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purplefaithful · 02-16-2018, 03:22 AM

Will Mike Remmers play tackle, which is what he was signed to do, or guard, where he moved after injury issues hit the line? That's one of the 2018 issues Vikings' management is tackling.

The need isn’t as great, but the Vikings offensive line faces another potential reshaping this offseason.
In front is the unknown with Mike Remmers’ position. A year ago, Remmers was part two of the Vikings’ aggressive maneuvers to shore up the front five when he signed a five-year, $30 million contract with $10.5 million guaranteed at signing.
The Vikings may have spent that money on a guard for the 2018 season. Remmers, who made his first 52 NFL starts at tackle, has made his last three starts at guard, including both Vikings playoff games. He gave the team-first answer when asked about the possibility of staying at guard after his first start there during the Dec. 31 season finale win against the Bears.
“Whatever they need me to do,” Remmers said. “I just want to win.”
The Vikings coaching staff opted to keep Remmers at guard during both playoff games even after the return of center Pat Elflein freed up Joe Berger to return to his spot at right guard.
Whether or not Remmers stays there will be a matter of how Rick Spielman and the Vikings approach free agency and the draft.
“That will all be decided as we go,” Spielman said of Remmers during Super Bowl week. “Until we get together as a group and lay out the plan, and that could depend too on what direction we go in the draft or what direction we go in free agency. … I wouldn’t tell you guys the plan anyway, but right now a lot of things are etched in oatmeal.”
The Vikings may also have to deal with the retirement of Joe Berger, the 35-year-old linchpin who led the offense with 1,116 snaps this season. That is, if they can’t talk him out of it with some extra cash.
They should consider it, if not just to free up a pressing need at tackle...
The Vikings offensive line did not play very well in the postseason. Case Keenum was the most-pressured QB in the playoffs (41%), according to Pro Football Focus, with leaks led by the team’s top three tackles in Rashod Hill (14 pressures), Riley Reiff (8) and Remmers (7). Hill, Remmers’ fill-in at right tackle, regressed some against a strong Eagles pass rush when he allowed eight hurries (two hits) on Keenum in the NFC title game. And only nine of the Vikings’ 45 first downs happened on the ground...

A starter or two and the cupboard still need to be addressed....
http://www.startribune.com/mike-remmers-...473932303/

02-16-2018, 04:06 AM

The only reason Remmers played guard was due to injuries to Elflein and Easton. I would expect him to kick back out to RT. It seems to be his best position. I didn't get the impression he played well at LG those last couple games. We really missed Easton's mobility in the run game IMO.

02-16-2018, 12:34 PM

The line needs to be improved incrementally, so draft some guys and let the best 5 get in there. Competition.

02-16-2018, 12:55 PM

Quote: @Wetlander said:
The only reason Remmers played guard was due to injuries to Elflein and Easton. I would expect him to kick back out to RT. It seems to be his best position. I didn't get the impression he played well at LG those last couple games. We really missed Easton's mobility in the run game IMO.

I haven't rewatched those games, but the impression I got from that breakdown Barr posted yesterday is that the team thinks he played well when filling in at RG, but struggled at LG. If we're going to upgrade the line with a 1st rounder, I'd rather do it at RT and move Remmers to RG, keeping Hill as valuable, experienced depth.

02-16-2018, 01:23 PM

Quote: @MaroonBells said:

@Wetlander said:
The only reason Remmers played guard was due to injuries to Elflein and Easton. I would expect him to kick back out to RT. It seems to be his best position. I didn't get the impression he played well at LG those last couple games. We really missed Easton's mobility in the run game IMO.
I haven't rewatched those games, but the impression I got from that breakdown Barr posted yesterday is that the team thinks he played well when filling in at RG, but struggled at LG. If we're going to upgrade the line with a 1st rounder, I'd rather do it at RT and move Remmers to RG, keeping Hill as valuable, experienced depth.

This^

02-16-2018, 02:43 PM

Yep. Hill's not ready yet and swing may be his ceiling. Outside of QB getting an RT should be the number one goal and I'm betting some will be within striking distance or available at pick #30.

02-16-2018, 04:53 PM

I thought it was dumb to play him at OG... and I think it'll be dumb next year, unless they get a better RT. Hill is a good swing tackle; I don't see him as a starter (at least not at RT; if its possible, I think he actually played better at LT). Keep Remmers at RT... and get Isadora on the field at RG. Keep Easton at LG, or make him an swing interior OL and upgrade LG. Quit moving guys all over, as if they were interchangeable!!!

02-16-2018, 05:12 PM

Quote: @MaroonBells said:

@Wetlander said:
The only reason Remmers played guard was due to injuries to Elflein and Easton. I would expect him to kick back out to RT. It seems to be his best position. I didn't get the impression he played well at LG those last couple games. We really missed Easton's mobility in the run game IMO.
I haven't rewatched those games, but the impression I got from that breakdown Barr posted yesterday is that the team thinks he played well when filling in at RG, but struggled at LG. If we're going to upgrade the line with a 1st rounder, I'd rather do it at RT and move Remmers to RG, keeping Hill as valuable, experienced depth.

It would make sense. Switching sides is more difficult than switching tackle to guard.

IMO, let Berger retire. Easton was a rock at LG and a big part of our mobile offensive line. Remmers at RG, Hill at RT and Isadora at swing guard.

I think Hill is solid, should improve his run blocking in the offseason and will be a good RT that can move to LT if needed in the future.

02-16-2018, 05:33 PM

Quote: @pumpf said:
I thought it was dumb to play him at OG... and I think it'll be dumb next year, unless they get a better RT. Hill is a good swing tackle; I don't see him as a starter (at least not at RT; if its possible, I think he actually played better at LT). Keep Remmers at RT... and get Isadora on the field at RG. Keep Easton at LG, or make him an swing interior OL and upgrade LG. Quit moving guys all over, as if they were interchangeable!!!

I can see Remmers at RG, but good point about Isadora; he could emerge as a good starting OG next fall.

We also have Aviante Collins on the roster. Tremendous athlete who came into the NFL pretty raw but he was contributing as a 6th lineman on plays last year. I wonder if he could get a shot at RT?

02-16-2018, 06:13 PM

Quote: @pumpf said:
I thought it was dumb to play him at OG... and I think it'll be dumb next year, unless they get a better RT. Hill is a good swing tackle; I don't see him as a starter (at least not at RT; if its possible, I think he actually played better at LT). Keep Remmers at RT... and get Isadora on the field at RG. Keep Easton at LG, or make him an swing interior OL and upgrade LG. Quit moving guys all over, as if they were interchangeable!!!

^^^^^ Exactly
We do need to upgrade at OG this season. It's pretty telling they bring RT over to LG to replace Sirles.
Or else it's a bone headed move on the staff.