Training Camp

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John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings C John Sullivan (microfracture surgery) is full go for training camp.

"(I'm) out on the field, I'm practicing, I'm playing at a hundred percent and I feel great," Sullivan said Tuesday. Microfracture is serious business, but Sullivan is confident his knee won't be an issue. "Everybody associates (microfracture) with a lot of horror stories," Sullivan said. "The thinking is a little bit outdated. It's still obviously a serious surgery, but that stuff progresses fast." Sullivan graded out at Pro Football Focus' No. 1 center last season, playing an integral role in Adrian Peterson's monumental campaign.
Source: USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nf ... e/2600407/

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Williams said he doesn't foresee K. Williams and Floyd on the field together, but "I'm not going to rule anything out."

Andrew Krammer on Twitter

See more here: http://www.startribune.com/blogs/56735627.html

A: "I don't think so. That's not a definite, but the one thing that we do do is we rotate [defensive linemen] so much that you do need two three-techniques and you need two noses [nose tackles]. We'll see how that shakes out, but the one thing about those two spots is they're different spots. Just because you are a great three-technique doesn't mean you're going to come in and play nose and be as effective. So I don't think so, but I'm not going to rule anything out."

[Eli]

Williams seems to be rather set in his position that they must have a nose tackle playing along side a 3-technique DT. Seems rather inflexible, but I'm not sure that should surprise anyone. The Vikings haven't exactly been known for their creativity in recent years.

Someone remind me... Who was the nose tackle - Gary Larsen or Alan Page?

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Andrew Krammer on Twitter

See more here: http://www.startribune.com/blogs/56735627.html

Why in the hell is this team so determined to find a true nose tackle? It seems that this team has never gotten over Pat Williams' departure and has tried to find the next Pat Williams every year since '10. News flash Minnesota: instead of trying to replicate an old defensive scheme, adjust! The fact that this team is reluctant to put athletic gap-penetrates at both defensive tackle spots has been mind-boggling for 3 seasons now.

Both Fred Evans and Letroy Guion suck. You may as well cut them and keep Christian Ballard, Everett Dawkins, Sharrif Floyd, and Kevin Williams. The Cover 2 calls for two tackles like a Williams and a Floyd. Floyd and Williams are disruptive enough to stop the run without 'clogging' the middle of the offensive line. Plus, both of those players are athletic enough to generate pass rush. It seems like a no-brainer to me.

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Why in the hell is this team so determined to find a true nose tackle? It seems that this team has never gotten over Pat Williams' departure and has tried to find the next Pat Williams every year since '10. News flash Minnesota: instead of trying to replicate an old defensive scheme, adjust! The fact that this team is reluctant to put athletic gap-penetrates at both defensive tackle spots has been mind-boggling for 3 seasons now.

Guion is that athletic-type you're referring to. He just didn't run away with the job.

Both Fred Evans and Letroy Guion suck. You may as well cut them and keep Christian Ballard, Everett Dawkins, Sharrif Floyd, and Kevin Williams. The Cover 2 calls for two tackles like a Williams and a Floyd. Floyd and Williams are disruptive enough to stop the run without 'clogging' the middle of the offensive line. Plus, both of those players are athletic enough to generate pass rush. It seems like a no-brainer to me.

I wouldn't say Evans and Guion "suck." They're probably average or capable replacement-level guys.

There are many nuances and you want to play to guys' strengths. I'd prefer a continually disruptive Floyd for 30 snaps at the three technique rather than a neutral one at the nose for 60. I also don't want to play the "square peg in a round hole" game. Floyd has been heralded by almost everyone coming out of college as a "true" three technique. Expecting him to walk in and be an effective nose is probably unrealistic. In fact, it might be another Guion situation all over again (FWIW Guion is probably better suited for the three technique as well).

[Eli]

I wouldn't say Evans and Guion "suck." They're probably average or capable replacement-level guys.

Agreed. I don' think the Vikings have a single defensive lineman who is below average. IMO, their dropoff in inner defensive line play can almost single-handedly be attributed to the dropoff in Kevin Williams' level of play. We were just spoiled for a good six or seven years by having the best defensive tackle in the league.

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Cordarrelle Patterson is so quick. Lot to learn about the game, but man ... he does some Matrix stuff when he plants a foot in the ground.

