Micheal Mauti (our diamond in the rough)

[Eli]

Via Twitter @Michael_Mauti
"Mauti Gras" I can dig it. How can you not like the guy. He sounds like a proven winner and a guy who is proud to be on the team. Can't wait to see him in training camp so we can finally see what he is made of and if his knees can hold up.

I have a feeling that Mauti will be on the Active/PUP list to start camp. It's the only way they could move him to the Reserve/PUP list for the regular season and be able to bring him onto the roster later. Otherwise, their only options are for him to use up one of the 53 roster spots or spend the season on IR.

[dead_poet]

I have a feeling that Mauti will be on the Active/PUP list to start camp. It's the only way they could move him to the Reserve/PUP list for the regular season and be able to bring him onto the roster later. Otherwise, their only options are for him to use up one of the 53 roster spots or spend the season on IR.

Don't forget about the short-term Injured Reserve designation.

[Eli]

Don't forget about the short-term Injured Reserve designation.

True. Can it be used on a player that isn't actually injured during the season? In any case, it's a valuable designation that I'm not sure they'd use on someone who isn't a starter.

[dead_poet]

True. Can it be used on a player that isn't actually injured during the season? In any case, it's a valuable designation that I'm not sure they'd use on someone who isn't a starter.

Actually, I might be mistaken. Given the parameters I don't think he'd qualify.

1. Only players with a "major injury" who are placed on Reserve/Injured after 4 p.m., New York time, on Tuesday, September 4, or thereafter during the season, will be eligible to be reactivated at a later time.

2. A "major injury" is defined as an injury that renders the player unable to practice or play football for at least six weeks (42 calendar days) from the date of injury.

3. Each team may reactivate only one player placed on Reserve/Injured after 4 p.m., New York time, on Tuesday, September 4. That player must be "designated for return" at the time the club places him on Reserve/Injured, and such designation shall appear on that day's Personnel Notice.

4. Such player is eligible to return to practice if he has been on Reserve/Injured for at least six weeks from the date he is placed on Reserve. He is eligible to return to the Active List if he has been on Reserve/Injured for at least eight weeks from the date he is placed on Reserve.

[jackal]

I thought draft players had a little more wiggle room under this rule,
but I might be wrong

[King James]

Actually, I might be mistaken. Given the parameters I don't think he'd qualify.

1. Only players with a "major injury" who are placed on Reserve/Injured after 4 p.m., New York time, on Tuesday, September 4, or thereafter during the season, will be eligible to be reactivated at a later time.

2. A "major injury" is defined as an injury that renders the player unable to practice or play football for at least six weeks (42 calendar days) from the date of injury.

3. Each team may reactivate only one player placed on Reserve/Injured after 4 p.m., New York time, on Tuesday, September 4. That player must be "designated for return" at the time the club places him on Reserve/Injured, and such designation shall appear on that day's Personnel Notice.

4. Such player is eligible to return to practice if he has been on Reserve/Injured for at least six weeks from the date he is placed on Reserve. He is eligible to return to the Active List if he has been on Reserve/Injured for at least eight weeks from the date he is placed on Reserve.

So basically his only option is to remain healthy and make the 53 man roster like everyone else?

[Eli]

So basically his only option is to remain healthy and make the 53 man roster like everyone else?

Mauti's issue isn't yet remaining healthy. He's still in the process of getting back to healthy.

[vikeinmontana]

careful guys. you're being very positive about a 7th rounder with injury issues. simply suggesting he could get healthy and have an impact simply won't fly here. i can tolerate a lot of things, but purple shades and unrealistic positivity simply aren't two of those things. sheesh.

[King James]

careful guys. you're being very positive about a 7th rounder with injury issues. simply suggesting he could get healthy and have an impact simply won't fly here. i can tolerate a lot of things, but purple shades and unrealistic positivity simply aren't two of those things. sheesh.

Even if Mauti didn't pan out, I dont think anybody would lose sleep over it. All we used on him was a 7th round but all we can do is be positive. Especially with the disarray we have at the LB position currently. We need all the depth we can get it. I still hope to see the trio of Greenway, Mauti, and Hodges in the future. Though that is unlikely to happen.

