Mattison in "drivers seat" for RB2
Vikings rookie Alexander Mattison doesn’t like to talk about the backfield battle behind starter Dalvin Cook. He has remained silent about it throughout training camp, and even now with the preseason in full swing, Mattison skillfully jukes the the topic like he’s breaking a tackle in the open field.
“Just letting it play itself out,” he said. “I’m working every day to get better and prove that I can be a playmaker in this offense. That’s all I can do.”
If he’s being honest with himself, he has to know he’s in the driver’s seat, partly because the Vikings invested a third-round draft pick on him this spring, and partly because he played alongside the first team in the preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints
“I think Mattison has got a really bright future,” Zimmer said. “I think the other two guys can help in change-of-pace situations.”
In that same breath, Zimmer emphasized that Mattison needs to work on his ability in pass protection if he wants to be a key contributor in the offense. That’s always the toughest part about the transitioning to the next level, according to Zimmer, as it takes some time to get used to the speed of the game.
“That really takes playing in a game to get used to,” Mattison said. “It’s hard to simulate that kind of stuff in practice because nobody is really trying to run through me in practice. Just getting to see some of the different rotations and different tendencies and stuff like that was helpful.”
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/14/vikings-rookie-alexander-mattison-in-drivers-seat-for-no-2-running-back-job/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
He was drafted in the 3rd round, he's going to play. This isn't some UDFA guy. RBs are so plug n play in the NFL, Mattison is a big, shifty guy that is going to flourish in the NFL.
It's amazing how ready many of the college tail-backs are now...Pass-pro is still the big skill to conquer.
#2 RB was his job to lose the night he was drafted.
I thought for sure he was injured early in the game when that Seahawk DL bent him over on a tackle for loss.
That was U-G-L-Y
I see Boone getting some action as well. Guessing a 60/30/10 split between the three once we get rolling, with Mattison getting 80% of the work inside the 2.
@"MaroonBells" said: I see Boone getting some action as well. Guessing a 60/30/10 split between the three once we get rolling, with Mattison getting 80% of the work inside the 2.What makes you think Mattison will get that much of the goal line work? I bet the split will be closer to 50/50. If we're in a hurry-up offense I don't think they'll slow everything down to sub in Mattison just because he's 10 lbs. heavier. We'll see though... as long as somebody gets it into the end zone! I wanna hear that fight song a LOT
@"pattersaur" said:@"MaroonBells" said: I see Boone getting some action as well. Guessing a 60/30/10 split between the three once we get rolling, with Mattison getting 80% of the work inside the 2. What makes you think Mattison will get that much of the goal line work? I bet the split will be closer to 50/50. If we're in a hurry-up offense I don't think they'll slow everything down to sub in Mattison just because he's 10 lbs. heavier. We'll see though... as long as somebody gets it into the end zone! I wanna hear that fight song a LOT
I dont think they want to expose Cook to the short yardage scrums and the twisting and tearing that goes on in those situations. I know I wouldnt.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"pattersaur" said:@"MaroonBells" said: I see Boone getting some action as well. Guessing a 60/30/10 split between the three once we get rolling, with Mattison getting 80% of the work inside the 2. What makes you think Mattison will get that much of the goal line work? I bet the split will be closer to 50/50. If we're in a hurry-up offense I don't think they'll slow everything down to sub in Mattison just because he's 10 lbs. heavier. We'll see though... as long as somebody gets it into the end zone! I wanna hear that fight song a LOT
I dont think they want to expose Cook to the short yardage scrums and the twisting and tearing that goes on in those situations. I know I wouldnt.
Yeah you guys might be right. Clearly it's been bubble wrap so far in the preseason.
I thought he blew his knee out early in the game. That was the moment the idea he could pass Dalvin as RB #1 hit hard.
He's exceeded the "insurance policy" to Cook label and with Cook's history and being coddled early through 2 games already (which i dont disagree with), point is... its like the table has flipped. Cook has got to show us, on the field, why we felt like we got an absolute steal in the 2nd round.
Mattison is showing there may not be a rush to put him on the field.
@"pattersaur" said:@"MaroonBells" said: I see Boone getting some action as well. Guessing a 60/30/10 split between the three once we get rolling, with Mattison getting 80% of the work inside the 2. What makes you think Mattison will get that much of the goal line work? I bet the split will be closer to 50/50. If we're in a hurry-up offense I don't think they'll slow everything down to sub in Mattison just because he's 10 lbs. heavier. We'll see though... as long as somebody gets it into the end zone! I wanna hear that fight song a LOT
That's why I said 80%, and only inside the 2. I see Cook getting most of the red zone carries for the reasons you point out.
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.