive lineman of all-time
The Vikings have done a good job of adding talent to the offensive line, now it’s time to see which players respond to the challenge and elevate their games to claim a starting spot. Currently, the Vikings have 16 offensive linemen listed on their website, and by the end of preseason, the coaching staff will have to whittle that number down to eight or nine. With a good mix of veteran and young players, the offensive line is sure to be home to the hottest training camp battles.