Life without Bryant McKinnie

By Jonathan Mohr  |   Thursday, March 20, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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Even with Bryant McKinnie on the roster, the offensive tackle position is tissue-paper thin for the Minnesota Vikings. Can it really be, then, that the Vikings are seriously considering cutting ties with their mammoth left tackle, a player who has been the team’s starter at that position for every game it’s played over the last five years?

With head coach Brad Childress saying a few days ago that the Vikings may “face some difficult decisions down the road” regarding Mckinnie, which stem from his February arrest in Miami, it actually appears the answer to that question could conceivably be yes.

If it is, what will that mean for Minnesota in 2008, and what must the organization do to fill his shoes?

Help from within is almost certainly not the answer. The other three tackles on the roster have a total of six years in the league between them. The starting right tackle in 2007 was Ryan Cook, a second-year player trying to learn the position after playing center during his college days at New Mexico. Cook gave up seven sacks last season and was solid at times, but was also outplayed during stretches where he looked like the project he still is.

Cook was drafted in 2006 and moved to tackle, in part, because Marcus Johnson, who came before him, failed to earn the starting right tackle job despite repeated opportunities. Johnson, entering his fourth year in the league, is a former second round draft choice from Mississippi who’s been a first-rate bust. He started eight games his rookie season and 10 the year after that. Last year, despite being healthy, he started none.

As unimpressive as Cook and Johnson have been on the right side, it’s unlikely either would be asked to move over and protect Tarvaris Jackson’s blindside were McKinnie traded or released. It is even less likely that Minnesota would ask the only other tackle currently on its roster, Chase Johnson, to become the starter there. He was an undrafted rookie in 2007 and has never seen action in a regular-season game. In fact, guard Artis Hicks was actually called on last season to spell McKinnie when he was bothered by a knee injury.

But the truth is that none of those players seem to be the long-term answer at tackle. Fortunately, this year’s draft class is deep at the position. Jake Long, Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah and Chris Williams, among others, could all be taken in the first round. Should the team decide to part ways with McKinnie, or believe he was in for a long suspension from the league, spending a first-round pick on a tackle who can play might be the prudent move.

Trouble is, the Vikings are also in desperate need of a pass rushing defensive end.

So the question becomes, which is more important, improving an already effective defense or trying to maintain an offense that was middle of the pack (15th) in scoring.

If the Vikings end up keeping McKinnie, they would likely do both. If they send him packing, that seems a long shot. A strong draft or another team willing to give McKinnie a fresh start (and give up something valuable to get him) could well be necessary if Minnesota wants to make a serious playoff push.

Taking the high road does have it consequences.
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About Jonathan Mohr

A lifelong Vikings fan, I live in the Twin Cities area (about a mile from Winter Park) and work as an editor at a boating magazine. As with all long-suffering Vikings fans, I patiently look forward to the day when Minnesota finally breaks through and wins a Super Bowl. Until then I eat my...
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