Kevin O'Connell keeping quiet ahead of Sunday's game vs. Colts with one pivotal group
The offensive line is the one position group on the Minnesota Vikings that has been frustrating. There have been a lot of issues with the offensive line over the last decade-plus and this year's group has been among the best the franchise has had since the beginning of the 21st century. The 2024 unit was […]
The offensive line is the one position group on the Minnesota Vikings that has been frustrating.
There have been a lot of issues with the offensive line over the last decade-plus and this year's group has been among the best the franchise has had since the beginning of the 21st century.
The 2024 unit was playing really well, ranking eighth in ESPN's Pass Block Win Rate. That unit suffered a major blow when Christian Darrisaw went down with a torn ACL and MCL. They replaced him quickly with Cam Robinson with a trade, acquiring him from the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the trade, there are even more questions about the offensive line.
Kevin O'Connell staying quiet about the offensive line
As you would expect, head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about the offensive line and if Robinson would be the starting left tackle. He spoke highly of Robinson in his short time here.
"Cam [Robinson] had a really, really impressive start. I mean, just been working with Kupe [Chris Kuper] and Shaun [Sarrett] and really good practice reps when he's been in there. We've got a good plan in place and I'm excited to see how it all plays out.
"Really smart. I've really enjoyed the first thing I always like to do when those guys arrive, get to spend some one-on-one time with them. Just kind of allow them to, can't make up for a lot of time on relationships I've built with a lot of these players. I just like them to know who they're going to be playing for and gives me a chance to get to know them. Obviously, his background is very established. A lot of starts, a lot of high, high quality play. I just want him to know kind of what we're all about here. The expectations he should have of his teammates and the type of locker room we've built here and our players have built. Then just as he's gotten into the actual football, the tackle position is one of those where once you know the language, you're just doing the similar things that you've been doing your whole career. Whether it's a pass or a run game. There might be some nuances here and there, we're spending a little extra time on. To be here as quick as he's gotten here and gotten up to speed, allows us to feel good about him being up on Sunday."
The important line is one that O'Connell repeated: "We've got a good plan in place and I'm excited to see how it all plays out." He wants to keep some mystery with how the offensive line is going to be structured against the Colts.
One of the other elements with the offensive line is Dalton Risner. He is considered "healthy" by O'Connell but has yet to be activated, something that needs to happen by Monday.
"He's healthy and that's under discussion right now, but I feel great about having Dalton [Risner] available and here. We'll work through that here in the real short term. Dalton [Risner] knows that he's got my confidence and he'll be ready to go when called upon. I feel very fortunate to have him here. I like the way he's attacked this process, especially now that he's been able to use the time with really no training camp and no real reps to build into this. He's been able to use this window to be ready to go when his number is called."
The likely scenario is that Robinson gets the start at left tackle and Risner possibly gets in, that is if he's activated. That is a very important aspect to this, as the Vikings may not activate him before the game.
If the Vikings' offensive line can play well as a unit, that will be a wake-up call for the rest of the league that they aren't going anywhere.
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