Minnesota Vikings

Brian Hall's Oct. 23 Vikings mailbag

Published Oct. 23, 2014 8:00 a.m. ET

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Another loss means another big week for the mailbag. Nothing can bring out questions and angry responses like a three-game losing streak suffered by the Minnesota Vikings.

The usual inquiries dominated the submissions this week. Readers want to know about the offensive line, play-calling, quarterbacks and the receivers, particularly Cordarrelle Patterson. The league's 29th-ranked offense and 32nd-ranked passing game have people searching for answers.

Here's what's on your mind this week:

Question: When will adrian peterson be able to play? -- kyle robinson, Ashland

Answer: I'm not sure anyone knows the answer to that question, from Peterson to the Vikings to anyone in the NFL. Peterson will need to solve his legal issues before possibly being reinstated by Minnesota. The earliest he's looking at a possible trial is likely Dec. 1, which leaves little time for Peterson to have his case resolved, reinstated and then return to play this season.

There's also the fact that even if he's reinstated by the Vikings, the NFL could decide to take some kind of action, possibly under the personal conduct policy. More than likely, Peterson's season is over and his future with Minnesota and in the NFL is uncertain.

Q: We don't have 1 receiver with more then 1 TD almost halfway through the season and it seems as though Turner is just refusing to go downfield, once again Patterson has a couple of touches and we keep hearing about how they need to get him more involved and it seems to me if you don't give him the ball you can't get him more involved. What is going on? Are you wondering the same thing because when he did open it up a little bit on the one drive Bridgewater delivered for a score. -- Winston Eaton, Sacramento, Calif.

A: You mention an interesting statistic. Minnesota is last in the NFL with four passing touchdowns this season. The Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets are tied for the second-worst total with seven each. Of the four passing touchdowns, Patterson, Matt Asiata, Greg Jennings and Kyle Rudolph each have one.

Patterson's touchdown on Sunday was the first passing score in Bridgewater's career. It also was the first passing touchdown since Matt Asiata scored on a pass-and-run on the first offensive series in Week 2. In fact, of the four passing touchdowns so far this season, only two have been on throws into the end zone, both in Week 1 from quarterback Matt Cassel.

On Sunday, Minnesota did have some success getting the ball downfield at times. A long pass to Jennings helped set up Patterson's touchdown. Jarius Wright also caught a 28-yard pass and Bridgewater missed Patterson on another deep pass, slightly overthrowing Patterson.

But, the Vikings are 31st in the NFL this season in yards per pass attempt. Much of the offense has been shorter, hopefully quicker passes, to get the ball out of Bridgewater's hands. The protection from the offensive line has played a part in the quicker-release throws. It's difficult to go downfield if adequate protection isn't being given to Bridgewater.

Q: What happened to David Yankey that he is still inactive and do you expect him to be playing soon? -- William Keech, LeCenter, Minn.

A: David Yankey, a fifth-round draft pick in May, has been unable to break through to the starting offensive line. He is still inactive for games and I don't see him breaking through yet. The team feels he still needs more work. Yankey has promise and could hold down a guard position in the future, but it doesn't seem like he's close to contributing.

Yankey perhaps was a bit overrated heading into the draft, believed to be one of the best guards available. But he slipped to the fifth round and was the 11th guard selected, a sign of how NFL teams evaluated him. Yankey's learning curve was then steepened by having to return to Stanford to finish school.

There is talent in Yankey and he could be a big (he's 315 pounds) bruiser in the run game. But Yankey is still developing and smoothing out the rough edges before being able to help alleviate some of the offensive line issues. Only the coaches know how far away Yankey truly is, but it doesn't seem as if he's close to breaking through.

Q: Matt Kahlil was a pro bowler three years ago but has regressed since. Our offensive line has been terrible the past couple years yet our line coach was retained from last season, why? -- Bernie, Minneapolis

A: We received a few submissions this week about offensive line coach Jeff Davidson. Davidson is a well-respected line coach and certainly would have found another landing spot as a coach in the league. Davidson and wide receiver coach George Stewart were the only offensive coaches to return in their roles after Mike Zimmer was hired.

