Final Grades for Every Minnesota Vikings Starter in 2011

Well, the 2011 NFL season is finally coming to a close for the Minnesota Vikings, and what better of a time than now to go through each stater and figure out what their final grade was for this disappointing 2011 season.

There were many players who started the season, but for one reason or another, were replaced—sometimes, certain positions saw multiple players—so we'll try to cover this squad as best as possible.

Ready?

Adrian Peterson

We'll start with the top of the class and work our way down the ladder, and there are a few "class valedictorians" to mention. One, of course, is Adrian Peterson.

The Vikings wanted to run through Peterson this year, and they did just that, which allowed the best RB in the NFL to prove it.

The issue with the Vikings, of course, was the often under-utilization of Peterson, which probably hurt them more than it helped, but his personal output was nothing short of fantastic.

Peterson did tear both his ACL and MCL in his knee this weekend, however, putting a horrible seal on what was otherwise a terrific season.

Final Grade: A

Jared Allen

Jared Allen (18.5 sacks) has had one of the best seasons of his career in 2011, a season that is good enough to host him as the current sack leader above a very close Jason Babin (18, Philadelphia) and DeMarcus Ware (18, Dallas).

The Vikings pass rush as a whole has really played rather well this season, and it has been the one bright spot on this team—led by this man and the Vikings' other "A " student.

Final Grade: A

Percy Harvin

Sticking with the top of the class, we have Minnesota's "Mr. Do-It-All," Percy Harvin.

Harvin also enjoyed one of his best seasons in Minnesota, racking up 877 receiving yards with six touchdowns while also tacking on 326 rushing yards and a single touchdown.

Aside from Peterson, Harvin has been the best offensive weapon and secret weapon the Vikings have had all year long.

Final Grade: A

Visanthe Shiancoe

The Vikings passing game struggled to find its identity this season, but had a lot of help with veteran Visanthe Shiancoe.

"Shank" played in a more situational type role nearly all year and did not have the statistical numbers we're used to seeing him have, but that said role was crucial at times for both Donovan McNabb and Christian Ponder development.

Shanks' grade reflects both aspects of his game and role this season.

Final Grade: B

Brian Robison

While he did not have the type of season fellow teammate Jared Allen had, Robison wound up being a solid supplemental player on the defensive line for Minnesota.

Robison was able to counter what opposing lines were doing to either he or Allen and still make a huge impact against the run and in the sack department respectfully.

His overall pass rushing could stand a slight improvement heading into next year.

Final Grade: B

John Sullivan

The offensive line as a unit played miserably, but if there was any shining star in that front five, it was John Sullivan.

Sullivan played very well nearly all season long. His mistake level was pretty low—not necessarily common for a center—and his contributions in the passing game and ground game were enough to make significant impacts all season long.

Good to know he'll be around for a few more years.

Final Grade: B

Erin Henderson

The Vikings linebackers corps was a squad that played  a little hot and cold all season long, but it was Erin Henderson that stood out in my mind.

When the threesome was on, they were on, but when they were off, boy, were they miserable to watch.

Henderson showed the most consistency against both the run and pass this season, but his age and inexperience made him a little jumpy at times—something that needs to be worked on this offseason.

Final Grade: B-

Chad Greenway

Coming into this season, Greenway was considered one of the best 4-3 linebackers in the league averaging 116 tackles each season—he is up to 144 total this season.

Greenway led this squad, and the Vikings knew what they had earlier this season when they wrapped him up for five years at $ 41 million.

The only issue I have with Greenway is he is a vulnerable on lateral coverage, but other than that, he is a solid player that the Vikings will enjoy for years to come.

Final Grade: B

Toby Gerhart

If Peterson's injury holds him out all the way to next year—a very strong possibility—the Vikings can at least take some comfort in knowing it will be the very serviceable Gerhart taking next year's first team reps.

As for this season, Gerhart not only filled in admirably when Peterson was out—some big shoes to fill, indeed—but also was an impact player for Minnesota every time he was on the field.

If Gerhart could just get a little faster, he'd be that much more deadly.

Final Grade: B

Christian Ponder

It may be a little harsh to grade out Ponder with a "C," but if you look hard at Ponder's short time as a starter, it's about right.

Ponder didn't have a lot fo time on the field this season, but he did show how fast of a learner he is, and showed an uncanny ability to move the chains with a pretty sub-standard offense.

