Image courtesy of Vikings.com
Training camp begins in a matter of days for the Minnesota Vikings and soon, many of the team’s offseason questions will hopefully be answered. The Vikings added two new wide receivers in the most recent NFL Draft in Laquon Treadwell and Moritz Böhringer, and at least one of them could become a significant contributor as soon as this season.
Having the ability to produce in 2016 seems to weigh heavily on the side of Treadwell, so that leaves Böhringer. If Minnesota cannot find a spot for him on the active roster before the start of the regular season, what will they do with the German-born receiver?
At 6’4” and 227 pounds to go with his 4.4 40 time, the 22-year-old Böhringer has a tremendous amount of potential. But does his potential extend to the NFL?
His story would be a great one to brag about if he were ever able to play in a meaningful NFL game. However, the chances of him making Minnesota’s roster in 2016 seem slim at best.
How much can truly be expected of a player who played for a team in Germany that only practiced once a week? His size and physical attributes give him an advantage over others, but it may be the complex, mental aspect of the game that could prevent him from having any immediate success in the league.
His chance at making Minnesota’s opening day roster will likely depend on his ability to learn the playbook and being able to contribute on special teams. Given that he is a mechanical engineering major, perhaps his book smarts could prove to help him soak up the Vikings offense quicker than expected?
When it comes time for Minnesota’s training camp, he will be competing for a spot on the Vikings roster with at least three other receivers in Charles Johnson, Cordarelle Patterson, and Adam Thielen. Since Patterson and Thielen produce at a high level on Minnesota’s special teams unit, Böhringer’s best chance at beating another player out for a roster spot may be to out perform Johnson.
If Böhringer does not end up making the active roster, Minnesota could always decide to place him on their practice squad. However, by doing so they would be giving the other 31 NFL teams the ability to sign the young receiver to a contract.
Would a team like the Green Bay Packers or Chicago Bears scoop up Böhringer off of the Vikings practice squad just to spite their NFC North division rival?
Some would say placing him on the practice squad is too much of a risk. But Minnesota should not keep him on their active roster instead of someone else just because they possess the fear of losing him to another team.
Right?
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I see it written all the time that placing him on the practice squad is risky but I just don't see that. In order for another team to sign him they have to sign him to their active roster. Are you saying that another team will place a guy that struggles with english on their 53 after training camp has taken place? I just don't think that would ever happen. Stash him on the practice squad. I will be very worried if I see him on our 53 this year.
Why do you believe he's struggling with English? He seems to have fine vocabulary :)
Agree - I don't see the fear of putting him on the practice squad. He needs at least a year of practice before he's ready to play. Next year would be the year to worry about him being poached off the PS.
Would I be way off base to say he's only a couple steps below CP84's WR capabilities year 1-2-3? He will make PS this season, they'll keep his progress under the radar, and next year he'll get a starting position.
Why not? They did with Taylor H. last year. He was on the 53 man, all 17 games. Never played a down and was inactive for the majority. All because they feared losing him if they put him on the practice squad after the stellar preseason he had last year. The only way Moritz doesn't make the 53 is if he looks like a fish out of water. If we have 7 or 8 guys worthy of the 6 WR spots, expect a trade to maximize value.
I obviously don't have first hand information on how or why the Vikings coaches/FO make their roster decisions, but regarding your comparison to keeping MoBo based on their handling of Heinecke, I can make an educated guess. Taylor H is a quarterback, and anyone who pays close attention to the game knows, it's a position of extreme need around the league as there's been a shortage of quality starting talent behind center and Heinecke with having shown everyone his promising potential during the last preseason would most certainly have been snagged relatively quick by teams with either aging vet QBs, quality depth, or even grooming him as a way to supplement their drafts. MoBo is unproven even when compared to the college ranks, playing a position that at the pro level requires so much more than just pure physical talent, as we've all seen many at that position with more experience at higher levels fail because defenders and schemes in the NFL warrant more than just size and speed. MoBo will most certainly be on the practice squad, and will very likely clear the season as a Viking. IMO my beloved Vikings could have likely waited on MoBo and signed him as a UFA , but again im just another armchair quarterback with way too much time on my hands :-) Skol Vikings!
I thought that putting him on the practice squad was the plan. Sure, let him compete for a spot on the active roster, but realistically, he had "practice squad" written all over him coming out of the draft. If we lose him because someone else signs him to their active roster, then we only lost a practice squad player who wasn't ready for our active roster!
I agree. I always thought that putting him on the PS was the game plan. No one is going to poach him. There is just no way he edges out Johnson. His best bet would likely be to perform well on special teams. He has great speed and good size so I would not rule that out.
I think it would be awesome if he put together all the potential and made the team this year and I am rooting for him. However I don't think it will happen. He's a 6th round pick for a reason there's huge potential for him let's see what he does threw camp I want him to beat out Johnson don't see it happening. I also don't think anyone will pick him up off our practice squad that would be a terrible idea for another team would make no since I think next year he's on the team and one of the last cuts this year
He will get an undisclosed injury and spend the season on injury reserve. This is what they did with Zack Line.