The offensive line struggled at times last season, but also had some very good moments, particularly in run blocking and when Cassel was at quarterback. The issues this season are likely coming as a surprise to many. Kalil did play in the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Does Davidson get any credit for Kalil playing so well as a rookie?

I know people are looking for answers right now as the line continues to come under fire. Kalil has struggled. Phil Loadholt hasn't been as steady as usual on the right side and inside play has suffered without Brandon Fusco at right guard and center John Sullivan playing to his usual level. However, I don't believe Davidson is the target for the issues right now. The Vikings have to play better. Zimmer has said the line has been physically beaten at times this season. That isn't on the coaching.

Q: This question isn't about the Vikings but it is on my mind. With talk in the past about getting rid of the pro bowl. I had an idea that I believe would spice it up a bit if we took the best players out of a division to take on the other divisions in the conference have it as a bracket style matchups. Just to be the best division in the conferences. To me I feel that would be very exciting to see. What's your thought. Sorry for being irrelevant on a Vikings question. -- Adam Masseth, Fargo N.D.

A: Interesting. And no worries on the non-Vikings angle, I certainly will take any league-wide questions too. It would be interesting to see an all-star team, of sorts, from each division play each other. I know the NFC North would have had some strong teams in the past. The North has always had a lot of star power, from Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, to Calvin Johnson in Detroit, Adrian Peterson with the Vikings and Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, etc. in Chicago.

While it's an interesting thought. I can't see it being one that ever comes to fruition. As it is right now, players have no desire to play in the Pro Bowl and no one wants to risk injury with a game at the end of the season. I just can't see how an exhibition game either in the middle or end of the season makes sense with the NFL.

Growing up I always enjoyed the respective "all-star" contests in each sport. Before cable and the ability to see every team or every game, it was fun to see players on the other teams. But I believe with the injury concerns, particularly in football, and the timing of the NFL's Pro Bowl, it just makes it impossible to have an intriguing game.

Q: Ok...1) What is going on with Kalil and the rest of our line? The struggle is real!! 2) Patterson isnt the best route runner yet..I get that. But theres alot of players with that problem that are producing in the NFL. I dont see how your best player on offense isnt involved. How does he not get 10 balls thrown his way? Why has he not been used in the rushing game since week 1? A playmaker isnt going to make plays if he never touches the ball. 3) Why dont we try out Gray at TE since we havent had production from the position yet and he is a great athlete. One positive note though, our defense has been great this season, very happy with them but can you tell them on 4th and 20 it should be IMPOSSIBLE to give up 22 yards. Thank you! -- Brian, Missouri

A: We've tackled the first two topics often here in the mailbag, so I'll try my hand at No. 3. Minnesota has had trouble replacing Kyle Rudolph's impact and production at tight end. Something I discovered on Wednesday, the Vikings have the most plays this season run without any tight end on the field, according to STATS.

Rudolph could be nearing a return. He worked out on the field during practice Wednesday, running on the side under the supervision of one of the team's athletic trainers. It's the first time Rudolph's done anything on the field during the open portion of practice since having double hernia surgery following Week 3. He's still likely a few weeks away.

Filling in for Rudolph has been a mixed bag, with Chase Ford and Rhett Ellison getting most of the time. Ellison is the blocking component, while Ford is a better receiver. Ellison has five catches for 81 yards this season. Ford has eight catches for 85 yards.

MarQueis Gray, the former University of Minnesota quarterback, is a good athlete and has one catch this season for 16 yards. He's been active every game since Week 1 after being a waiver acquisition at the end of the preseason. Most of his exposure has been on special teams, where he's been credited for three tackles.

Gray is athletic and does have some potential as a receiver, but Ford might be the better receiver at this time, and Gray's blocking is still an aspect he's working on.

Q: When will this team bench Charlie Johnson and can we beat the buccaneers and have success thru the air doing so? -- Nestor, St. Paul

A: If it wasn't for Kalil, most of the criticism would be on Johnson. He still receives plenty. There's been no indication the coaches are looking to make a change. Johnson, despite his own struggles, seems secure for now. Yankey, the most likely replacement, hasn't proven he's ready to take over. Perhaps if the line's issues continue, Joe Berger, Austin Wentworth or even tackle Mike Harris gets a look.

