Tom Powers: Minnesota Vikings have a big man to fill hole Bryan...

Here's a name Vikings fans should commit to memory: Chase Johnson. An offensive tackle, Johnson was signed out of Wyoming as an undrafted free agent last summer.

[Chris ct]

You would think that we would have been more prepared for this very important position that is protecting the blind side of your Quarterback ! Free Agency, the N.F.L. has come and past , Tavarius Jackson has enough to worry about understanding the offense and not to worry about his "blind side",so lets hope the coaches and organization are not second guessing themselves in September ?

[Mark]

Yes his pass blocking is important, but his run blocking is crucial for Peterson's production. At 6'8"/330 he certainly has the size.

[Mudhole]

McKinie is over rated, speed rushers blow by him like a stationary object

[Gin]

Well, not just for the fate of McKinney, Johnson should be ready to play because he's a player on this team and he may have to step in if McKinney gets hurt. Take advantage of this situation, every player know that the league is cracking down on "want-to-be thugs" who don't have nothing to do with the money they have earned except give it away to the legal system by doing stupid stuff when they are not on the field. McKinney is a great player, but a hard head at the same time, he should have learned from the other players that have messed up (Pacman, the receiver with the Bengals), come on McKinney, you don't have to prove anything to people that are envious of your atheletic abilities.

[dr izzill]

SORRY GIN but McKinney is not a great player. He is to slow, my granny could get by him. Jacksons back side sure isn't protected by this slug.

[Huge Jazz]

Jeez I hate to admit this but I find nothing to critisize Powers column today.

It is....GULP.....a good article.

[Hank]

Johnson shure is huge and may have the physique, but the question is: does the have the mentality and tecnique to start in the NFL?

[40for60]

Just maybe the Vikings are comfortable with Johnson's abilities, so why pursue another starting LT if that is the case?
More than likely he will get the call this year, especially if Goodell is as impressed with McKinney's off-field delinquency as us Viking fans.
What does a 6-8 340 pound LT have to prove to anybody out on the streets? Maybe that he can be rich, and dumber than a box of rocks simultaneously.

[Greg from Louisiana]

The fact that the Vikings did not address tackle in the draft leads to one conclusion, they like Chase. If people think his strength is as a pass blocker, it says he has very good feet which means he has good agility. If you can handle the Vikings cadre of pass rushers this year in practice, then you should be good to go in the NFL. I suspect we'll see him a lot in the preseason, if he looks good, McKinnie could be on real short leash.

[Vikes fan in WI]

I would like to see Chase get as many reps as possible, at least he seems more willing to work for advancing his career. Unlike Mckinnie working toward advancing his criminal carrer. Mckinnie is undependable against the pass, he was drafted for Tice's run first offense. Character wise he is again undependable, many people know that you can't depend upon a person who puts alcohol first. Should we as Viking fans be required to lower our morals to support a Viking who hits a bouncer who is doing his job with a metal pipe. Mckinnie was kicked out, got drunker then returned and was witnessed by police hitting the bouncer with a metal pipe.

[Dean]

After getting rid of his baby fat - he should be good to go!!:)

[Archangel - MN]

Hank wrote:

Johnson shure is huge and may have the physique, but the question is: does the have the mentality and tecnique to start in the NFL?

Well, they sure haven't been getting too far in the mentality department with McDickweed, that's for sure!- Sorry Gin. With all due respect, he's an over-paid turd who's biggest contribution is the length of time that it takes people to run around him. He's being paid to be more than just a fairly decent run-blocker. If he played QB with the ability he shows in position now, he'd be washing Jackson's socks.

[Debra - NY]

I feel Johnson should ready himself NOW for what might happen.
It could be the chance of a lifetime for him. Let's hope all goes well in Viking land. Us New York bleeding purple fans from 1968-9 season are almost bled dry!

LET'S PRODUCE WINNERS ON THE FIELD...CLASS ACTS, AND WINNER WANNABEES!
LET'S GO VIKINGS!

Debra/NY
Bleeding Purple in NY

[Jerry]

I look forward to the day the vikings finally cut that criminal thug McKinnie.
Why do the vikings keep bringing in criminals and evil people to the state?? They just aren't a good corporate citizen.

[Tybalt]

i say let him play. Mckinnie has been a disappointment, and may be a head case. Playing football in Wyoming is a character-builder. Let johnson play.

[Sometingwonginme pants]

fire mckinney. he sucks.

[Sometingwonginme pants]

remember the show, "The Weakest Link"... McKinney would've been kicked off an NFL modeled episode right after the opening scenes! Mr. McKinney ........(long pause for dramtic effect).... You ARE THE WEAKEST LINK!....Goodbye Bryant!

[Johnny Utah]

This is what you get when you draft players from the U. 8 out of every 10 are off-the field incidents waiting to happen. Give the thugs all that money and you expect them to behave? Especially when intoxicated at night/strip clubs... I'm surprised the rate of off-the field incidents isn't higher, alcohol+money+women+thugs= very bad mix. I say cut our losses and give the young meathead a shot. At the very least he should be able to blow ppl off the line in run support. What DE can stop 330 lbs coming at him?

[harbringer]

I hope this guy is more nimble than McKinnie

[Archangel - MN]

Sometingwonginmepants wrote:

remember the show, "The Weakest Link"... McKinney would've been kicked off an NFL modeled episode right after the opening scenes! Mr. McKinney ........(long pause for dramtic effect).... You ARE THE WEAKEST LINK!....Goodbye Bryant!

Maybe even "The Missing Link"???(Darwin was right)