A former NFL coach, who still follows the league closely, was asked if the Vikings personnel area that is most suspect is the secondary. “I still say the offensive line is not where it needs to be,” he responded.
The Vikings have improved by replacing last year’s starter at right tackle, Ryan Cook, with rookie Phil Loadholt, said a source who asked that his name not be used. He considers right guard Anthony Herrera a so-so talent and second year center John Sullivan is a downgrade from veteran center Matt Birk who left the Vikings during the off-season. The left side of the line, with guard Steve Hutchinson (ranked with the best linemen in the NFL) and tackle Bryant McKinnie, is the strength of the unit.
With franchise cornerback Antoine Winfield injured and unable to play last Sunday against the Steelers, a visitor had asked the former coach on Saturday if the secondary wasn’t the most suspect area. The secondary has been part of the problem with a defense that has given up a lot of fourth quarter points including 21 against the Ravens on October 18 when the Vikings almost lost (33-31). The secondary played okay against the Steelers and Winfield could return for Sunday’s game in Green Bay.
The Vikings offensive line at times couldn’t block the Steelers and Minnesota only rushed for 83 yards in the 27-17 loss, the Purple’s first defeat of the year (6-1). A strong Steelers pass rush sometimes pressured quarterback Brett Favre. In the fourth quarter the Vikings, trailing 13-10, were driving for the go ahead touchdown when Favre had the ball stripped from his right hand. The Steelers LaMarr Woodley, coming through the left side of the Vikings line, recovered the fumble and ran 77 yards for a touchdown.
Favre was sacked four times in the game, matching a season high against the Browns. For the year he has been sacked 18 times. Not all sacks can be blamed on an offensive line because running backs can fail to block and quarterbacks may hold onto the ball too long, but the Vikings’ Super Bowl goal may end up being determined by the big guys in front of Favre.
The Packers have allowed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to be sacked 25 times, highest among NFC North teams. The Vikings defense, which leads the NFL in sacks with 24, sacked Rodgers eight times in Minnesota’s 30-23 win at the Metrodome earlier this month. The Packers’ offensive line has been even more of a project than the Vikings and those two units will play major roles in determining who wins on Sunday when Green Bay (4-2) could move closer to first place in the NFC North. The only question will be the size of the role.