As worries about quarterback Christian Ponder’s ability to take things to the next level seem to mount within the Vikings fan base, there is a growing list of other woes that seem to be dampening some of the enthusiasm surrounding this team as the regular season draws nearer.
DeMarcus Love will not be available for the first our weeks due to suspension. Cornerback Jacob Lacey was released after injuries gave him no chance to take the practice field. Defensive tackle Christian Ballard has reportedly returned to his hometown indefinitely to deal with personal issues.
Now, Sharrif Floyd’s rookie development will, at least in part, be put on hold as he recovers from a “minor” knee surgery.
Leslie Frazier said yesterday that Floyd will likely miss the remainder of the preseason, but the good news is that he’s expected back and healthy by the regular season opener. Still, rookie repetitions during the preseason hold a premium value and it is disappointing that the team’s top Draft selection has had his opportunity cut short even if it is temporary.
I’m not trying to be an alarmist here, and with Kevin Williams in the fold Floyd is certainly not some we must see at full tilt in week one, but the pile of problems seems to be growing at a steady pace.
Love, Lacey and Ballard were all players thought to have well-defined roles within the Vikings roster in 2013. Now they are, by all appearances, going to be non-factors as the regular season gets underway. The momentum just seems to be headed in the wrong direction at the wrong time.
That is all.
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Correct concerning your comments on Ponder. The rest of those slappies, are not an issue. Either their injuries are minor or the are back ups.
The real issue is did you going fishing for smallies this summer?
haha, not yet my friend. I'm aiming to be in MN the first week and a half of September. Unfortunately that likely means neglecting my VT duties for the first two games of the season, but the smallies and wallies are a' callin'.
The Ballard deal is a weird one. It really doesn't sound like they know if he'll be back or not. I think Lacey was going to have trouble making the roster even if he had been healthy. He was more of an insurance policy for Robinson completely failing as the nickel and he appears to have a decent grip on the position. He's a guy they could always bring back a couple weeks into the year when he's healthy. Hopefully they can come out and play decently on Sunday. The mood certainly is a bit sour at the moment. We are still in much better shape injury wise than a lot of teams in the league. It would have been nice for Floyd to get reps the next couple weeks but it's far more important for him to be healthy for week 1.
This should be great news.....because if these are the worst developments of camp (along with Felton), the Vikes are coming into the season in great shape.
yeah, we're pretty good injury-wise so far. just look at the sorry woundeds who pack with cheeezzzzzzz