As the Vikings approach their third preseason game, and likely give their starters their largest workload of the exhibition schedule, the battle for their starting center spot continues between Nick Easton and rookie Pat Elflein. Coach Mike Zimmer sounded on Friday, though, like he expected the competition to reach its conclusion soon.
"[General Manager] Rick [Spielman] and I spent about an hour this morning, evaluating each guy there, going through all their tapes from the preseason practice and things like that," Zimmer said.
Asked if he thought the position would be finalized after Sunday's game against the 49ers, Zimmer said, "I hope so. I think I know how it's going to go, but things change — injuries, or maybe a guy plays the way you expect him to play, or maybe a guy plays better."
The Vikings started Easton at center in their first preseason game and Elflein in their second, with Easton starting at left guard last Friday against the Seahawks while Alex Boone did not play. Easton started the final five games of last season at center, while Joe Berger moved to guard.
Both Easton and Elflein worked with the Vikings' first-team offense Friday, trading snaps at center as they have through much of training camp and the preseason.
Marshall's wait goes on
Former defensive end Jim Marshall will have to wait at least another year to see if he can reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a senior selection.
The Hall of Fame's senior committee selected former Houston Oilers linebacker Robert Brazile and Green Bay Packers guard Jerry Kramer as its two senior finalists. The careers of both players will be discussed during Super Bowl weekend in Minneapolis in February, when Hall of Fame selectors meet to vote on the Class of 2018.
Marshall ranks second in team annals in sacks with 127, trailing only Carl Eller with 130. He also recovered 29 fumbles in his career. In a career that began in Cleveland and included 19 seasons with the Vikings, Marshall played 282 consecutive games.
