One Burning Question for Every Position on the Minnesota Vikings' Roster

Bring it on.

It’s that time of year again: preseason NFL action is upon us with all of the hope, optimism and uncertainty that fans love. It’s all the hype with none of the reward.

To say that the Minnesota Vikings have more questions surrounding them than most teams in the NFL is an understatement. This team has very few “sure things,” with the productivity of its defensive ends (Jared Allen and Brian Robison) as the lone things.

From Adrian Peterson’s recovery to Chris Cook’s progression as an elite NFL cornerback, this roster is littered with questions, which if answered correctly could lead this team to surprise the NFL.

Quarterback

Can Christian Ponder make enough progress to validate his status as Minnesota’s “franchise quarterback”?

The Minnesota Vikings shocked the experts by selecting Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder with the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

Ponder was not expected by most to be a first-round pick let alone a top-15 pick. But he showed potential in a partial season as Minnesota’s starter in 2011.

His overall statistics don’t impress in his 11 games: 1,853 passing yards, 13 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions with a 70.1 passer rating while completing 54.3 percent of his passes.

But don’t let the overall numbers fool you. Not every future franchise quarterback set the league on fire from day one. Ponder has potential to be an NFL quarterback capable of leading his team to the postseason.

Look at his play against the Denver Broncos.

Ponder threw for 381 yards with three touchdown passes and two interceptions. He completed 61.7 percent of his passes (29-of-47) with a 90.8 passer rating.

His first win as an NFL starter against the Carolina Panthers was also formidable: 236 passing yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions while completing 64.3 percent of his passes (18-of-28).

Ponder is a mobile quarterback with enough arm strength to succeed in this league. He’s also known as a studious quarterback with exceptional leadership skills.

He has the intangibles to make it, but his on-field performance must progress in 2012.

Running Back

What can be expected of Toby Gerhart?

Adrian Peterson’s status for the 2012 season is still uncertain, but head coach Leslie Frazier said on Aug. 8 that he had no reason to question Peterson’s availability for Week 1.

Regardless, Toby Gerhart’s role within the offense is expected to increase. The third-year pro from Stanford is a big, bruising back with the ability to punish defenders.

Gerhart rushed for 531 yards on 109 attempts with one rushing touchdown. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry, compared to Peterson’s 4.7 and looked more and more comfortable as an NFL running back when given extended playing time.

Minnesota selected Gerhart in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft, and he’s on the verge of validating that selection after a mediocre rookie campaign.

If Peterson suffers a setback and Gerhart’s thrust into the starting role for 12 or more games, look for him to rush for 1,000 yards.

Fullback

How will the Vikings replace Jim Kleinsasser?

The fullback position is an under-appreciated position in today’s NFL. And the Minnesota Vikings had a gem leading the way for their running backs since the 1999 season in Jim Kleinsasser.

Some, including this man, believe that the Minnesota Vikings selected Rhett Ellison in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft to replace Kleinsasser’s productivity.

Ellison was described by Pro Football Weekly as a player who "(understands angles and works to the second level where he shows effort and body control to block in space.”

It’ll be tough for him to replace Kleinsasser’s productivity in 2012, but down the road he should suffice.

*If you wish to read more about this subject check out my article devoted to this topic.*

Wide Receiver

Does Percy Harvin have what it takes to become a No. 1 receiver?

Percy Harvin was drafted 22nd overall by the Vikings in the 2009 NFL draft at a time when the Vikings lacked a No. 1 receiver. Three years later, Minnesota is once again without a No. 1 receiver.

Many look to Harvin as the man who can fill the void.

In each of his first three seasons, Harvin has increased his total receptions and receiving yards, which culminated in 87 receptions and 967 receiving yards in 2011.

Concussions and minor injuries have limited Harvin throughout his three-year career and cost him three full games and many more individual downs.

Harvin played a full 16 games last season with a rookie and a past-his-prime veteran, throwing him the pigskin and posting his best season.

