GBFavreFan wrote:I know many of you write off almost anything different that happens as insignificant, but I found it interesting that Mike McCarthy/Tom Clements had Felton carry the ball a few times and he actually looked pretty good in the process. I know it was the Pro Bowl, but that doesn't mean that any jerk in a uniform can just run for positive yardage in that game. Anyone think Musgrave/Frazier might add a play or two to give Felton a shot? I'm unaware if Felton ever ran the ball this season. It would be kind of ironic if the Packer coach might've unearthed a secret weapon for us on the goal line or for a surprise play to win us the division or a win over the Pack in a tight game.
I think it's a great idea in short yardage situations. However, I think it's a mistake to line anybody else up at RB very often when Adrian Peterson is your running back.
Of all the things the Vikings need to improve or make changes on, the running game doesn't seem to be one of those things. I don't think I'd mess with it too much.
GBFavreFan wrote:I know many of you write off almost anything different that happens as insignificant...
That's always a great way to ensure your thoughts will be received with an open mind...
.... but I found it interesting that Mike McCarthy/Tom Clements had Felton carry the ball a few times and he actually looked pretty good in the process. I know it was the Pro Bowl, but that doesn't mean that any jerk in a uniform can just run for positive yardage in that game. Anyone think Musgrave/Frazier might add a play or two to give Felton a shot? I'm unaware if Felton ever ran the ball this season. It would be kind of ironic if the Packer coach might've unearthed a secret weapon for us on the goal line or for a surprise play to win us the division or a win over the Pack in a tight game.
Felton didn't carry the ball for the Vikings this season but he had 3 receptions and I think it would be a great idea to use him a little more as a receiver. As for using him on the goal line or in short yardage situations... it might be worthwhile to try and surprise a defense but with Adrian Peterson in the backfield, it will almost always makes more sense to give the ball to the league's best RB (especially since he's an extremely powerful runner) and just let Felton lead the way.
It's possible to get too clever about this stuff and Frazier was hammered in 2011 for giving the ball to Gerhart in a 4th and short situation instead of Peterson.
I think Felton can contribute more to the offense than just blocking though...
Cliff wrote:However, I think it's a mistake to line anybody else up at RB very often when Adrian Peterson is your running back.
Exactly.
Love Felton. But AD > JF. It'd be like instead of letting Drew Brees throw the ball on a key third down, you put in Chase Daniel. Just give the ball to AD. It's likely a safer and higher percentage move in most (all?) situations.
“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” --- Bill Shankly
Honestly I don't mind it. However, if we were to do it, it would likely fail at least once and I can just see the wolves forming together now... "OMG, 3rd down on the one yard line and we give the ball to FELTON! Hey Musgrave, you do know you have ADRIAN FREAKING PETERSON in the backfield!!!!!!"
It's an interesting point. I think if the Vikings aren't going to have a top tier WR corps next year they should try to get as much receiving production as they can from the RB/FB and TE positions. I really liked what SF did with Kendall Hunter and Delanie Walker last year; two guys in the backfield with good hands who can go short or (in Walker's case) long to sneak past the defense.
It's not a bad option if they want to decoy Adrian Peterson. It's just about the oldest trick in the book, and we used to do it in high school football...but it's amazing how well that would probably work when you know that one back is a known blocking back and the other is the best back in football. We had an offense built around our running back, so when I got to carry, it was an easy first down every time. Otherwise, the Vikes have usually had a few short yardage backs on the roster. Asiata and Gerhart usually take that job, but there are a couple tight ends on the roster that can serve in that purpose as well. I think Ellison had some experience in short yardage and as a fullback, and could be a good receiving option out of the backfield (which isn't a play I've seen run by the Vikings in ages, but used to work pretty well for the Cowboys and Packers years ago). I wouldn't risk Rudolph in that position, though; short yardage backs take a heck of a beating.
I think Felton got the nod as a result of the predominantly Packer-oriented coaching staff. They do stuff like that a lot more often.
