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Now there's talk of Bishop not even making the team.

Time is running out for Vikings' Bishop to earn roster spot

And yet with a new opportunity with the Vikings to revive his career, Bishop hasn’t been able to stay on the field.

His absence from last Friday’s preseason opener was because of a groin pull he suffered a week earlier, another injury obstacle at an inopportune time. No wonder Bishop’s anxiety has elevated as a critical stretch arrives.

“This is going to determine whether or not he makes our team,” coach Leslie Frazier said. “So much of this is about how he plays over the next two weeks. Or if he’s not available because of his injury. I can’t say it any simpler than that. It’s a big two weeks for him. He needs to show us he can help our football team in order to make our team.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 44421.html

Eli wrote:Now there's talk of Bishop not even making the team.

It sounds like Frazier is trying to make sure Bishop is thoroughly motivated over the next few weeks. His comments make an interesting contrast to what Alan Williams said in this article:

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Will ... 081213?t=2

The risk-reward for Bishop is favorable for the Vikings, who signed the linebacker for one year on the veteran minimum.

"I thought [Bishop] had a good practice yesterday," Williams said. "Guys are calling him fresh legs since he's been out for a little bit. It looks like he hasn't missed a beat and I expect that of a veteran such as him that a little bit of time off didn't hurt him in any means."

When referring to a little time off, Williams was most likely talking about Bishop's groin injury last week, but the seven-year NFL veteran hasn't taken the field since Aug. 9, 2012 when he suffered the season-ending injury to his hamstring.

"I know there will still be some rust on him in terms of live football, but we still have three weeks to go," Williams said. "So time is on our side in that respect. I'm not going to put any undue pressure on him."

Williams appeared to have a lot of faith in Bishop, who in the past has strung together back-to-back 100-tackle seasons for the Packers.

"[Bishop] comes to the meetings, sits up front, asks good questions," Williams said. "He's attentive whether he's in or out. I'm going to wait and see and let him do what he does, which is play good football."

I think they both want him on the team of course, but all Frazier is saying is if he's hurt all the time and can't play he's not going to be useful on the sidelines. In other words if he can play the last two weeks, he probably makes the team, if not it might be difficult to give him a spot over someone who can actually play. (physically)

Some additional information on Bishop's injury.

Viewing Desmond Bishop as a 50-50 deal

A group of researchers studied 10 NFL instances of a player undergoing surgery to re-attach a proximal hamstring rupture, the injury Bishop is believed to have suffered in August 2012 while with the Green Bay Packers. According to the study, a return to any level of NFL effectiveness from that injury has proved to be a 50-50 proposition.

Nine of the 10 returned to play after the injury, but only five of them appeared in more than one game.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... 50-50-deal

dead_poet wrote:Some additional information on Bishop's injury.

Viewing Desmond Bishop as a 50-50 deal
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_ ... 50-50-deal

That's not very encouraging, is it?

I hope he beats the odds.

Mothman wrote: That's not very encouraging, is it?

I hope he beats the odds.

Or at least breaks even.

Eli wrote:Or at least breaks even.

I knew I should have phrased that differently.

I don't think Bishop makes it ..

I think Mauti and other youngsters might push him out ..

To be honest watching Mauti play I want him to compete for a starting job
already. He was a beast against the run at the goal line last game.

Watching Audie Cole in these first two games, I'm not so sure he makes the team any more. Not very quick looking, out of position on runs, and has difficulty moving through traffic and even the most cursory of blocks.

Erin Henderson isn't yet looking that great at MLB, but I'm not sure what other choices the Vikings have. I've got a feeling it's too late to move Bishop over, but we'll see.

Not really sure about how to evaluate Michael Mauti in the Bills game. That 3rd team defense just got trampled in both the running and passing games. There's only so much you can do behind the likes of George Johnson on the DL.

Desmond Bishop looked pretty good for not having played since 2011. Hope he can stay healthy. I have a feeling he'll be the starter at WLB when the season opens, but they may pull him in nickel packages to save him from wear and tear.

I'd like to see Desmond Bishop play with the ones against San Francisco. He looked a little rusty against the Bills, but gradually got better and had some big hits.

Looks like I'll get my wish.

Desmond Bishop likely to see snaps with first-team defense vs. 49ers

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Desmond Bishop's proving ground has moved from Mankato to the practice facilities at Winter Park, but he could very well earn a starting job when the Minnesota Vikings travel to San Francisco.

Bishop, who returned from a groin injury last week, will likely see his first playing time with the Minnesota Vikings starting defense as coaches take the unit into the third quarter against the 49ers on Sunday.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Desm ... 9ers081913

He struggled at first but seemed to improve, no way it'd take long considering who was ahead of him on the depth chart.

LB was a position seemed to do better than I thought with the starters...considering who was starting. If Bishop is solid could be an upgrade over last years unit overall.

I would like to see Mauti bump Henderson
for a spot. I have never cared for Erin much.

I suppose Bishop will get better and better as long as his leg feels good. From his comments this week it was just a big deal for him to play in the game and make it out healthy.

It's such a position of need for this team, I hope his leg holds up. It really concerns me and the faster a guy like Hodges can develop the better.

jackal wrote:I don't think Bishop makes it ..

I think Mauti and other youngsters might push him out ..

To be honest watching Mauti play I want him to compete for a starting job
already. He was a beast against the run at the goal line last game.

No way. To be quiet fair no LB has really stood out in my opinion. Two of our starting LBs, Erin Henderson and Marvin Mitchell haven't really shown that they are starting material. And our younger LBs, haven't really shown that should be starters.

Bishop made a few splashes during his game against Buffalo, I have no doubt that he will start over Mitchell. The two LBs that I really don't like the most right now is Audie Cole and Erin Henderson, both look like sitting ducks when it's their turn to be out there on the field. I had high hopes for Audie Cole but he hasn't lived up to the hype that was centered around him after catching those two pre-season pick sixes last year. If anybody needs to be pushed out, it needs to be one of those two. I rather see Mauti start but since he is a rookie, coming off a major injury, I doubt he will start anytime soon. But I am absolutely sure that Bishop makes the team, did you see those two big hits he made against the Bills. That's the only big hit I seen from a LB the whole pre-season. Other than some key stops from Michael Mauti.