quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: kurt bilben

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I was wondering if Elflein makes the team. I know that's a crazy thought, but I was wondering what surprises are coming. Maybe it would be a surprise if just Elflein isn't a starter.

So maybe that's too much, but anyone else want to speculate on a surprise. I mean, if some of these rookies make the roster an established player may have to be cut.

Oline starters

Reiff
Kline
Bradbury
Samia
O"Neal

Samia … Day one or eventually?

I’d find it hard to believe Elflein has Fallin that far, but who knows.

If Reiff has a poor TC I could definitely see-

O’Neill-ELF-Bradbury-Kline-Samia

Or Kline as bad as he showed last year-

Reiff-ELF-Bradbury-Samia-O’Neill.

Reiff is our second best OL. He's not going anywhere.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

I wonder if that's some kind of giveaway to the defense when Morgan is on the field considering he is on the field for 22% of the team's offensive snaps yet was only targeted six times all season.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2018-snap-counts.htm

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

I wonder if that's some kind of giveaway to the defense when Morgan is on the field considering he is on the field for 22% of the team's offensive snaps yet was only targeted six times all season.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2018-snap-counts.htm

quote:

ORIGINAL: kurt bilben

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: kurt bilben

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I was wondering if Elflein makes the team. I know that's a crazy thought, but I was wondering what surprises are coming. Maybe it would be a surprise if just Elflein isn't a starter.

So maybe that's too much, but anyone else want to speculate on a surprise. I mean, if some of these rookies make the roster an established player may have to be cut.

Oline starters

Reiff
Kline
Bradbury
Samia
O"Neal

Samia … Day one or eventually?

I’d find it hard to believe Elflein has Fallin that far, but who knows.

If Reiff has a poor TC I could definitely see-

O’Neill-ELF-Bradbury-Kline-Samia

Or Kline as bad as he showed last year-

Reiff-ELF-Bradbury-Samia-O’Neill.

Reiff is our second best OL. He's not going anywhere.

Second best OL on last years OL is a pretty low bar.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

quote:

ORIGINAL: kurt bilben

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: kurt bilben

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I was wondering if Elflein makes the team. I know that's a crazy thought, but I was wondering what surprises are coming. Maybe it would be a surprise if just Elflein isn't a starter.

So maybe that's too much, but anyone else want to speculate on a surprise. I mean, if some of these rookies make the roster an established player may have to be cut.

Oline starters

Reiff
Kline
Bradbury
Samia
O"Neal

Samia … Day one or eventually?

I’d find it hard to believe Elflein has Fallin that far, but who knows.

If Reiff has a poor TC I could definitely see-

O’Neill-ELF-Bradbury-Kline-Samia

Or Kline as bad as he showed last year-

Reiff-ELF-Bradbury-Samia-O’Neill.

Reiff is our second best OL. He's not going anywhere.

Second best OL on last years OL is a pretty low bar.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

I wonder if that's some kind of giveaway to the defense when Morgan is on the field considering he is on the field for 22% of the team's offensive snaps yet was only targeted six times all season.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2018-snap-counts.htm

Perhaps, but I think Morgan pass blocks well, too.

It's interesting to learn from your link that Morgan is on the field for a quarter of the plays that Rudolph is. His stats are somewhat skewed by that.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

Yes Bruce, I understand that Morgan has always been a primary blocking TE and he is very good at it. However, 12 personnel requires both TEs to be receiving threats. Morgan has demonstrated no ability at this.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

A Viking from last year finds a new home.

https://thevikingage.com/2019/05/17/minnesota-vikings-aldrick-robinson-2/

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

I wonder if that's some kind of giveaway to the defense when Morgan is on the field considering he is on the field for 22% of the team's offensive snaps yet was only targeted six times all season.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2018-snap-counts.htm

Perhaps, but I think Morgan pass blocks well, too.

It's interesting to learn from your link that Morgan is on the field for a quarter of the plays that Rudolph is. His stats are somewhat skewed by that.

Is Rudolph on the field for 88% of the snaps? I like Morgan for what he is, but the idea of him replacing Rudy as our primary TE is like Marty's love for Sloter to replace Cousins.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: kurt bilben

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: kurt bilben

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I was wondering if Elflein makes the team. I know that's a crazy thought, but I was wondering what surprises are coming. Maybe it would be a surprise if just Elflein isn't a starter.

So maybe that's too much, but anyone else want to speculate on a surprise. I mean, if some of these rookies make the roster an established player may have to be cut.

Oline starters

Reiff
Kline
Bradbury
Samia
O"Neal

Samia … Day one or eventually?

I’d find it hard to believe Elflein has Fallin that far, but who knows.

