Monday Morning Mailbag: Rookies Stepping Up, Defense's Slow Start, Preparing For Redskins On A Short Week

[Viktor]

I know the improvement of the offense parallels the improvement of the offensive line. How much have Brian O’Neill and Garrett Bradbury improved? How important is Josh Kline? How would you define our offensive linemen?
-- Gerald Goblirsch


Words I would use to define or describe the Vikings offensive linemen are determined, smart and tough. They aren’t the biggest group, but they battle hard every snap of every game and they have consistently found ways to block talented defensive fronts this season. They are a group that is still growing, too, largely because of the two youngsters Gerald mentioned in his question. Bradbury and O’Neill are improving all the time right now. They are both young enough that you can safely say neither is close to a finished product and both are absorbing and benefitting greatly from the tutelage of offensive line coach Rick Dennison. Lastly, Kline is important to this group because he’s been plugged in as the starter since he was signed in free agency and there’s no question that continuity is as important as anything to the offensive line, so Kline’s inclusion is important every week.