Pat Elflein returns from IR. What does it mean for Monday? Beyond?
Pat Elflein returns from IR. What does it mean for Monday? Beyond?
One of the biggest positive surprises from the 2020 Minnesota Vikings season has been the emergence of second-round pick Ezra Cleveland at the right guard position. Since the retirement of Joe Berger, the Vikings have been looking for an answer at the right guard position with disasters like Mike Remmers nearly single-handedly destroying the hopes and dreams of every Vikings fan.
Cleveland’s play has been a revelation at the position, something that may have stopped him from eventually moving to his natural position (or at least, college position) of left tackle. The improved play of Vikings left tackle Riley Reiff doesn’t hurt, which leaves just one position left on the line that needs an upgrade… Left guard.
One might say that the team should move Cleveland to left guard as he is naturally a left tackle, however his play at right guard might mean that Pat Elflein, who was upgraded from the IR today, might return to the position he held down in 2019. Sure, he was an unmitigated disaster there, which was the impetus for his move to his “natural position” of right guard, but perhaps he’ll be able to play better than Dakota Dozier and with the improved play of Reiff and second-year center Garrett Bradbury, create … Dare I say it? A good offensive line?
For now, Elflein is going to be day-to-day or week-to-week, but if it were up to me I’d move Cleveland over to left guard and then stick Elflein at the position he thrived at during his time at Ohio State, right guard.
That’s something to get excited about and if it works out, could help this Vikings team make a step in the right direction and perhaps make more than just a playoff run in 2020 and beyond.