There should be chances to make plays in the passing game this weekend at Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have allowed the most passing yards in the league, giving up 294.5 yards per game. Tampa Bay paid big money to defensive end Michael Johnson and cornerback Alterraun Verner and haven't been able to stop opponents' passing games. The Buccaneers also feature standout, all-around linebacker Lavonte David, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and safety Mark Barron.

Tampa Bay has nine sacks this season, tied for 25th in the NFL. With four interceptions, the Buccaneers are tied for 18th. Minnesota can't take anything for granted with its passing offense right now, which has the league's fewest yards and touchdowns and is 29th in terms of completion percentage (57.9 percent).

The Vikings are also on the road against a Tampa Bay team that is probably motivated to break out of its own funk. But on paper, this is as good a matchup as any for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Patterson, Jennings, Wright, Ford and Minnesota's offense to end its slump.

Q: Is Cordarrelle still our #1 receiver?? It seems like we are targeting him less and less. -- Joe K., Ann Arbor, Mich.

A: I figured I would add this in just to dispel any beliefs on Patterson's usage. A unique, game-breaking talent, Patterson has seemingly been underutilized or misused this season. But he's been more involved lately from a target aspect. Patterson is one starting receiver along with Jennings. Jennings is, and should, get his own share of targets from Bridgewater.

Yet, Patterson was tied for second on the team in targets last week with four, tied with Wright. The previous week, Patterson led all Vikings receivers with eight targets (even though he had just two catches). Against Atlanta and Green Bay, Patterson only saw four targets in each game. However, he's second on the team in targets this season with 37, five behind Jennings' team-leading total.

Q: Who are the 2 offensive lineman that will be filling in while they recover from their injury's ? -- Mark T., Fredericksburg, Va.

A: I assume you're talking about Joe Berger and Mike Harris, who filled in for Sullivan and right guard Vladimir Ducasse on Sunday. During Wednesday's practice, Berger and Harris were still participating with the starters. Sullivan is still going through concussion testing, having passed part of the protocol. Ducasse returned to practice on a limited basis after leaving Sunday's game with a knee injury.

Zimmer said he believes Sullivan and Ducasse will be ready for Sunday's game. If they are ready, I would suspect they will start in their usual roles. But Berger and Harris fared decently in their time on Sunday.

Berger has been a valuable backup for Minnesota for four seasons. Harris was a waiver claim from San Diego this season. The 318-pound tackle was pressed into duty at guard and said it was his first time playing guard since Pop Warner football as a kid.

With the relative success from Berger or Harris, I wonder if the coaches could be swayed into possible changes. Certainly Sullivan will man the center spot when he's been cleared of his concussion, but maybe Berger and Harris did enough to change the thinking at the guard spots. Berger, in particular, has had plenty of experience at guard, as well as playing with the familiar vets along the Vikings' line like Sullivan, Johnson and Loadholt.

Q: Would the Vikings pick up ray rice even for a short term contract with all the stuff going on with ap or would they avoid the media circus after what rice did??? -- matt just, anoka

A: In a word: No. I can't see Minnesota making a move like that, even if Rice was reinstated by the NFL. Not only are the Vikings dealing with their own running back with legal issues, adding Rice would only send a message the team wouldn't want to deal with right now.

And, frankly, rookie Jerick McKinnon has provided a bit of a spark and is coming off his second 100-yard rushing game. McKinnon was the first player to go over 100 yards against Buffalo this season, gaining 103 yards on 19 carries. McKinnon was able to get to the edges for big plays, and also ran hard and picked up some tough yards up the middle.

Q: Tim Tebow. Why not? He deserves a shot again and he's been blackballed long enough. It'd be thrilling to see #15 in purple. -- Ryan Pangle Grand Forks, N.D.

A: To answer your question, why? Tebow's NFL career is likely over. Whether its deserved or he's been blackballed, I don't know and I can't answer. But why do you want to see No. 15 in purple? Is No. 5 in purple not good enough? Minnesota has its future at the position with Bridgewater.

Thank you for your submissions. Unfortunately we couldn't get to all of your questions. We tried to answer a wide range of submissions. I hope we continue to hear from you in the future. Our Vikings' mailbag runs once a week on Thursday mornings during the regular season. Be sure to check FOXSportsNorth.com for upcoming mailbags.

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