The Sullivan Controversy

but I saw a lot more push up the middle when Berger was in and I think he should be starting.

He’s no road grader, but he is the least of our problems on the offensive line.

which I will take two ways. One, Center’s not a position you really want to be ‘serviceable’ at. Two, we have so many holes to fill on that line, ‘serviceable’ will do for now. I will be furious if we were to, say, draft a C within the top three rounds, unless there’s someone unbelievably good out there I haven’t heard about yet.

Which isn’t saying much, but he has done ok for himself. Now I am all for him and Fusco battling it out for the Center spot next year. I believe that Fusco is going to be special at the Center position for us for a long time but he first must prove that he can beat Sully with the loser being a solid backup.

He wasn’t ready to replace Birk…
Here we are 3yrs later, and he’s starting to produce.
The Vikings FO has shown that the player must absolutely suck-ass before they release them, so I imagine Sullivan will be the starting Center in 2012’.

FA will decide how the Vikings draft.
If they can get a couple DB’s and a WR in the FA, then the Vikings will be able to afford spending multiple draft-picks on the Oline this year….
Otherwise I expect them to draft LT first, and then BPA after that.

Sullivan is a liability. I’ve seen Berger at center, and even with his limited experience with the playbook and his teammates, he was better at center than Sullivan. Heck! I’d give Fusco a shot now just to see what he’s capable of doing.

…because that statement made me fall out of my chair. I’ve been unimpressed by a number of things that PFF has said in the past, but this one takes the cake IMO.

5. Minnesota Vikings

Rank: Pass Blocking = 17th, Run Blocking = 2nd, Penalties = 10th

Another team that has taken huge strides forward this year and it all starts at the center spot, with an injury free John Sullivan showing the player he can be (and timing it quite nicely in a contract year). He’s not just made a case for the Pro Bowl, but earned a spot there in our eyes. No real stars, though the play of Joe Berger in relief has been a pleasant surprise, while they’ve done well to overcome the inevitable problems of playing Charlie Johnson at left tackle.

Furthermore, I can’t see how PFF can think that this year’s line is playing at a higher standard that last year’s line. I like their statement about Berger but just can’t square the rest of it with what I’ve seen with my own eyes. Maybe “every game, every player, every play” is too broad of a mandate for them.

Anyway, I’ll grant you that PFF is a good source to defend your point of view on Sullivan. Can’t argue that. I just think they are wrong.

Centers only get attention if they’re really outstanding, or if they’re screwing up.

My understanding is that a Center is responsible for;

Pass blocking
Road grading

But more, he’s supposed to be the ‘captain of the offensive line’. He’s supposed to coordinate the efforts of the O-line, direct them, make sure everyone’s hitting their assignments. He’s supposed the the O-line’s leader.

Maybe I’m expecting too much. Mick Tinglehoff used to do it, and Matty Birk used to do it. Both of those guys were outstanding at their position.

Sully isn’t. Can he hike the ball? Yes. Can he provide good protection? Ask Ponder. Can he road grade? Ask Adrian Peterson.

I don’t care what PFF or anyone else says. I know what I see. I see Viking QBs getting the crap kicked out of them on a regular basis since Sully took over as starting Center, and I see Adrian Peterson slamming into the backs of this O-linemen on at least half his running attempts.

Where’s the damned flamethrower?!?!

with most the dam holes we need to fill you shore up what is around Sully and you would prolly see some good things.