I think AD is the best player but any running back no matter how good he is; is still only as good as the OL. ANY rb hit behind or at the line is not going to be as productive. Most of AD’s runs that are great happen when the first hit is 5 yards past the line. Not at the line and then going for three yard gain because the loss of momentum gives the LB’s time to make the second hit. Good run blocking requires gaps at the line and People getting on LB’s so when the hits come the running back has the momentum. It concerns me that we seem to be giving up on the run to soon in games. These runnes will work in the 4th quarter. Looking at the stats and not seeing the game it almost seems like Chilly is trying to fool some teams into believing we are a pass first team. I hope that is the case, becuase we really need to be a run first team.

Example Larry Johnson got the big contract because he had a pro bowl offensive line in KC. Where are his big numbers on the stat lines now. since his linemen retired the following year he hasnt givin anything back to the team in regards to imposing his will on the defence and the only RB to do that may be Barry Sanders hmmmm so where do we rate Adrian ??? I would tend to believe he is a great running back as when the lanes do open he can make the secondary miss tackles and take it to the house.

“Adrian’s rushed for the lowest yardage total through five games of his career while having the best QB play of his career.”

2009 First Five Games: 481 Yds. 7 TD 4.9 YPC

2008 First Five Games: 452 Yds 3 TD 4.3 YPC

Dude is averaging almost 5 yards a carry. The vikes or 5-0. The offense has scored the second most points in the entire league. People need to chill. AP does not need to run for 100+ Yards a game every game. He doesn’t need to. Its OK. He is still elite. Our offense is clicking just fine.

Bring on Baltimore!

I don’t believe AD is as dominant as advertised. Let’s face facts, folks: Running backs by the time they reach the NFL are about as good as the line blocking for them. Look any sound running game over the history of the NFL and I’ll show you an above-average offensive line. It’s that simple.

Also, before we get too carried away one way or the other, take this into account: The rankings of defenses Minny has faced thus far:

Cleveland Browns – 29th (32nd against the rush)
St. Louis Rams – 23rd (23rd against the rush)
Detroit Lions – 22nd (21st against the rush)
Green Bay Packers – 18th (20th against the rush)
San Francisco 49ers – 16th (8th against the rush)

So, the last two weeks, AD has been shut down by the 20th and 23rd ranked rushing defenses in the NFL. The only possible excuse can be that this is by design to prevent wear and tear and/or to get Brett more involved in the passing game. I don’t buy it.

I guess based on Brett’s and the WR corps’ progression, it isn’t as big a deal. But, there will come a day when Minnesota MUST run the ball to win and lets hope it isn’t in the playoffs.

I think obviously losing Birk was huge. If not, then all of the blame would go to Loadholt, which obviously cannot be because he doesn’t block the left side of the line.

Next week won’t be an ultimate test because while Baltimore is 5th against the rush, they’re pretty dreadful against the pass at 24. On offense, they’re 10th in passing and 6th in rushing.

So, I’m not sure the rushing problems have anything to do with play calling. Isn’t there something continually preached in the NFL about execution? It’s either O-line talent, or execution and I’m not buying the execution piece.

I’ve been struggling for four weeks now trying to figure are run game out. I think I have it. This O-Line is slow off of the run block. AD is so fast to the hole that no gaps are created for him. Thats why all his big runs have been stop at the line and change direction plays.

He gets to the line to fast. My first thought was that the O-line was being taught not to push to far down field in order that Farve could throw a quick screen on a run play but that has only happened once so far. AP is going to have to adjust his style to this O-Line. I don’t think the Line can get better against the upcoming D-Lines we will be facing.

Even with two tight ends we can’t seem to make the blocks necessary for runs between the tackles. I don’t think the problem is AP. I think it is either lack of talent or lack of execution on the O-Line.

I can tell when we’re running the ball before the running back even gets the ball because of the way Favre hands off the ball on run plays.

Which just proves how great Peterson is. I remember seeing the line completely stuffed constantly last year. It used to piss me off all the time. I live in Atlanta so I got to see Turner run through massive holes all season long. If AP gets a big whole, he explodes through it and handles the defensive backfield. The Cleveland run would have been a 20 yard tops run for all of the other good backs in the league.

