"Bubble" players

[PurpleMustReign]

I was thinking earlier about a few of our players who could be on the bubble. I am curious about everyone's thoughts on a few of them. Rather than saying that a player "sucks" and leaving it at that, let's talk about who could potentially replace them. I don't know enough about some of the players we drafted or signed to know who can be a replacement.

Marcus Sherels: Very good punt returner, actually the best one we have had since Mewlede Moore. He held his own when called upon to play corner the last few years. I like players like that. Can he make the team?

Andrew Sendejo: I would say decent in the defensive backfield, does tend to miss tackles though... Does very well on Special Teams. What about him?

Adam Thielen: Another Special Teams standout, started to come around as a WR too. We seem to be very deep (on paper) at WR, so I'm not sure if he has a spot on the team.

Are there others?

[jackal]

Bostick .. might not make the cut with Mycole Pruitt being such a big project and
Ellison blocking abilities

Loeffler, Cullen 12 years in league and rated one of the worst long snappers in the game

Micheal Mauti LB 4th year and hasn't really done much..Hodges has out performed him in
play and special teams

David Yankey G if he doesn't out perform and impress he will not make the cut 5th round
pick who didn't pan out ...I was always pulling for him.

Zach Line FB/RB spot open but not sure Asiata or Ellison does not take it or they just don't
utilize a FB next season and just have a blocking TE or Jumbo set an have an OL line up
on short yardage plays and Goal Line

[Raptorman]

I was thinking earlier about a few of our players who could be on the bubble. I am curious about everyone's thoughts on a few of them. Rather than saying that a player "sucks" and leaving it at that, let's talk about who could potentially replace them. I don't know enough about some of the players we drafted or signed to know who can be a replacement.

Marcus Sherels: Very good punt returner, actually the best one we have had since Mewlede Moore. He held his own when called upon to play corner the last few years. I like players like that. Can he make the team?

Andrew Sendejo: I would say decent in the defensive backfield, does tend to miss tackles though... Does very well on Special Teams. What about him?

Adam Thielen: Another Special Teams standout, started to come around as a WR too. We seem to be very deep (on paper) at WR, so I'm not sure if he has a spot on the team.

Are there others?

Of those listed, I think only Thielen makes the team. Maybe Sherels. He is counted out every year but always seems to make the cut. Bostick, camp body. Cullen I think is gone. Mauti, D. Harris, Line, Banyard all gone.

[jackal]

Of those listed, I think only Thielen makes the team. Maybe Sherels. He is counted out every year but always seems to make the cut.

I could see Diggs pushing one if these guys out as well.. He looked good so far... time will tell

[Raptorman]

I could see Diggs pushing one if these guys out as well.. He looked good so far... time will tell

I think Diggs makes the team no matter what. Way to much upside. Unless he totally screws up camp and the pre-season games. Which I doubt. He would never make it to the practice squad.

[losperros]

I think Diggs makes the team no matter what. Way to much upside. Unless he totally screws up camp and the pre-season games. Which I doubt. He would never make it to the practice squad.

I agree that Diggs won't be put on the practice squad. Maybe he'll become a punt returner in place of Sherels.

Sherels shouldn't be underestimated as a punt returner. He is a really good at it. But he's not that great of a DB. That could be the rub, because the Vikings may want to keep some of their other DBs for depth, which might make Sherels expendable.

[jackal]

I agree that Diggs won't be put on the practice squad. Maybe he'll become a punt returner in place of Sherels.

Sherels shouldn't be underestimated as a punt returner. He is a really good at it. But he's not that great of a DB. That could be the rub, because the Vikings may want to keep some of their other DBs for depth, which might make Sherels expendable.

McKinnon could be another possible punt return guy off the cart speed and quickness..stronger than sherels, I would imagine

[dead_poet]

McKinnon could be another possible punt return guy off the cart speed and quickness..stronger than sherels, I would imagine

Possibly, but I don't recall him working much with the special teams unit leading me to believe he's not a realistic punt return candidate.

[S197]

The one guy I've seen absolutely no mention of is Brandon Watts. Some of that is understandable since he was hurt for most of the year but they must see something in a guy who comes in as a 7th rounder, gets hurt, and still keeps a roster spot.

[jackal]

There are three or four guys that are pet project guys MyCole Pruitt, Diggs, Harris (Safety), Thompson OT
and free agent LT from SF would get picked up from someone else.. I believe.. were going to see four of five guys
get bumped this year. Yankey can still be added to practice squad or PUP list

[fiestavike]

There are three or four guys that are pet project guys MyCole Pruitt, Diggs, Harris (Safety), Thompson OT
and free agent LT from SF would get picked up from someone else.. I believe.. were going to see four of five guys
get bumped this year. Yankey can still be added to practice squad or PUP list

Just a guess, but with Yankey working at LT, LG, RG, RT my guess is they want to see if he can fill the Mike Harris Role.

[jackal]

Just a guess, but with Yankey working at LT, LG, RG, RT my guess is they want to see if he can fill the Mike Harris Role.

having a guy that can play up and down the line is great for teams because they don't have to carry as many OL active into a game

Berger is that guy now for the Vikings. I believe he is one of the oldest vikings now ... that could be interesting, going forward

[jackal]

http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/V ... 49e5374f70

I just read all the inside access articles and it sounds like
Ellison Ford on Bostick have been bypassed by MyCole Pruitt. Pruitt is lining up at FB, WR, and TE
In fact Bostick has not has any praise listed by any of the coaches recently. Ellison I could see
keeping a spot because of his blocking.

Shepard and Thompson both seem to be gaining ground with the coaches... no pads yet so will
well see.

Crighton has also gained ground with coaches and Robison is already possibly not going to be healthy
for the start of training camp.

[homerjay]

Zimmer doesn't see Sherels as a fit at corner even in reserve, remember the comment he said about short corners? SO it comes down to can he be replaced on special teams? He has been outstanding but he had a terrible few games in the middle last year where he made really bad calls. So if someone is younger, able to develope into a competent punt returner.... Sherels may be the odd man out.

[Funkytown]

Vikings second-year OL David Yankey is on the roster bubble.

Yankey was one of the bigger names of the 2014 draft, but fell to the fifth-round due to strength/athletic limitations. His spot is in question after being active for one game as a rookie. Yankey is competing with T.J. Clemmings, Joe Berger, and Tyus Thompson at right guard.

Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune doesn’t expect the Vikings to keep TE Brandon Bostick.

With Kyle Rudolph and MyCole Pruitt locked into roster spots, Bostick is behind returning veterans Chase Ford and Rhett Ellison. He’ll need the Vikings to carry four tight ends to have a chance of making the team. Bostick’s $585,000 salary isn’t guaranteed.

Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune