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Viking notes: Whittle, Rosenthal start on offensive line
- Updated: November 26, 2006 - 9:13 PM
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The Vikings had two new starters along the offensive line in Sunday's 31-26 victory over Arizona. To be more precise, they had 2½ new starters.
As expected, veteran Jason Whittle replaced right guard Artis Hicks (ankle). But when right tackle Marcus Johnson's ankle proved to be gimpy in pregame warmups, the Vikings replaced him with a rotation of veteran Mike Rosenthal and rookie Ryan Cook.
Rosenthal started both the first and second halves, and Cook played four of the Vikings' 11 series in his NFL debut. "It's time for [Cook] to get up there and take a swing," coach Brad Childress said.
Cook, whom the Vikings drafted with the second-round pick they acquired for quarterback Daunte Culpepper, had been inactive for the first 10 games. He played center for four seasons at New Mexico, but the Vikings converted him to right tackle in training camp.
"Overall, I think it was pretty good," Cook said. "A really good learning experience for me."
It was unclear whether Hicks or Johnson will be healthy enough to play against Chicago this Sunday. And after the Vikings accumulated a season-high 412 yards and 30 first downs with their new lineup, Childress might not be inclined to make any more changes.
A backup again
Receiver Troy Williamson played a reserve role for the second consecutive game, in essence playing the role of the No. 5 receiver. He had one pass thrown his way, a deep ball down the left sideline in the second quarter that went through his hands.
Afterward Childress said he wants to see how Williamson reacts to being benched.
"You have to have confidence that the guy is going to do the right thing in practice," Childress said, "catch the ball in practice and continue to compete. One of the prime things is that you don't fold up. You're not happy that you're not playing. You want to get out there on the football field. That's what I expect to see from him."
Asked what his sense of Williamson's reaction has been, Childress became terse.
"I'm not real touchy-feely with it," he said. "I don't really have a strong sense. But it is what it is."
Asked what "it" is, Childress said: "What you saw."
Dugan scores
Vikings fullback/tight end/honorary offensive lineman Jeff Dugan caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Brad Johnson in the fourth quarter and continued to distinguish himself while replacing injured Tony Richardson.
Dugan said he considers himself an offensive lineman more than a skill position player. So, after he scored, did he think about doing a victory dance?
"Oh, no," he said. "When you know the people I know, you wouldn't want to do anything like that."
The scoring play covered 3 yards and, no, Dugan wasn't the first option.
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vikings schedule
| Date/Opponent | Time | W | L | Score | |
| 2011 preseason | |||||
| Aug 13 @ Tennessee | L | 14-3 | |||
| Aug 20 at Seattle | W | 20-7 | |||
| Aug 27 vs. Dallas | L | 23-17 | |||
| Sep 1 vs. Houston | W | 28-0 | |||
| 2011 regular season | |||||
| Sep 11 at San Diego | L | 24-17 | |||
| Sep 18 vs. Tampa Bay | L | 24-20 | |||
| Sep 25 vs. Detroit | L | 26-23 OT | |||
| Oct. 2 at Kansas City | L | 22-17 | |||
| Oct 9 vs. Arizona | W | 34-10 | |||
| Oct 16 - at Chicago | L | 39-10 | |||
| Oct 23 vs. Green Bay | L | 33-27 | |||
| Oct 30 at Carolina | W | 24-21 | |||
| Nov. 14 at Green Bay | L | 45-7 | |||
| Nov 20 vs. Oakland | L | 27-21 | |||
| Nov 27 at Atlanta | L | 24-14 | |||
| Dec 4 vs. Denver | L | 35-32 | |||
| Dec 11 at Detroit | L | 34-28 | |||
| Dec 18 vs. New Orleans | L | 42-20 | |||
| Dec 24 at Washington | W | 33-26 | |||
| Jan 1 vs. Chicago | L | 17-13 | |||
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