quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I'm sure a lot of the time in OTA's is devoted to conditioning, stretching, etc. which the players can do on their own perhaps with some assistance of their agents who might be stepping in to see they have what they need. The OTA's are mostly non-contact. I did see where some of the receivers worked out with Thielen. I wonder if more of that is going on. In the end, contact practicing is irreplaceable and with only two pre-season games they will be even more critical than ever.

My hunch is that there are some advantages, but mostly disadvantages for the new players. The veterans are probably pleased with the extra time to be home this off-season.

quote:

ORIGINAL: bohumm

I think strength is/was a big concern for Cleveland as it is for any rookie OL. It's a different thing to be on site all day at the team's facilities under the immediate direction of a trainer as opposed to trying to access the equipment, spotting, and supervision elsewhere during a pandemic. I would imagine strengthening and conditioning take a hit. It's also much easier to correct misunderstandings about scheme and responsibilities in person, but not insurmountable via technology. The focus on that and time spent with nothing else to do might even help broadly in learning. But translating that to the field is totally absent, as is any detailed technique work.

I almost always agree with Pager, but I see no way to cut Reiff this season as we have no idea what we have in Cleveland. He may also help (or not) in developing Cleveland. We've also done our maneuvering with his salary in place, and though there's flexibility and maybe other moves to be gained, I don't think the benefits of dumping this year's salary at this point has the upside to justify the risk. I know he's average to above average, but that may far exceed what we get from anyone else. Next year is a whole different story.

quote:

ORIGINAL: bohumm

I think strength is/was a big concern for Cleveland as it is for any rookie OL. It's a different thing to be on site all day at the team's facilities under the immediate direction of a trainer as opposed to trying to access the equipment, spotting, and supervision elsewhere during a pandemic. I would imagine strengthening and conditioning take a hit. It's also much easier to correct misunderstandings about scheme and responsibilities in person, but not insurmountable via technology. The focus on that and time spent with nothing else to do might even help broadly in learning. But translating that to the field is totally absent, as is any detailed technique work.

I almost always agree with Pager, but I see no way to cut Reiff this season as we have no idea what we have in Cleveland. He may also help (or not) in developing Cleveland. We've also done our maneuvering with his salary in place, and though there's flexibility and maybe other moves to be gained, I don't think the benefits of dumping this year's salary at this point has the upside to justify the risk. I know he's average to above average, but that may far exceed what we get from anyone else. Next year is a whole different story.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zoilo

Have the Vikings announced any pre-season games yet?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pager

quote:

ORIGINAL: bohumm

I think strength is/was a big concern for Cleveland as it is for any rookie OL. It's a different thing to be on site all day at the team's facilities under the immediate direction of a trainer as opposed to trying to access the equipment, spotting, and supervision elsewhere during a pandemic. I would imagine strengthening and conditioning take a hit. It's also much easier to correct misunderstandings about scheme and responsibilities in person, but not insurmountable via technology. The focus on that and time spent with nothing else to do might even help broadly in learning. But translating that to the field is totally absent, as is any detailed technique work.

I almost always agree with Pager, but I see no way to cut Reiff this season as we have no idea what we have in Cleveland. He may also help (or not) in developing Cleveland. We've also done our maneuvering with his salary in place, and though there's flexibility and maybe other moves to be gained, I don't think the benefits of dumping this year's salary at this point has the upside to justify the risk. I know he's average to above average, but that may far exceed what we get from anyone else. Next year is a whole different story.

Hopefully I can get you on my side on this one

It's not just about Ezra. We literally have the deepest Tackle squad that I can remember. Udoh/ONeill/Hill/Collins have all been in the system/org multiple years and had reps at Tackle. To be honest I haven't noticed a drop off when Hill is in on the left side for Reiff. And Hill grades out better as a LT than a RT.

Dozier can even be used as a Tackle in a pinch - if I remember right.

Reiff is not above average. He is average and at an age that we could see decline.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I'm not happy to see this:

The NFL is reportedly going to reduce roster sizes for training camp to 75 or 80 players. That could be bad news for #Vikings UDFAs and other end-of-roster types:

(Will Ragatz on Twitter)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ratoppenheimer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I'm not happy to see this:

The NFL is reportedly going to reduce roster sizes for training camp to 75 or 80 players. That could be bad news for #Vikings UDFAs and other end-of-roster types:

(Will Ragatz on Twitter)

it's an extraordinary situation...i just looked over our roster and we've only got 88 players on the team right now...i went through the list of players and i think that we could drop 10-12 without knowing the difference....

imo the league should allow 90 to start camp and then in a week trim it down to 75 - let's get a look at the players that are already on the bubble and then decide who to keep...i would like it if the league allowed teams to protect more players from the waiver wire...maybe 55 players on the team with another 15 on the practice squad - and 7 of those are paid full rookie minimum and protected from poaching....

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I'm not happy to see this:

The NFL is reportedly going to reduce roster sizes for training camp to 75 or 80 players. That could be bad news for #Vikings UDFAs and other end-of-roster types:

(Will Ragatz on Twitter)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zoilo

Have the Vikings announced any pre-season games yet?

Looks like the two preseason games they play will be vs the Bengals and Browns- both on the road. That should give them more time for practice.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

Fewest Missed Tackles by teams in 2019:

1. Vikings - 85
2. Patriots - 93
3. Ravens - 99
4. Saints - 100

(PFF)