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John Sullivan | Center

Team: Minnesota Vikings
Age / DOB:  (27) / 8/8/1985
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 301
College: Notre Dame
Contract: view contract details
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Vikings C John Sullivan underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee last week.
According to beat writer Tom Pelissero, Sullivan's surgery was "relatively minor" compared to normal microfractures, and there's "no doubts" he'll be ready for the regular season. Sullivan is tentatively expected to require 3-4 months of rehab. Players are often never the same after microfracture surgery, while setbacks are common. It doesn't appear the concern level is very high with Sullivan, however. Entering season three of a six-year, $25.6 million contract, Sullivan was Pro Football Focus' top rated center in 2012. He was a beast of a run blocker as Adrian Peterson came within yards of the single-season record. Feb 6 - 2:00 PM
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities

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Date:
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings signed C John Sullivan to a five-year, $25 million contract extension.

ESPN 1500 Twin Cities' Tom Pelissero reports the deal includes $10 million guaranteed. It's an impressive haul for a player who mostly struggled during his first three years in the league before turning the corner this season. Sullivan has graded out as Pro Football Focus' second best center through the season's first 14 weeks.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Sat, Dec 17, 2011 03:15:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

The Vikings have reportedly approached neither C John Sullivan nor OLB Erin Henderson about a contract extension.

Both can hit free agency in 2012. Pushed around in his first two seasons as a starter, Sullivan has surprisingly graded out as Pro Football Focus' third-best center this year. Henderson has excelled in run defense as a first-year starter. Still in their mid-twenties, both players would seem to be candidates for long-term deals.
Related: Erin Henderson
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Fri, Nov 25, 2011 06:51:00 AM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings C John Sullivan left Sunday's game with a concussion and did not return.

He will undergo NFL-mandated testing to determine his status for Week 7, and backup Joe Berger has replaced him tonight. RT Phil Loadholt (knee) has also left the game and is questionable to return. Pat Brown has replaced Loadholt, as the Vikings' line is crumbling amidst a 33-10 route midway through the third quarter.
Related: Phil Loadholt, Joe Berger, Patrick Brown
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 10:38:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings C John Sullivan is expected to face competition for his starting job in training camp.

The Vikes see something in Sullivan, but he's shown a severe lack of power at center. Sullivan has graded out as one of the least effective starters in the league in each of the past two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Fri, Apr 22, 2011 12:31:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings C John Sullivan doesn't think the aggravation of his calf injury is as serious as when he first suffered the malady.

Sullivan aggravated the injury on the Vikings' first offensive series and sat out the remainder of the game. The initial injury cost him two games, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to play in Week 11. Jon Cooper will play if Sullivan isn't ready and isn't a noticeable downgrade.
Related: Jon Cooper
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Mon, Nov 15, 2010 12:12:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings C John Sullivan left Sunday's game against the Bears in the first quarter with an apparent leg injury.

Sullivan has been dealing with calf issues all season. Jon Cooper is coming in.
Related: Jon Cooper
Sun, Nov 14, 2010 01:20:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings coach Brad Childress said Vikings C John Sullivan (calf) will likely return to the starting lineup Sunday after missing the last two games.

Chilly did add that Jon Cooper, who started the last two games, could play a series or two depending on Sullivan's stamina. Sullivan isn't much of an upgrade over his backup.
Related: Jon Cooper
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Sat, Oct 23, 2010 01:51:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings C John Sullivan (calf) was unable to practice Monday.

It's not the same calf that he had problems with during the preseason, but his status for Week 5 is seriously in question. It wouldn't be much of a loss to not have him, as Sullivan often gets bullied by opposing defensive tackles. Ryan Cook would play if Sullivan is unavailable.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 01:29:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

John Sullivan left Sunday's game in the first quarter with a leg injury.

Sullivan isn't exactly a big loss given how he played through two weeks, but Minnesota's backup center, Jon Cooper, is inactive. Ryan Cook is in at center.
Sun, Sep 26, 2010 01:11:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings C John Sullivan (calf) returned to practice Sunday, and worked with the first-team offense.

We don't love the idea of Sullivan retaking his job in favor of the Anthony Herrera-Chris DeGeare switch, but Adrian Peterson's matchup remains prime for Thursday. Sullivan may be listed as questionable for the game.
Source: Judd Zulgad on Twitter
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 02:12:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings RG Anthony Herrera has replaced John Sullivan at center for Saturday's game.

Impressive rookie Chris DeGeare is getting the start at right guard. Sullivan has been nursing a calf injury, but this change has a chance to stick. It would be good news for Adrian Peterson if it does, as Sullivan was pushed around by defensive tackles last season.
Related: Anthony Herrera, Chris DeGeare
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Sat, Aug 28, 2010 07:20:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

John Sullivan is "going to get every chance" to win the Vikings' starting center job.

Sullivan, last year's sixth-round pick, has been the favorite ever since Matt Birk left for Baltimore. He's seeing first-team drills in minicamp, and the coaches clearly want him to run with the job.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Fri, May 29, 2009 09:18:00 PM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

John Sullivan is expected to take over as the Vikings' starting center following Matt Birk's departure.

A center-rich draft could change this, but the Vikes say he progressed well as a rookie reserve and there are no plans to convert Ryan Cook back to center. A 2008 sixth-round pick, Sullivan is heady like Birk and built similarly.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Thu, Mar 12, 2009 10:16:00 AM
John Sullivan - C - Vikings

Vikings signed sixth-round C John Sullivan to a four-year contract. The deal includes a signing bonus of roughly $96,000.

Sullivan played collegiately at Notre Dame. He has an outside chance to replace current starter Matt Birk in 2009. Birk is in a contract year.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Wed, Jul 23, 2008 02:55:00 PM

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5Jerodis Williams
GLB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
3RB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
FB1Jerome Felton
2Zach Line
WR11Greg Jennings
2Jarius Wright
3Joe Webb
4Greg Childs
5Chris Summers
WR21Jerome Simpson
2Cordarrelle Patterson
3Stephen Burton
4Rodney Smith
5Erik Highsmith
WR31Cordarrelle Patterson
TE1Kyle Rudolph
2John Carlson
3Rhett Ellison
4Chase Ford
5Colin Anderson
K1Blair Walsh