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Pretty good breakdown of Udoh here. https://zonecoverage.com/2020/minnesota-vikings-news/could-oli-udoh-jump-from-elon-to-minnesota-vikings-starter/
Who had the highest single game pass blocking grade on the Vikings last year? Oli Udoh in week 17. His run blocking grade was 4th. That's 2 categories over 5 positions over 16 games. That's 160 grades. Udoh's grades were 1st and 4th. Small samples size to be sure, but very encouraging, especially considering his matchup (Mack).
But reading this reminded me again that Udoh's natural position is RT and I'd love to see him compete for a starting position there. But he's not going to beat out Brian O'Neill, who looks like a future star in the league. I know it's not a popular opinion, but I wonder if it's not time to just move O'Neill to LT permanently. It sort of evens out the competitions across the line and satisfies my OCD need for balance. Also, we have five roster-able tackles. We'll keep four. So unless we cut Hill, one has to move to guard. Better a late career guy in Reiff than a youngster in Cleveland or Udoh IMO. And I really like the competition this sets up at RT with Cleveland and Udoh.
LT: O'Neill, Hill
LG: Reiff, Elf
C: Bradbury, Elf
RG: Samia, Dozier
RT: Cleveland/Udoh
Yeah, I agree with the premise that Udoh is a natural RT. I think that is his optimal position. His length would be completely wasted inside at guard. But IMO Cleveland is the future LT on this team, O'Neill stays right where he is and Udoh's upside is #1 backup swing OT. Which is pretty damn good considering where he came from. He's still raw regardless of this article's assertion that he's a starter. For me, Reiff sucks and I've felt like that since he was signed in Minnesota. I think Hill won't be on the team next year, but Udoh grabs that spot next year.
I know you feel the same way, but I LOVE the potential starting O-line in 2021.
I am warming to the idea of trying ONeill at LT this year since it basically going to be a throw away year anyway. The strength of our schedule coupled with the shit offseason will make it very tough to compete with so many rookies.
I like how the team has built up the OT talent, but I'm still very concerned with OGs. Kline was the be best guard on the team, and he's gone. Lots of questions to be answered at the guard position. Hope they actually have a plan, and most of all, I hope it works.
Quote: @HappyViking said:
I like how the team has built up the OT talent, but I'm still very concerned with OGs. Kline was the be best guard on the team, and he's gone. Lots of questions to be answered at the guard position. Hope they actually have a plan, and most of all, I hope it works.
I think with one of the tackles moving to guard (either Reiff or Cleveland), they like the competition at LG between Reiff, Cleveland and Elflein. And it sounds like they're very high on Samia at RG, where Dozier is a solid backup.
They can still bring Kline back for cheap, but if they do, I think it will be to compete on the left instead of the right. His best years were at LG with the Pats. I think they would do that in two circumstances: 1. Elflein doesn't improve and is released. 2. They want to keep Cleveland at tackle. That would leave Reiff and signing Kline as the only options at LG. And the team might just decide that it's a better cap value to put Kline there at vet min than Reiff at $10M per....especially with Cook and Harris money pending. Hell, Kline might be a better LG than Reiff at EVEN money.
Quote: @StickyBun said:
Yeah, I agree with the premise that Udoh is a natural RT. I think that is his optimal position. His length would be completely wasted inside at guard. But IMO Cleveland is the future LT on this team, O'Neill stays right where he is and Udoh's upside is #1 backup swing OT. Which is pretty damn good considering where he came from. He's still raw regardless of this article's assertion that he's a starter. For me, Reiff sucks and I've felt like that since he was signed in Minnesota. I think Hill won't be on the team next year, but Udoh grabs that spot next year.
I know you feel the same way, but I LOVE the potential starting O-line in 2021.
One has to take the stats in context as well. Week 17 was the backups playing against a chicago team that had largely quit. Mack was making "business decisions" rather than playing football.
So while Udoh has potential, I am not ready to crown him off one good showing against a disinterested opponent. But the good news is, we finally have some solid youth and potential at backup tackle.
in my highly researched opinion,
Reiff stays at LT this year while Cleveland gets his feet wet and learns the position. If Reiff gets dinged, Cleveland will have his "O'Neill moment" to take the job and not look back.
LG is wide open. Elf, Collins or perhaps someone like Kline as MB mentions.
C is locked down with BradburyRG is Samia or CollinsRT is O'Neill
I just don't see the massive movement of 4 positions being a good move for our offense.
Quote: @greediron said:
I just don't see the massive movement of 4 positions being a good move for our offense.
Maybe not in '20, but making those moves now might set us up for having the best line we can possibly field (perhaps even a legitimately great line) in '21.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ greediron said:
I just don't see the massive movement of 4 positions being a good move for our offense.
Maybe not in '20, but making those moves now might set us up for having the best line we can possibly field (perhaps even a legitimately great line) in '21.
and odds are even if Reiff sticks around this year, he wont be on the roster next year at his contract number and will likely want to test FA before taking a big pay cut... so see what we've got in house this year. I do wish if they were going to screw with the OL that they would have waited on Cousins extension to see what kind of year we have this year with a retooled OL and a new fleet of corner backs...but that decision has been made so away we go.
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ greediron said:
I just don't see the massive movement of 4 positions being a good move for our offense.
Maybe not in '20, but making those moves now might set us up for having the best line we can possibly field (perhaps even a legitimately great line) in '21.
and odds are even if Reiff sticks around this year, he wont be on the roster next year at his contract number and will likely want to test FA before taking a big pay cut... so see what we've got in house this year. I do wish if they were going to screw with the OL that they would have waited on Cousins extension to see what kind of year we have this year with a retooled OL and a new fleet of corner backs...but that decision has been made so away we go.
I agree he likely won't be around next year. But IMO his leadership will be very valuable with all the young guys in the room. I get the look forward to 21, but I also want to look forward to 20.
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