A look at 5 hopefuls

Friday will be the 3rd preseason game and another chance for 5 players to showcase their worth. I will look at these men who are in hopes of making the roster.

One of my favorites on the team wears number 44, Ryan D’Imperio. He is a fullback in his 2nd season. He was drafted in 2011 out of Rutgers as a linebacker. The Vikings started a project last season in an attempt to convert him to a fullback. Last season was a nice start and he got a chance to block for Adrian Peterson. A second season gives D’Imperio a chance to once again show the team he is the best player suited for this position. He has tough competition right on the roster including free agent Jerome Felton. I got a chance to talk to Ryan last season at Winter Park in the locker room and really respected his attitude about this chance he has been given to make a dream come true.

Devin Aromashodu last week had a few close calls when it came to bringing in passes along the sideline. Jerome Simpson’s playing time will be cut back as the team gets ready to play without him the first 3 games as he serves his suspension. This will be huge for Devin to make a career statement. In attending camp in Mankato and watching his hands in action it is just a matter of translating practice into game action. He has some speed, definitely has height just needs to show the ability to be a dependable receiver.

Larry Dean is back for his 2nd season. He made it 2011 as a rookie free agent and played in all 16 games on special teams. He has a nose for the ball on special teams. I really like his hustle. I even heard him compared to former Vikings Ed McDaniel. In my opinion if he can play anything like Ed we have a player to be excited about.

Brandon Burton came last season in the 2011 draft class. I really liked him last season when I watched him in Mankato. This is a case again in the youth in this position he needs to take advantage of playing time he gets on Friday. I really think this year’s final 53 will be full of surprises. The defensive backs in this group other than Antoine Winfield are young and if the team continues the desire to stay young well then it’s all in Burton’s hands.

Marcus Sherels is an interesting story as he played high school ball in Rochester, MN followed by going to the U of Minnesota and now the Vikings. He made the roster last season and was used in the return game. This season has brought many players that have all shown flashes of speed in Mankato. Marcus still got his share of return opportunists this camp. He did return some against Buffalo. I would really like to see Marcus continue his dream of playing his whole life in Minnesota. I do think this will be one of the tougher decisions for the coaches to have to settle on one. It is a nice problem to have with all this athleticism to choose from. This will be the same as the other 4 previously mentioned, it is all in Sherels hands.

Thanks for reading
Purplestick