Pretty Quietly, Vikings Slide Another Lineup Decision in Ahead of Week 7
Understandably, the attention has been on Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy. Less consequential but still fascinating is who will be snapping the ball for the Vikings.
Kevin O’Connell stepped in front of the media on Friday. While chatting, the head coach revealed that Blake Brandel — the five-in-one offensive lineman — would remain as the C1: “Yes. Yeah, excited about where [Brandel is] at. [Michael Jurgens] is one of those questionable guys.” So, a bit of a two-for-one update from Coach O’Connell. Brandel is starting, creating some excitement from O’Connell, while Jurgens is somewhat of a mystery.
Vikings Slide New C1 Update in Ahead of Week 7
Can’t help but admire Mr. Brandel.
The large lad was chosen late in the 2020 NFL Draft, getting scooped up at No. 203. The 6th-Round selection has since been tasked with doing a bit of everything. He has been on the practice squad and been on the active roster. He has played left tackle, left guard, right guard, and tight end. Last week, Brandel stepped in at center for the first time, a job he told me he could do in an interview for Vikings Territory.
In playing center, there’s an obvious skill that needs to be crisp: snapping the ball. Getting the pigskin to the quarterback with consistent accuracy is the sort of thing that only becomes missed once it’s gone.
But then there’s another component that may not be as obvious: the pre-snap mental workload.
Playing center means being someone who can decode what the defense is doing. Identify who the middle linebacker is, allowing the front five to adjust the blocking accordingly. Continue to decipher what the defense is showing in the moments leading into the snap, gleaning info and making an educated guess about how to best protect the passer or open a running lane.
The Vikings believe that the veteran can handle these responsibilities. In fact, Brandel himself is keen about doing the in-game analysis alongside the communication.
Brandel chatted with Darren Wolfson about the Week 5 start at center. “Speaking for the o-line,” Brandel explained, “it was an awesome challenge.” Later on, Brandel stated, “I just want to play,” a desire that leads him to being very welcoming of the chance to jump in wherever he’s needed.
Do note, though, that he did offer a quip that he’s hoping he won’t be needed at quarterback or running back.
Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 315 pounds, Blake Brandel is built more like an offensive tackle. But, as he explained to me, having that large frame can sometimes be an advantage along the inside. Part of the key is getting low enough to ensure defensive linemen can’t get underneath his pads, better allowing him to lean on his size advantage to wrestle with DTs along the interior.
Working on a three-year contract signed with the Vikings going into 2024, Brandel is carrying a $3,916,666 cap hit. The sturdy, steady play he offers across multiple positions along the front five is commendable, making the finances a bargain.
Supporting Mr. Brandel is a Vikings o-line that will see the left side restored since LT1 Christian Darrisaw will be playing beside LG1 Donovan Jackson. Meanwhile, RG1 Will Fries is ready to roll while RT1 Brian O’Neill enters the game questionable. If O’Neill can’t go, then Justin Skule jumps in.
Kickoff tomorrow is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT. Blake Brandel will be trying to help the Vikings climb to 4-2, doing so while seeking to corral Philadelphia’s Jordan Davis and (potentially) Jalen Carter, who is questionable.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