No offense to Mr. Harvin and Peterson, of course.

Ponder must make the giant sophomore leap in 2012 if he is to solidify himself as a permanent stater, and he can do that by simply making adjustments to his reads, release and overall decision making process in heated times.

Final Grade: C

Michael Jenkins

For a guy who had primarily played more as a blocking receiver than a true reception man, Jenkins did an admirable job.

The debate will be, however, whether or not he will be worth keeping around moving forward.

The issue with Jenkins is the fact that the guy has the speed to be a valuable possession receiver, but no other separation skills that cause defenders to respect him in coverage, which is a liability in any offense.

Still, for what his role was intended for, Jenkins didn't do all that bad.

Final Grade: C

Phil Loadholt

Phil Loadholt keeps developing into what appears to be a solid member of this offensive line, but the issue here is the fact that it is taking him forever to blossom.

There are a lot of folks that are beginning to believe that after this year's up and down play, Loadholt needs to turn the corner next season, or be cut.

Loadholt showed tremendous promise throughout this season in both the ground game and passing game, but still struggled at times to establish his ground at the line of scrimmage, or really go above and beyond against the better defensive attackers this season.

Final Grade: C

Kevin Williams

The two game suspension hurt the Vikings a little bit, but Williams' play also hurt them as well.

We all know what Kevin Williams is capable of, and while his 4 sack 35 total tackle season isn't too shabby, some may debate it is well below the mark.

Williams did create a lot of trouble of front, but he seemed to play just about average this season.

Final Grade: C

Letroy Guion

Guion had an admirable year as the Vikings three-technique man, but also showed he has a way to go before playing at an elite level.

Guion has a lot of speed of his release and cause a lot of havoc in the trenches, but needs to make more of an impact on the line on a consistent basis before he rises to the next level.

All in due time.

Final Grade: D+

Remi Ayodele

Ayodele initially showed some spark on that line, but was removed form his starting gig a while back due to ineffectiveness, and he is going to have to seriously step up his game with Christian Ballard now floating in the mix.

Ayodele has the tools to be that fixture on the line, but he almost seemed tom play very half-hearten, not ever really going that extra mile.

Another year will either do him good or expose him outright.

Final Grade: D

The Remaining Offensive Line

I am lumping the remainder of this squad into one squad simply because they all played equally poorly.

Anthony Herrera has been struggling for two years now to find his identity as a pro player in the trenches, and Charlie Johnson hasn't really amounted to much at all this season—both players need to be replaced.

The guard situation in Minnesota is a real issue as well, and while Joe Berger was the most serviceable option, he too is clearly not the answer.

Final Grade: F

Cedric Griffin

I hate giving Griffin such a low grade because I know he can play better than he did this season.

The Vikings needed to have outside corners that could handle one-on-one coverage for the aggressive style of defense they wanted to play, and Griffin failed miserably against the faster, more physical receivers in the NFL.

Griffin never really found a way to learn how to be a man cover corner, and that could affect his future as a Vikings starter, or even member.

Final Grade: D

E. J. Henderson

The old man played very well considering his age, but it was a split situation for him.

Against the run, Henderson played very well, but he lost many points in his pass covering skills, and it may be time for Minnesota to think about what they are going to do with Henderson, moving forward.

Final Grade: D

Antoine Winfield

The old field General played through some injury this season and did play with a lot of heart, but at times, it was just sad to watch.

Not necessarily because his play was below standard, but because you can see his age catching up with him, and the tires have very little tread left, if any at all.

Winfield isn't the speedy crafty cover man that made so dangerous a few years back, and he could figure to be a backup next year at some point.

Winfield played very well in short coverage, but not so well in deeper coverage.

Final Grade: D

The Remaining Secondary

Asher Allen and Benny Sapp rounded out the secondary in various roles from slot coverage to player replacement, but never played above the spotty performances they turned in.

Allen and Sapp do, however, have promise. I feel they could be developed further into quality players, but I would also suggest a short leash.

Final Grade: D

What Safeties?

There is a lot of work that needs to be done at safety in Minnesota.

Jamarca Sanford, Mistral Raymond and even veteran Husain Abdullah all played miserably despite turning in a few nice outings here and there.

This squad was horrible with their open-field tackles, less than desirable as a support group to the cover men and just flat out one of the worst squads int he league.

The irony? This group does have a ton of talent that can be developed if they somehow find the confidence in 2012.

Final Grade: D-