Offensive line, offensive identity top Vikings' list of offseason questions

[bleedspeed]

http://espn.go.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/17634/offensive-line-tops-vikings-list-of-offseason-questions

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings finished their season with a 10-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC wild-card playoff game Sunday. Here are five questions facing the team this offseason:

How can the Vikings protect Teddy Bridgewater? The second-year quarterback was pressured more often than any other passer in the NFL in 2015, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and he's been sacked 83 times in 29 career games. Veteran offensive line starters Phil Loadholt and John Sullivan will be trying to return from a torn Achilles and two back surgeries, respectively, and the Vikings will have a decision to make on Loadholt, who's scheduled to carry a $7.75 million cap figure in the final year of his contract. But after a tough first season for rookie T.J. Clemmings, the Vikings might have to figure out whether Clemmings is ready to be the full-time right tackle. In any case, the Vikings have to do something to create more consistent protection for Bridgewater, who's been forced to run from pressure too often in his first two seasons.

What's the offensive identity of this team? Adrian Peterson will be back at age 31 after leading the NFL in rushing yards this season in his return to the league. The Vikings based their offense on a power running game with Peterson. But it took them until late in the season to find an approach -- a quick passing game -- that would work for Bridgewater. Coach Mike Zimmer said last week that the Vikings want to be more explosive on offense and have had to manage things too often this season. That's due in part to the Vikings' protection issues, but there were rumblings in the second half of the season that Bridgewater was frustrated with the direction of the offense. Zimmer said in December that the quarterback was still learning how much he could speak up about what he wanted in the game plan. Whether it's helping Peterson get comfortable in the shotgun or working with Bridgewater on more of the downfield throws Norv Turner wants in his offense, the Vikings have to find an approach that fully accommodates both of their offensive keystones. Zimmer has gotten more comfortable with the Vikings' offensive game plan, too, so he might speak about the approach more often.

Does the wide receiver group need an upgrade? As impressive a rookie season as Stefon Diggs had, catching 52 passes for 720 yards, the Vikings might need to add another dynamic receiver to their offense, particularly if they part ways with Mike Wallace, who's scheduled to make $11.5 million in 2016. The Vikings could still use a big target in their receiver group; it doesn't appear the 6-foot-2 Charles Johnson is the answer after the Vikings took him out of the lineup in the season's final weeks. And Cordarrelle Patterson, who was used almost exclusively as a kick returner, has a non-guaranteed salary of $1.389 million next year. We'll see how much a kick returner, who hasn't worked out as a receiver, is worth to the Vikings.

Who's the safety next to Harrison Smith? The Vikings played Andrew Sendejo next to Smith for most of the season, but they could look for an upgrade. Third-year man Antone Exum and second-year player Anthony Harris could get a chance to compete for playing time at safety, with Sendejo scheduled to hit free agency, or the Vikings could spend a draft pick on a player they could develop next to Smith.

Can Trae Waynes take the next step? With Terence Newman set to hit free agency in March and turn 38 before next season, the Vikings could see whether Waynes, the 11th overall pick last year, is ready to start at cornerback opposite Xavier Rhodes. They could also look to bring back Newman, who has a great relationship with Zimmer and played well at age 37, but at some point the Vikings need to find out what they have in Waynes, who didn't play much on defense this season. That's not necessarily a bad thing, Zimmer said last month, "if a guy is talented and wants to work hard. He's talented."

[Monster]

Well the Vikings just hired a new guy to fix the oline. Tony Sparano seems like a high level hire sort of a guy that keeps getting promoted because he is competent at his current job.

[bleedspeed]

That didn't take long. He has been Head Coach or Interm HC at a few stops. He is ones of Zimmers guys. I could see if the offense doesn't improve next year he takes over for Norv.

