Will be nice to get A.Jones back

[purplefaithful]

I believe he's eligible to come off IR for the Charger game...

Another weapon who can bring some juice and flexibility, spell Mason some.

[JustInTime]

Can’t say I’ll be turning cartwheels over his return but he’ll definitely help in the passing game. Olson hit the nail on the head when he said our running game isn’t dynamic. Mason and a guy with speed next year. Could have had Tuten this year, but I know I get goosebumps watching Felton cover punts.

[purplefaithful]

Can’t say I’ll be turning cartwheels over his return but he’ll definitely help in the passing game. Olson hit the nail on the head when he said our running game isn’t dynamic. Mason and a guy with speed next year. Could have had Tuten this year, but I know I get goosebumps watching Felton cover punts.

No, no cartwheels for me either...But he can help as u say, especially in the passing game. Tough for a LB to cover.  

Seems like Mason is a nice change of pace guy, as I expected...More of a chunk play here or there vs a field tilter.

[medaille]

Feels like Mason is much more likely to get 10 yard chunks than any of our other RBs. Not sure we have a guy that’s going to break it for 20+ on the ground. Seems like Jones is most likely to get the explosive plays (albeit in the air). That said, I think it’s hard to really differentiate between OLine play and RB performance.

[Zanary]

Very glad he's coming back, he's a different type of RB than Mason...and has great hands along with solid receiver instincts.

Maybe a feeling of "getting the band back together" will help the team shake off the doldrums.

[mblack]

Very glad he's coming back, he's a different type of RB than Mason...and has great hands along with solid receiver instincts.

Maybe a feeling of "getting the band back together" will help the team shake off the doldrums.

We still have to “get him the ball”. With what we saw from Wentz on Sunday, that is going to be interesting 

[hogjowlsjohnny]

Feels like Mason is much more likely to get 10 yard chunks than any of our other RBs.  Not sure we have a guy that’s going to break it for 20+ on the ground.  Seems like Jones is most likely to get the explosive plays (albeit in the air).  That said, I think it’s hard to really differentiate between OLine play and RB performance.

Both of those guys can get those 10 yard chunks if the line can give them some holes. Jones hits the holes better than most backs and has some burst. Neither have the top end speed to go the distance, but that isn't needed in KO's system.
Both of those backs pick up the blitz pretty well and Jones is a reliable receiver out of the back field. His return will be an asset.
Next year I expect to see them draft his relacement.

[MaroonBells]

Can’t say I’ll be turning cartwheels over his return but he’ll definitely help in the passing game. Olson hit the nail on the head when he said our running game isn’t dynamic. Mason and a guy with speed next year. Could have had Tuten this year, but I know I get goosebumps watching Felton cover punts.

That's about how I feel. Instead of "Mason and that UDFA," putting two guys in the backfield the defense needs to worry about could help loosen things up a bit. But at this point it kinda feels like getting the engine room working on the Titanic. Hey cool, but there's still a big hole in the boat.

[IceRatz16]

Both of those guys can get those 10 yard chunks if the line can give them some holes. Jones hits the holes better than most backs and has some burst. Neither have the top end speed to go the distance, but that isn't needed in KO's system.
Both of those backs pick up the blitz pretty well and Jones is a reliable receiver out of the back field. His return will be an asset.
Next year I expect to see them draft his relacement.

I agree with this. I think what gets lost is that Jones is a good pass blocking RB.  I have seen Mason actually miss quite a few blocks already this season, but he does hold his own when he's finding the rusher.


I'm glad to have Jonsie back.  He definitely gives us the ability to use multiple looks with multiple backs on the field at once.  If KO could figure out how to use both in the red zone correctly, maybe we score some more TDs.

[purplefaithful]

Coach Kevin O’Connell said the Vikings don’t need to test Jones too much “because of his rehab and the work he’s done on the side fields. He’s a veteran player. He knows what he has to do. He knows what he needs to feel like.”

Jones, who turns 31 years old on Dec. 2, has missed the last four games after leaving the Sept. 14 loss to the Falcons in the third quarter with the muscle strain. He started the Vikings’ first two games ahead of Jordan Mason, but Mason has led the team in rushing yards each week.

Entering the season, coaches envisioned Jones having a larger role in the receiving game. He turned three passes into 44 yards and a touchdown in the Sept. 8 win in Chicago. On the ground, he has taken 13 carries for 46 rushing yards.

The Vikings offense ranks 17th in rushing with 4.4 yards per carry, led by Mason’s 84 carries for 380 yards (a 4.5-yard average). The Chargers have struggled to stop the run this season, ranking 28th while giving up 5.1 yards per carry.

Jones is among nine key Vikings contributors, including linebacker Blake Cashman, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, center Ryan Kelly and safety Harrison Smith, who have missed multiple games due to injury or illness.

STRIB