Souhan: Latavius Murray just latest sign Vikings' offensive line is new and improved
Latavius Murray just latest sign Vikings' offensive line is new and improved
With the passing game in neutral and the opponent unable to score a touchdown until the final play of the game, what the Vikings needed on Sunday was a between-the-tackles workhorse, and Murray played the part, rushing 18 times for 113 yards and a touchdown in a 24-16 victory over the drooping Baltimore Ravens.
Don’t let the hero-worshipping distract you from a more relevant view of Murray’s performance, and the Vikings’ 2017 offense. The offensive line, weak as winter sunlight all of last year, has created room for all of the team’s backs this year. With Case Keenum looking alarmingly like Case Keenum on Sunday, the best development of the day for the Vikings was that they again were able to run the ball effectively.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
The Vikings’ plan this offseason was to improve the offense by creating a running game, hoping that would help slow pass rushers who had no reason to pay attention to Vikings’ backs last year. That it has worked is a credit to general manager Rick Spielman, coach Mike Zimmer, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and the linemen themselves.
The Vikings were able to score 24 points on Sunday without throwing the ball deep or well, and while missing Dalvin Cook and receiver Stefon Diggs, their two most dynamic skill-position players.
“It’s really a testament to our offense,” Zimmer said. “We’ve had Diggs out, (receiver Michael) Floyd out today. We didn’t have Cook, we don’t have the quarterback, we don’t have a couple of linemen today. We just keep on battling and fighting.”
Guess he had to write a positive one to go w/ this BS article:
Violent hits like Anthony Barr's on Aaron Rodgers hurt players and NFLhttp://www.startribune.com/violent-hits-like-anthony-barr-s-on-aaron-rodgers-hurt-players-and-nfl/452175413/
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