this year since coming back from that suspension. I was hoping the O-line would be better when he returned but that hasn’t been the case. Maybe it is time to look for another tackle. BTW, speaking of the NFL Network, they’re going to be showing “Missing Rings-The 1969 Minnesota Vikings” at 3 p.m. today. That was the team that made me a Viking fan when I was a kid. Just passing that on in case anyone wants to tune in.

as an Eagles fan, i am certainly excited that you guys are already talking about off season moves!
To a Good Game and a Happy New Year!

talking about off season moves. Just making observations. We do that all the time on this site. We also make observations about other teams weaknesses as well. Especially the ones the Vikings are playing next.

Agreed

McKinney and Ryan Cook must go……yesterday. With such a deep defensive draft this year everyone’s gonna be taking defense so we might be able to pick up a top O-tackle in the first or second round since there arent any good offensive skill positions available this year…..they all seem to be staying in school. (except for Harrell and Crabtree but neither will make it past pick #5)

Though Bryant McKinnie is overrated in my books, the stats indicate that he is a decent left tackle. As per Football Outsiders who there 2008 O line stats out already, the left tackle position ranked 7th with a 4.84 Adjust Line Yards rating (Vikings ran over left tackle 12% of rush 468 run plays). Last year he had an ALY of 4.21 and ranking of 19th amongst left tackles. Plus, if you remember, there was talk of how running left improved after McKinnie got back from his unpaid vacation [suspension]. 7th isn’t Pro Bowl, but it isn’t bad either.

That was run blocking and you ask about pass protection. Football Outsiders don’t break down pass protection by position but have the team ranked 28th 43 sacks given up (that’s a lot!). Per Stats LLC of the 12 games he played he gave up 4 of them, a slight improvement over the 7 in 16 games he gave up last year. He has 2 false starts and no holdings, where last year he was 1 and 1.

The one that has really digressed and the stats show it this year from last is my boy Ryan Cook. I will be first in line this year to say that we need to draft and/or trade for a stud tackle. At least to push these guys if not take over if he is better.

If they ended up keeping McKinny I wouldnt complain. He’s not exactly at the top of the list of things I think the team needs. (a better back up QB, someone to replace Cook, a nickel cornerback, a legit kick/punt returner (why did we let mewelde go?) and another solid WR) So if we just drafted 1 stud Tackle to compete with either or both of them would be fine.