No disguising cracks in Vikings' optimism 
The bloom is off the rose at Winter Park without a hint of frost in the air. Just as Teddy Bridgewater could safely drop anchor in the pocket with an overly rested and snarling Adrian Peterson rattling the starting gate, the Vikings' revamped offensive line has evaporated faster than a teardrop in the desert.
Let all the preseason hype about the Vikings breaking out in 2015 marinate in the unsavory fact that entering Monday night's season opener at San Francisco, embattled left tackle Matt Kalil is the only player returning to his position from Week 1 last year.
Gulp. No matter how many next-man-up mantras players give, or one-on-one drills coach Mike Zimmer pounds into his linemen, there is no disguising the expanding fissure in Minnesota's foundation.
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Iron man John Sullivan, their most experienced center -- the alpha male of the group responsible for calling out blocking assignments -- is out for at least half the season following back surgery. Thursday's chilling announcement was the latest blow to an evolving unit already under immense pressure to rebound from an awful 2014.
Right tackle Phil Loadholt was lost for the season after tearing his left Achilles' tendon in the second preseason game. His placeholder is rookie T.J. Clemmings.
New left guard Brandon Fusco was plugged inside of Kalil to bolster Bridgewater's blind side. Protection has been solid during the preseason, but the limited sample size leaves open-ended scrutiny of that experiment and Kalil's viability.
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The center of attention becomes veteran Joe Berger, a likeable bloke who has carved out an 11-year niche swinging across the offensive lines of four NFL teams.
"To get put in this role, I'm embracing it," said Berger, 33, who started the final three preseason games at center after Sullivan was sidelined Aug. 18. "I'm looking forward to it for however long it lasts."
Berger's everlasting career is a wonder even to the 2005 sixth-round draft pick out of Michigan Tech.
He already was interviewing for mechanical engineering jobs before the NFL scouting combine, uncertain about a pro life that started in Carolina, migrated to Dallas and included two stints with the Dolphins before Minnesota signed him in 2011.
A native of rural Newaygo, Mich. (population: 1,976), Berger has played 103 games, including all 16 last season for the Vikings.
The classic swingman has started 21 games at center, 14 at right guard and three at left guard. He started all three positions his first season in Minnesota and at left guard and right guard in back-to-back weeks in 2013.
According to the Vikings' media guide, Berger has committed only one holding penalty in 10 seasons; Loadholt has been known to rack up a dozen before Sunday breakfast.
"That's why we've had him here," Kalil said of Berger. "He's going to get the job done. He's a big, tough, physical player with years of experience. He's a good replacement for Sully, so I'm not too worried about it."
Added Fusco: "We have all the confidence in Joe. We're going to roll with him."
Closing ranks in the locker room was to be expected, but pardon the skepticism from those outside the purple bubble.
Last season the Vikings gave up 51 sacks. Only four teams allowed more. They also yielded 84 hits on the quarterback. In just 12 starts, Bridgewater was dropped 39 times, seventh-most in the NFL.
Vegas lines have been established whether Bridgewater continues developing in the huddle or the whirlpool.
"This year we're taking pride in that number," Fusco said. "We want to be top-five fewest sacks in the league. We take that to heart. We want to protect Teddy, give Adrian the ball and open up holes for him."
Injuries and underperformance have ravaged what once was Minnesota's most dependable unit. Starting offensive linemen played 159 of 160 games in 2012 and '13. But in just the past year, Sullivan (back), Fusco (pectoral), Loadholt (pectoral, Achilles) and Kalil (knee) all have had surgery.
With Sullivan and Loadholt sidelined, Minnesota's reserves are down to undrafted free agents Zac Kerin at center and tackle Jeremiah Sirles, plus rookie guard Austin Shepherd, a seventh-round draft pick.
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
The Vikings valued Berger's versatility so much last offseason they prioritized re-signing him to a two-year contract extension.
Berger said Tuesday he
"loves Minnesota." Vikings fans are going to learn to love or lament him right quick.
"You sit back and think about it, it's amazing how things have laid out for a career to last 11 years," he said. "I'm thankful. I feel blessed. I know it's not a path I could have ever seen." Get in line, Joe.
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