Sporting Sota
Fansided

Minnesota Vikings: Observations from Team OTAs

By Paul Bellesen

Jul 27, 2015; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer speaks with general manager Rick Spielman at training camp at Minnesota State University. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2015; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer speaks with general manager Rick Spielman at training camp at Minnesota State University. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Oct 12, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan (65) rests during the game with the Detroit Lions at TCF Bank Stadium. The Lions win 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan (65) rests during the game with the Detroit Lions at TCF Bank Stadium. The Lions win 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

John Sullivan is in the Best Shape of His Life

John Sullivan is back at camp for the first time since having a season-ending injury last season. Multiple back injuries have detoured his play for multiple seasons. This year Sullivan has a plan to help himself stay healthy.

After spending his professional career playing around 325 pounds, Sullivan has cut his weight down to right around 300. He has cut out restaurants, and booze. He feels that if he can stay at a lower weight it will reduce strain on his back.

Sullivan has spent the spring in the weight room with new strength and condition coach Brett Salazar. He was replaced last season by Joe Berger, who Pro Football Focus ranked as the top run defender in the NFL. All though both players are on the wrong side of 30, if Sullivan can not come back strong, the Vikings coaching staff will have no problem reverting to Berger.

Earlier last week, Head Coach Mike Zimmer had some great things to say about Sullivan.

"Sullivan has actually looked really good. He has worked real hard in the weight room this offseason and he has kind of changed body composition and he’s moving real well. Get the pads on in training camp and we’ll let him fight it out."

It seems that Sullivan has worked really hard to get to the place he is and Zimmer is pleased with his progress. Hopefully, he can stay healthy this season and play at a high level again.

Next: Big Year from Bridgewater?

Home/Minnesota Vikings