The Running Game or Lack There Of

@"supafreak84" said:

@"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.

One thing is for, I'd love to see the Vikings pull a Landon Dickerson with Zak Zinter, stash him on IR for the year, and have him starting for us in 2025. Shame he got hurt. Absolute stud 

@"mgobluevikes" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"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.

One thing is for, I'd love to see the Vikings pull a Landon Dickerson with Zak Zinter, stash him on IR for the year, and have him starting for us in 2025. Shame he got hurt. Absolute stud 

I don't think they'll have IR him. I don't think he suffered ligament damage. From what I've heard, he could be good to go early next season. Unfortunately, I don't see him falling to us if we address D-line, QB in the first 2 rds. 

Maybe we can steal Runyan from GB in FA...Could be a cheap upgrade.

@"Montana Tom" said: 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?

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Montana Tom" said: 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?

IIRC he got hurt in training camp.  They also got Gaskin on a futures contract if I read correctly. 

I would not mind Mattison back, but not as RB1. 

That IOL still needs improvement. Risner shored-up the pass blocking, but did not upgrade us at running the ball. 

@"Montana Tom" said: 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?

Also, if you've ever heard him speak, he sounds a bit like Bubba from Forrest Gump, so he might be a little slow in learning the playbook. 

@"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.

Improve the O-line and Grandma Moses could gain positive yardage! In short yardage situations this line was pushed backwards way too often. The line was crafted to be light and fast for an outside zone running scheme. Don't know the stats on negative yardage runs the last couple years, but had to be worst than most teams.
I'm opposed to spending cap space or draft capitol on the position.
I'm fine with Chandler and Akers if he recovers from his injury.
Spend the capitol on the line; something that will help the run and the pass.
BTW, there are big strong lineman who are fast and can block in a zone running scheme. Other teams can find them. So should the Vikings.

They just need to find another David Dixon and Randall McDaniel for both guard spots and run with the backs they have now.

The biggest head scratcher for me was signing Oliver in FA because he's one of the best blocking TEs in the league, but then not running outside of the side that he was lined up on.

@"Greylock" said: They just need to find another David Dixon and Randall McDaniel for both guard spots and run with the backs they have now.

But I think there's a chance Bradbury could go. He improved a lot last year, grading above average among centers in 2022, but he wasn't quite as good this year, grading slightly below average in 2023.

Of course the Vikings have to find an upgrade or they run the risk of getting worse there. The key is that Bradbury has a $0 dead cap hit this year. 

Bradbury played what 7 snaps before his bad back flared up again, essentially missing the first 4 games, then returned to his pre-extension mediocre ways. Well bye bye Bradbury, you can keep your purple roller skates…!  ;) B)  

Cleveland utilizing a 6 man line, hmm what a concept…!?  :s wondering if our run scheme, which mimics the passing scheme is conducive to actually running successfully..

@"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. 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. 

@"mblack" 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. 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. 

I want a bruising running back. one that can spell RB1 and take over in the fourth quarter.  Am I crazy?

@"Greylock" said: They just need to find another David Dixon and Randall McDaniel for both guard spots and run with the backs they have now.

I wish...

Its tough now, C ollege OL (imo) are not as ready for the pro-game as the olde days.