Micheal Mauti (our diamond in the rough)

[Eli]

My gut feeling is that we're not going to get a definitive answer to many of those questions. Unless this season is truly a disaster (say less than 7 wins) I think Frazier will get a new contract. If they go 7-9 then 2012 will be seen as something of an anomaly, the tougher schedule in 2013 will be taken into account, and it will at worst look like a stumble, not a setback.

[mansquatch]

Jim I'm not sure I'd say they have holes in A LOT of areas. The biggest holes are LB and OG. There are questions at WR, CB, and KR but there has been significant talent added to all 3 positions via the draft and FA. In fairness they added talent at LB as well, but that is a big question mark given the injury history.

Mauti is a great story, but he is another Childs. Wait and See is pretty much the only card in the deck at this point. I want to see him be a diamond in the rough, but you have to think he ended up in the 7th round for a reason.

[Mothman]

Jim I'm not sure I'd say they have holes in A LOT of areas.

I wouldn't say that either but as I said above, they do have uncertainty in a lot of areas, particularly when you look beyond this season. It will all get resolved but just think about the number of defensive starters alone whose contracts are up after this season: Allen, Williams, Robison, Henderson, Cook and Griffen's not a starter but he's a significant player as well. Bishop signed a one year deal too. Robinson and Rhodes are unproven but I'm optimistic about them.

We could see massive change to the defense between the 2013 and 2014 seasons or a number of re-signings and minimal change but looking beyond this season, there's a great deal of uncertainty on that side of the ball. There's less on offense but there's uncertainty there as well. I'm not making any predictions here, just saying the team is at a crossroads and it's hard to see where they're going or what they will look like beyond this season. Heck, it's hard to know what to expect from this season, although i'm hoping for 10+ wins and a better postseason.

Mauti is a great story, but he is another Childs. Wait and See is pretty much the only card in the deck at this point. I want to see him be a diamond in the rough, but you have to think he ended up in the 7th round for a reason.

... and that reason is 3 ACL tears in 4 years and a few other injuries as well. I'd love to see him become a great pro and a steal for the Vikes but that injury history doesn't bode well.