The Vikings have 11 offensive starters. At best, Shaun Hill and/or Sam Bradford rank seventh in order of importance as the Vikings head into Sunday's season opener at Tennessee.
No. 1 would be a fella named Adrian Peterson. Remember him? Five-time All-Pro and three-time rushing champ on a run-oriented team whose identity starts with defense?
Nos. 2-6 would be, in no particular order, left tackle Matt Kalil, left guard Alex Boone, center Joe Berger, right guard Brandon Fusco and right tackle Andre Smith.
"I think all the pressure is on us," Boone said Monday. "We have total faith in Shaun. But given the circumstances, we know the pressure comes down on the line. So we have to kick [Tennessee's] butt in the run game and let Adrian do his thing."
Boone said "Shaun" even though no one has or will name Hill the starter for obvious competitive reasons. Reporters aren't allowed to watch practice. But you do the math.
The Vikings' tentative plan heading into the week was to start Hill. This shouldn't surprise anyone because, well, it's never a real good idea to start teaching a game plan to a quarterback who's only had hours to learn the offense.
But even if Bradford channels his inner Einstein and aces the offense faster than Rain Man counting spilled toothpicks, the Vikings' success, especially early on this season, will depend on the offensive line and Peterson controlling the game.
Coach Mike Zimmer's toes hadn't thawed from the Seattle playoff loss by the time he declared the offensive line as the No. 1 offseason rebuilding project. Boone was the team's prized free-agent signing, and Tony Sparano was hired to teach, preach and pound mental and physical toughness into a unit that Zimmer felt coasted under former line coach Jeff Davidson.