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By Rick Alonzo ralonzo@pioneerpress.com Article Last Updated: 08/31/2008 12:25:45 AM CDT The Vikings cut their roster to the 53-man limit Saturday, and rookie left tackle Drew Radovich made the team, a move that bolsters the depth at the position in the wake of the Bryant McKinnie's four-game suspension. As expected, rookie quarterback John David Booty made the team ahead of Brooks Bollinger, who was released. Rookie linebacker Erin Henderson, the younger brother of E.J. Henderson, won a job. Receiver Martin Nance was a casualty of a numbers game as the Vikings kept just five receivers. Safety Michael Boulware, who emerged from the locker room Thursday at Dallas with his right forearm and wrist heavily wrapped, was placed on injured reserve. Here's a look at the roster: QUARTERBACK Who made the team: John David Booty, Gus Frerotte, Tarvaris Jackson The skinny: Jackson gives the Vikings the best chance to win, so they need him on the field. He should be ready to play in the opener despite his knee injury. Frerotte needs more time to learn the system before he's more ready to step in for Jackson, but he should be reliable. Booty's three preseason interceptions show he has a long way to go. He's not expected to play this season as he matures. Grade: C+ RUNNING BACK/ FULLBACK Who made the team: FB Jeff Dugan, RB Maurice Hicks, RB Adrian Peterson, RB Chester Taylor, FB Naufahu Tahi, FB Thomas Tapeh The skinny: The Vikings might have the best backfield in the NFL in Peterson and Taylor, Advertisement who are probably better than Jacksonville's duo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. Peterson led the NFC in rushing last season with 1,341 yards, though his average of 2.7 yards a carry in the final four games show there's room for improvement. Taylor remains a talented backup who could start for many teams. He has strong pass protection and receiving skills. Tapeh, who is from St. Paul, isn't as strong a blocker as the man he replaced, free-agent departure Tony Richardson, but he's an elite fullback in his own right. Grade: A RECEIVERS Who made the team: WR Aundrae Allison, WR Bernard Berrian, WR Robert Ferguson, TE Jim Kleinsasser, TE Garrett Mills, WR Sidney Rice, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, WR Bobby Wade The skinny: With Berrian and some emerging young receivers, the Vikings finally appear to have some options. Berrian is the deep threat the team has sorely needed, but his timing and chemistry with Jackson could take time to establish following injuries this preseason. Rice should be a force in the red zone, and Allison is a big-play threat with a chip on his shoulder. Wade returns to the slot, his comfort zone. Shiancoe will try to bounce back from a disappointing season, and Kleinsasser remains one of the best blocking tight ends in the league. Grade: B- OFFENSIVE LINE Who made the team: C Matt Birk, T Ryan Cook, G Steve Hutchinson, G Anthony Herrera, T/G Artis Hicks, T Marcus Johnson, T Bryant McKinnie, T Drew Radovich, C John Sullivan The skinny: With McKinnie, this is one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Without him, there are questions at the tackle positions. Pro Bowlers Birk at center and Hutchinson at left guard anchor the unit. Now the team must hope that Hicks plays well in place of McKinnie at left tackle and that Cook improves at right tackle. McKinnie's absence also is a hit to the line's overall depth, another concern. Radovich has had a history of injuries but has the talent to play when healthy. Grade: B- DEFENSIVE LINE Who made the team: DE Jared Allen, DE Ray Edwards, DT Fred Evans, DE Otis Grigsby, DT Letroy Guion, DE Brian Robison, DT Kevin Williams, DT Pat Williams, DT Ellis Wyms The skinny: This might be the best defensive line in team history. The "Williams Wall" plugs the middle and gave the team the No. 1 run defense in the NFL last season. With Allen on board, the Vikings feel they finally have the pass rusher they need to make life miserable for quarterbacks. Robison will be the third overall end on the depth chart, and Grigsby had an impressive preseason. Guion, a fifth-round draft pick, made the team because of his potential. Grade: A- LINEBACKER Who made the team: Vinny Ciurciu, Chad Greenway, David Herron, E.J. Henderson, Erin Henderson, Ben Leber The skinny: E.J. Henderson continues to improve since his breakout season in 2006 and could be named to his first Pro Bowl this season if he plays up to expectations. Greenway is faster and stronger now in his second season back from a knee injury. Leber will join Greenway on the outside, giving the Vikings an impressive front seven on defense. E.J.'s younger brother, Erin, secured a spot on the team with his instincts and speed. Grade: B DEFENSIVE BACK Who made the team: SS Husain Abdullah, FS Eric Frampton, CB Charles Gordon CB Cedric Griffin, FS/SS Tyrell Johnson, CB Marcus McCauley, CB Benny Sapp, SS Darren Sharper, FS Madieu Williams, CB Antoine Winfield The skinny: The loss of Williams for probably the first three games of the season because of a nerve injury in his neck means Johnson will play a much bigger role earlier than expected. Johnson is a strong all-around player who runs well and is a good tackler. With Sharper coaching him on the field, the Vikings hope Johnson doesn't face a big learning curve as a rookie. Griffin will remain a target this season by pass-happy opponents until he proves more dependable. Winfield remains a playmaker, able to play the pass or the run. Grade: C+ SPECIAL TEAMS Who made the team: P Chris Kluwe, LS Cullen Loeffler, K Ryan Longwell The skinny: The Vikings will have to find a way to make up for the loss of special-teams star Heath Farwell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason. Farwell played a huge role on all four phases of special teams. Longwell has not missed a field-goal attempt of less than 45 yards since joining the Vikings in 2006. Kluwe's 29 punts of 50 yards or more last season set a team record. Rookie Jaymar Johnson was released, which means Bobby Wade should be the punt returner. Maurice Hicks will return kicks, although others could see time there. Grade: B
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