The Running Game or Lack There Of

I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

I think our C, RG, and to a lesser degree RT are suspect. Until these guys prove they are above average in both pass pro and getting to second level in the run game, I don't think we can judge how good Chandler is. That said, we still need another back, and maybe a true FB. I think both Mattison and Hamm are past their due date.

before we worry about messing with RBs,  we need to fix the OL, spending draft picks on a player with about a 3 year career ahead of guys that can play for a decade is putting the cart in front of the horse.  Prioritizing the IOL will help both the run and pass game,  if the blocks arent made and the hole isnt there,  it doesnt matter who the RB is.  We need to get some big nasty athletic guys in the middle,  this undersized shit is just not working in critical times.

@"JimmyinSD" said: before we worry about messing with RBs,  we need to fix the OL, spending draft picks on a player with about a 3 year career ahead of guys that can play for a decade is putting the cart in front of the horse.  Prioritizing the IOL will help both the run and pass game,  if the blocks arent made and the hole isnt there,  it doesnt matter who the RB is.  We need to get some big nasty athletic guys in the middle,  this undersized shit is just not working in critical times.

@"supafreak84" said: I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

@"supafreak84" said: I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Braelon-Allen-RB-Wisconsin

@"StickyBun" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

@"supafreak84" said: I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

I think I'd rather have RB Donovan Edwards in purple.....

Cook scored long TD's in 5 games last year, the Vikings went on to win  all those games.

This year Mattison had 0 TD's.

It showed.

@"Mattyman" said: Cook scored long TD's in 5 games last year, the Vikings went on to win  all those games.

This year Mattison had 0 TD's.

It showed.

@"pattersaur" said:

@"Mattyman" said: Cook scored long TD's in 5 games last year, the Vikings went on to win  all those games.

This year Mattison had 0 TD's.

It showed.

I'd be shocked if there was another player in the league with as many carries as him but no rushing TDs.

@"pattersaur" said:

@"Mattyman" said: Cook scored long TD's in 5 games last year, the Vikings went on to win  all those games.

This year Mattison had 0 TD's.

It showed.

I'd be shocked if there was another player in the league with as many carries as him but no rushing TDs.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"Mattyman" said: Cook scored long TD's in 5 games last year, the Vikings went on to win  all those games.

This year Mattison had 0 TD's.

It showed.

I'd be shocked if there was another player in the league with as many carries as him but no rushing TDs.

not making excuses for Mattison... but I would be shocked if there was a more inept team at run blocking in short yardage situations than the Vikings this year.  the only thing sadder than that was our coach would keep trying to run behind those 3 when  they needed to move the chains or score.  absolutely pathetic.

Ty Chandler is a starting NFL running back. Once he actually got playing time, he averaged 4.5 yards a carry behind an at times limited offense. He also had some big plays in there, one need look no further than the Bengals game to see how he can perform when given an actual consistent opportunity. I don’t remember how many 8 yard runs the guy had, but it was quite a few. He had that nice TD run against the saints called back as well. 
We don’t have a need at running back other than a backup/relief guy. As a coach, I’d work Ty hard on pass catching this off-season and it can add another dimension ti the playbook. He’s already shown he has good hands and a Marshall Faulk type of usage would be nice. Kid has great speed. 

@"Havoc1649" said: Ty Chandler is a starting NFL running back. Once he actually got playing time, he averaged 4.5 yards a carry behind an at times limited offense. He also had some big plays in there, one need look no further than the Bengals game to see how he can perform when given an actual consistent opportunity. I don’t remember how many 8 yard runs the guy had, but it was quite a few. 

We don’t have a need at running back other than a backup/relief guy. As a coach, I’d work Ty hard on pass catching this off-season and it can add another dimension ti the playbook. 

Agree with all that Cook was past his shelf life, for the cost.  Look at what he did with the Jets.
I was shocked that Mattison did not step in and do as well or better.
I was pleasantly surprised the Chandler did better.
I was bummed about the Cam Akers injury.
You could see that both Chandlers and Akers hit the hole faster (and differently) than Mattison.  Fraction of a second, but notably different.
I don't know the answer here, but while we have a "serviceable" RG with Ingram, unless there is notable improvement next year, there is room for personnel improvement.
Risner did not allow a sack at LG, but my recollection was that run blocking was not one of his strengths.  Am I incorrect here?
When O'Neill and Darrisaw were out (for injuries), is the falloff to our depth that bad?  Do we need to upgrade the depth there?

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Havoc1649" said: Ty Chandler is a starting NFL running back. Once he actually got playing time, he averaged 4.5 yards a carry behind an at times limited offense. He also had some big plays in there, one need look no further than the Bengals game to see how he can perform when given an actual consistent opportunity. I don’t remember how many 8 yard runs the guy had, but it was quite a few. 

We don’t have a need at running back other than a backup/relief guy. As a coach, I’d work Ty hard on pass catching this off-season and it can add another dimension ti the playbook. 

And blitz pick up,  he wasn't as bad as I was expecting since  that was the rumor for him not getting time early,  but he still missed some really easy to see pre snap blitzes.  There were times teams made no attempt to conceal their plans and we still couldn't pick it up.

@"StickyBun" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

@"supafreak84" said: I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

I think I'd rather have RB Donovan Edwards in purple.....

One thing nobody has mentioned is Duane McBride, our 7th round pick who is sitting on the PS (and signed a Reserve/Futures contract 3 days ago).  I really liked him after the draft.  Put up huge numbers at UAB.  Never heard a scouting report in Training Camp, and he didn't get a sniff of playing time.  What's up with McBride?

@"mgobluevikes" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

@"supafreak84" said: I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

I think I'd rather have RB Donovan Edwards in purple.....

I'd be shocked if "The Don" declared after this past season.  I also don't know if he has any feel or vision. Granted, he bounces some runs for big gains, but 8 out of 10 times he runs into the back end of pile of humanity. He definitely needs to get a year to prove he can be a feature back.

If he came out this year he probably gets a 4th rd. grade based on his lack of production.

@"StickyBun" said:

@"supafreak84" said: I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

@"supafreak84" said: I would not be surprised to see the Vikings look at drafting a running back early. You take Blake Corum or someone like that in the second and I'm feeling much better about our run game next season 

I think I'd rather have RB Donovan Edwards in purple.....