2013 Offensive Line Position

Grade: 6

I think Rick Spielman and the Vikings hit on rookie LT Matt Kalil with the third overall pick in last years draft. Leslie Frazier also had to move Charlie Johnson out of the LT position and into the LG position and it worked (isn’t the long-term answer, but it worked). John Sullivan had a great year at Center and should have been a Pro Bowler. Brandon Fusco was serviceable for a second year guy and filling in for an injury prone Geoff Schwartz. Phil Loadholt is a unrestricted free agent this offseason and is a good run blocking tackle, but not the greatest pass protector in the league. We could see some change around the offensive line this offseason and can build around John Sullivan, Matt Kalil and maybe even Phil Loadholt.

Let’s chat about Pro Bowl Left Tackle Matt Kalil, this guy is a monster and should be a Minnesota Viking a very long, long time. You didn’t hear much about him last season and this is usually a good thing when it comes to offensive lineman. I remember watching games and focusing right on him and every time he either held the defensive end in check or sprung a nice block for Adrian. He should be a franchise player and go to many Pro Bowls in the future. In his first season in the National Football League he was everything we dreamed he would be and should see him become a true leader and student of the game.

My applause goes out to someone named Charlie Johnson, the Vikings draft LT Matt Kalil and then ask Charlie to move from LT to LG and didn’t complain for one second. Most people would take that as a demotion, but he took it as he could help out the offensive line by moving to LG. Now is Charlie the best LG in the NFL? No, but in 2012 he blocked for the best running back in the game and did some good things protecting Christian Ponder. Now is he the answer long-term? No, but I would say he is serviceable at the LG position and the Vikings shouldn’t be in a panic. Now he has a full offseason to work on fundamentals and improve at that position.

How key is John Sullivan to this offensive line? He is a really good Center and has filled in nicely after our hero Matt Birk left us. John has helped Christian run this offense and will be a key piece to this offensive line for years to come. After an outstanding season Center John Sullivan got snubbed and did not get selected to his first Pro Bowl. We should see him improve every year as long as he can stay healthy.

The Vikings signed free agent Geoff Schwartz in 2012 offseason to give them some offensive line help and during training camp needed sports hernia surgery which put him our 4-6 weeks. So the Vikings needed Brandon Fusco to step in and fill in for an injured Schwartz. Brandon won the starting job and did a decent job, at points he looked shaky but overall was productive. He didn’t do anything to lose his job to Schwartz.

What will the Vikings do with Phil Loadholt who is an unrestricted free agent? Can they afford to lose him? Will they place the franchise tag on him? The Vikings think Phil Loadholt is a top 10 RT in this league but don’t want to pay him as a top 5 RT. If they franchise him at $9.7 million, they feel that is elite tackle money and he is not worth elite tackle money. So the Vikings need to reach a 3-5 year deal, franchise him or let him walk. He is a good run blocker who is big and can drive defensive ends and linebackers and create holes for Adrian. He lacks pass blocking and is slow off the ball and can be beat by pass rushers. He also lacks focus and has been flagged numerous times for false start penalties. Look for the Vikings to keep him and lock him up for a few more years.

Other offensive lineman to keep an eye on is free agent Joe Berger, will they resign him? Probably not, he is a backup Center and Guard who hasn’t contributed and lacks as a run blocker. DeMarcus Love is locked in for another few years hopefully can stay healthy, he could be a nice backup if someone gets hurt. Also backup left tackle Troy Kropog is a restricted free agent and could be a fill in if needed.

Overall look for the Vikings to sign Loadholt and add some depth this offseason in the draft and also in free agency. We have some great guys on this line and should continue to see this line groom and improve over the years to come. This is a much better offensive line than we have seen in years past and look for Spielman and Leslie to add pieces where needed. Nice improvement in 2012 over 2011, hats off to the coaching staff and Spielman. This offensive line stepped up and helped Adrian Peterson reach 2,097 yards rushing. Congrats!