Well, time to kick off a new Vikings thread.
Short list of things that need to happpen in 2017:
1- Fix the O-Line:
Kalil will be back they say, I'm not sure how I feel about that but I would rather see a change. There are some decent, albeit older OTs available in free agancy. Kalil can't be the best option can he?
As far as the rest of the O-line is there anyone who should definitely stay? Berger maybe?
Thanks for starting a new thread!
The free agent market for offensive linemen is not very good at the tackle position. Today there has been talk about the Vikings being interested in Russell Okung because the Broncos did not pick up his option. Okung has not been playing as well as he did a few years ago and I am not sure who is a better player between him and Kalil. Kalil is younger, more familiar to the Vikings but as fans of the team know, Kalil can be beat a lot in pass protection.
To answer your question, he
might be the best free agent tackle available, besides Whitworth of the Bengals who is likely the best tackle, but the Bengals seem like they are making him more of a priority to be re-signed than their guard Kevin Zietler, who is a younger and one of the best linemen avialable this free agency period. So considering the options, yes Kalil might be the best option available to the Vikings. If they were to sign Okung for example, I think that could be a push as far as their relative level of play in 2017, but Kalil being younger makes him in my opinion a better option.
I posted some links to other free agents available in the old thread. Maybe there are some tackles that other people like from that list. I don't think Kalil is better than average for a ackle and based on his recent play, I would say he is below average for a starting tackle, but he is still perhaps the best free agent tackle available. Another option would be Reily Reif who is ok but likely a step down from Kalil as well.
I have heard rumors that Joe Berger is considering retirement. He has been the only offensive lineman doing a good job the last two seasons. I sure hope he will play and play well again this year or the Vikings offensive is in even more trouble.
They cut Fusco already so returning players who have played in games remaining are Boone, who I think played ok but he wasn't as good as he thinks he is. Boone is also an option to consider at left tackle if they do not sign Kalil or another tackle to take that spot. I am not sure how well Boone would play as a left tackle. Likely worse than he plays as a guard. Boone and Berger would be the only starters from last season who should hopefully be starting again. While it is great that some of the younger players got experience, such as Jerimiah Sirles, Zach Kerin, Nick Easton will be competing for jobs at RT, RG and Center if Berger does retire. Then of course TJ Clemmings who I am afraid will end up starting at tackle again and has played terribly his first two seasons. Clemmings has given up more pressure than any other offensive lineman the Vikings have and I almost want the Vikings to cut him because even if they don't plan on him starting (like the last two seasons) stuff happens and Clemmings finds himself playing again.
There is always a chance Clemmings improves. We have not seen that yet though.
As for the other stuff, Peterson is gone. I suppose it is possible the market is weak enough that the Vikings still end up giving him his best offer and he stays. I tend to think he plays somewhere else though and the Vikings move on. The Vikings need to have a RB who can block and protect the QB. Peterson is not that guy.
I love Mike Zimmer but after 3 seasons he has shown a really hands off approach to the offense. I think that needs to change. He needs to be a coach of the whole team not just the defense. He talks about teaching players situational football and for players to understand the roles and responsibilities of players of other positions. Well apply that to yourself Mike and stop letting other coaches run the offense.
I am not sure if the Vikings are able to scout offensive linemen good enough. Their recent picks of Clemmings and Willie Beavers are examples of why.
I am also not sure if the Vikings are capable of developing offensive linemen players. See Kalil and Clemmings for examples of why.
Tony Sporano does not inspire confidence in this changing. I would have liked to see a new offensive line coach, but as bad as the Vikings offensive line was, Sporano was retained anyways. That does not indicate good judgement on Zimmers part in his offensive line coaching hires.
While I would like to be wrong about this, I am concerned the offensive line will not improve much if at all and ultimately this could lead to Spielman and Zimmer llosing their jobs.