NFL cutdown day has arrived, and the Vikings released 13 players on Monday.
The victims are as follows:
- WR: LaMark Brown
- WR: Erik Highsmith
- OG: Tyler Holmes
- DE: Lawrence Jackson
- DE: Marquis Jackson
- LB: Stanford Keglar
- DB: Greg McCoy
- RB: Bradley Randle
- WR: Chris Summers
- QB: James Vandenberg
- C: Camden Wentz
- RB: Jerodis Williams
- DB: Roderick Williams
The biggest name on the list is Lawrence Jackson, who has 19.5 sacks in his five-year career. He spent the last three seasons in Detroit. He was a first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2008.
This morning, the Vikings also announced that wide receiver Greg Childs has been put on the reserve physically unable to perform list. Childs, who has had two knee surgeries, will miss the first six games of the season.
So now that the list is down to 75, even tougher will be the cut to 53 men come Aug. 31, the maximum personnel allowed by the NFL heading into the regular season.
Speculation is abound, including from KFAN-FM 100.3’s AJ Mansour, who has his 53-man squad laid out here.
We like to speculate on occasion, too. Here’s a few heads that may be preparing to roll:
On the bubble: WR/QB Joe Webb.
A return to quarterback has not been ruled out by offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave when it comes to the man that started under center in the Vikings last playoff game in Lambeau.
Add to that his ability to go up and get the ball in the red zone, as he exhibited Sunday night on the west coast (thanks NFL.com), and his versatility could keep him around.
WR Stephen Burton:
Here’s the man that might get Webb booted out the door. Burton is in direct competition with Webb for a receiver slot, and it’s hard to say if last night helped or hurt Burton’s chances of making the roster.
One on hand, he pulled up on a slant route that led to QB Christian Ponder’s only interception Sunday nigth. On the other hand, he led the team in receiving (granted, that was only 31 yards). Mansour has both making the roster.
CB Marcus Sherels:
The former Gopher and Rochester native is in a tight battle for the punt return position. Sherels hasn’t been flashy on returns, but has been consistent with the Vikings, something that may not be enough to get him by any more.
CB Bobby Felder:
He’s come on as of late, giving the purple an explosive threat on punt returns rather than the serviceable Sherels. Felder spent a year on the practice squad, and some think that it’s right place, right time for the Nichols State alum.
Locks:
Linebacker Desmond Bishop after his impressive nine-tackle performance Sunday night.
Linebacker Audie Cole appears to have beaten out Michael Mauti after Mauti only got late game reps against the 49ers.
