Ryan Cook takes up a lot of space on his own, but the 6-foot-3, 328-pound center-turned-right tackle said the hardest thing about his new full-time position is just that — space.

“Just getting comfortable being in that space, that is the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with,” the second-year lineman out of New Mexico said. “You have got to be patient and just learn to take efficient steps in judging your opponent.”

At tackle Cook often works alone and will see more one-on-one matchups against a single defender, where as at center it can be the opposite.

“At center, you have a guard on both sides of you and always have help,” Cook said. “The biggest transition is being able to play in that space by yourself.”

Brad Childress saw Cook take productive strides during last season which allowed him to get a jump start on his position and make three starts at right tackle at the end of 2006.

Now Cook is in camp as the probable starter.

“It was definitely a learning experience for me as far as in game situations where I’m playing a position I have not really played before,” Cook said. “This year I’m trying to improve on everything from last year and keep building and keep moving forward.”

Cook was a center in college and was drafted by the Vikings at that position. Although he is still listed as the backup center and works out there occasionally in training camp, his career path has led him to the right side of the line. He thinks the flexibility gives him an added edge over his other competitors.

“I am still on alert for other positions as well,” Cook said. “It helps to be versatile and be able to play more than one position. That obviously boosts my chances to get on the field.”

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell thinks it was a combination of attributes as well as need that was the reason behind Cook’s move.

“He has quick feet and size to play the (right tackle) position,” he said. “Out of necessity a little bit we needed to move him out there. We are trying to get the best five guys that we can across the board at those five positions. We felt at the end of last year that he was one of those five guys. He progressed that far.”

Cook also had the help of working with one of the most veteran offensive lines in football when he came in as a rookie. The other starters include Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson and Matt Birk.

“Last year, I had a veteran group in front of me, a lot of guys to learn from,” Cook said. “That helped me a lot.”

Cook also has the comfort of working with what Bevell said is the closest group of guys on the Vikings.

“I know they are a tight group and hang out together,” Bevell said. “That is the one group that congregates around. So I know those guys give him a lot of help and a lot of pointers.”