With the way defenses play against us, AP will always be boom or bust and that is the same way it was last year. If you only give him 15 carries instead of 30 he has a 50% less chance of the boom which is what pushes those stats up. Our stats at this point don’t really reflect our talent at RB or defense.

It has been very clear this season that showing how good we can be on all cylinders and all game is not a priority. Winning is the priority. The only thing we have to prove is that we can pass the ball. NOs is trying to prove how great their defense is now. Baltimore is trying to prove how great their offense is this year. These teams have to worry that they have peaked early, we don’t.

AP does NOT have to get 100 yds or more every game..Defenses trying to shutdown AP no longer shuts down the Vikings offense…AP is a team player..He knows that defenses have to pick their poison now…..I am concerned about how many long runs and wide open pass plays our defense has given up so far this year, but that is a diff subject for a diff post…….GO VIKINGS !!!!

Well, I appreciate the responses, but I have to remain steadfast in my belief that something is amiss with the Vike’s running game. Even if AD isn’t the second coming, it doesn’t matter – not even Barry Sanders could do much better.

There simply are not an adequate number of open running lanes being created, and while I can understand defenses keeping 8 and 9 in the box, that doesn’t explain the entire story because Favre is carving up secondaries, and if defenses continue to get punched in the face, they eventually drop the safeties back.

Anyhow, it’s not like I am saying the Vikings are in trouble and they suck. I am saying – as a guy who has studied the Packers successes and failures since 1992 RELIGIOUSLY – if an RB and O-line are as highly touted as AD and the Vikings’ O-line and you see such a nigh number of negative rushing yards plays and defenders are continually finding penetration, the self-evident truths are obviously not true.

And, again, this alarmingly high penetration is coming from some real shabby run defenses. If another month goes by and the Vikes continue to win regardless, then my assertions were basically pointless. I guess we’ll have to see how it goes.

Baltimore is a big time Blitzing team. Teams can run on them. The O-Line can stink or shine. They need to pass block, run block, pick up the blitz. Will we keep AP back for pass protection or put Chester in for that? Will Brett finally burn someone with a quick slant play. Can the O-Line really open up a hole?
School is out and its time to play. No more hiding the playbook Chilly. Get this team fired up and have them BLOCK someone. The defense must solve the open middle of the field problem and the line must open a hole.

We have been building for this game for 5 weeks. I am already anticipating this one.

GO VIKES!!!!

At the start of the year i mentioned that I thought the O line had become so run oriented they could not find the balance between that and the shift to pass blocking mode. They seem to have gotten better at pass blocking and with 2 new guys on the line there are some things to work on as far as opening holes for AP.
I don’t think your comments are off and I often think (and revert to a Dave osborne interview) that AP could generate more yardage by not hesitating to find a hole that may not open and pound it out when it is not there. It is what he does. He is a master at giving his line time to open something up and then breaking for the big one. Problem is those holes are not there as much and he needs to use some of his power to make them himself, which he has not mastered.
Don’t get me wrong, I love AP but we forget he is still a young pro. Teams are figuring his weak areas and this may be the learning curve year for him to make some adjustments. If a big hole isn’t there slam through the smaller one. If you get some people to miss on pure speed and get beyond the stacked line you are off to the races.
I know they are 2 different sports bu tthe issue is taking a new approach. As a HS soccer player I was good. But, I always wanted to play it the fancy way and try to make or find an opening to run right at the keeper or create a big hole. Iwasn’t doing well and my coach told me why are you waiting to make the easy shot when there is a gap 3 feet wide. Hit that hole and shoot , no one will expect it. They have you marked to do something. Do something different. Two days later I set a school record for most goals in one game.
There are similarities. If D lines and hole plugging LB’s are waiting for searching AP to hit a big hole, that can be a disadvantage. I have seen him rush some small gaps and pick up 5-7 yds. Ozzie made a statement similar that he thought AP could turn a 80 yd performance into a plus 100 with just smashing at some people one in awhile. It was not a knock. Just an honest evaluation from a guy who didn’t have the moves. Strong but not as strong as AP.
It made sense.
AP will be fine. When this line matures and jells together, watch out. Hey, they are 5-0 and can only get better.