Ezra working at right guard

#Vikings offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak on guard Dru Samia: "I have big expectations for Dru.''

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 5, 2020

Kinda sucks that this implies we're stuck with another year of Elfein.

https://www.twincities.com/2020/08/05/vikings-rookie-ezra-cleveland-a-candidate-to-start-at-right-guard/

The Vikings drafted Ezra Cleveland to perhaps be their left tackle of the future. For now, though, he’s playing guard.
Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said Wednesday on a conference call that the second-round pick from Boise State is being looked at as a candidate to replace Josh Kline at right guard.
“We’re working him at guard right now,” Kubiak said of team walk-through practices. “So, he gets reps next to (rookie tackle) Blake (Brandel) as they work together in the young group, and we’ll go from there.”
The Vikings are looking for a replacement for Kline, who was released in March in a salary-related move. Kubiak said the primary candidates are veterans Dakota Dozier and Aviante Collens — and Cleveland.Kubiak said the Vikings are set with four returning offensive line starters in left tackle Riley Reiff, left guard Pat Elflein, center Garrett Bradbury and right tackle Brian O’Neill. Head coach Mike Zimmer said early this year that moving Reiff to guard was a possibility but Kubiak said he will remain at left tackle.
“I think Riley played really well for us last year,” Kubiak said. “I think we can do some things offensively and me as a play-caller to help our players and help Riely more, from that standpoint. I’m a big Riley Reiff fan.”
Reiff, an eight-year veteran, has a salary-cap number of $13.2 million this season and $13.95 million in 2021, and has no guaranteed money left on his contract. With the Vikings’ cap issues, it’s possible Reiff won’t be with the team in 2021, and Cleveland could end up being his replacement.
“The nice thing is we think (Cleveland) has flexibility,” Kubiak said. “We know he’s played tackle for a long time. … He’s a very bright player.”

@"1VikesFan" said: Kinda sucks that this implies we're stuck with another year of Elfein.

Sounds like Samia is a backup G

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"1VikesFan" said: Kinda sucks that this implies we're stuck with another year of Elfein.

I read that and this was my intial reaction too...except it included a long and loud UGH! I guess I'm shocked the coaches don't think there is anyone better than Elf at LG.

I would think that if Cleveland is looked at to be the LT of the future and you wanted him at G, you'd put him at LG instead of RG, and let everyone else fight for RG.  I was always under the impression that it was harder to switch sides than switch from G to T, but I'm just a rube.

I'd feel much more comfortable with Kline at RG and Cleveland at LG, and Elflein on the bench.

@"Bullazin" said: Sounds like Samia is a backup G

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Bullazin" said: Sounds like Samia is a backup G

It's either an oversight or he moved to left guard. 

#Vikings tackle Brian O'Neill said guard Dru Samia is getting a lot more comfortable in his second year. That includes being more vocal. Samia is a candidate to start at right guard.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 5, 2020

@"StickyBun" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Bullazin" said: Sounds like Samia is a backup G

It's either an oversight or he moved to left guard. 

I think Kubiak wants Samia to beat out Elflein for starting left guard. Elf is the incumbent so he rightfully starts camp at his spot, but for whatever reason they view Samia's best spot on the line at LG. Let's see if he can snag it. 

Same old OL shit, hell I’ve only got questions on 4 of the 5 positions, no worries right...!?  :s RT however seems solid, they’ll probably move him...  ;) B)  

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Bullazin" said: Sounds like Samia is a backup G

It's either an oversight or he moved to left guard. 

I think Kubiak wants Samia to beat out Elflein for starting left guard. Elf is the incumbent so he rightfully starts camp at his spot, but for whatever reason they view Samia's best spot on the line at LG. Let's see if he can snag it. 

When I watch Samia it reminds me a bit of Hutch when he first got here,  good athleticism,   really will take blocks downfield at times and brings nasty on about every snap,   he doesn't have the game that Hutch had obviously,  but he has the style and mentality imo.