OL Plan?
I know it's been discussed somewhat but thought maybe putting the discussion in one place might be helpful.
So, what is the plan for our OL? It was one of the worst last year and arguably the one that played the best is with another team. As it sits right now, our OL is even worse than last year. Do we have a basis for a trade with the Ravens for OB that will be exercised closer to the draft? Are we still hoping to pick someone up in FA? Tackles are pretty much gone. There are still a few possibilities for OG. Are we promoting our current players to starting positions when they couldn't breach the starting line-up of a an already bad OL last year? Are we just crossing our fingers for the draft? Something has to give.
The plan last year was to go with Elflein and Dozier/Collins/Samia.
They felt so good with this arrangement that they did not draft an interior lineman until pick #253 last year.
They made this decision AFTER getting curb stomped by the 49ers in the playoffs in 2019.
I do not know why I am expecting something different.
I think the plan will end up being this ...
... then they'll grab a tackle in the 1st round and think they are set.
@"PurplePastor" said: I know it's been discussed somewhat but thought maybe putting the discussion in one place might be helpful.So, what is the plan for our OL? It was one of the worst last year and arguably the one that played the best is with another team. As it sits right now, our OL is even worse than last year. Do we have a basis for a trade with the Ravens for OB that will be exercised closer to the draft? Are we still hoping to pick someone up in FA? Tackles are pretty much gone. There are still a few possibilities for OG. Are we promoting our current players to starting positions when they couldn't breach the starting line-up of a an already bad OL last year? Are we just crossing our fingers for the draft? Something has to give.
I don't think it's much of a mystery. They plan to add a starting guard in free agency and will very likely draft either a guard or tackle in the 1st couple rounds of the draft. The line on opening day will probably look like one of these....
Cleveland-AVT-Bradbury-Taylor-O'Neill
Darrisaw-Lamp-Bradbury-Cleveland-O'Neill
O'Neill-AVT-Bradbury-Cleveland-Udoh
@"MarkSP18" said: The plan last year was to go with Elflein and Dozier/Collins/Samia. They felt so good with this arrangement that they did not draft an interior lineman until pick #253 last year.They made this decision AFTER getting curb stomped by the 49ers in the playoffs in 2019.
I do not know why I am expecting something different.
I think the plan will end up being this ...... then they'll grab a tackle in the 1st round and think they are set.
Do you mind if I pray against this?
@"MaroonBells" said:@"PurplePastor" said: I know it's been discussed somewhat but thought maybe putting the discussion in one place might be helpful.So, what is the plan for our OL? It was one of the worst last year and arguably the one that played the best is with another team. As it sits right now, our OL is even worse than last year. Do we have a basis for a trade with the Ravens for OB that will be exercised closer to the draft? Are we still hoping to pick someone up in FA? Tackles are pretty much gone. There are still a few possibilities for OG. Are we promoting our current players to starting positions when they couldn't breach the starting line-up of a an already bad OL last year? Are we just crossing our fingers for the draft? Something has to give.
I don't think it's much of a mystery. They plan to add a starting guard in free agency and will very likely draft either a guard or tackle in the 1st couple rounds of the draft. The line on opening day will probably look like one of these....Cleveland-AVT-Bradbury-Taylor-O'Neill
Darrisaw-Lamp-Bradbury-Cleveland-O'Neill
O'Neill-AVT-Bradbury-Cleveland-Udoh
How do you know they are adding a starting OG in FA? I'm not seeing Taylor in your first scenario. If they sign a FA OG, I would think they would want a decent run blocker at least.
I am so sick of this General Manager malpractice when it comes to the Oline. I like Rick Speilman but man this offensive line is just neglectful.
@"PSBLAKE" said: I am so sick of this General Manager malpractice when it comes to the Oline. I like Rick Speilman but man this offensive line is justFixed it for you. ;)neglectful.offensive.
@"PurplePastor" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"PurplePastor" said: I know it's been discussed somewhat but thought maybe putting the discussion in one place might be helpful.So, what is the plan for our OL? It was one of the worst last year and arguably the one that played the best is with another team. As it sits right now, our OL is even worse than last year. Do we have a basis for a trade with the Ravens for OB that will be exercised closer to the draft? Are we still hoping to pick someone up in FA? Tackles are pretty much gone. There are still a few possibilities for OG. Are we promoting our current players to starting positions when they couldn't breach the starting line-up of a an already bad OL last year? Are we just crossing our fingers for the draft? Something has to give.
I don't think it's much of a mystery. They plan to add a starting guard in free agency and will very likely draft either a guard or tackle in the 1st couple rounds of the draft. The line on opening day will probably look like one of these....Cleveland-AVT-Bradbury-Taylor-O'Neill
Darrisaw-Lamp-Bradbury-Cleveland-O'Neill
O'Neill-AVT-Bradbury-Cleveland-Udoh
How do you know they are adding a starting OG in FA? I'm not seeing Taylor in your first scenario. If they sign a FA OG, I would think they would want a decent run blocker at least.
