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purplefaithful · 08-10-2018, 02:04 AM

The Vikings’ offensive line usually waits until midseason to start breaking down, causing once-promising campaigns to go completely off the rails.
Well, the Vikings got a jump on that with starting left guard Nick Easton likely out for the season after having neck surgery on Thursday morning.
With starting center Pat Elflein on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and starting right guard Mike Remmers out with a lingering ankle injury, the Vikings’ offensive line has seen better days.
While both Elflein and Remmers are expected to be ready for the Sept. 9 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers — unless the Vikings feel comfortable rolling with Tom Compton or Danny Isidora as one of their starters — they might want to considering looking at the free agent market.
Here are some names the Vikings could target:
LUKE JOECKELHe was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, so even though he hasn’t lived up to the hype, there might still be some untapped potential somewhere in that 6-foot-6, 305-pound frame. Though he flamed out in his four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and one season with the Seattle Seahawks, he’s only 26 years old and could be something of a low-risk, high-reward signing. Joeckel was ranked as the NFL’s No. 52 guard last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
JAHRI EVANSHe has been an NFL starter for 12 seasons, spending most of his career with the New Orleans Saints and last season with the Green Bay Packers. Evans, who turns 35 in a couple of weeks, was a perennial Pro Bowl selection in his prime, though it’s reasonable to assume his best days are behind him. He was the No. 23 guard last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
ZANE BEADLESHe was released by the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. While he shined earlier in his career as a starter for the Denver Broncos, he has started to decline as of late, and was the No. 79 guard last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Still, at 31, Beadles has experience on his side and 115 career starts under his belt, significantly more than Compton (11) and Isidora (1) combined.
ALEX BOONEHe was cut by the Vikings before the start of last season. It was an ugly breakup so the potential of bringing him back to the Twin Cities seems highly unlikely. That said, Boone did start 13 games for the Arizona Cardinals last season, at left guard no less. He was the No. 60 guard last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
RICHIE INCOGNITONo chance. Not after Tuesday’s Twitter meltdown.
https://www.twincities.com/2018/08/09/vi...ons-place/

08-10-2018, 09:53 AM

That is a pathetic list...

08-10-2018, 10:06 AM

They aren't signing any of these stiffs. Incognito can still play, but you also might find him in the equipment closet calling in drone strikes.

08-10-2018, 10:23 AM

Incognito. They should have drafted Hernandez. I don't care about "scheme fit," he is a pro football player and a road-grater.
Have a "come to Jesus" meeting with Zimmer and get it done.

08-10-2018, 10:42 AM

I guess the silver lining is most every Viking olineman is around league average or worse. So not like we're ever losing all pro talent I guess. Plug and play the next less the average Joe. Hope Kirk can move and release quickly. That could be the difference. This is a common midseason problem lately. Shouldn't we get at least 5 games in before the plan goes to crap???

08-10-2018, 02:02 PM

Well, they will likely sign someone to fill the roster spot, but as for the final 53, it probably means one of the younger guys we already have gets more reps and battles compton or such for the spot.

08-10-2018, 03:24 PM

I think we will be fine with who we have. Compton or Isodora should be able to handle the job. Better to lose Easton now than three weeks from now.

08-10-2018, 03:56 PM

the only thing I would be looking at in those guys is who has played well in the past and what led to their decline? its possible a guy played decent for a zone blocking team and went to shit on a different team with a different scheme, without knowing who runs what around the league and who plays well in what kind of schemes its really hard to say that this guy or that guy might be a good fit or complete shit.

what was evans asked to do in nawlins vs what was gbay trying to make him do? is that we he slipped? or is it simply age and playing behind a QB that held the ball longer? lots of factors to look at beside what they were ranked by some questionable measures. without watching tape on the guys and know exactly what our coaches are looking for in a OG (besides a pulse) an arguement for or against any one of them is really tough to make... well except maybe fat captain america.

08-10-2018, 06:00 PM

Quote: @wiviking said:
I think we will be fine with who we have. Compton or Isodora should be able to handle the job. Better to lose Easton now than three weeks from now.

Agreed. Plus once all the teams start making cuts, we might find a nugget of wheat among the chaff...

08-10-2018, 06:02 PM

I'm more worried about Center at this point. Elf better get off the shelf in the next week and at least start practicing. It's going to take at least 2-3 weeks to shake the rust off, and get comfy with Kirks hands up his hiney.