So...Aaron jones

I wouldn’t bet money on our running game being much better unless the QBs suck so bad that KOC is forced to use the run. Mostly I think KOC is a passing game guy and hasn’t given the same attention to the ground game, either in terms of play design, attention to detail during practice, or commitment during the game. Like last year, we brought in the best blocking TE in the game and still chose not to run the ball.

That said, I don’t think you can strongly predict the exact season a RB loses his burst. I think you just know that you shouldn’t be extending them to longer deals as they approach that 30 year mark and take it more year to year.

I think the difference is how they looked last year. For whatever reason, Dalvin's legs just left him and Aaron Jones legs didn't. In fact, he seemed to get stronger as the season wore on. If he can continue that we'll be in good shape.

I'm a little cautious too though and I'm glad we signed him for only one year. He's at the age where the wall can sneak up at any time. It wouldn't surprise me too much of Chandler takes over as lead back later in the year.

Aaron Jones will likely miss a few games with injuries (it's the nature of the position), but he's still an explosive playmaker. He had five straight 100 yard rushing games to end the season and was a big reason the Packers made the playoffs and took down Dallas.

He's a better fit for KOCs offense with his elite receiving ability than Dalvin was. We have Chandler to help carry the rushing load and I'd expect Jones to get peppered with targets early in the season until Hock is back on the field. He's going to be a legit playmaker, just gotta keep him healthy.

Dalvin was cooked (pun intended) a few years ago.  Jones was still productive last year.  Hopefully he's got another year of the same left in him.  In any case he's an upgrade over Matteson who couldn't hit a hole if his life depended on it.

The real question is will KOC actually call more runs versus just talking about calling them, then staying totally pass-happy even as he was rolling Mullens and Dobbs and Hall out there, none of whom have a chance in hell of carrying a team with their arm.

By my eye test, Jones runs angrier than Dalvin, can be more dominant at the line, and brings a bruiser mentality to our backfield which I like; it's good for the offense to hit the defense hard, to make them wince at the thought of the next impact.

Sometimes, you want a Moe Williams or a Leroy Hoard that'll stick a shoulder pad right into a defender's face to get that extra yard. Jones certainly has done that to us in the past, it'll be fun watching him to that to others...especially cheesy types in green jerseys....

If he stays healthy, he should help...

LaFleur used him well last year in the back 1/2 of the season run GB went on and @ Dallas post-season.

I dont expect a repeat of that here though - mainly because I dont believe KOC cant stick to the run in such a disciplined fashion.

I am hoping Jones provides great leadership and a significant spark in energy, however I expect Chandler to early in the season become the primary RB who leads the team in rushing. I think the 3rd RB could play a pivotal role, will be interesting if McBride picks it up or Akers comes back, but the guy I would not sleep on is Gaskin who I think can be a solid contributor.

Jones is one of the best backs in the league against light boxes. With our pass happy attack that should play out to our advantage. He sure played well against the Purple, If I recall…  :cool: :angel:

JR44 wrote:
I am hoping Jones provides great leadership and a significant spark in energy, however I expect Chandler to early in the season become the primary RB who leads the team in rushing.  I think the 3rd RB could play a pivotal role, will be interesting if McBride picks it up or Akers comes back, but the guy I would not sleep on is Gaskin who I think can be a solid contributor.

I'm unsure that RB3 is currently on the roster. Just as we claimed Gaskin at the cut down last year, we could very well do the same this year.

Knucklehead wrote:

I'm unsure that RB3 is currently on the roster. Just as we claimed Gaskin at the cut down last year, we could very well do the same this year.

Very possible. But I think it's interesting the Vikings not only didn't draft a running back, they didn't sign any FA or UDFA running backs either. To me that suggests they like Gaskin and McBride more than we think.

MaroonBells wrote:

Very possible. But I think it's interesting the Vikings not only didn't draft a running back, they didn't sign any FA or UDFA running backs either. To me that suggests they like Gaskin and McBride more than we think.

They had limited draft picks & prioritized other positions. Gaskin was inactive all 17 games last season. McBride spent the entire season on the the PS. Akers is coming off his second achilles tear. It shouldn't be difficult to find an upgrade on cut down day

Knucklehead wrote:

They had limited draft picks & prioritized other positions. Gaskin was inactive all 17 games last season. McBride spent the entire season on the the PS. Akers is coming off his second achilles tear. It shouldn't be difficult to find an upgrade on cut down day

Right and they may do that. Wouldn't surprise me at all. Backs are a dime a dozen these days. But I think if, for example, they thought McBride was terrible and a blown pick in the '23 draft, they would've at least signed a couple UDFAs to compete with him. Akers isn't currently on the roster. I think he's done. But Gaskin and McBride could factor in.

I read that his contract was written to be easily extended if the team desires, further incentive to have a strong performance this season! I’m excited to see him play… :)

MaroonBells wrote:

Very possible. But I think it's interesting the Vikings not only didn't draft a running back, they didn't sign any FA or UDFA running backs either. To me that suggests they like Gaskin and McBride more than we think.

We also have Kene in the RB room...

MAD GAINZ wrote:

We also have Kene in the RB room...

Always forget about him. I sort of think of Kene as the Percy Harvin or Cordarrelle Patterson of the running back room. He'll probably never be a factor in the backfield, but he can be effective on special teams or in special packages. The new kickoff rules should help him stay on the roster.

MaroonBells wrote:

Always forget about him. I sort of think of Kene as the Percy Harvin or Cordarrelle Patterson of the running back room. He'll probably never be a factor in the backfield, but he can be effective on special teams or in special packages. The new kickoff rules should help him stay on the roster.

Speaking of the new kickoff rule, does anyone else think that they've reduced the chances of a collision to the point  that you could use WRs rather than RBs as your kickoff returners? If so, think about what that would mean for roster construction. Powell & Sherfield would see their value increase. Even the PS & recent UDFA WRs, if they returned punts in college, would see their value increase. Whereas, Kene would would see his value decrease.

Knucklehead wrote:

Speaking of the new kickoff rule, does anyone else think that they've reduced the chances of a collision to the point  that you could use WRs rather than RBs as your kickoff returners? If so, think about what that would mean for roster construction. Powell & Sherfield would see their value increase. Even the PS & recent UDFA WRs, if they returned punts in college, would see their value increase. Whereas, Kene would would see his value decrease.

professional athletes take only seconds to reach top speed, I think the gap between the coverage teams and the ball carrier is great enough that we will still see some pretty significant collisions, I dont think its really about position, as much as its going to be about body type in terms of how well they can stand up to a pounding.