OL options
You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it. — Robin Williams
Obviously O’Neill and Darrisaw are pretty much set. Other than that, we'll see.
Pretty sure Ezra Cleveland has solidified himself at LG. Not sure why anyone is down on him. Battles are for C (Bradbury is likely still the favorite) and RG...
For what it's worth, according to PA the Vikings are working Kyle Hinton to center. I think it's a good move as I figured it would have to be Hinton or Wyatt Davis making that transition. Bradbury will probably get the nod for this season but after not picking up his contract option the Vikings need to start preparing to have a new center next year.
@"supafreak84" said: For what it's worth, according to PA the Vikings are working Kyle Hinton to center. I think it's a good move as I figured it would have to be Hinton or Wyatt Davis making that transition. Bradbury will probably get the nod for this season but after not picking up his contract option the Vikings need to start preparing to have a new center next year.I would rather they found a replacement this year.
I think the center job will be a competition between Bradbury, Reed and Hinton. Probably in that order. Weird PA mentions Hinton working at center, considering he's been working at center for two years. Huge upside if they can get him to play at an NFL level.
I could see Ingram there too. Best pass blocking grade in the SEC? Hasn't been penalized in three years? Sign me up.
Ed Ingram at center? pic.twitter.com/HjMG0BGlg3
— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) May 1, 2022
Ed Ingram stonewalling Packers 1st round pick at the senior bowl https://t.co/DAwRT7saeu
— liliceberg (@liliceberg1of1) April 30, 2022
As far as Ingram goes, if you can start at LSU, you have talent. Its like starting at Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, etc. So you are dealing with the top high school players in the nation coming into college at those places. How far can they develop themselves is the difference.
@"Wetlander" said: Pretty sure Ezra Cleveland has solidified himself at LG. Not sure why anyone is down on him. Battles are for C (Bradbury is likely still the favorite) and RG...Yeah Cleveland is probably set too. This is probably Bradbury's last shot since the 5th year option wasn't picked up. Good to see there is a competition there though because better is needed. RG is still an issue too unfortunately.
@"StickyBun" said: As far as Ingram goes, if you can start at LSU, you have talent. Its like starting at Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, etc. So you are dealing with the top high school players in the nation coming into college at those places. How far can they develop themselves is the difference.Not to be a dick, but Elflein and Wyatt Davis went to OSU. :-) Dru Samia started on an OU line that was considered one of the best OLs in the nation at the time.
Just goes to show no matter how great the school--and those schools are great--there will always be an ocean of difference between even the best Power 5 school....and the NFL.
He's going to have to learn to be more consistent, but one thing I like about Ingram is that he went to the Senior Bowl and dominated in drills against top level talent like Devonte Wyatt. He was also voted best offensive lineman for his Senior Bowl team.
Like most years, our most likely option for the IOL appears to be "fervent prayer".
The tackles seem to be set but lets hope that the other 3 spots are earned in camp and preseason. Just because Cleveland played LG last season don't just assume its his this season, make him earn it and if he gets beaten out then so be it.
Reed was graded by PFF better than Jesse Davis at G, so unless Reed is going to center I'll have to trust the Vikings' OL staff knows what they're doing. Did I just type that?
Hopefully by week 1 we get
LT: Darrisaw
LG: Cleveland
C: Somebody not named Bradbury
RG:Ingram
RT: O'Neill
@"RS Express" said: Reed was graded by PFF better than Jesse Davis at G, so unless Reed is going to center I'll have to trust the Vikings' OL staff knows what they're doing. Did I just type that?Hopefully by week 1 we get
LT: Darrisaw
LG: Cleveland
C: Somebody not named Bradbury
RG:Ingram
RT: O'Neill
lol, agreed RS!
@"RS Express" said: Reed was graded by PFF better than Jesse Davis at G, so unless Reed is going to center I'll have to trust the Vikings' OL staff knows what they're doing. Did I just type that?Hopefully by week 1 we get
LT: Darrisaw
LG: Cleveland
C: Somebody not named Bradbury
RG:Ingram
RT: O'Neill
I think they'd actually prefer to fix Bradbury. He's still one of the best reach blocking centers in the NFL. If they can fix whatever footwork, balance, technique issue is screwing up his pass pro, RG becomes the only open position with a half dozen options to fill it.
So by week one the competition needs to make all the line calls and look just a little better than a bear on roller skates.
I see Bradbury hiding and scribbling gibberish in everyone else's play books.
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