Sports

Offensive line remains the key for Vikings

September 2, 2015 at 1:15AM

A hand sanitizer machine is seen at the student recreation center at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, on Tuesday Aug, 25, 2009. Multiple confirmed cases of swine flu have been reported at the private university. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday that a massive school closing wouldn't stop the spread of the swine flu virus, saying vaccinations must be the defense against a menace that one report said could infect up to half of the population. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Advanced metrics will tell you Teddy Bridgewater had a fantastic rookie season when it comes to throwing under pressure ... and that it's a good thing he did because few quarterbacks were under duress as much as he was.

Regardless of Bridgewater's adeptness at handling heat, though, offensive line play remains the thing upon which I feel this Vikings season will hinge.

As offensive coordinator Norv Turner said Tuesday, "We have a long ways to go as an offensive football team, as an offensive line."

He's right. And the former will be dictated by the latter.

stingy Chris Brown has an interesting piece on TCU, the Gophers' Thursday opponent, and its unusual 4-2-5 defensive alignment. Read it at grantland.com.

stay melo Vice Sports launched a web video series called "Stay Melo," which is hosted by Knicks star Carmelo Anthony.

TARRYTOWN, NY -September 30: New York Knicks pose for a portrait during 2013 NBA Media Day at the MSG Training Facility on September 30, 2013 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 135479302 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)