Fonoti to start at left guardLast Update: 11/17/2005 5:09:21 PMAnthony MaggioKFAN dot comMike Tice has apparently seen enough.In recent weeks Tice has criticized the play of left guard Chris Liwienski, but he?ll have no reason to next week. Not only will Liwienski not start on Monday night against Green Bay, but he will not even suit up as Toniu Fonoti will see his first action in a Vikings uniform as the starting left guard.?Does (Fonoti) know the offense? No,? Tice said. ?But what is the difference right now based on what I?m seeing on tape? We might as well throw him in there and see how it goes.?Whether Liwienski?s play, Tice?s knee, which he claimed was causing him more pain on Thursday, or some other reason, Tice was running low on patience Thursday afternoon ? with players and media members alike.As a result, Anthony Herrera will suit up after being inactive the last five weeks. Herrera could end up seeing as much or more action than Fonoti, as Fonoti came to the Vikings weighing more than 400 pounds and still is not in game condition. Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Steve Loney said he wasn?t sure if Fonoti could play an entire game.In other words, an out of shape left guard who doesn?t know the offense yet will start for Minnesota against Green Bay.?I?m not going to continue down the same road we?ve continued down,? Tice said.Liwienski started every game so far this season. Dating back to 2001, Liwienski has started the last 75 Vikings games, playoffs included, on the offensive line. But that?s not enough for Tice to give Liwienski the benefit of the doubt.?He is not having a good year,? Tice said. ?So I have to make something happen. We have talked many, many times about the offensive line and most of the tweaks you make are just tweaks. You are not going to replace guys when they are not playing well. You work to stay on this block longer and do this longer. Obviously if it got to the point where I?m making this move I?m concerned.?Loney said he was not trying to make excuses for the veteran out of Indiana, but believes Liwienski never completely healed from the sprained a/c joint in his left shoulder he suffered during training camp.Loney added he believes Liwienski is just physically worn down.?When you?re not feeling well then things kind of snowball on you a little bit,? Loney said. ?There?s a guy that?s done everything ever asked of him and has played very well here. He?s disappointed, but also a team guy and understands if it?s best for the team right now he?ll do that.?Liwienski and Fonoti declined to comment on the switch.Fonoti started two games for San Diego at left guard before breaking his right hand and having surgery. Minnesota traded a sixth-round draft pick for Fonoti on Oct. 18 and he has been inactive the last four weeks as his hand heels and he gets back into game shape.Fonoti started every game at left guard for the Chargers last season and was named a first-team All-Pro by SportsIllustrated.com. He will play with a splint on his right hand as it continues to heal from the surgery.?I think it will help us, he?s a big guy, big wide body, athletic guy,? running back Michael Bennett said. ?He?s been itching to get in and get some work done. We?re all excited to have him.?Who will start at center is the only question mark on the offensive line heading into Monday?s game, as Melvin Fowler was replaced for health/performance issues during the second half against New York. Fowler is battling a torso injury but is listed as probable on the injury report. Tice said Fowler and Cory Withrow will split time in practice this week. Withrow started the first four games of the season before Fowler took over the role.While the situation at center does not seem as tenuous as the one at left guard, Tice remained just as irritated when talking about the center topic, and all topics for that matter, on Thursday.?We?ll see how Melvin progresses throughout the course of the week,? Tice said. ?If he is too sore to move around with any type of athleticism, then we?ll start Withrow. Don?t bother asking me all week what I?m going to do because you will find out on game day.?
About time, I'm sure our passing game and running game will REALLY open up this game against Green Bay. And maybe get an actual OFFENSIVE score..But im not guaranteeing anything, dont want to jinx them
Fonoti's career has been ruined so far because he's so fat, he came to the Vikings at 400 pounds and is now 375ish. He's still above average but if he can get to 335 maybe he can be a very good lineman.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lambeau @ Nov 25 2005, 12:37 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Fonoti's career has been ruined so far because he's so fat, he came to the Vikings at 400 pounds and is now 375ish. He's still above average but if he can get to 335 maybe he can be a very good lineman.</div> Ted Washington is 400 pounds, and look at what a run-stuffer he is.
False statement. Leonard Davis (LT, Arizona Cardinals) is the biggest player in the league at 385 lbs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ramsfan39 @ Nov 25 2005, 04:38 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>False statement. Leonard Davis (LT, Arizona Cardinals) is the biggest player in the league at 385 lbs.</div> Well when he was w/ the Bears he was 400 pounds. And his chubby buddy Keith Traylor was 350 pounds. 750 pounds right up the middle.