If Reiff has a poor TC I could definitely see-

O’Neill-ELF-Bradbury-Kline-Samia

Or Kline as bad as he showed last year-

Reiff-ELF-Bradbury-Samia-O’Neill.

Reiff is our second best OL. He's not going anywhere.

Second best OL on last years OL is a pretty low bar.

Question: Reiff and Elflein real good players? Hell no.

But any objectivity at all and ...

Before 2018 Reiff had been a solid not spectacular OT throughout his career.

Before 2018 Elflein had showed promise as a rookie, over a 13-3 NFCCG season.

Then the drop off by both players in 2018.

Did that dropoff in play for Reiff happen in a vacuum (i.e., he's just plain bad), or ...

... did being dinged up / playing next to Compton / being in an out of sync offense / coached by Janocko instead of Sporano – have to be factors?

That dropoff in play for Elflein happened in a vacuum (i.e., he's just plain bad), or ...

... did losing the offseason and first few games recovering from injury / playing between Compton Remmers / being in an out of sync offense / coached by Janocko instead of Sporano – have to be factors?

Answer (with any objectivity at all): ... had to be factors. Had to.

NOT based on objectivity ... I think we will have 2 solid healthy OL in Reiff and Elflein to start the season, a solid to better OL in O'Neill, and rookie Bradubury who may develop quickly into the best of the bunch.

2016 – 8-8 with (Clemmings, others), Boone, Berger, Fusco, (Sirles, others) ... (Sporano, Turner/Shurmur)
2017 – 13-3 NFCCG with Reiff, Easton, Elflein, Berger, Remmers ... (Sporano, Shurmur)
2018 – 8-7-1 with Reiff, Compton, Elflein, Remmers, O'Neil ... (Barone/Janocko, Flip/Stefanski)
2019 – 12-4 (but better than the 2017 team) with O'Neill, Elflein, Bradbury, Kline, Reiff ... (Dennison, Sefanski)

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

I wonder if that's some kind of giveaway to the defense when Morgan is on the field considering he is on the field for 22% of the team's offensive snaps yet was only targeted six times all season.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2018-snap-counts.htm

Perhaps, but I think Morgan pass blocks well, too.

It's interesting to learn from your link that Morgan is on the field for a quarter of the plays that Rudolph is. His stats are somewhat skewed by that.

Is Rudolph on the field for 88% of the snaps? I like Morgan for what he is, but the idea of him replacing Rudy as our primary TE is like Marty's love for Sloter to replace Cousins.

Who said anything about Morgan replacing Rudolph? Spoiler alert - no one.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

Yes Bruce, I understand that Morgan has always been a primary blocking TE and he is very good at it. However, 12 personnel requires both TEs to be receiving threats. Morgan has demonstrated no ability at this.

Blocking notwithstanding, it's interesting that Morgan is the only player on field slower than Rudolph ... yet some posters want to get rid of Rudolph (because he's slow) and want Morgan to be more involved in the passing game.

OK.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

Yes Bruce, I understand that Morgan has always been a primary blocking TE and he is very good at it. However, 12 personnel requires both TEs to be receiving threats. Morgan has demonstrated no ability at this.

Blocking notwithstanding, it's interesting that Morgan is the only player on field slower than Rudolph ... yet some posters want to get rid of Rudolph (because he's slow) and want Morgan to be more involved in the passing game.

OK.

Nobody has advocated that dude. The discussion has been Morgan playing the same role he has now in 2 TE sets. You seem to forget that we drafted a TE in the second round. That's who people figure to get Rudolph's snaps.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

Yes Bruce, I understand that Morgan has always been a primary blocking TE and he is very good at it. However, 12 personnel requires both TEs to be receiving threats. Morgan has demonstrated no ability at this.

Blocking notwithstanding, it's interesting that Morgan is the only player on field slower than Rudolph ... yet some posters want to get rid of Rudolph (because he's slow) and want Morgan to be more involved in the passing game.

OK.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

I wonder if that's some kind of giveaway to the defense when Morgan is on the field considering he is on the field for 22% of the team's offensive snaps yet was only targeted six times all season.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2018-snap-counts.htm

Perhaps, but I think Morgan pass blocks well, too.

It's interesting to learn from your link that Morgan is on the field for a quarter of the plays that Rudolph is. His stats are somewhat skewed by that.

Is Rudolph on the field for 88% of the snaps? I like Morgan for what he is, but the idea of him replacing Rudy as our primary TE is like Marty's love for Sloter to replace Cousins.

