John Sullivan

**singersp** · 05-31-2009, 07:15 AM

[size=13pt]Birk's replacement taking charge[/size]

Vikings center John Sullivan is working with the first-team offense at minicamp.

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: May 30, 2009 - 10:50 PM

**PurpleTide** · 05-31-2009, 07:58 AM

Hopefully quote's like : "He was out here last year when Birk was at home [during organized team activities]," Bevell said. "He jumped in and took charge. He's a confident guy. He's a smart guy. So we're getting good calls out of him and good communication." Will help calm some folks concerns around here. I know he's not a Ivy leage guy, but Notre Dame isn't a slouch either. Christy, Birk, and now Sullivan. Hopefully he can step in and become a solid player.

**Purple Floyd** · 05-31-2009, 08:54 AM

"He was out here last year when Birk was at home [during organized team activities]," Bevell said. "He jumped in and took charge.

LMAO.

You mean Birk not being here for OTA's last year might have ACCELERATED and not HINDERED the young players development? Stop the presses. lol

**marstc09** · 05-31-2009, 09:18 AM

"UffDaVikes" wrote:

"He was out here last year when Birk was at home [during organized team activities]," Bevell said. "He jumped in and took charge.

LMAO.

You mean Birk not being here for OTA's last year might have ACCELERATED and not HINDERED the young players development? Stop the presses. lol

That is really an interesting point. Some yutz on here hates that. I actually want Brett away so TJ and Sage get the snaps.

**Garland Greene** · 05-31-2009, 09:27 AM

My only concern is that it sounds like we have 2 UDFA rookies sitting behind him, and that Cook or Hererra are
not getting any looks at Center.
Something happens to Sullivan we could be in trouble

**VikingsTw** · 05-31-2009, 01:52 PM

"UffDaVikes" wrote:

"He was out here last year when Birk was at home [during organized team activities]," Bevell said. "He jumped in and took charge.

LMAO.

You mean Birk not being here for OTA's last year might have ACCELERATED and not HINDERED the young players development? Stop the presses. lol

Who said it hindered Sullivan's Development? I think for me personally I wanted to see Birk in camp because I was seeing a lack of production on the field. I didn't think the Oline was living up to potential, I felt they needed all the time together, and I knew Birk was a older guy but again it comes back to the production. All in all the way that worked out was very nice, Sullivan got some much needed experience and we got a look at the future prospect.

On the subject of Sullivan I've been really impressed, even the slight time he did get in preseason last year, he used good technique and utilized his body build to his advantage in terms of leverage. I can't wait to see the Oline, especailly if Loadholt does well enough to start. If Sullivan pans out it will be huge for our drafting as he was a 6th rounder. Sage said he thought Sullivan had been playing for 6 or 7 years, thats how impressed he was with his overall knowledge and running the system. I think it gave Sullivan a jump start running the Pro Offense he did at Purdue(EDIT: Notre Dame) under Charlie Wise, a close friend to Childress. He also started several games and what I think is impressive is the WonderLic score a 35 and his extreme competitiveness as displayed by 3 State Titles in High School Wrestling a very grueling tuff sport.

There really isn't much doubt in my mind that Sullivan is going to be a good player for us, I think he has "it" and thats what you want to do in the 6th Round. Sullivan has short arms and had the weakest bench press at the combine(among Oline), as "physical attributes" they decreased his overall value, what I think is specail about Sullivan is his mental talent, capable of overcoming, getting stronger and using good technique. On a positive he did test higher is the "explosive" drills, like short shuttles and verticle leaping.

**Purple Floyd** · 05-31-2009, 01:56 PM

"VikingsTw" wrote:

Who said it hindered Sullivan's Development?

Somebody else.

**VikingsTw** · 05-31-2009, 01:57 PM

Must have missed that one, probably would have addressed such a comical statement.

**Braddock** · 05-31-2009, 02:25 PM

TW, he went to Notre Dame, not Purdue. I don't mean to give you a hard time, but if Sully has a rough start and you get into a debate defending him, it'll be good to know that. Just looking out for you.