Initially I thought that he would be risky to put on the practice squad due to his freakish combination of size, strength, and speed. I just thought for sure that another team would nab him if they did. After the reports coming out of post spring training I am not so sure. However, a weak team could sign him to their active roster. I would like to see him have a year or two to see if he can make up for lost time quickly and adjust. I was not at camp so I have no idea if it is true, but all I have read about him is praise for his work ethic and attitude. He and Treadwell together could remind us of Moss and Carter, or Fitzgerald and Boldin, if he does pan out. Two big guys.... We can dream can't we?
Are you guys cracked?? He is a sixth round draft choice. How many 6hth round draft choices have you seen hung out like carrion. He will be on the 53.
To be completely honest though, was he really worth using a 6th Rd pick? With his having literally no experience at WR, even at the collegiate level, one would think the Vikes could've waited and signed him as a UFA right? Or is hindsight affecting my judgment a bit much?
Yes, even if only for the publicity.
I'd say, lets keep Böhringer and let Charles Johnson walk.. because Charles Johnson has a history of being injury-prone!!! And that is a pattern of concern!!! Don't get me wrong...? I do like Johnson, he runs good routes, has good hands and decent athletic, just that we don't know when is his next injury going to come..? And you can't really rely on him due to that! Or just put Böhringer on a pup or injury reserve. Don't really know much about how that works, but I'm sure Rick can think of something..? Also, we had been patience.. with Cordarelle Patterson... I think we should at least give Böhringer 3 years... to develop!! The guy is still young too... Also, we now have Treadwell... a big body guy who can go up and get it! So... not much there... for Johnson..!?? Only if Johnson was not so injury-prone...!!?
Sam, I respectfully disagree. One injury does not equate to injury prone. Rib injuries are god awful. You posted prior to the most recent camp reports but Charles is tearing it up. They can't just put MoBo on the pup or injured reserve unless he has been declared unfit for play by a physician. Not possible to just lie about something like that without risking big time repercussions from the league. MoBo is most likely going to be the odd man out. I am also intrigued by what he brings athletically, but spring training did not go so well for him. I initially thought that it would be very risky to designate him to the practice squad as I was certain that he was just too much to pass up for someone, but after a shaky start I am thinking that another team will not risk a roster spot to sign him to their 53. I cannot see how they choose him over Diggs, Tread, Charles, Thielen, Jarius, and Cordarelle. If he could return kicks then he could possibly supplant Cordarelle, but he won't displace any of the others.
luvvikings, after further review and the more I see and read about Moritz Böhringer... I have to agree with you on Böhringer!! He is so far... behind!! And as for Charles Johnson... he is.. tearing it up! And as for Charles Johnson being injury prone... you have to look at his days with the Packers and the Browns. Former Packers Wide Receiver Charles Johnson Has Torn ACL...
http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/.../former-packers-browns-receiver-charles-johnson...
Oct 16, 2013. And with the Vikings he only had rim injuries...so far...? But he has been injured!!!!!! Or why else would the packers let him go. And Browns .....And like I said!! I do like Johnson, he runs good routes, has good hands and decent athletic, just that we have to keep our fingers crossed that he doesn't get injured!! And with his past ACL with the packers and being on the Browns injured reserve. Like you say.....Not possible to just lie to be on the injured reserve. So I can not see why is that not Being Injury-Prone!!???
http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Charles-Johnsons-Winding-Path-to-Vikings-Includes-Packers-Stint/9f4e606a-8071-4dd2-b21b-ea6dd200013f or just charles johnson wr packers, browns, and vikings injury history. Just Google charles johnson injury history
Luvvikings, with all do respect! Just wanted to correct you on your comment Reply about Charles Johnson having One injury does not equate to injury prone. That Charles Johnson had only one is... his rib injury... Charles Johnson had more than one... just saying... look it up!! But it just goes to show you that FOOTBALL SEASON IS BACK!!!! And glad to be a Minnesota Vikings fan!! http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Charles-Johnsons-Winding-Path-to-Vikings-Includes-Packers-Stint/9f4e606a-8071-4dd2-b21b-ea6dd200013f or just charles johnson wr packers, browns, and vikings injury history. Just Google charles johnson injury history
Sorry guys and thanks for the correction.. But I was referring to his time with the Vikes. He was so good in 2014, I did not know of his past prior to becoming a Viking other than that he was released by GB and Cleveland. It is disconcerting to find out that he has had an ACL injury, once injured more prone to have another. Speaking of the Browns though, that is one team that is so thin at WR that just could snag MoBo from the practice squad. Just a thought guys, but if Cordarelle still can't run routes would MoBo be a greater or lessor risk with perhaps a higher ceiling? Cordarelle might be worth a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Just a thought.
luvvikings, No problemo!!
Hi Sam. Thanks for keeping it civil and being a good guy. I wish to be certain that you did not take my "all due respect" inclusion out of my intended context. I was sincere, it was not intended to be a jab or slight in any way. I respect another's opinion and detest when someone disagrees and resorts to childish name calling. Those that call others idiot or moron, etc just because they disagree are just being childish and exhibiting false bravado that just might result in a punch in the mouth if they were to do the same face to face. i.e. It was my intention to include that I respected your opinion. Peace out Vikes brother!! SKOL!!!!!!
Practice squad this year, the bench, coverage units and, assuming Patterson is gone, kick-off return duties next year