07-31-2021, 11:51 AM
Offensive lineThe Vikings haven’t yet seen the return of Christian Darrisaw to full health, so Rashod Hill is still taking the first-team reps at left tackle. Darrisaw will likely take over when he’s ready, so the more interesting position to take a look at is right guard, where Dakota Dozier and Oli Udoh have rotated with the first team, swapping days where they take the majority of the snaps.
Notably, third-round pick Wyatt Davis was not part of the rotation, often playing with the second or third team.
Practices without pads give us little indication about the state of readiness for the offensive and defensive lines, but Udoh has earned significant praise from Vikings coaches.
“Oli (Udoh) is so athletic,” Kubiak said. “He has a lot of God-given ability. He’s extremely smart and a hard worker. He’s entering Year 3 or 4 here — same scheme and it’s just coming together for him at the right time.”
Kubiak also noted that they’re still willing to play him at tackle, too, and consider him a position-flexible player. That’s a decent indication that even if Udoh doesn’t make the starting lineup that he could provide enough swing versatility that they may not need to carry a 10th offensive lineman as a backup.
Head coach Mike Zimmer is impressed, too.
“He’s a really good athlete,” he said, “and he’s big, has got extremely long arms, has got some physicality to him. I talked to him after practice yesterday and asked him, ‘How did you like being in at guard?’ and he said he loved it.”
With Darrisaw out and Udoh at guard, there’s been some shuffle at tackle, which is why the second-team tackles were Blake Brandel (left) and Evin Ksiezarczyk (right). Playing left guard and center on the second team were Dru Samia and Mason Cole.
Notably, third-round pick Wyatt Davis was not part of the rotation, often playing with the second or third team.
Practices without pads give us little indication about the state of readiness for the offensive and defensive lines, but Udoh has earned significant praise from Vikings coaches.
“Oli (Udoh) is so athletic,” Kubiak said. “He has a lot of God-given ability. He’s extremely smart and a hard worker. He’s entering Year 3 or 4 here — same scheme and it’s just coming together for him at the right time.”
Kubiak also noted that they’re still willing to play him at tackle, too, and consider him a position-flexible player. That’s a decent indication that even if Udoh doesn’t make the starting lineup that he could provide enough swing versatility that they may not need to carry a 10th offensive lineman as a backup.
Head coach Mike Zimmer is impressed, too.
“He’s a really good athlete,” he said, “and he’s big, has got extremely long arms, has got some physicality to him. I talked to him after practice yesterday and asked him, ‘How did you like being in at guard?’ and he said he loved it.”
With Darrisaw out and Udoh at guard, there’s been some shuffle at tackle, which is why the second-team tackles were Blake Brandel (left) and Evin Ksiezarczyk (right). Playing left guard and center on the second team were Dru Samia and Mason Cole.
