MANKATO, Minn. (AP) -
Sullivan didn't play a single snap as a rookie behind Birk, the six-time Pro Bowl selection who like Sullivan was once a sixth-round draft pick. Birk ended a nine-season run as Minnesota's man in the middle when he signed with Baltimore in March.
There was plenty of knowledge swapped through that one-year apprenticeship. One of the best ways Sullivan learned the offense and his responsibilities for each play was by taking diligent notes during film sessions and team meetings, just like Harvard-grad Birk.
``Clearly he knows the stuff, but he wants to stay fresh on it,'' Sullivan said, recalling his observation. ``Even if you think you know, you have to keep doing it.''
So he jots down as much as he can when the video is on the screen. Sometimes, coach Brad Childress sits behind him and looks over his shoulder. He likes what he sees.
``He's not just sitting there with his book closed and staring out into space,'' Childress said. ``He is writing a good bit.''
To the outside observer, the amount of pre-snap assessments and decisions required at the position appears overwhelmingly complex, as linebackers sneak up to fake a blitz - or bring the real thing - and linemen shuffle back and forth to change the gaps they're covering at the last second.
Sullivan, though, shrugs that off.
``I've been doing that since college, so it's nothing new,'' he said. ``It's just a new system, and I had all that time last year to learn behind Matt and see how he did it. So as long as you've put the time in ... it's not too much.''
Though Sullivan knows how to play the mind game to beat all mind games, he insists that being a chess expert is not part of the job description for an NFL center.
``I've seen 'Searching for Bobby Fischer' and I'm not that kid,'' Sullivan said.
He's much bigger than Fischer, of course, but Sullivan's size is a main reason why he wasn't drafted until late after leaving Notre Dame last year. He's listed at 6-foot-4 and he said he gained 11 pounds to reach 304; still, Sullivan looks smaller than Birk.
``He's doing a good job. He's a smart guy out there. He knows the checks. He knows where he's supposed to be. He's pretty quick for his size, so he presents his own problems in his own unique way,'' defensive tackle
Williams said he's seen more aggression from Sullivan in practice this season. It sure helps to go against Williams and fellow defensive tackle
``It's probably the best experience you're going to get,'' said left guard
Sullivan actually practiced with the first team for much of last spring and summer while Birk skipped the optional offseason practices. He became comfortable then snapping to quarterback
Sometimes, too, Sullivan will hike the ball to
Childress downplayed the surprise factor for opposing defenses.
``You have to be able to hurt people. You can't line up in it just to say you're in it,'' he said.
NOTES: Jackson and Rosenfels looked relatively sharp in the morning practice, each connecting with Harvin for a long touchdown, but Childress shot down a question about whether he's happy with the progress of the passing game. ``I just think we have a lot of work to do in all areas,'' the coach said. ``Whether it's throwing it, route running, protection, blitz pickup, breaking and beating man-to-man, or knowing where to sit in the zone. We have a long way to go to be happy.'' ... Camp is a bit shorter than usual this year, and the Vikings leave Mankato in less than a week. ``I got a lot of bright eyes when I said that last night,'' Childress said, recalling the team meeting. ``It's still day to day, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.''
