With the Vikings trying to build up their receiving corps from what it was a couple of years ago. It is fair to say that the Purple are getting some decent and reliable players. Considering that we use to have a guy Troy Williamson (I know it hurts), he was suppose to be the replacement for Randy Moss.
Last offseason, the Vikes acquired Bernard Berrian as a free agent; he was worth the money last season at least. He had one of the highest Yards per catch average last season with over 20. It seems that the Vikes actually have a number one receiver now with Berrian here. He is not afraid to catch the ball in the middle and take a hit from a linebacker and has the speed to take the ball to the house.
Bobby Wade has led the Vikings in reception the past two seasons. He has been a reliable player for the Vikes the past two seasons. In Wade, wherever he is needed he gets the job done. He is a highly underrated receiver, which many teams look past. He is a smaller version of Berrian not afraid to catch the ball wherever on the field he is.
Sidney Rice has had promise to be a good receiver, but the injury bug has bit him in his first 2 seasons. He has the making to be a good receiver, but to keep him on the field is the next step. He is working had to be in the best shape in the start of training camp. Rice’ job is in question with the move the Vikes made this past offseason. They drafted Percy Harvin, which they will use to implement “Wildcat” formations to the Viking offense. Harvin will be in the backfield as well as lining up as a receiver. It will be interesting to see how Harvin will be used coming out of gates as a rookie. In the case of Rice it is going to be do or die this years’ training camp. He will have show the coaching staff that he is worthy of have a spot on this receiving corps. Or he may be suiting up in another uniform this season.
It seems that Vikes will also keep Glenn Holt as their last receiver due to his special teams abilities. He has not been used much as a receiver when he was with the Bengals. He has been a return man most of his career. If he does make the team, I am assuming that is what the Vikes will be doing with him as well.
The battle to watch will be between Johnson and Reynaud. It will be a fierce battle to see who ends up winning the last reciever spot on the team. Both have work hard this past offseason to make themselves a better player.
With Shanks as the starting tight end, he emerged as a pass catching TE this past season.He is really making a name for himself after coming the Vikes a couple of years ago. It is going to be interesting if the Vikes do keep just two TE’s on the roster. I think that Mills will spend most of his time on the practice squad. Who really knows what Chilly will be thinking when it comes to the receivers and tight ends for the Vikes.
40 Kleinsasser, Jimmy TE 6'3" 272 11 North Dakota$
45 Mills, Garrett TE 6'1" 235 4 Tulsa
81 Shiancoe, Visanthe TE 6'4" 250 7 Morgan State$
84 Allison, Aundrae WR 6'0" 198 3 East Carolina
87 Berrian, Bernard WR 6'1" 185 6 Fresno State$
12 Harvin, Percy WR 5'11" 192 0 Florida$
16 Holt, Glenn WR 6'1" 193 4 Kentucky$
11 Johnson, Jaymar WR 6'0" 176 1 Jackson State
14 Moore, Nick WR 6'2" 186 0 Toledo
15 Perretta, Vinny WR 5'9" 186 0 Boise State
82 Reynaud, Darius WR 5'9" 201 2 West Virginia$
18 Rice, Sidney WR 6'4" 202 3 South Carolina$
19 Wade, Bobby WR 5'10" 186 7 Arizona$
13 Williams, Bobby WR 6'2" 194 0 North Alabama
$-makes the team
Bold-denotes last year starter
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