With a full offseason to work with Christian Ponder and an expected healthy 2012, Harvin is in position to become “the man.”

Tight End

Can Kyle Rudolph become one of the top players at his position?

Kyle Rudolph was dubbed by most as a first-round-talent selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

The Minnesota Vikings and their fans hope that Rudolph can live up to that hype in 2012, after a disappointing 2011 (26 receptions, 249 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions).

He’s participated in his first-ever NFL offseason program and had extended opportunities to mesh with quarterback Christian Ponder.

With no true No. 1 receiver (sorry Percy Harvin and Jerome Simpson) Rudolph will have the opportunity to catch plenty of passes in 2012. He just has to put himself in a position to succeed.

Offensive Tackle

How good will Matt Kalil be in his rookie season?

By most accounts, the left tackle position is the most important position in today’s NFL, behind the quarterback. The left tackle ensures that his quarterback remains upright, and in 2011, the position was anchored by the inadequate Charlie Johnson.

To fill the void, the Vikings selected Southern California’s Matt Kalil with the No. 4 pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

He was the consensus No. 1 offensive line prospect in that draft and has been placed in the same league as Joe Thomas and Jake Long, who both have a Pro Bowl under their belts and were a top-five pick in their NFL draft class.

Kalil has impressed many during camp while battling Jared Allen, the NFL’s best defensive end.

It’s unfair to expect Kalil to be a top-tier offensive tackle immediately, but he will be better than what Minnesota sported at the position in 2011.

Offensive Guard

Can Charlie Johnson be trusted at left guard?

To fill the hole at left guard, the Vikings stayed within the organization and shifted Charlie Johnson from left tackle to left guard.

It’s a move that many Vikings fans will overlook when assessing Minnesota’s chances in 2012. The expectation is that Johnson will equate his production as a 2011 left guard if not improve upon his past productivity at the position.

The conclusion is an unfounded one. Johnson played some left guard with the Indianapolis Colts and was fine. But don’t forget how awful Johnson was in 2011.

Johnson’s presence at left tackle made it very difficult for Christian Ponder or Donovan McNabb to successfully maneuver within the pocket. He could not be trusted to protect the quarterback’s backside.

Left guard is a less-demanding position than left tackle, but it’s not like playing left guard is a cakewalk.

Watch Johnson closely in preseason action. He could be as good as advertised, or he could be the same awful player from 2011.

Center

Will John Sullivan take his game to the next level?

During what was a terrible 2011 campaign for the Vikings, John Sullivan’s play was a bright spot. He started and played in 15 of Minnesota’s 16 games and brought stability to a unit that lacked it.

For his strong 2011 season, Sullivan was rewarded with a five-year extension. Entering 2012, Sullivan has the most tenure of any of Minnesota’s projecting starting offensive linemen.

With his experience and nice contract Sullivan is expected to assume a bigger leadership role within the offensive line and the offense as a whole. He’s been an underrated center during his three-year tenure as Minnesota’s starter and should begin to warrant Pro Bowl considerations…but it’s up to him to force the issue with his play.

Defensive End

Can Jared Allen repeat his 2011 campaign?

If the reports out of Mankato are true, then it will be difficult for Jared Allen to repeat or come close to repeating his 2011 campaign.

Allen led the NFL in sacks in 2011 with 22.0 and was one-half of a sack shy of tying the NFL’s single-season record.

He’s matured into the game’s best defensive end, as his run-stopping abilities have improved.

Despite that, Alan Williams and the rest of the coaching staff have discussed limiting the playing time of Allen and other defensive linemen in hopes of keeping everyone fresh towards the end of the year.

Allen said he’ll fight for more playing time, should the Vikings seek to limit his playing time. Regardless, as long as he’s on the field, expect a similar performance to 2011 with his stats taking a hit if the Vikings go out of their way to limit his PT.

Defensive Tackle

Will the Kevin Williams of old be back?

