offensive line

The same five starters and the same position coach (Jeff Davidson) return for a third consecutive season. That kind of continuity can be advantageous, but even these six men admit they took a collective step backward last season. Perhaps a popular new coaching wrinkle introduced by first-year head coach Mike Zimmer will help redirect the line toward its full potential.

"Zimmer has that horn that goes off after five seconds," tackle Matt Kalil said. "Last year, we didn't do as good a job finishing our blocks as we did the previous year. Like Zimmer said, 'With [Adrian Peterson] back there, we're one block away from a big play.' Having that five-second horn to pound that into our brains is definitely going to make a difference."

Worth considering

5 The same five players starting on the line are center John Sullivan, guards Charlie Johnson and Brandon Fusco, and tackles Phil Loadholt and Matt Kalil.