A real offensive line, or just another "offensive" line

[allday1991]

I'm ok with this. We got rid of a over paid Reiff and got potential young talent. Reiff was way overpaid, even worse was hearing Viking fans skewed pff grades that somehow made Reiff look like a decent to good player, the Bengal's singing him for half of what we paid him just confirmed my original thoughts, Reiff was an 'ok' player on a horrible line. With him gone we save money and have potential for a better LT, hopefully this is a real offensive line, however only time will tell.

Reiff was a solid presence on the line and a leader on the field. He wasn't the most talented or consistent, but he wasn't bad either.

There is reason for optimism with the changes on the OL, but if I've learned anything over my years watching football it is that OL is a particularly challenging leap from college to the pros. I like the players the Vikings drafted and I think they are going to become really good as pros, but there will be some bumps and likely some times when we remember Reiff's play a little more fondly.

For me Reiffs talent never equaled his pay. He wasn't a bad olinemen he just wasn't worth 15 million imo, and the league agrees. Unfortunately whenever someone mentions Reiff I remember the year buffalo was supposed to suck and they ended up beating us. I believe a OLB or DE named Hughes made him look like a complete turn table. Overall though he was far from the main problem talent wise, however I still believe we over paid him.

[VikingLord]

Reiff was a solid presence on the line and a leader on the field. He wasn't the most talented or consistent, but he wasn't bad either.

There is reason for optimism with the changes on the OL, but if I've learned anything over my years watching football it is that OL is a particularly challenging leap from college to the pros. I like the players the Vikings drafted and I think they are going to become really good as pros, but there will be some bumps and likely some times when we remember Reiff's play a little more fondly.

For me Reiffs talent never equaled his pay. He wasn't a bad olinemen he just wasn't worth 15 million imo, and the league agrees. Unfortunately whenever someone mentions Reiff I remember the year buffalo was supposed to suck and they ended up beating us. I believe a OLB or DE named Hughes made him look like a complete turn table. Overall though he was far from the main problem talent wise, however I still believe we over paid him.

I agree the Vikings overpaid him.

[VikingsVictorious]

Here's video released yesterday that first of all confirms that the Vikings would have drafted Darrisaw at 14. Right before we picked the Jets called with an offer too good to pass up. You seldom see such candid information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RanDVlM_dIE

[Pondering Her Percy]

Here's video released yesterday that first of all confirms that the Vikings would have drafted Darrisaw at 14. Right before we picked the Jets called with an offer too good to pass up. You seldom see such candid information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RanDVlM_dIE

Yeah I saw this video yesterday. Such a cool video from a fans perspective. And man I love watching Rick wheel and deal in the draft room. Granted the jury is still out, but I really like how the draft played out this year. We seemed to finally stray away from our old ways. They actually put muscle up front on the OL. Guys with an anchor and arent just "good athletes". We drafted an early QB and one that is mobile no less. Spielman kept Zim under control and didnt dive into defense early in the draft just because they were poor last year. I just really like the direction they are heading right now.

After watching Zim's most recent presser, he's excited. Talked up nearly every starter. You never see him do that. He also kept saying "I dont know, it just really feels like a different vibe". I thought this was a big deal to be honest. It just didnt seem like a normal Zim presser and it makes me think there really is a different vibe going on with this team.

[808vikingsfan]

Here's video released yesterday that first of all confirms that the Vikings would have drafted Darrisaw at 14. Right before we picked the Jets called with an offer too good to pass up. You seldom see such candid information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RanDVlM_dIE

Thanks for sharing. That was a fun watch.

Wondering if there's any hint of animosity from Darrisaw that the Vikings took a gamble by not picking him at #14.

[S197]

I don't want to read too much into it but Darrisaw got in and out of that van very gingerly. Hope he's going to be healthy enough to start practicing soon.

[S197]

On Oli Udoh, Zimm said:

Hopefully he keeps progressing so we'll have a battle in there with Samia and Dozier and those guys.

While Davis is taking 2nd team reps, it's a little disappointing to not hear him mentioned by name.

[CharVike]

I don't want to read too much into it but Darrisaw got in and out of that van very gingerly. Hope he's going to be healthy enough to start practicing soon.

Zimmer said he was moving fine but would be held out a couple days. That was four days ago. That basically means see you next year. Darrisaw hasn't recovered from his groin problem that he had surgery on after the season. He couldn't do much in the spring. Rashod Hill will be the starter. We can't go into the season with that protecting the blind side. We have CAP and picks Rick needs to make a deal now. We only have a month until the bell rings. Swinging gate Hill is not a guy you want out there for more than a game or two. Ideally he never sees the field.

[VikingsVictorious]

Darrisaw and Davis both in pads today. Davis full practice and Darrisaw partial.

[chicagopurple]

There has not been a single OL player in our OL for the last many years that anyone should regret seeing leave. It has been the most neglect part of our team under Spielman. Any trades and cuts that were made could only lead to improvement. Reif leaving is a non-issue. I would be interested to hear long time fans opinions of what our last truly excellent OL was. I believe we will have to waaay back into the past. This has been Spielmans greatest failure, worse then his ability to judge QBs

[StumpHunter]

Looks unlikely Darrisaw or Davis will be starting this year barring injury.

Hill, Cleveland, Bradbury, Udoh, O'Neil seems to be the most likely starting lineup, which means we will have a guy who is a solid backup starting at the most important spot on the line.

[chicagopurple]

why would you possibly be surprised.....the vikes management has been clueless in this dept for the past decade.....there is no such thing as a super bowl contender when you have mediocre line play......

[VikingsVictorious]

Looks unlikely Darrisaw or Davis will be starting this year barring injury.

Hill, Cleveland, Bradbury, Udoh, O'Neil seems to be the most likely starting lineup, which means we will have a guy who is a solid backup starting at the most important spot on the line.

If I were a betting man and I am I would bet you that Darrisaw barring injury will start over half the games. Give me 3-2 odds and I will bet on Davis starting over half the games. Want to put a buck on both of those?

[VikingTom]

Looks unlikely Darrisaw or Davis will be starting this year barring injury.

Hill, Cleveland, Bradbury, Udoh, O'Neil seems to be the most likely starting lineup, which means we will have a guy who is a solid backup starting at the most important spot on the line.

If I were a betting man and I am I would bet you that Darrisaw barring injury will start over half the games. Give me 3-2 odds and I will bet on Davis starting over half the games. Want to put a buck on both of those?

I agree, Darrisaw and Davis will both be starting the majority of the games this season. Davis is back practicing, still waiting for Darrisaw to be a full go. They will both be impactful this year.

[StumpHunter]

Looks unlikely Darrisaw or Davis will be starting this year barring injury.

Hill, Cleveland, Bradbury, Udoh, O'Neil seems to be the most likely starting lineup, which means we will have a guy who is a solid backup starting at the most important spot on the line.

If I were a betting man and I am I would bet you that Darrisaw barring injury will start over half the games. Give me 3-2 odds and I will bet on Davis starting over half the games. Want to put a buck on both of those?

How many offensive linemen have been benched under Zimmer, or any HC for that matter?

Coming in off the bench for an injured player like O'Neil did could happen, but if all 5 guys remain healthy it will likely be Hill, Cleveland, Bradbury, Udoh and O'Neil all season. Darrisaw still has a small chance to win the starting spot outright since he hasn't even really started practicing yet, but Udoh looks to have that RG spot locked down.