Luft’s Locker Room

Archive for June, 2008

Gonzo, over at the Daily Norseman has been doing pieces on who will probably make the final roster.  The discussion of the tight end position is spirited especially with fans appreciation [or lack there of] of last years big free agent signing and pass catching savior, Visanthe Shaincoe.  Here is my take of the tight ends and who I think will make the final roster.

Jimmy Kleinsasser is by far the best blocking tight end in the business, even at 10 years.  Did you see the hit he put on Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora during the Giants game last year?  He blew him up and knocked him backwards on his back side!  It was a pancake block from hell!  Nobody else in the league can do that with the consistency game after game like Jimmy does.  Joe Gibbs knew that a few years ago and showed interest, which drove the Vikes to franchise him prior to resigning him.  He was a big part of the right side of the o-line leading the league with a 7.2 yard per carry average and that was while fortifying Ryan Cook in his first year as a full time starter.  Then take the fact that Bryant McKinnie is facing some sort of suspension; whoever will temporarily replace him might need some help.

I was stationed up in Grand Forks and had the pleasure of watching Jimmy at UND.  He was a pass catching machine there and dominated enough to make him stand out and be drafted by Enny Green.  He can still catch and is usually very reliable in the end zone.  He obviously has played H-back before and could easily move inside and play as a small tackle if needed.  If you cut Jim, there would be, “many teams would make room for him”, plus you’d be giving up a massive amount of capability that doesn’t exist elsewhere.  Kleinsasser will stay.

With coach Childress saying this about Shianco, “We’re hoping Visanthe Shiancoe makes a move this year. We think he’ll be better in the second year in the system.”  The likelihood of the underperforming Visanthe being cut is probably nil, especially his $18.2 million dollar contract.  He is probably the surest tight end on the team to make the final roster.

Garret Mills looked good in only the one game he ever played in, last year at Denver.  The Patriots liked him and so did the Vikes, enough to take him off waivers but he is on the smallish size at only 6’1” and 235 lbs.  He could possibly play some HB or FB if needed too.  But he has played only one game and that is what everybody is making their judgments on.  That worries me a little but coach Childress likes his, “natural wiggle and a natural feel in the passing game.”  I like his ability too, especially comparing that one performance against all of Shiancoe’s first year in Purple.

Braden Jones will be targeted to spend a year on practice squad, if he even makes the roster at all.  He is on the wrong side of this numbers game at this point.

If the Vikes keep these three tight ends, which I fully suspect will happen because of the chance of injury in that demands some sort of depth, which one of the two extra fullbacks gets cut, Tahi or Dugan?  Thomas Tapeh we know will start, so does will Childress go with the more traditional, human bowling ball style fullback at 6’0” and 254 lbs that he seems to like in his version of the West Coast offense, or will he go with the hybrid 6’4” 258 lbs Dugan that is a converted tight end?  That question will most likely be made on the final roster cut.  I like Dugan and feel he has more than proved himself, but it will ultimately be up to Childress and if everyone makes it through camp healthy.