MANKATO, Minn. -- Because of the loss of Pro Bowl right tackle Korey Stringer, expect the Minnesota Vikings to be more protective of their protectors. They will try to scheme to make the jobs easier for the offensive linemen.

"We've got two young tackles," offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis said. "We'd be foolish to put them out on an island. We can't just drop back and start throwing the ball and leave them out there by themselves. We are going to help them."

To help left tackle Brad Badger and new right tackle Chris Liwienski, Lewis plans to use more two tight-end sets, more play-action passes and more three-step drops. Over the past two years, the Vikings have lost the equivalent of four Pro Bowlers from their offensive line. Jeff Christy and Randall McDaniel left in free agency to the Tampa Bay Buccaneeers last year. Left tackle Todd Steussie signed with the Carolina Panthers. Stringer planned to take over a major leadership role on the team because he and right guard David Dixon were the only starting holdovers.

"We were just talking about that the other day," Liwienski said. "Brad Badger is probably the highest guy drafted on this line, and I think he was a fifth-round pick. We're self-made guys. We definitely have to stick together and lean on each other and work hard together as a group. The tragedy has brought us closer together and I think we are going to be a very solid line."

The Vikings will have to add a veteran before the start of the season because they lack experience behind the starters. Of the eight backups, none has started an NFL game.

What's also making the task difficult is that the Vikings play the NFL's toughest schedule. They have to face the defensive lines of the Ravens, Titans, Bucs, Saints, Eagles and Giants. The winning percentage of their opponents is .574. They play seven games against teams that were in the playoffs and three against division champs.

In other words, most weeks, the Vikings will be playing the equivalent of a playoff game.

"We've got guys on this team who know how to win and know how to play at a high level," quarterback Daunte Culpepper said. "I have a lot of confidence in the world in coach (Dennis) Green. Anything he wants to get done, he gets done. I'm completely behind him. He does a great job of leading and being a good coach."

For the play-action passes to work, the Vikings have to have a running game, which was made difficult by the surprising retirement of Robert Smith. Receiver Cris Carter said he thinks that Doug Chapman, a 213-pound, third-round choice from Marshall, could be the surprise. He rushed for 4,293 yards and scored 55 touchdowns at Marshall.

The speed threat is first-round choice Michael Bennett from Wisconsin. Chapman has been running with the first team but even the coaches can't gauge his progress because they've had only two contact practices prior to Saturday's exhibition game against New Orleans in San Antonio.

"We are way behind," Lewis said. "It takes hitting to get the timing down. We will use the exhibition season to get the timing down."

Byron Chamberlain and Andrew Jordan give the Vikings two tight ends who can catch the ball. Randy Moss and Carter are perhaps the best one-two receiving tandem in the league. Carter gets the first downs. Moss gets the touchdowns.

But the team may not be able to try as many deep seven-step drops and long throws to Moss until the offensive line is established.

"There will be certain situations where we just have to drop back and throw it," Lewis said. "Until we get the confidence up, we're going to use more play-action passes and keep the backs in a little bit."

Being a solid running team would help because the Vikings have serious questions on defense. Longtime Pro Bowl defensive tackle John Randle went to Seattle. Former first-round pick Dwayne Rudd went to Cleveland. The starting defensive line now consists of Talance Sawyer, Chris Hovan, Fernando Smith and Lance Johnstone. Gabe Northern, who's bounced between defensive end and linebacker, takes over for Rudd.

On top of that, the team will emotionally be dealing with the tragic loss of Stringer.

"There are so many things you don't know and you don't have answers for," Carter said. "You are going into unchartered waters."

Green said he will lean on his 30 years of coaching experience to provide the leadership to get this team though a difficult time and what looks to be a difficult season.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.