[TAFKASP]

Offensive line meetings next season:

[youtube]BCa0mHmxvQ0[/youtube]

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I think we have to cut Loadholt. He makes a lot of money and a guy his size is going to need more than 1 off season to come back from that injury. I would move Harris to RT, Fusco back to RG and sign or draft a new LG. I also think Sullivan should probably be cut. Berger rated as the best C in football per pro football focus. That job should be his moving forward. Unless Sully can play LG he should probably go. I think you have to trade AP and feature McKinnon in the backfield and run mostly shotgun. I would also be on board drafting Elliot from OSU because he was a very good running back out of the shotgun in college. Maybe the Lions would swap Johnson for AP. It'd suck playing him twice a year, but we'd probably be even better going almost full shotgun moving forward and spreading the ball around more rather than have such an obvious go-to guy. The other option out there would be trade him to San Diego with something for Eric Weddle and Melvin Gordon. Gordon would be a better fit for our offense and Weddle solves our safety need. If that doesn't happen, it was brought up in another thread, but I think moving Newman to safety and playing Waynes is a good fix that is probably more likely to work than drafting or bringing in a safety not named Weddle. We have lots of options and we aren't far off.

[bleedspeed]

If AP is traded it will be to the Cowboys. I would want their C and LG back. I would give them anybody on our line in return.

[Monster]

AP isn't going anywhere. That's reality.

Were you watching Clemmings have what seemed to me 3 TE on his side and hell one time in the last couple weeks they had Mike freaking Wallce come in and block for a running play on that side of the line on a running play. Loadholt being healthy is a big deal. If he can't get back healthy it's bad news and yeah it's a worry if Phil can come back healthy by next year or maybe at all. Clemmings may improve but RT is a question mark until either Phil is healthy or Clemmings or someone younger than Phil on the roster does something to take that spot or I suppose they could sign someone but I really doubt they add someone. Loadholt isn't going to get unless he flat out can't play anymore.

Berger likely had a nice season if PFF said he had the best season of any center you have to assume he was at least well above average. I take PFF somewhat seriously but it's not a perfect system but it's worth looking at no doubt. Sully had 2 back issues this year. It's possible he doesn't come back at all. Berger is going to turn 34 before next season. How long can he keep playing at a high level? Do the Vikings have one of their guys as the center of the future if Sully's career is over? They have Kerrin and Easton are either of those guys the guy? Idk but if Sully is done it's a bigger deal to find someone. If Sully comes back healthy you have a good problem with he and Berger at C and Berger or Sully can also be a backup at G.

If you want to roll with PFF they have also graded out Mike Harris really well at RG there is no reason to move him anywhere. They will pay him leave him there and figure the rest of the line out.

[bleedspeed]

monster - I agree he is not going anywhere. If he is it is Cowboys and I would love to get some of their young OL. I think if Clemmings has a future it is at guard not RT. I would love to find a RT that can own the corner and run over people.

Listing of Tackles in the draft.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2016OT.php

[Monster]

monster - I agree he is not going anywhere. If he is it is Cowboys and I would love to get some of their young OL. I think if Clemmings has a future it is at guard not RT. I would love to find a RT that can own the corner and run over people.

Listing of Tackles in the draft.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2016OT.php

I'll say this about Clemmings that it seems the Vikings clearly like him or they wouldn't have kept running him out there although sure they didn't have many other options. Switching him and Harris could have made sense I suppose.

Here is an interesting PPF article about the Cikings weaknesses and needs.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/01/11/pro-offseason-to-do-list-for-the-minnesota-vikings/

I'll say this it seems like everyone thinks Mike Wallace will be gone. I don't have magical insider info but the Vikings have liked the guy for years Norv likes him Zimmer likes him. He did everything they asked him to do and his numbers were down partly because they pretty much couldn't get him the ball. He will be back. He might restructure and take a pay it of a couple million but the reality is the Vijings can probably afford to just pay him another year. It really helps the salary cap to have a dirt cheap starting QB. I think CP is more likely to move on one way or another than Wallace. CP is a few weeks from turning 25 and the Vikings don't HAVE to dump him so maybe they keep him around and hope he can still figure something out and worst case scenario they have a really good KR or trade chip for some team that wants to take a chance on utilizing his talent. Sure the Vikings could take a WR in the draft. In all honesty despite some weaknesses the Vikings don't really have to draft need it's a pretty strong roster top to bottom with some interesting options to help in weak areas either by returning vets or in young players in addition to possibly making a move in FA.

[bleedspeed]

Good write-up. I would love to see the line get younger, but honestly I think outside RT this line was acceptable. I think Clemmings has a future. Didn't they try to have him be the RG in OTAs? I worry Berger won't be able to do it again and have no faith in Sullivan or Loadholdt coming back.