Who said anything about Morgan replacing Rudolph? Spoiler alert - no one.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

Yes Bruce, I understand that Morgan has always been a primary blocking TE and he is very good at it. However, 12 personnel requires both TEs to be receiving threats. Morgan has demonstrated no ability at this.

Blocking notwithstanding, it's interesting that Morgan is the only player on field slower than Rudolph ... yet some posters want to get rid of Rudolph (because he's slow) and want Morgan to be more involved in the passing game.

OK.

I don't think it's a certainty that Morgan is slower than Rudolph. Rudy's last measured time in the 40 was from 2011. Morgan was quicker in the cone drills as well for whatever that counts for. At any rate no one is advocating for Morgan to replace Rudolph. Speaking just for myself I'd say that I'd like to see Smith/Conklin replace Rudolph as they are both faster than him and might actually break a tackle once in a while. I'd also like to see Morgan targeted once or twice per game to keep defenses honest.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

Yes Bruce, I understand that Morgan has always been a primary blocking TE and he is very good at it. However, 12 personnel requires both TEs to be receiving threats. Morgan has demonstrated no ability at this.

Blocking notwithstanding, it's interesting that Morgan is the only player on field slower than Rudolph ... yet some posters want to get rid of Rudolph (because he's slow) and want Morgan to be more involved in the passing game.

OK.

I don't think it's a certainty that Morgan is slower than Rudolph. Rudy's last measured time in the 40 was from 2011. Morgan was quicker in the cone drills as well for whatever that counts for. At any rate no one is advocating for Morgan to replace Rudolph. Speaking just for myself I'd say that I'd like to see Smith/Conklin replace Rudolph as they are both faster than him and might actually break a tackle once in a while. I'd also like to see Morgan targeted once or twice per game to keep defenses honest.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

I wonder if that's some kind of giveaway to the defense when Morgan is on the field considering he is on the field for 22% of the team's offensive snaps yet was only targeted six times all season.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2018-snap-counts.htm

Perhaps, but I think Morgan pass blocks well, too.

It's interesting to learn from your link that Morgan is on the field for a quarter of the plays that Rudolph is. His stats are somewhat skewed by that.

Is Rudolph on the field for 88% of the snaps? I like Morgan for what he is, but the idea of him replacing Rudy as our primary TE is like Marty's love for Sloter to replace Cousins.

Who said anything about Morgan replacing Rudolph? Spoiler alert - no one.

It's extrapolation DF. Rudolph cut or traded and Vikings going with 2 TE sets. With Rudolph those would be Smith and Rudolph. Without Rudolph it's not going to be Smith and Conklin. Hence I say replacing Rudolph with Morgan.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

I wonder if that's some kind of giveaway to the defense when Morgan is on the field considering he is on the field for 22% of the team's offensive snaps yet was only targeted six times all season.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2018-snap-counts.htm

Perhaps, but I think Morgan pass blocks well, too.

It's interesting to learn from your link that Morgan is on the field for a quarter of the plays that Rudolph is. His stats are somewhat skewed by that.

Is Rudolph on the field for 88% of the snaps? I like Morgan for what he is, but the idea of him replacing Rudy as our primary TE is like Marty's love for Sloter to replace Cousins.

Who said anything about Morgan replacing Rudolph? Spoiler alert - no one.

Right.

Ideally Smith replaces Rudy and Morgan replaces...Morgan...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Morgan is in to block and he's good at that. How many plays is he even in the game?

According to this article, the Vikings rushed nearly twice as much when Morgan played in the game. Football is still a team game and you can't just go by individual stats. Also, I do believe the team wants to be more committed to the running game this year to support Cousins better.

https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

I wonder if that's some kind of giveaway to the defense when Morgan is on the field considering he is on the field for 22% of the team's offensive snaps yet was only targeted six times all season.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/2018-snap-counts.htm

Perhaps, but I think Morgan pass blocks well, too.

It's interesting to learn from your link that Morgan is on the field for a quarter of the plays that Rudolph is. His stats are somewhat skewed by that.

Is Rudolph on the field for 88% of the snaps? I like Morgan for what he is, but the idea of him replacing Rudy as our primary TE is like Marty's love for Sloter to replace Cousins.

Who said anything about Morgan replacing Rudolph? Spoiler alert - no one.

It's extrapolation DF. Rudolph cut or traded and Vikings going with 2 TE sets. With Rudolph those would be Smith and Rudolph. Without Rudolph it's not going to be Smith and Conklin. Hence I say replacing Rudolph with Morgan.

Just because he might replace him on the field doesn't mean using him in the same way. Good coaches put their players in to succeed by playing to their strengths and scheming with their weaknesses in mind. I'm not advocating that Morgan be used as a featured pass receiver. That's going to be the job of Smith.