Pro Football Weekly and Riddell present ...
2002 NFL draft
McKinnie to replace Stringer
Former OL coach builds team around hogs
By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor of special projects
April 20, 2002
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| No one knows the importance of an offensive lineman more than Vikings new
head coach Mike Tice, who coached the Vikings’ line for five seasons before becoming
head coach this past offseason. Tice was devastated by the sudden death of OT Korey
Stringer last preseason and did not waste any time finding his replacement. While Stringer
will never be replaced in the heart of Tice, he found a very special talent in Miami OT
Bryant McKinnie. McKinnie has never given up a sack at any level, not even in practice,
since he first put on a helmet his junior year of high school. Having begun playing the
game so late in his career, he has a huge upside, much room for improvement and should
develop into one of the best tackles in the league with Tice’s instruction. There may
not be a better place to develop as an offensive lineman than in Minnesota, where Tice
guided five different players to ten Pro Bowl appearances in five seasons.
There had been some talk of Tice moving Pro Bowl center Matt Birk to left tackle,
hoping he can continue his dominating performance at the toughest and most important
position on the line. If anyone has to be happy about the Vikings’ first selection,
it is Birk, who likely will not have to learn a new position.
The loss of OTs Todd Steussie and Korey Stringer last year devastated the Vikings’
running game and often forced the team to pass. By adding McKinnie, the Vikings instantly
improved their line. He should start immediately, widen the running lanes for RB Michael
Bennett and make it easier for QB Daunte Culpepper to sleep at night, knowing his
blindside is well-protected.
The question now is, how long can McKinnie keep his record of not giving up a sack
intact? You can bet NFL defensive linemen will be chomping at the bit to educate the
rookie offensive lineman on the hard lessons learned in the trenches of the NFL. |
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