Which LBs make the roster?

[Eli]

I think it's going to be interesting to see which linebackers the Vikings end up keeping. Typically, they carry seven LBs on the 53 man roster during the season.

Chad Greenway, Erin Henderson and Desmond Bishop (assuming he doesn't end up on IR) are certain. Gerald Hodges is pretty close to certain, as you rarely cut a 4th round draft pick in his rookie year. Stanford Keglar is camp fodder, with near zero chance of making the team.

That leaves three more backups and special teams demons to fill the roster, from the following five:

Audie Cole
Michael Mauti
Marvin Mitchell
Tyrone McKenzie
Larry Dean

I think Audie Cole has the highest percentage chance within this group of making the team. He showed good potential last year, and by all accounts has improved.

Michael Mauti poses the most difficult decision. If he proves during the preseason that he's recovered from his injury, then at worst you want him on the practice squad. But could he clear waivers or be safe on the PS? Doesn't seem likely. On the other hand, his long-term health is far from guaranteed, so they take some risk by keeping him on the 53 man. This was inevitable from the moment they drafted him - either he washes out due to injury problems, or they keep him and accept the risk. But there's also the prospect of carrying him for a season on IR (ala New England and other teams who stash players on injured reserve). I think he sticks.

That would mean that only one of Mitchell, McKenzie and Dean will make the team. I have no clear idea how that will go, except to note that Marvin Mitchell has been playing WLB with the ones in training camp while Bishop is out, so that might make him the most valuable. Larry Dean has been used exclusively as a (very good) special teams player. I know the Vikings have emphasized STs in recent years, so guess that Priefer might lobby hard for Dean, even though he's so undersized it's hard to imagine him playing LB.

[mansquatch]

At this point, I have no idea.

IMO, this is probably the most interesting position group in terms of who makes the team. Special Teams play will factor into it as well. As an example: Larry Dean is excellent on ST, but I doubt they want him out there playing any snaps other than ST. Who is worth developing? Etc. Etc. Etc.

I wonder if they'll carry 7 LB vs. 6? Also curious is the WR group. Between those two, my guess is that someone with some time on the team is likely to get cut. Who? No idea.

[dead_poet]

Relevant:

LB Audie Cole is getting reps with first team at MLB

[Texas Vike]

Relevant:

Cue the applause of every single fan that saw that one preseason game where he went wiiiiiiild last year!

[S197]

Wild guess would be Cole, Mitchell, and McKenzie. Mauti on the practice squad.

[NextQuestion]

Haha I was at that preseason game where he had 2 pick 6's in a row against:

Tyler Thigpen
Brad Smith

....was hilarious

[Mothman]

My best guess is Greenway, Henderson, Bishop, Mitchell, Hodges, Cole and Dean, with Mauti stashed on IR or on the practice squad but it's early so who knows? A lot could happen in the next month.

[mansquatch]

I think it is risky putting Mauti on the practice squad. My guess is that Mitchell, Dean, or McKenzie will pay the price. ST aces are nice to have, but my guess is the team feels developing starting LBs is a lot tougher than developing a ST ace.

I think Hodges will get some equity simply because he was drafted this season, albeit in the 6th round.

[Eli]

I think it is risky putting Mauti on the practice squad. My guess is that Mitchell, Dean, or McKenzie will pay the price. ST aces are nice to have, but my guess is the team feels developing starting LBs is a lot tougher than developing a ST ace.

I think Hodges will get some equity simply because he was drafted this season, albeit in the 6th round.

Hodges was drafted in the 4th round, #120 overall. By my calculation, if they keep both him and Mauti on the 53 man roster, _two_ out of Mitchell, Dean and McKenzie will probably be gone. I'm hoping both Hodges and Cole can pull their weight on STs, so that that who remains becomes an easier decision.

I have a feeling that the reason they didn't put Mauti on the PUP to start camp is that they want to see during the preseason where he's at in his rehab and what he's worth. If they value him and he's not quite 100%, then they can IR him. If they're indifferent about him, they may try to slide him to the PS and not worry if someone else grabs him.

[mansquatch]

My bad on the hodges pick. That 4th round vs. 6th makes it even more likely his draft equity will get him on the team.

I think one of ST guys will take the hit. The reports are that Mauti is showing that he has game and is well on his way to recovering from the knees. Of course, who really knows. I think by game 3 things will be really interesting for this group as well as the WR.

[King James]

I've been talking to a lot of Viking fans who have attended training camp, a lot had nothing but good things to say about Michael Mauti. Many feel that he could very well make the roster, some think he has the potential to start.

So as for the answer to the question of this thread, as long as Mauti makes the team. That's all I care about.

[dead_poet]

I've been talking to a lot of Viking fans who have attended training camp, a lot had nothing but good things to say about Michael Mauti. Many feel that he could very well make the roster, some think he has the potential to start.

So as for the answer to the question of this thread, as long as Mauti makes the team. That's all I care about.

It's interesting how fans have had positive things to say but there hasn't been a lot of mention about him from beat reporters. I don't think I've read that he's done much of anything notable in camp, save for actually practicing with the team (instead of continuing to rehab). I'd be curious to learn what the fans in attendance have seen to give them that impression.

I know Greenway had positive things to say about him:

Vikings' veteran linebacker Chad Greenway agreed that Mauti isn't hindered by the knee injury and that he's not the typical seventh-round pick.

"He's certainly got a ton of potential," Greenway said. "You certainly can't count him out, one of those guys you want to rout for."

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Rook ... oves073113

[mansquatch]

I'm basing my statements from what I'm hearing from the Paul Allen show. I know he is a homer, but he has access and experience with the team that is better than most who write commentary. The common take is that Mauti is ahead of where the popular consensus had him pegged. I suspect we'll learn more on Friday night.

To me the most positive thing is that 4 months ago this position group was basically Greenway and ???. Now we appear to have some talent such that there is a question of who is going to actually make the team. Maybe it is wishful thinking, but it is better than Greenway and ???.

[headless_norseman]

Who needs Manti when we have Mauti

[dead_poet]

Here's a Mauti sighting:

Fan favorite Michael Mauti makes a stop behind the line of scrimmage, would have planted Gerhart had they been hitting