2011 Season: Vikings 53 Man Roster

OK so the 2011 offseason and the strange effects of the lockout on training camp and signings are finally over. The Vikings made their final cuts yesterday to get their roster from 80 down to the required 53.

While most of the roster was not a surprise there were a few moves that were either intriguing or baffling. First lets set the roster by position:

QB: McNabb, Ponder, Webb

Although Webb is the likely #3 on the depth chart it is also likely he will see the field, at least initially, more than Ponder (barring a McNabb injury or subpar play) due to his athleticism and the fits he will cause D-Coordinators.

RB: Peterson, Gerhart, Booker

Great stable of backs with different styles and change of pace. Only question mark the fumbling of Booker, although exciting. If Caleb King is not picked up on waivers he could be a late season addition if Booker continues poor ball handling.

WR: Harvin, Jenkins, Berrian, Camarillo, Aramoshodu

A lot of diversity and options. Consistency and effort not lacking. Issue big play deep threat receiver is lacking from this group.

TE: Shiancoe, Rudolph, Kleinsasser, Reisner

Wow!! Best group of TE's in Minny as long as I can remember from top to bottom. Main issue is blocking ability aside from Kleinsasser.

OL: Johnson, Hutchinson, Sullivan, Herrera, Loadholt, Cooper, Love, Olsen, Fusco, Brown

Definitely upgraded from last year, starters and depth look good. Biggest weakness inexperience and depth at Tackle.

Special Teams: K - Longwell, P - Kluwe, LS - Loeffler

SOLID!

DL: Robison, K.Williams (suspended 2 games/roster exemption), Ayodele, Allen, Guion, Griffen, Ballard, Reed, Evans, Awasom

Starting 4 solid, big year for Robison to show worthy of promotion. Depth at Tackle solid although End depth & experience a bit of a concern.

LB: EJ Henderson, Greenway, E. Henderson, Onatolu, Dean

Very solid, swarming aggressive group, the strength of the defense.

CB: Winfield, C. Griffin, C.Cook, A. Allen, Burton, Sherels
S: Sanford, T.Johnson, Frampton, Abdullah, Raymond

Biggest question mark of the defense, other than 3 of the 4 starters who are solid, which is one reason 11 guys were kept.

Once the above roster was set, the team could start looking at the make up of the practice squad which can consist of 8 players. Some of the guys I think will be looked at:

FB: D'Imperio, Asiata
RB: C. King
WR: Iglesias, Burton and maybe Arcenaux

There might be a couple others looked at from Vikings cuts however I think the remaining spots will be filled from other teams espescially for OL & DB.

Although the writing was on the wall for the most part due to high salary and ability to realistically only be an impact player on Special Teams, the release of Heath Farwell was a big one for the Vikings. They also placed LB Jasper Brinkley on IR due to hip issue which will require surgery. Long time TE Jeff Dugan was a surprise to many although I believe justified as he had been in purple for 5 years and yet to significantly contribute, cant catch and average at best blocker, being a great guy with no ability doesnt win a Super Bowl. The other cut that was somewhat of a surprise was WR Jaymar Johnson, I had the Vikings keeping 6 receivers with Johnson being the primary KR/PR man, albeit in the #6 slot. However with the strong camp of Sherels as a return man and Lorenzo Booker, the Vikings apparently decided the roster spot was best used on OL or DB, which really can' t be argued as both are glaring weaknesses on an otherwise decent looking roster, although young.