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NorthernCalVike · 08-01-2019, 02:45 PM

Here is Caplan talking a bit about our O-line and how they are MUCH more improved than last years O-line. Hearing this made my day -

https://www.vikings.com/video/caplan-you...r-this-yea

08-01-2019, 04:47 PM

Great news... but at this time of year we expect to hear those things. Besides, the assumption is that our OL will be better, so it's likely that people are seeing what they believe.
I'LL believe it... when I see the results on the field.

08-01-2019, 05:38 PM

Quote: @pumpf said:
Great news... but at this time of year we expect to hear those things. Besides, the assumption is that our OL will be better, so it's likely that people are seeing what they believe.
I'LL believe it... when I see the results on the field.

My take as well. I really think we should be better, but much better? That I'm going to need to see.

08-01-2019, 06:02 PM

Not sure what it means for today's practice, but RG Dru Samia and RT Storm Norton took first-team walkthrough reps.

Samia has been playing with the 3s throughout camp but Mike Zimmer said Wednesday he wants to get him work against good competition.
— Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) August 1, 2019

08-01-2019, 06:06 PM

Speculation until they play games. But Caplan usually has a pretty good feel for things he sees. And lets face it, it would be hard to be as bad as last year.

08-01-2019, 06:09 PM

Quote: @pumpf said:
Great news... but at this time of year we expect to hear those things. Besides, the assumption is that our OL will be better, so it's likely that people are seeing what they believe.
I'LL believe it... when I see the results on the field.

I think what got me pumped is who was saying it - Caplan - who has never been shy about talking about our short-comingse. Is it just me or is he never really happy with the Vikings? Seems to be in this video, which kinda shocked me. In a good way.

08-01-2019, 06:33 PM

Better is encouraging but a whole hell of a lot better is necessary.

08-01-2019, 07:35 PM

It's OK to be excited about this news. Keep in mind, every single starter on the line is not only new to Kubiak's philosophy and Dennison's zone techniques, but playing next to a guy he's never played next to before. So I fully expected--and still do expect--the line to require some time. Maybe a lot of time. So to hear that they're looking "MUCH" better is very encouraging....

One of my points of optimism about this team is what Kubiak and Dennison have been able to achieve with mediocre talent not just at RB, but on the line as well. It's like cover-two. If you play a cover-two, you don't need 4.4 shut down man corners, you need physical corners who can tackle. Likewise, I've always sort of suspected that in a Kubiak scheme, you don't necessarily need pro bowl offensive linemen either, just athletic ones. Could be that the entire line will look a lot better in this scheme as a result.

08-01-2019, 07:48 PM

Quote: @MaroonBells said:
Not sure what it means for today's practice, but RG Dru Samia and RT Storm Norton took first-team walkthrough reps.

Samia has been playing with the 3s throughout camp but Mike Zimmer said Wednesday he wants to get him work against good competition.
— Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) August 1, 2019

If I had to guess: he's seeing if they are really worth keeping around. Just because they can hold their own against 3's... that doesn't mean anything. Put 'em up against starters... and see if there's a chance that they could develop into competent starters / reserves. If they can't hold their own- then there's no sense keeping them. Maybe getting ready to dump them... and sign some other players?

08-01-2019, 07:54 PM

Quote: @pumpf said:

@MaroonBells said:
Not sure what it means for today's practice, but RG Dru Samia and RT Storm Norton took first-team walkthrough reps.

Samia has been playing with the 3s throughout camp but Mike Zimmer said Wednesday he wants to get him work against good competition.
— Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) August 1, 2019
If I had to guess: he's seeing if they are really worth keeping around. Just because they can hold their own against 3's... that doesn't mean anything. Put 'em up against starters... and see if there's a chance that they could develop into competent starters / reserves. If they can't hold their own- then there's no sense keeping them. Maybe getting ready to dump them... and sign some other players?

they picked up an early camp cut from the redskins already so they will have to make room for him. but I kind of doubt they are getting ready to part ways with Samia since they just drafted him a couple months back.... thats pretty quick to give up on mid round pick.