Two quick things to start: my apologies for not having as much content this week; it has been extraordinarily busy, and sorry to Andrew – I don’t mean to bump your posts down.

Kevin Williams about to rock a face off

The Bucs game? Let’s just move on, shall we? Seems like the right thing to do. We have the Jaguars in a few days, and the Vikings must keep pace in the NFC North if we want to make it to the playoffs; only one NFC North team will be represented in the tournament this year.

There were also a few newsworthy notes this week that I’m sure you’ve already heard. The first being tough-as-nails Jared Allen was not suspended for his hit on Aaron Rodgers this week, but he was fined $25,000 dollars. I’m glad he wasn’t suspended, but what good does fining him do? If I recall, he was flagged on the play, and it was a crucial third down with Green Bay deep in their own territory and he didn’t do anything like it the rest of the game, so it’s not like it didn’t cost him and the team. Oh well. He’s still playing.

I’ve heard people complaining that it was less of a monetary discipline than his Matt Schaub hits. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t he get fined $50,000 for two hits on the Texans’ QB? If that’s the case, then the fine was equal with the other ones. Regardless, the destroyer wearing 69 will be around this week.

Pat Williams - The Man. The Myth. The Legend.

Can the same be said for the Williams Bros.? I hope so, but I take that the hearings went long this week as a positive sign. If they were in and out, that implies open and shut to me. With all the shenanigans surrounding the banned substance and the NFL approving it years ago and all that snaz, there has to be a little hope. Do I think they will be suspended? Most likely. Do I think there’s a really small chance they might not be? For better or worse, I do.

The final thing I want to bring to your attention is some movement on the Offensive Line. The perrenial false starting Ryan Cook has been benched in favor of the Bryant McKinnie fill-in Artis Hicks. While I believe Ryan Cook was doing much better this year, he still is not quite good enough to be a starting tackle in the NFL at this point. He always seems to jump offsides, get a penalty, or whiff a block in the worst times possible. Last week, I believe he accounted for a false start penalty late in the game when we desperately needed to move the ball and then completely missed his block on a pass play to allow Gus to get smashed on our final drive. I understand that everyone is going to give up some sacks, but you have to at least hope it’s a coverage sack or give the QB a second or two to feel the pressure and at least try and get rid of the ball.

Artis Hicks, on the other hand, did a very good job filling in for Bryant McKinnie while he was serving his four game suspension. I’m very happy with the move for the rest of the year. Don’t get me wrong; in the NFL, left and right tackle positions are completely different in terms of offensive line play. Left tackles are concerned primarily with pass blocking the defenses best pass rusher and right tackles are more geared toward run blocking against the end who’s main job is to disrupt the run. I think, despite the difference, there is now an even better line at the Vikings’ disposal.

Hicks faced some of the toughest pass rushers in the league the first four weeks. During the Green Bay game, he had to go up against KGB (who admittedly had an off year and was subsequently cut) and Aaron Kampman. Kampman had one sack, and he plays primarily the left defensive end which normally lines up against the right tackle (Cook at the time). Not a bad outing for him.

Artis Hicks - Vikings new starting RT

The next week he had the Colts’ Dwight Freeney, one of the best all around ends in the league. Freeney had one sack. For his first two games starting at left tackle, he allowed only one sack from the main end on his side, and Freeney is an extremely good player.

Week three he faced Julius Peppers of the Panthers. The result? One sack for him. See a trend here? Three starts, two sacks. First time starting left tackle. I’d be really happy with those results.

His final game against the Titans had Jevon Kearse. How many sacks? Zero. Nadda. Zip. Zilch. Vanden Bosch had a half a sack, but he’s the left end, and thus Cook’s man.

So, is Artis Hicks the answer at right tackle? Probably not. But he’s much more disciplined and he’s certainly able to handle the responsibility.

Skol Vikings! Woot Woot! Skin those Jaguars!