Injuries never come at a good time, but in the Vikings case the youth trying to make the team have a chance to step it up. It is a 53 man team with everyone needing to chip in.
The injury to Geoff Schwartz last week takes him out of the equation for a little while. Geoff came in as a free agent and had experience this team needed at guard. Brandon Fusco has been running with the first unit. This injury to Schwartz should give Fusco even more reps. I personally am pulling for Brandon even more so after meeting and talking to his parents last week. The more I found out about Fusco the more I like. The humble kid out of Pennsylvania really has a chance to fulfill a childhood dream.
John Carlson injured in the first week as well was so disappointing as I got to see in Mankato his worth. He is tall and very good hands making for a great target for Ponder. Here is another case where 2 young tight end in Allen Reisner,2011 undrafted rookie free agent out of Iowa,to show his worth. Reisner has already been impressive in his catching ability. I am looking forward to the 49ers game on Friday to see how his blocking skills are when it counts. The other tight end is Mickey Shuler, a 7th round draft choice by the Vikes in 2010. I feel the same with Shuler as Reisner both have good hands, but I need to see how they help in pass protection in the game this Friday. Rhett Ellison rounds out this group as he was part of the 2012 draft class. Ellison is liked by the coaching staff. I really like his ability to catch. If he can block even half of what old # 40 Jim Kleinsasser he is going to be a keeper.
The last injury happened Saturday night in the passing scrimmage in Blakeslee Field.I was down on the end where Greg Childs went up for the ball and came down landing and in obvious pain. I knew there was trouble when watching guys pick him up and putting him on the cart to take of the field. The news broke Sunday morning Childs is out for the year. Greg was really having a good camp thus far. He has the size to be a desired target.
The story of Greg Childs and Jarius Wright coming from the same college and being friends since 3rd grade and played organized football since 7th grade together is awesome. It would have been wonderful to see both of these friends make the team. Jarius with his punt return skills enhances his chance to make it. Greg will have to wait a while, so if it meant to be maybe the 2 will be teammates once again in the future.
The amount of youth in this position should make this weeks practice even more intense as the youngsters fight it out for the roster spots. Coach Frazier has publicly stated the youngsters will play alot in preseason. I am struggling with who I am pulling for because so far they have all left me with the feeling of wow. The catches I have been seeing does not get old. Someone unfortunately will get cut, but until that happens I am going to enjoy the battle.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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