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This is going to sound like a negative critique on John Sullivan. It’s not meant to be. Sullivan has been solid if unspectacular. He does a nice job in pass protection. He gets out front on screens and generally levels any player smaller then himself.

Sullivan is more of a tactician then a mauler, as was Birk early in his career. Both players are highly intelligent, and Sullivan, unlike Birk, is still getting bigger, stronger and better.

But, one cannot help but notice then difference between this years team and last in terms of short yardage running. Last year, it was very difficult to stop Adrian Peterson on third and short. This season, third and one seems like a passing down. Defensive line are simply overwhelming the Vikings at the point of attack in particularly up the middle.

Furthermore, running up or near the middle has been largely non-existent this season. Peterson break outs have been fewer ans further between. Peterson seems much less inclined to run North and South and consistently zigs and zags rather then simply hitting the hole like the lightning fast steam roller he is.

Now I’m not sure about you, but I don’t think the problem is Peterson. I don’t think the problem is Hutchinson ( although the back injury may indeed be worse then we thought ). Herrera isn’t the problem, as he’s having his best season as a pro and is grading out highly in the run blocking category. Loadholt ? Pass blocking maybe……..But he’s a monster in the run game. McKennie ? No, he’s the same player he was a year ago, and Hutch compensates for any shortcomings by the big guy.

So, that leaves us with Sullivan. The poor guys was simply unfortunate enough to follow in the footsteps of one of the best centers in recent football memory. He makes the line calls, he blocks skillfully and is rarely out of position. But the problem is, he’s simply undersized. He gets overpowered and if his blocks are not perfect, Peterson goes nowhere. Furthermore, he’s almost always paired against the opponent’s biggest and strongest players.

Despite the obvious physical inequities, he still grades out well (Not Birk well, but still better then average ) especially against the pass rush. Not too bad for a 2nd year player and first year starter.

By the way, do you think Birk misses playing for the Vikings ? My sources say he’s regretted leaving for some time now, but given the Vikings apparent lack of interest in retaining him, he feels is was a move he needed to make for his family. Who could find fault with that ?