The Running Game of the Purple and Gold

The Minnesota Vikings may not have the best situation when it comes to wide receivers but they sure do make up for it with the running game. With the newly drafted running back, Adrian Peterson, the Vikings are up to five backs. All of which bring something to the table but what are we going to do with five running backs?

We will in all probability use split running backs in AP and Chester Taylor. That alone will concern the coaches of opposing teams. C. Taylor took the load on himself last year and in 304 attempts, rushed for 1,214 and tallied 6 touchdowns. That's a great show of a hard work ethic and talented running back, who did not receive any help from his wide receivers last year. Now add the young and promising work horse in AP(Or as others call him AD for "All Day"), C. Taylor will be handed less carries but he will not wear down in the end as he did by the end of last year. C. Taylor having support in the backfield will do wonders for him. With having fresh legs, expect Chester to have a hundred or more rushing yards and hopefully, a couple more touchdowns.

Now Taylor and AP/AD leave us with first and second down covered, now what should we do the remaining three running backs? To start off, i highly think we should keep Mewelde Moore. He's a great third down back with very good speed. Last year Moore had 131 yards on only 24 attempts. As you can see Childress was a one running back man last year but Moore also produced as a wide receiver too. For he had 468 yards on 46 receptions. Not bad in my book. That's an average of 10.2 yards per catch. So I think we should keep him for third down situations. That right now gives us a total of three good running options.

With the remaining two, i think it is a toss up for each, Artose Pinner and Ciatrick Fason both did not see a lot of playing time. But to keep our wide receivers healthy, i think we should use Artose Pinner on the kick return for he did well last season for not touching the ball that much. He had 142 yards, 3 touchdowns, and only 42 touches. Fason did not even see the ball last season that much. Fason only touched the ball 18 times for 99 yards and one touchdown. Not that impressive. I think they should put Fason on kick return with Pinner and also the punt return. If not, then they should just cut him. In my opinion, it would not be a big lose.

Lets recap; the Vikings could have a duel running back system with AP and Taylor which could be very deadly and productive and leave third down to Moore. Lastly, using Pinner and using his speed on kick and punt returns,can turn him into a special teams specialist. Then cutting Fason or have him help Pinner. Well, it seems that the Vikings could use their running game in many different ways to help win a game and maybe open up some room for our young wide receivers. Lets see what happens.