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Although I as well as countless Viking fans are thrilled with AD's rushing performance over his career, would the Vikings be wise to use him a little more as a receiver out of the backfield on screens, slants, etc. so as to utilize his speed and athleticism as well as to possibly increase this dimension to our offensive attack to our advantage?

MV711 wrote:Although I as well as countless Viking fans are thrilled with AD's rushing performance over his career, would the Vikings be wise to use him a little more as a receiver out of the backfield on screens, slants, etc. so as to utilize his speed and athleticism as well as to possibly increase this dimension to our offensive attack to our advantage?

Yes.

I think Peterson has been under-utilized as a receiver over the course of his career and I'd like to see him used in that capacity more this season.

Mothman wrote:
Yes.

I think Peterson has been under-utilized as a receiver over the course of his career and I'd like to see him used in that capacity more this season.

I knew you'd be advocating for more check-downs, Jim.

dead_poet wrote: I knew you'd be advocating for more check-downs, Jim.

Jeez, Jim, what are you trying to do, run the Vikings into the ground??

dead_poet wrote:I knew you'd be advocating for more check-downs, Jim.

Wasn't there a thread last season all about Jim called "Check Down Charlie". I think Jim is secretly Bald Clueless, err I mean Brad Childress and the reason he sucked so bad on the sidelines was because he was busy on his iPhone responding to all the threads on this forum instead of you know, actually coaching.

mansquatch wrote:Wasn't there a thread last season all about Jim called "Check Down Charlie". I think Jim is secretly Bald Clueless, err I mean Brad Childress and the reason he sucked so bad on the sidelines was because he was busy on his iPhone responding to all the threads on this forum instead of you know, actually coaching.

The check down is the single greatest play in any NFL team's arsenal. It's unstoppable! Every play should be set up to deceive the defense into believing something other than a check down will occur, then the QB should just check down to an RB or TE.

Perhaps, but he's been pretty average as a receiving back so far, so I don't know what's to be gained when he's also running the ball 25 times a game. Peterson has incredible vision and cutting ability, but it's predicated on seeing the field in front of him. Nine times out of ten when he catches the ball, he has his back to the defense, and at the point when he catches the ball he looks like just another guy with shoulder pads and helmet and a football in his hands.

Yes, he could/should be used more as a receiver. Just about any football player who regularly holds/touches the football can surely catch a 3-5 yard lob from a qb, even if he is known for having mediocre hands. That's what practice and reps are all about. Even if AP is used to seeing the field based upon being squared up, most dump passes from the backfield will start with 2-5 yards of open space, especially if he blocks/fake blocks to the tight end side. The tight end will draw that defender down field 10 or so, or wherever he goes. Besides, AP could catch the lob in stride almost facing down the field or at least angled toward the sideline. If the D gets wind of it, the tight end pass is usually a money grabber. Therefore, yes, run and catch is always best! Heck, I wouldn't mind seeing Ponder/Cassel run opposite a play and wave some "I'm open," arms! It's always cool when a qb becomes a receiver, especially one with wheels!

...wisdom

Mothman wrote:
Yes.

I think Peterson has been under-utilized as a receiver over the course of his career and I'd like to see him used in that capacity more this season.

Proof positive that the checkdown works:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhwfUGWbieU

Yeah the coaches are just not giving him those opportunities because they work so well.

Has nothing to do with being a dreadful blocker, who on a number of occasions has had easy check downs bounce off his hands.

Mothman wrote:

Blame it on Ponder , that 6-2 230 lb. midget coudn't even throw a checkdown pass that far anyway.

Mothman wrote:

What? He's probably the greatest, or top 3, runner of all time. He's pathetic as a blocker, many times letting his guy go through unblocked, and not a very good receiver.

My god, I know some people think he's a mixture Adonis, Jerry Rice, Hercules, Jim Brown. But he's not.

is right.

Demi wrote: What? He's probably the greatest, or top 3, runner of all time. He's pathetic as a blocker, many times letting his guy go through unblocked, and not a very good receiver.

My god, I know some people think he's a mixture Adonis, Jerry Rice, Hercules, Jim Brown. But he's not.

is right.

He may not be the all-around back we all want him to be BUT if given more opportunities as a receiver, I believe he can improve his receiving skills. I agree his blocking skills suck.