[Eli]

I still hope to see the trio of Greenway, Mauti, and Hodges in the future. Though that is unlikely to happen.

In the future, it's not impossible. Greenway isn't going anywhere. Bishop only has a one-year contract. Henderson is playing for his life this year - if he doesn't come through, they could demote him to special teams or even release him. Everyone knows Mauti's situation by now. I'm not sure what they really have in Hodges, but he could turn out to be a fourth round steal. I expect right now they figure to draft a LB fairly high, but if both Mauti and Hodges pan out, that won't be necessary.

For a team that many are penciling into the playoffs, the Vikings have a surprising amount of uncertainty at key positions - linebacker, cornerback, defensive tackle, wide receiver. It will certainly be an interesting year, no matter how they do in the W/L column. Three years into a massive rebuilding, they're going to have to make some big personnel decisions after the season.

[dead_poet]

For a team that many are penciling into the playoffs

It's interesting how views are so different. I've also seen several projections that the Vikings finish in the bottom 5. Though projections are rarely accurate, especially this time of year.

[Eli]

It's interesting how views are so different. I've also seen several projections that the Vikings finish in the bottom 5. Though projections are rarely accurate, especially this time of year.

How many of those projections are from Vikings fans? They improved to 10-6 last year and made the playoffs. They had a good draft. They're on the upswing. How can they not make the playoffs this year?

Right?

[Mothman]

How many of those projections are from Vikings fans? They improved to 10-6 last year and made the playoffs. They had a good draft. They're on the upswing. How can they not make the playoffs this year?

Right?

Right.

I know you were being facetious but as you're implying, it's not hard to imagine scenarios where the Vikes don't make the playoffs again this season. They have a tough schedule and uncertainty in quite a few areas of the team. It's not only hard to predict how they'll finish this season but where they'll be the following season. The roster could undergo a number of very significant changes or change could be relatively minimal. The team could build on last year's record or slip back below .500 and by 2014 they could conceivably be competing in the conference championship again or find themselves back at the bottom of the NFC North. Heck, we could even see one of those results this season!

It's a pivotal season for the team.

As for Mauti... I'm in "wait and see" mode on him but as with Childs, my hopes aren' high. Their injury histories are just too troubling.

Jim

[Eli]

It's a pivotal season for the team.

How so?

It's a pivotal season for Leslie Frazier, that's for certain. Maybe for Christian Ponder, but even if Frazier and his whole staff were to be replaced, Ponder is Spielman's boy, so he could stick around (and frankly, the Vikings aren't likely to just find a replacement at the drop of a hat). Most other players would also stay, with the obvious exceptions of the big dollar contracts coming up for renewal. I don't see another house cleaning of the roster, no matter what happens this year.

Up, down, sideways, forward or backward, the Vikings will be back in 2014, same as ever.

[Mothman]

How so?

It's a pivotal season for Leslie Frazier, that's for certain. Maybe for Christian Ponder, but even if Frazier and his whole staff were to be replaced, Ponder is Spielman's boy, so he could stick around (and frankly, the Vikings aren't likely to just find a replacement at the drop of a hat). Most other players would also stay, with the obvious exceptions of the big dollar contracts coming up for renewal. I don't see another house cleaning of the roster, no matter what happens this year.

Up, down, sideways, forward or backward, the Vikings will be back in 2014, same as ever.

Of course. I wasn't implying that their very existence was at stake!

I think it's a pivotal season because there are a number of questions that need answering and what happens this season will go a long way toward determining the direction of the team over the next few years. You mentioned two reasons it's pivotal: Frazier and Ponder. Will the Vikes emerge from this season feeling that they've found stability at coach and QB or will they come out of it looking for answers? Any season that may determine a team's future at head coach and QB is pretty important. On top of that, there will also be a number of players who the Vikes have to make decisions about re-signing or replacing after the season so I see it as a pivotal year because it should give the team a much clearer idea of where they're headed and how much work they have left to do. They went from 3-13 to 10-6. That's a huge leap and they need to find out if it was an anomaly or an indication that they've actually put together a team that can sustain success. If it's the latter, they'll have to do what it will take to keep it together and moving forward. If it's the former, they may have to take a step back (and deeper into rebuilding mode) in order to get where they want to be...