Run blocking isn't their problem.I know they're adding a starting guard because I know they've spoken to Forrest Lamp. And because they have to. And because it makes sense. Look, nothing the Vikings are doing should be surprising to anyone.
Vikings are doing exactly what we all thought they would. Cut Rudy, Shamar, Bailey, FA1 will be a 3T, they'll add an OL in free agency and one in the draft. They'll add a safety in free agency and one in the draft. The only surprise to anyone was Patrick Peterson.
@"PurplePastor" said:@"MarkSP18" said: The plan last year was to go with Elflein and Dozier/Collins/Samia. They felt so good with this arrangement that they did not draft an interior lineman until pick #253 last year.They made this decision AFTER getting curb stomped by the 49ers in the playoffs in 2019.
I do not know why I am expecting something different.
I think the plan will end up being this ...... then they'll grab a tackle in the 1st round and think they are set.
Do you mind if I pray against this?
Not at all.But the pickings are getting very very slim and they are nearing the mendoza line where Dozier resides.
The logical conclusion is they will feel the other players are not much of an upgrade and Dozier already knows the system.
We're doomed!
@"MarkSP18" said:"@"PurplePastor" said:@"MarkSP18" said: The plan last year was to go with Elflein and Dozier/Collins/Samia. They felt so good with this arrangement that they did not draft an interior lineman until pick #253 last year.They made this decision AFTER getting curb stomped by the 49ers in the playoffs in 2019.
I do not know why I am expecting something different.
I think the plan will end up being this ...... then they'll grab a tackle in the 1st round and think they are set.
Do you mind if I pray against this?
Not at all.But the pickings are getting very very slim and they are nearing the mendoza line where Dozier resides.
The logical conclusion is they will feel the other players are not much of an upgrade and Dozier already knows the system.
We're doomed!
Agree, you can almost hear Dennison saying that Dozier is as good as Lamp and other similar caliber FAs at this point. It’s ridiculous. Easy to see it might have been better to sign a cheaper FA CB for 4-5M and still have room for a decent guard at 3-4M like Aboushi from the Lions.
Man, I never figured Tony Sparano being gone would have such negative and long-lasting impact on the Vikings...
@"purplefaithful" said: Man, I never figured Tony Sparano being gone would have such negative and long-lasting impact on the Vikings...It can't be just that.
@"StickyBun" said:You're right, it's not the solo reason for their OL demise for so long. But this isn't a place I'd label as an environment for OL to thrive in either.@"purplefaithful" said: Man, I never figured Tony Sparano being gone would have such negative and long-lasting impact on the Vikings... It can't be just that.That's where I think they miss Sparano the most.
Maybe they're beginning to turn the corner now? I need to see more to be sure
Dennison is the Richard Solomon of O line coaches.
I'm still hoping we can sign Forrest Lamp to fill one of those guard positions before the draft, otherwise you head into the draft with; Cleveland at LT, Bradbury at center, and O'Neill at RT. I know there has been discussion of moving O'Neill to LT but I think that's risky after he took a step back last season. I still don't know if he was playing through injury or not but he did not look as steady as he has been in previous seasons.
Udoh is a wild card. There are rumblings about him every offseason only for him to get zero playing time, so nobody ultimately knows where he's at in his development or if he can be counted on to be a factor.
He has played roughly 300 to 400 snaps each year from 2017-2020 with ATL and SF.
Grades:
2020: 71.1 overall, 65.7 pass block, 72.4 run block
2019: 71.6 O, 61.9 PB, 73.1 RB
2018: 71.6 O, 59.7, 78.6 RB
Seems like we're trusting the draft (assuming we draft OL) to fill our immediate needs. If we don't hit big there, our OL will be worse than last year.
What I know:
- Brian O'Neill can play either RT or LT. So you have a hole or at least a competition at one of the OT spots with Rashod Hill.
- Bradbury is the center
- They plan to keep Ezra Cleveland at guard. But I think they feel comfortable with him at either LG or RG.
So where do they go from here?
The draft is going to be a major factor. I imagine they will sign at least one more guard or tackle. Which ever they sign they'll take a more developmental prospect. For the position they don't, they'll draft a solution in round 1 or trade back in round 1 to make that happen.
Example: Sign Rick Wagner to play RT and draft Slater to play LG.
A line of O'Neill - Slater - Bradbury - Cleveland - Wagner is improved from last season at a lesser price point.
yes, because the Vikings musical chairs of o line shuffle has been such a sucess over the past 7 years.
OL Plan?
When involving the Vikings, seeing "OL" and "plan" in the same sentence smacks of irony.
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