To be honest, as much as I really do like Mills and think he will contribute much more as a “receiving” TE over Visanthe, my only problem however with relying on Mills is the fact that he was only in a game situation once. He really doesn’t have a whole lot of experience. I don’t think we should be hypocrites and talk about how good Mills is after one game when we look at pecker fans who are ranting and raving about Rogers after a half of football and saying how “GREAT” he is and that it doesn’t matter that “FAVRE retired because Rogers will pick up right where Favre left off”...... We look at those Pecker fans over there and Laugh when we hear such nonsense. but yeah, as much as I believe Mills will be a very good TE for us this year, I think we need to see some more out of him before we make a final decision on him.

Blocking Tight End: Jim Kleinsasser
Receiving Tight End: Garrett Mills
Practice Squad Option: Braden Jones
Cut: Visanthe Shiancoe

What a bust Shiancoe proved to be. I can’t see us being any worse with Mills, that’s for sure.

And yes, we have to keep at least one NoDak on the roster. Besides, you’ve got to love Kneinsasser. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone pancake as many people in one play as Kleinsasser.

You know, you are probably right about Kleinsasser. I am a Huge fan of his, I think his blocking skills make up for his lack of recepetions, but i’ll agree that he, if any of the three get cut it will more than likely be him. There is no way Visanthe gets cut, his contract is far too large with far too much time left to let him loose after just one season. I think Mills has way too much talent and potential to cut loose too so with all the respect in the world for Jimmy, I just think his time is up here in Minny. I really hate to say that because he is such an asset to the Offensive line and I know he has been a good mentor to Cook and Herrera on the right side. But to be honest, as long as Mills is still on the team, thats all that matters. I still want to see more out of him until I make my judgments on him but from what i’ve seen, I think he will be pretty good for us.

I know he hasn’t lived up to the offer we gave him.
Either trade him, or give him a year to improve his stock – then trade him.

I want a duel threat TE – we need it.
Having the catching ability always keeps the D nervous or off balanced.
Klein is a machine! but…

We have a new & improved team this year – a lot can change!
Vin – might be able to get open now with Wade playing slot etc.

P.S. My GL Blitz TE avg. 12.5 yards per catch!
http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=9113611

Sorry guys, but not one TE on the Vikings roster is a game breaking talent! Kleinsasser has become as big of a waste (bust) as any of Mike Tice’s former 2nd round picks! For 10 years this guy has been nothing more than an additional OL and of late, he has gotten pretty lame at it!

Shiancoe was one of Brad Childress’s biggest mistakes! Or was that Spielman’s doing? Either way, you don’t throw $18 million at a back up who has done nothing nor provided any inclination that he could be worth that much cash to begin with! He dropped 3 end-zone TDs last season! That was worse than anything Williamson did IMHO and by not going after a better talent or draft pick this year, once again the TE position of the Minnesota Vikings will be its weakest link! AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mills is too damn short to play TE in the NFL but out of all 4 he has the best chance to produce at this level. Just needs to stay healthy and he will show in games why he should be in more often than Shiancoe!

Dugan, the HB, is another wasted roster spot! So if you count em all up, only 1 out of 5 players is worth keeping. And until this team can address the TE position sincerely, they will have nobody that will play this season that can be a threat or additional weapon for the Viking offense! TRULY PATHETIC, ONCE AGAIN!!!! JM2CW!

Jimmy Kleinsasser is by far the best blocking tight end in the business, even at 10 years. Did you see the hit he put on Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora during the Giants game last year? He blew him up and knocked him backwards on his back side! It was a pancake block from hell! Nobody else in the league can do that with the consistency game after game like Jimmy does. Joe Gibbs knew that a few years ago and that is why the Vikes franchised him prior to resigning him. He was a big part of the right side of the o-line leading the league with a 7.2 yard per carry average and that was while fortifying Ryan Cook in his first year as a full time starter. Then take the fact that Bryant McKinnie is facing some sort of suspension; whoever will temporarily replace him might need some help.

I was stationed up in Grand Forks and had the pleasure of watching Jimmy at UND. He was a pass catching machine there and dominated enough to make him stand out and be drafted by Enny Green. He can still catch and is usually very reliable in the end zone. He obviously has played H-back before and could easily move inside and play as a small tackle if needed. If you cut Jim, there would be, "many teams would make room for him", plus you’d be giving up a massive amount of capability that doesn’t exist elsewhere. Kleinsasser will stay.

With coach Childress saying this about Shianco, "We’re hoping Visanthe Shiancoe makes a move this year. We think he’ll be better in the second year in the system." The likelihood of the underperforming Visanthe being cut is probably nil, especially his $18.2 million dollar contract. He is probably the surest tight end on the team to make the final roster.

Garret Mills looked good in only the one game he ever played in, last year at Denver. The Patriots liked him and so did the Vikes, enough to take him off waivers but he is on the smallish size at only 6’1" and 235 lbs. He could possibly play some HB or FB if needed too. But he has played only one game and that is what everybody is making their judgments on. That worries me a little but coach Childress likes his, "natural wiggle and a natural feel in the passing game." I like his ability too, especially comparing that one performance against all of Shiancoe’s first year in Purple.

If the Vikes keep these three tight ends, which I fully suspect will happen because of the chance of injury in that demands some sort of depth, which one of the two extra fullbacks gets cut, Tahi or Dugan? Thomas Tapeh we know will start, so does will Childress go with the more traditional, human bowling ball style fullback at 6’0" and 254 lbs that he seems to like in his version of the West Coast offense, or will he go with the hybrid 6’4" 258 lbs Dugan that is a converted tight end? That question will most likely be made on the final roster cut. That is my take on the subject. Good break down Gonzo.