| Minnesota rookie T Matt Kalil has been a pleasant surprise for a surprisingly good offensive line. (US Presswire) |
Often when you are hear about an offensive line, it is not a good thing. Their job is to open holes for running backs and protect the quarterback. When that doesn't happen, fans talk about the group. So no news is good news when it comes to the Minnesota Vikings line.
After the Vikings went to Detroit and controlled the Lions front seven Sunday, coach Leslie Frazier gave the unit a lot of praise.
“I thought they played extremely well, maybe their best game to this point as a group,” Frazier said. “To grind the ball in the fourth quarter the way we did -- when the opposing teams knows that you are going to run the ball because we are trying to take a little clock -- I was just impressed.”
Frazier complimented LT Matt Kalil, LG Charlie Johnson and C John Sullivan for playing well against a very stout Lions defensive line.
“That’s a pretty good defensive front that they have over there,” he said. “Our guys stood up, took it to them throughout. For us to rush for 100 yards, that’s a good sign for us.”
Considering the line is a work in progress, their play is even more impressive. Kalil is a rookie and RG Brandon Fusco is only in his second year, plus Johnson was moved from left tackle to left guard.
“We have a group of guys who have great work ethic, I think that is the biggest thing,” said Johnson. “Not only our starting five, but the other guys -- we want to be good. The way we have been putting this together since April, I am not surprised at the early success, but we still are not where we want to be.”
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