Training Camp

[Crax]

The Vikings didn't use a first round pick to take Gerhart, but it was nearly that bad. They traded away their 3rd round #93 pick to move up 11 spots in the 2nd round to snag Gerhart.

That's right, mid 2nd round and a trade too. Just seemed weird to do that.

[Demi]

Because Childress was an idiot. But he was "our" idiot. So woohoo let's cheer for him.

[PacificNorseWest]

Simpson better watch himself. Guy might get cut if he keeps messing around.

[Eli]

Lot of handwork for the OL. Love struggling a little

Fusco and Keith looked good in the same drills

The fight for backup offensive line positions is another intriguing storyline this year for the Vikings. I think we could see some turnover there.

DeMarcus Love sounds like he's having a bad training camp. I had really hoped that he'd step it up this year.

Brandon Keith looked like a competent backup at OT in the 1st preseason game. That's something I haven't been able to say about a Viking backup tackle in quite a while. He'll be interesting to watch in the upcoming games. Apparently his knees are bad, so we'll see how that factors into things.

The Vikes usually carry either 8 or 9 offensive linemen during the season. The 5 starters are a given right now. Joe Berger makes it for his inside versatility, and he's been the first backup at center for Sullivan for a couple of years. I don't think they'll change that. If Brandon Keith makes it for his ability to play OT, then that leaves at most two more spots. It will be interesting to see if either of the rookies can take those spots away from the veterans.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

The fight for backup offensive line positions is another intriguing storyline this year for the Vikings. I think we could see some turnover there.

DeMarcus Love sounds like he's having a bad training camp. I had really hoped that he'd step it up this year.

Brandon Keith looked like a competent backup at OT in the 1st preseason game. That's something I haven't been able to say about a Viking backup tackle in quite a while. He'll be interesting to watch in the upcoming games. Apparently his knees are bad, so we'll see how that factors into things.

The Vikes usually carry either 8 or 9 offensive linemen during the season. The 5 starters are a given right now. Joe Berger makes it for his inside versatility, and he's been the first backup at center for Sullivan for a couple of years. I don't think they'll change that. If Brandon Keith makes it for his ability to play OT, then that leaves at most two more spots. It will be interesting to see if either of the rookies can take those spots away from the veterans.

Brandon Keith is someone I am glad we have on the team. Back a few years ago, he and Jeremy Bridges were critical parts of the Cardinal's Super Bowl run in 2008. Keith's play really dropped off after 2009 when Werner left, but he looks more than competent enough to be a solid back up. I also like what Joe Berger brings to the table. I am glad we kept him.

Conversely, the other three back up lineman spots are concerning. It is too bad DeMarcus is sucking this year, I was really really hoping he would finally step up. Travis Bond and Jeff Baca really looked over matched against the blitz last Friday. Of course, it is too early to say with certainty that both of those players are not ready to become NFL offensive linemen, but Friday's performance was not something that gave me confidence. Seth Olsen and Troy Kropog were essentially invisible last Friday as well.

[Eli]

Brandon Keith is someone I am glad we have on the team. Back a few years ago, he and Jeremy Bridges were critical parts of the Cardinal's Super Bowl run in 2008. Keith's play really dropped off after 2009 when Werner left, but he looks more than competent enough to be a solid back up.

Last night I watched some of the Texans game again.

It was interesting to see what the Vikings were doing with the 2nd and 3rd string linemen. Keith played into the 3rd quarter, with a lot of different guys beside him. On successive series they were swapping him from left OT to right OT, with Baca and Bond also swapping sides into different pairing. Either Murphy or Kropog playing at the other tackle. Virtually all of the pressure on Cassel during the game came from opposite side that Keith was on.

DeMarcus Love looked worse than terrible, and given when he played in the game, he appears to be something like the #4 backup at OT. Gave up a lot of pressure in the 4th qtr against the Texans 3rd string DEs and was flagged for holding against the same.

Jeff Baca also got some snaps at center.

Another observation: Bond is a huge guy at 6'6'", 330 lbs. Keith is 6'5", and over 330 lbs. The Vikings have some monsters on the OL.

[Raptorman]

Most people are still just unhappy about the pick. He wasn't worth it. He isn't worth it now. We wont get a thing for him if we tried. Toby is just a slow FB type of a RB. And he had the chance to watch the Best RB to ever play the game, and hes still just a power back (with little power). Bad pick then, and paying for it yet. I still don't know why we didn't just draft a decent 4th round back.

Tell me, was he worth it at the end of 2011 when Peterson was out for 4 games and split carries with him in a 5th game? Toby's numbers for those 5 games. 83 / 401 80.2 per game 4.8 yards per rush. The Packers would love to have someone like him.

As to his taking a beating in college.

Gerhart 671 attempts 3,522 yards 5.2 a carry
Peterson 747 attempts 4,545 yards 5.4 a carry.

Looks to me like Peterson is the one we should be worrying about on the wear and tear.

[Eli]

Tell me, was he worth it at the end of 2011 when Peterson was out for 4 games and split carries with him in a 5th game?

Worth it??? In 2011 the Vikings could have used Ryan Longwell as a backup running back, for all it mattered. They had just two wins at the time and finished the season 3-13.

[Eli]

Today is the final day of training camp.

[jackal]

Sounds like we got some decent people in the draft again .. time will tell for sure..

[PurpleHalo]

Simpson better watch himself. Guy might get cut if he keeps messing around.

Doesn't seem like theres any effort, I think he needs a huge showing in these next 2 games. No room for players who give up on plays in the NFL. The track record isn't there, so effort needs to be.

[jackal]

isnt Love supposed to be suspended for four games as well.

[dead_poet]

With his yellow gloves, Patterson one-hands a 30-yard pass from Cassel, around AJ, down the sidelines. One of best catches of TC.

[dead_poet]

Ponder fires one to Jennings in team down the sidelines, but highlight was Griffen and G Johnson going at it, good battle in trenches

Letroy Guion getting first team reps at NT again. Falls for Ponder's hardcount.

Seeing the emphasis, Ponder has four completions in team drills. Three to GJ.

Missing Lacey, Ballard and surprisingly Jerome Felton, who was at morning walkthrough.

[dead_poet]

Jarius Wright must have been watching, just grabbed a similar one hander with Xavier Rhodes all over him, PIF called. Ponder's throw