Looks Like A Lot Of Rookies Are Going To Be Active Today

by Christopher Gates on Oct 23, 2011 10:17 AM CDT in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season

The Minnesota Vikings had ten selections in the 2011 NFL Draft, and eight of those players ultimately ended up making the big roster, with only linebacker Ross Homan (from THE. . .dramatic pause. . .Ohio State University) and wide receiver Stephen Burton (from THE. . .dramatic pause. . .er, West Texas A&M University) not making the club, although Burton is currently on the practice squad.

With the way the Vikings look going into Sunday's game, there's a very good chance that a lot of those draftees are going to be active today, with some of them making their NFL debuts.

Minnesota will be without their top two cornerbacks in Antoine Winfield, who will miss his third straight game with a neck injury, and Chris Cook, who is currently trying out for a spot in the Minnesota Penal League. Safety JaMarca Sanford will also be out due to a concussion that he suffered last week against the Chicago Bears. That means that young defensive backs Brandon Burton and Mistral Raymond will likely be seeing some action today. If that's the case, this will be the first time this season that Raymond will be on the active roster.

Center John Sullivan also suffered a concussion last week at Soldier Field, so he likely won't be available for this one, either. As a result, don't be surprised if Brandon Fusco is "up" for this one rather than being deactivated. Phil Loadholt had some injury concerns last week as well, so it wouldn't be completely surprising to see DeMarcus Love available for today's game, too.

There's a very good chance that today is going to be a very long day for those of us that cheer for the Minnesota Vikings. But, on the bright side, at least some of the youngsters that showed some promise in the pre-season will likely be getting some real NFL action this afternoon, from the looks of things.

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Dear Heavens...

Just don’t let anyone else get hurt. I am excited to see Ponder play though. But you know thats really like saying that you’re looking forward to the yams at a thanksgiving dinner with your retired military in-laws after making an off colored joke about America on Facebook. Its gonna be an uncomfortable dinner…

by brighteye_Viking on Oct 23, 2011 10:38 AM CDT reply actions

Tough times again.

Being a Minnesota Viking fan has always been a combination of masochism and sheer blind faith that THIS TIME, the worst will not happen. I was eleven years old when a young rookie named Fran soundly defeated the mighty Chicago Bears and I was hooked. The exhilarating 1969 season and the crushing total defeat by the Stramish Chiefs started the roller coaster that is the Vikings.

Subsequent title game losses to Miami, Pittsburgh and Oakland further cemented the Vikiings as a team that could and did swell the hearts of fans and just as quickly rip them from our collective chests. The low ebb during the Les Steckel year and the return of Bud of Viking lore took us on a ride that we were all becoming accustomed to experiencing. The miracle of the 1987 run up to the NFC Championship game was an unexpected thrill. The loud thud that ended the 15-1 season at the hands of the Falcons and the subsequent so-so years leading to the one miracle year with Brett Favre had us hoping against hope only to have those hopes dashed.

I am rapidly losing faith in our coaching staff, the players and the state legislative leadership but like any loyal fan, I plan to stick it out and hope against hope that Christian Ponder can produce a miracle like another rookie named Fran did so many years ago. SKOL Vikings!

by TexasViking on Oct 23, 2011 10:39 AM CDT reply actions

Very well written post.

You just never know in this league. A couple of timely turnovers, some excellent special teams play, and a heavy dose of Adrian would help out our young QB a lot. I’m rooting for him.

"Show me a hero, and I will write you a tragedy." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

by abba7 on Oct 23, 2011 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

You're exactly right

If being a Viking fan was easy, everybody would do it.

It just means that we deserve to have something good happen more than any other fan base in the National Football League. . .and when we do finally get it, nobody will appreciate it more than we will.

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by Christopher Gates on Oct 23, 2011 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Chris Cook in jail for the weekend

He was arrested at 4 am Saturday morning and is still in the jail.

http://min.scout.com/2/1120162.html

by medicineball on Oct 23, 2011 10:42 AM CDT reply actions

It's like I've said a few times...

I think, at this point, we should really consider blowing up the O-line some. Sully’s been DECENT-ish at Center, but he’s no Matt Birk, and an upgrade is badly needed there. Is Fusco it? Let’s find out. DeLove- is he a potential T or G? Let’s find out. I don’t want to risk our QBOTF’s health here, but quite frankly, the line as such is risky as it is. As always, if things get ugly, plug some of the vets back in.

Truth be told the only decent O-lineman we’ve got now is Hutch, whom I love and yet… is going the route of Pat Williams. He’s in a decline and that won’t be changing, it will only be getting worse.

Let’s face it- our shot at staying competitive this year didn’t work out. It sucks, I’m NOT happy about it, but it is what it is, as an old Minnie friend of mine would say. Let’s take the rest of the season to figure out what we’ve got in our young guys, clear up some questions about where we need to go in the draft. Get those young O-line guys out there, get the young secondary guys out there (dammit Cook), get Arceneaux up off the PS and out there… let’s see what we’ve got. You never know… at least, until you try.

I'm at a loss for words. Daily Norseman

by KJSegall on Oct 23, 2011 12:27 PM CDT reply actions

Well it looks like that is going to be the case anyways

We have a lot of O-lineman whose contracts are up at the end of this year or next. Hutch is still great but his salary may be a bit high and with his age who knows if he will be around next year. Sully and Herrera contracts are up, which oddly enough are the positions Fusco and Love are studying and preparing for. Loadholt has the rest of this year and next to get it together, and I thinking more this year, because there are about 8-9 OT’s that will be there for us to draft next year. the only O-lineman we have signed beyond next season is Charlie Johnson, and he is better suited for OG than OT. Chris Degeare should be involved in this discussion but he decided to do the McKinnie offseason workout instead of coming in to camp in shape.

by nmvikesfan on Oct 23, 2011 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions