How The Vikings Got Murray Going

Much as the media hypes 113 yards (L-train? ugh)  I don't sense a lot of fan engagement, buzz regarding Murray.  Certainly no vitrol, but it's just kinda crickets with the fans.

I trace it to the energy/buzz that was building around Dalvin and a slow start from Murray.

Will be interesting to watch how the 2nd 1/2 of the season unfolds for him. The last game was certainly a positive and we'll need him to pair with Jet to give us some balance offensively 

Dalvin Cook getting injured was a big buzz kill for me. Murray is just a guy, but he can have some success. I think McKinnon would play more, as he's more physically talented, but his innate running skills are lacking: he leaves yards on the field consistently. Murray is more instinctive and will hit the holes where he should be hitting them. 

I like that Shumur adapted the run game to what suits each guy...crazy...

Ian Rapoport‏Verified account @RapSheet  7m7 minutes ago

Ian Rapoport Retweeted Aditi Kinkhabwala
The #Vikings depth has been incredible. QB, RB. Their offseason work is paying off.
Ian Rapoport added,

@"StickyBun" said:

Ian Rapoport‏Verified account @RapSheet  7m7 minutes ago

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Ian Rapoport Retweeted Aditi Kinkhabwala The #Vikings depth has been incredible. QB, RB. Their offseason work is paying off. Ian Rapoport added,

Aditi KinkhabwalaVerified account @AKinkhabwalaHere's a crazy stat: since RB Dalvin Cook tore his ACL, #Vikings have INCREASED their rushing output. 108 rush ypg Weeks 1-4, 146.7 since

The increase could and probably is for a large part a result of the line coming together as a unit.  Hard to say.  Kind of like chess.  All the components play off of each other in a good/great offense and the effect is devastating to the defense when all components are clicking.

@"ThunderGod" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

Ian Rapoport‏Verified account @RapSheet  7m7 minutes ago

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Ian Rapoport Retweeted Aditi Kinkhabwala The #Vikings depth has been incredible. QB, RB. Their offseason work is paying off. Ian Rapoport added,

Aditi KinkhabwalaVerified account @AKinkhabwalaHere's a crazy stat: since RB Dalvin Cook tore his ACL, #Vikings have INCREASED their rushing output. 108 rush ypg Weeks 1-4, 146.7 since

The increase could and probably is for a large part a result of the line coming together as a unit.  Hard to say.  Kind of like chess.  All the components play off of each other in a good/great offense and the effect is devastating to the defense when all components are clicking.

Yup, the OL is starting to come together and Shurmur is calling plays that suit their abilities...

It appears to me that Latavius is simply getting better and better (recovering from his injury).  He's been a little bit more shift each week... and running with a little bit more confidence each week.  I don't think he'll ever be as dynamic as Cook... but I do think that he'll be plenty good enough to carry the running game the rest of the way.

Sorry to interject....but who the Hell is Aditi Kinkhabwala...

Nevermind...I googled it....

Aditi Kinkhabwala is an American sports reporter for NFL Network.

She HAS to hold the record for most Anagrams....

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@"BarrNone55" said: I like that Shumur adapted the run game to what suits each guy...crazy...

That really is what stuck out for me.  So we have a two-headed monster, neither being big and bad and fierce, but as teams try to game plan us, they now have to plan for possible power running game or the zone blocking.  And will likely have to face both in the same game.  Good coaching, smart lineman.  Gotta love options.

I had to chuckle at the first animated gif tho.  The markup shows Reiff blocking the DE on the backside of the run.  But watch the animation.  He simply blocks Rudolph in the back.

Our line is now a thing of beauty. NEVER saw that coming, especially this quickly...
Also, props to CJ Ham and David Morgan. They are turning out to be valuable pieces in the run game. Both are doing a great job.
Danny Isidora...I really love this kid. He walked into the game on Sunday and made everything seamless. GREAT pick that I also didn't see contributing so soon like this. After all, he wasn't one of the names bandied around either here or by the talking heads and mock draft sites.
I also love Elflein. He gives our line an attitude. Smart, smart player who is very athletic and flat out puts people on their asses. LOVE IT.

Murray has shown good vision and athleticism against Balt. He had some really nice holes to run through.  i also like that he finished a couple short runs nicely.  i dont know anout L-train, but he looked like a #1 back to me

Person not mentioned to much is Sparano,it appears he is doing an excellent job.

@"Norse" said: Person not mentioned to much is Sparano,it appears he is doing an excellent job.

Yep. Many on here last season wanted him gutted and hung out to dry. Can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit.

Question, is it Sparano?  Or the offensive scheme?  Or both? 

@"greediron" said: Question, is it Sparano?  Or the offensive scheme?  Or both? 

One part Spielman, one part Shurmur, one part Sparano...

@"BarrNone55" said:

@"greediron" said: Question, is it Sparano?  Or the offensive scheme?  Or both? 

One part Spielman, one part Shurmur, one part Sparano...

Elflein is strong and athletic, great combo. Feisty and sturdy Ohio State lineman stock. Smart. Stupid crazy he fell in the Draft to where he did. 

Sidenote: If you think Easton is the 303 lbs. he's listed on the Vikings.com roster, I've got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. He's not a pound under 315+. He and Isidora next year, another squat and nimble MFer, at guards in 2018 and draft a RT to compete with Remmers (yes, I know...he's playing better) and watch the hell out.

@"Norse" said: Person not mentioned to much is Sparano,it appears he is doing an excellent job.

Amazing how good a coach looks when he's got some decent chess pieces. Players make the coaches in the NFL. Ask Mike McCarthy. 

@"StickyBun" said: Elflein is strong and athletic, great combo. Feisty and sturdy Ohio State lineman stock. Smart. Stupid crazy he fell in the Draft to where he did. 

Sidenote: If you think Easton is the 303 lbs. he's listed on the Vikings.com roster, I've got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. He's not a pound under 315+. He and Isidora next year, another squat and nimble MFer, at guards in 2018 and draft a RT to compete with Remmers (yes, I know...he's playing better) and watch the hell out.

The pedigree was always there with the big Center...The question was how well, how quick he'd adapt to the NFL. So far, he's probably exceeded even Zimmer's expectations.