When folks start mentioning specific players need to get the ball more, you have to look at the whole offense and see where the breakdowns apply.  On average, a team gets 70 plays a game.  So to emphasize one player, you have to de-emphasize another.

Let’s take a look at an imaginary Vikings offense game plan and see what that means:

45 Runs

                25 Peterson

                15 Gearhart

                 5 Harvin

25 Passes

                7 WR long

                10 WR/TE mid

                5 TE/RB mid

                3 RB/TE screens

A run heavy offense will use more time, result in fewer plays.  Some of the passes will check down into shorter routes.  You need longer passes to force the defense back out of the box.  (A favorite part of Childress’ KAO was the short passes against a defense already set up woth 8-9 players in the box, as if a pass attempt is sufficient to force the defense back).

Without a big name QB, we are going to be run heavy.  To be successful run heavy, we need a longer passing game to be a legit threat.  Both will need an improved O-line to be successful.