Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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"You have to go through these growing pains, and I think these young corners … we were playing with three rookies this last game [in Gladney, Dantzler and Harrison Hand]," Spielman added. "They are starting to understand the mistakes they make. They are growing from those mistakes, and I think as we continue down the season, you're going to see these guys getting better and better."
3. Assessing the offensive line
Minnesota has used three different starting combinations on the offensive line thus far, as the Vikings have already relied on three starting right guards.
Riley Reiff and Brian O'Neill have manned the tackle spots, and with Garrett Bradbury at center and Dakota Dozier at left guard, that quartet has played every snap on offense in 2020.
Pat Elflein and rookie Ezra Cleveland have each started at right guard once, with Cleveland making his first start in Week 6. Dru Samia started in Weeks 2-5.
Spielman was asked about the progress of that unit through six games, and also in recent seasons.
"I think we keep adding. I think Bradbury, from his rookie year to how he's playing right now, has definitely improved, and is continuing to improve," Spielman said. "I think Brian O'Neill is turning into a really good player.
"I think the offensive line, and the physical traits we're looking for, are guys that can do a lot of that outside zone. Guys that are maybe a little bit undersized, but athletic," Spielman added. "Then with what we saw with Ezra, with his first glimpse of any NFL game. I think our offensive line, you know, we are one of the top rushing teams in the league because of the scheme fit, and having Dalvin Cook in the backfield helps with that."
The trio of Bradbury, Cleveland and O'Neill were each drafted in the first two rounds over the past three seasons.
"I think these young guys will continue to build and evolve," Spielman said, "but we're very excited about a lot of the young guys that we have."