Jamarca Sanford, stays down after a play. Receiving attention from #Vikings athletic trainers.

Tom Pelissero on Twitter

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Xavier Rhodes looking good. Needs to keep physicality in check. Called for Def. Pass. Intfr. on Stephen Burton.

Cassel throws a deep ball in 7 on 7 to Wright, A.J. Jefferson tips it and Robert Blanton snags the INT.

Mistral Raymond jumps a Rodney Smith route and almost comes away with the INT from Cassel

Andrew Krammer on Twitter

Sanford returned by the way. Larry Dean in for Greenway, who is coming off knee surgery, in latest team drill. #Vikings

And little Larry Dean just absolutely crushed Toby Gerhart on an inside run play. One of the better hits you'll see in camp. Wow.

Tom Pelissero on Twitter

[Mothman]

Why in the hell is this team so determined to find a true nose tackle? It seems that this team has never gotten over Pat Williams' departure and has tried to find the next Pat Williams every year since '10. News flash Minnesota: instead of trying to replicate an old defensive scheme, adjust! The fact that this team is reluctant to put athletic gap-penetrates at both defensive tackle spots has been mind-boggling for 3 seasons now.

That doesn't sound like an accurate read of the situation to me. I feel pretty confident in saying the Vikings are under no illusion that Letroy Guion or Fred Evans are, or ever will be, the next Pat Williams.

The reason the Vikes want both a nose tackle and a 3 technique tackle is because that's how their defense is designed to operate. As Allen Williams said, the two positions are different. The nose tackle and the 3 technique have different responsibilities. That's probably why the Vikings initial plan is to play Floyd at the 3 technique. That's clearly the position they envision him playing long term so they want him to focus on learning that position first rather than throwing an entirely different set of responsibilities at him. They're playing to his strengths and grooming him to be their future starter at the position. They're also not ruling out the possibility of playing him next to Kevin Williams.

In the Vikings defense, the nose tackle isn't just tasked with being disruptive and attacking a gap like the other tackle. He's supposed to read and react to the play, attack a gap or control it, and he's also supposed to take on double teams to free up the linebackers to make plays.

Agreed. I don' think the Vikings have a single defensive lineman who is below average. IMO, their dropoff in inner defensive line play can almost single-handedly be attributed to the dropoff in Kevin Williams' level of play. We were just spoiled for a good six or seven years by having the best defensive tackle in the league.

We were definitely spoiled but I disagree that the dropoff in play can almost single-handedly be attributed to Kevin Williams.There's been a drop there and he isn't the player he was in his prime but I'd say there's been a far bigger drop in performance at nose tackle since Pat Williams retired. Guion and Evans don't suck but neither mans the position at anywhere near the level Pat Williams did for the majority of his years with the Vikings.

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Access Vikings guys talk about the Williams/Floyd dynamic and Allan Williams' comments: http://www.startribune.com/video/217630 ... eo/1/hpmfv

[The Breeze]

Coach Williams said do do.....

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#Vikings quietly promoted St. John's product Ryan Monnens to director of pro scouting. Well-deserved.

Tom Pelissero on Twitter

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Frazier is encouraged by Henderson's early play at MLB

Frazier said there's work to be done with Henderson, who has been known to drift from his assignments in games, whether it's following the quarterback's eyes or trying to jump a different route out of his zone.

"You have to stay on [Henderson], from a coaching standpoint, and keep reminding him of how important it is just to make the plays he's supposed to make and not feel like he can cheat and make another play.," Frazier said. "That's been his negative, if there has been a negative, that's been it."

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Lesl ... _MLB073013

[Demi]

"You have to stay on [Henderson], from a coaching standpoint, and keep reminding him of how important it is just to make the plays he's supposed to make and not feel like he can cheat and make another play.," Frazier said. "That's been his negative, if there has been a negative, that's been it."

If our MLB's for the last decade have had any negative, it's their inability to make a play. I guess now we see why. They're coached that way.

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If our MLB's for the last decade have had any negative, it's their inability to make a play. I guess now we see why. They're coached that way.

RIght. Just to hell with sound fundamentals, defensive strategy and managing responsibilities. Everyone knows the best way to do it is the old coaching cliche' "Do whatever."