MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -As a rookie learning behind Matt Birk, John Sullivan didn't play a single snap on offense for Minnesota last season.
Ready or not, the starting center position is his to earn.
When the Vikings didn't address Birk's expiring contract last year, the chance of the six-time Pro Bowl selection leaving clearly increased. And while they made a competitive offer to keep Birk before he signed with Baltimore last week, Sullivan had begun to prepare himself for the prospect.
"I had gone over all the scenarios," he said by phone Wednesday. "I thought it was a possibility. I'm excited. It's a great opportunity for me. If I work hard, I think I really have a good shot at winning the job."
Though Sullivan, a native of Connecticut who went to Notre Dame, wasn't selected until the sixth round last spring, the Vikings wouldn't have drafted him if they didn't see him challenging for a starting spot. Now he's the only center on the roster. Right guard Anthony Herrera and right tackle Ryan Cook have some experience at the position, but the team prefers to leave them where they're at.
"We thought Sullivan was a very good player last year in the preseason," vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman said last week. "He was a great value pick. ... I'm sure there will be some growing pains, but eventually they have to play. They have to get out there and learn and do it."
Asked whether he thinks the Vikings need to add another veteran to their offensive line in light of Birk's departure, Spielman said no.
"We feel we have some good young guys," he said.
Birk was also a sixth-round draft pick, out of Harvard, who worked his way into a starting spot. Center is a critical position that requires not only obvious blocking skills, but a reliable ability to hike the ball to the quarterback cleanly. Plus an understanding of the scheme to make certain calls to the linemen before the snap after the defensive alignment is assessed.
Though Sullivan played only on special teams and during the preseason as a rookie, he said he soaked up plenty of knowledge from Birk and the offensive line coaches.
"I think I made great strides throughout the year," Sullivan said. "Experience is not a bad thing, but at the same time I got a lot of snaps in training camp working with (the first team) and in the preseason, so I'm comfortable moving forward. I always dressed during the season, so I always had to prepare as if I was one play away."
He's still renting for now, but Sullivan has already adopted Minnesota as his new home - following Birk's lead off the field, as well. Actually, the handful of Minnesotans he played with at Notre Dame, including John Carlson, Ryan Harris and Trevor Laws, helped him forge a connection to the area he said he felt the day he was drafted.
Sullivan has a lot more to do to get fully acclimated on the field as the anchor of the line, but Birk's mentorship last year was a good way to start.
"He was a great teacher for me, a great resource," Sullivan said, "and I think it was really valuable for me here as I continue my career."
alargedude 
