Tag: Oli Udoh

Oli Udoh and Vederian Lowe switch starting spots

The Vikings swapped their starting tackles in an interesting strategy

At the beginning of the Minnesota Vikings preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals, the starting tackles switched spots, as Vederian Lowe started at right tackle and Oli Udoh started at left tackle.

This is an interesting development that can be taken multiple different ways. You want your backup tackles to be able to play on both sides, so giving them reps at both is a good idea.

The other angle here is trying to find a fix for Udoh’s inconsistencies on the right side. He has struggled quite a bit on the right and moving him back to his natural position on the left side could help eliminate that.

So far, it’s working, as the Vikings drove 75 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown.

State of the offensive tackle room: The Real Forno Show

The Minnesota Vikings have one of the best offensive tackle rooms in the National Football League and we discuss on The Real Forno Show.

The Minnesota Vikings have struggled on the offensive line for the last decade. Going into the 2023 season, the offensive tackle group is one of the best in the National Football League.

Even with the top end talent, there are still some question marks with this group.

  • Can Christian Darrisaw improve on his excellent 2022 season?
  • How will Brian O’Neill rebound from his partially torn Achilles tendon suffered in week 17?
  • Will Blake Brandel and Oli Udoh improve on their 2022 performance?
  • Can Vederian Lowe show enough improvement to make the roster?
  • Jacky Chen and Sam Schlueter are trying to make the roster. Can they make the roster?

All of that and more on the latest episode of The Real Forno Show, airing Monday and Wednesday nights at 6 pm central on the Vikings 1st & SKOL YouTube channel.

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Vikings state of the roster: Offensive tackle

Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill have elevated the Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle group to one of the best in the NFL.

The 2023 season is inching closer and closer by the day and we here at Vikings Wire are previewing the season from every angle.

We are currently writing player profiles on each Minnesota Viking on the roster with projections for what their 2023 season could look like. How things look projecting forward is where the real intrigue lies.

Leading up to training camp, we will be looking at each position from a more in-depth perspective. Today, we will be looking at the offensive tackle position.

Vikings 90-man roster player profile: OL Oli Udoh

After signing with the Vikings under a veteran exemption contract, how does Oli Udoh factor in for the 2023 Vikings?

Welcome to the beginning of our 2023 season preview content!

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at each player on the roster in-depth with backgrounds and how they currently project forward on the Minnesota Vikings roster.

What is the best-case scenario? What is the worst-case scenario? What should we expect from them during the preseason and beyond? We will break all of that down here.

As a staff, all of us at Vikings Wire ranked the entire 90-man roster 1-90 and will be releasing player profiles in reverse order.

74 days until Vikings season opener: Every player to wear No. 74

We take a look at everyone to wear the No. 74 for the Vikings as we countdown towards the start of the regular season.

It’s the final countdown…

Well, sort of.

The Minnesota Vikings will kick off their 2023 regular season in 74 days at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 10.

From now until then, we will take a trip down memory lane and count each day by revisiting the players that have worn that specific jersey number.

Backup offensive tackle Oli Udoh currently wears the No. 74 for the Vikings, but the number will be fondly remembered for offensive tackle Bryan McKinnie, who played close to a decade with it.

With 74 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 74 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):

Vikings lineman cited for going 42 mph over speed limit

The Vikings offensive lineman was cited for three moving violations in May, including going 42 mph over the speed limit.

According to Minneapolis’ ABC affiliate KSTP, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh was caught going 97 mph in a 55 mph zone on May 4 while also being cited two other times for moving violations during the month.

According to the report, Udoh was cited twice for speeding. In the other incident, he was going 64 mph in a 55 mph zone. He also was cited for reckless driving on May 6 in St. Paul, just two days after getting caught driving 97 mph.

According to the report from KSTP, they have reached out to the Vikings and are awaiting comment. Not a great look for Udoh.

Vikings use unusual contract exemption for OL Olisaemeka Udoh

The Minnesota Vikings have used a unique contract exemption to keep offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh.

The Minnesota Vikings are leaving no stone unturned to stay under the salary cap. With the re-signing of offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh to a one-year deal, they are employing a rarely used exemption that will lower his cap number for 2023.

This type of deal, known as four-year qualifying contract, is a way to reward teams for developing players. To be eligible, a player must have been on a 90-man roster with a single team for four or more years. It is essentially a qualifying offer like those used with restricted free agents or exclusive rights free agents.

The contract allows the Vikings to pay Udoh a base salary of $2.43 million with only $1.08 million counting against the salary cap. Add in his signing bonus and Udoh will count only $1,232,500 this season against the cap.

Udoh’s situation is very similar to what the Vikings did with offensive tackle Rashod Hill for a couple of years. Udoh is a versatile player who can do a lot for the Vikings, which is what they need from their sixth offensive lineman.

Grading the Vikings free agency moves after the first week

The Minnesota Vikings have made multiple signings since the beginning of free agency. @TheRealForno graded each signing the Vikings made.

We are eight days into the free agency period and the Minnesota Vikings have been plenty busy in both acquiring and retaining talent.

Despite entering the offseason nearly $24 million over the salary cap, the Vikings made multiple moves by releasing stalwart players like Adam Thielen and Eric Kendricks. The corresponding moves that they made will help determine where the Vikings go moving forward.

After the first eight days, the Vikings have made multiple moves. Here is how I have graded each of those moves.

Minnesota Vikings agree to terms with OL Olisaemeka Udoh

The Minnesota #Vikings announced they agreed to terms with Olisaemeka Udoh on a new deal on Saturday

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh will be returning to the team for the 2023 NFL season. Udoh was a sixth-round draft pick for the Vikings in 2019 and has been a solid depth piece for the team.

While the starting positions on the offensive line are already solidified, Udoh’s return is a testament to Minnesota’s commitment to developing young talent. With his massive six-foot-six frame and excellent footwork, Udoh is a great depth piece for the Vikings’ offensive line.

By giving players like Udoh the opportunity to grow and improve, the team is building a strong foundation for future success.

Overall, the return of Udoh is a solid move for Minnesota. The move also signals a commitment by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to undertake a competitive rebuild as he continues to address depth pieces and starters in free agency

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Oli Udoh has played well at right tackle

In limited reps, Udoh has performed well at right tackle

Going into the Wild Card matchup against the New York Giants, the Minnesota Vikings will have to start a backup at right tackle for Brian O’Neill.

Leading into Sunday, Oli Udoh was expected to be that guy. It will likely be Blake Brandel, who the Vikings activated from injured reserve on Saturday afternoon. Even so, don’t be surprised if head coach Kevin O’Connell decides to rotates them out.

If Udoh does get extensive play, there is reason to believe he can play well on the outside.

In limited reps, Udoh has only allowed four total pressures on 154 pass-blocking snaps. That is an efficiency rate of 97.4%

It’s never an ideal scenario to have your backup tackle start a playoff game, but the Vikings will be in good hands with Udoh.