After sitting out the first two games of 2011 for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances, Kevin Williams failed to record a single sack in his first seven games back. During that stretch he never recorded more than four tackles and did that once.

After those first seven games Williams turned it up and recorded five sacks in the final seven games. He looked more like the Pro Bowl defensive tackle that the Vikings were used to rather than the aging washed-up player he looked like during his first seven games of 2011 and the 2010 campaign (39 tackles, 1.0 sack).

But the Vikings and their fans want to know which Williams will show up in 2012. At 31 years old, either player could realistically show up.  

Linebacker

Who starts at middle linebacker?

This is the most important question relative to the defense.

Jasper Brinkley is slated to be Minnesota’s middle linebacker during the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 9. So far he has impressed in camp.

“He looks good," defensive coordinator Alan Williams told Fox Sports North about Brinkley.

"

I heard one of the guys yesterday joking saying, 'Hey, you look like your rookie season,' meaning that he's moving around, he's slimmed down, a better version of Brink out there. He's making great calls. He looks like he hadn't been away from it.

"

Brinkley reminds me of Minnesota’s former middle linebacker E.J. Henderson. He’s strong and aggressive against the run but struggles in pass coverage. He’s not the fastest linebacker and struggles while backpedaling.

He’s been in Minnesota’s system since 2009 and started six games, including two playoff games, at middle linebacker.

Whether you’re for or against Brinkley as the middle linebacker, he cannot be discredited as a candidate and has the first shot at the job.

Outside of Brinkley, look for Erin Henderson or Audie Cole at that position, but I expect Brinkley to be Minnesota’s middle linebacker for the opener.

Safety

How improved will the safety play be?

The performance by the Minnesota safeties was among the worst in the league in 2011. Mistral Raymond, a converted cornerback, and Jamarca Sanford, a run-stopping safety, were a terrible duo.

Raymond is expected by many to be much improved in 2012, his second NFL season, given how he had a full offseason with the Vikings and another year to adapt to safety.

Sanford is expected to lose his starting position to Harrison Smith, Minnesota’s second first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

Smith is an intelligent safety, who puts himself in positions to succeed. He is not the most athletic safety in the league but should have a long successful NFL career.

Safety play should be improved in 2012 (it’s not difficult to top 2011), but don’t expect playoff-caliber performances from this position.

By the end of the year, Minnesota will have two players with less than three years of combined NFL experience. They need time to mesh and get fully accustomed to the NFL game.

Cornerback

How will injuries and age affect Antoine Winfield in 2012?

Antoine Winfield missed 11 games in 2011 with a broken collarbone. At 35 years old, Winfield isn't a spring chicken, and given the way in which he plays the game (physical, intense, with no regard for human life), his status for 2012 is one to watch.

It sounds like Minnesota will play Winfield as its nickelback, with Chris Carr as the starting cornerback opposite of rising-star Chris Cook.

Whether Winfield starts or plays the No. 3 corner, Minnesota needs the Winfield-of-old to return in 2012. It's a young, impressionable secondary that needs Winfield's veteran leadership to bring stability to the unit.

Kickers

How much (if at all) will the Vikings miss Ryan Longwell?

The sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft unknowingly marked the end of Ryan Longwell's tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, as Minnesota selected kicker Blair Walsh from the University of Georgia. 

At his advanced age (37) he wasn't going to be part of Minnesota's future, and so the Vikings opted for the clean break rather than endure a messy kicking competition.

At Georgia, Walsh had many successes and made 40-of-45 field goal attempts between 2009 and 2010, but accuracy was an issue in 2011, as he missed 14 field goals (21-of-35).

Walsh has a strong leg and should serve as Minnesota's kickoff specialist, but without accuracy, strength is useless.

Longwell lacked the strength to match Walsh but possessed much more accuracy (22-of-28 field goals in 2011 and 43-of-46 between 2009 and 2010), leaving Minnesota vulnerable on field goals but stronger on kickoffs.

*If you wish to read more about slide three, check out my article devoted to this topic.*