You might also notice that none of these teams are running off-tackle.

Pat is getting up there in age, but he is still the same run stuffer we have always had. You just won’t see him running sideline to sideline tackling RB’s as often.

People just don’t run up the middle on us very often. When they do, they usually are only successful if they are scheming against Pat. I wouldn’t get too worried.

After all Baltimore with Their variety pack of running backs should be a real eye opener.

Assuming its true, i’m ok with it.

1. In the here in now, letting teams think they can run to some degree helps us because it takes passes out of the game and the pass is where we are weak. Instead of teams abandoning the run entirely and trying to exploit our pass weaker team, we give them a run here and there then shut them down on 3rd and 5. Remember when teams would just come out passing on 1st and 10? They would get a 2nd and short more often then not and move the ball on us. If i’m not mistaken, we are giving up FEWER points this year than last year. Running keeps the clock going which plays INTO chilly’s ball control scheme. 3rd and shorts are actually EASIER to defend in the Cover 2 scheme because our linebackers can stay in closer to the line of scrimmage.

2. Into the future, should we do well this year we can spend higher draft pick on a DT. DT’s regardless of their college scheme tend to thrive in the 4-3 defense when used on running downs. So we go out and get some enormous sized DT. I feel a lot more confident in getting one of those than in getting some other skill position in the draft.

3. Lets face it, we’re probably going to spend a 1st rounder next year on a QB after putting a package deal together to move up in the draft.

Big Pat’s balls are pretty old, but I think he’s the type of player who get stronger as the season goes on and is better the bigger the game/situation. I would be fine seeing Fred Evans and Jimmy Kennedy getting more snaps to keep Pat fresh for, well you know…just to early to start talking like that.

Pat WIlliams is 37 or 38. Bound to happen.

Also, I’ve seen some extremely questionable angles from run support tacklers (including EJ Henderson). But in particular the safeties.

Beyond that, there’s probably more than a few additional variables happening, but that’s natural. The Vikings finished 1st in rushing yards allowed/attempt in 2006, and 2nd in both 2007 and 2008. Three years is a long time in the NFL to maintain that level of play in any given aspect, and regression was bound to happen sooner or later. The hope is the team picks up some other area, which they have in adding a passing attack to the offense.

But they probably do need to find another starter at DT in the next couple of years. Kevin Williams is still elite, but Pat, again, is in his upper 30s, and is a purely limited to 2 downs these days. They have decent depth at DT, but they will need a starter soon.

I have paid close attention to him in the games I have watched you guys play in and it does appear he is slowing down a bit. Before it seems like he blew the G trying to block him, and would push him a couple steps backwards. This year he hasn’t had that same explosion, and he kind of just holds down his position in the line. Now, it’s not like that’s a bad thing. He is huge and takes up a ton of space.

But it does seem like teams are having the most success running right up the gut behind the C or off-tackle at Allen. It should be a good test this week as the Ravens love to pound McGahee up the gut and Rice off tackle.

We have only been giving up 91 yards a game on the ground. I see a couple of teams below 80 thats impressive, but I doubt that they will be there by the end of the season. We were best in the league last year with about the same average.

Just ask Baltimore if Pat Williams is any good. He hurt them up front.