FanPost

2013 Offensive Positional Expectations


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Chris Cook plays well when healthy - via prod.images.vikings.clubs.nflcdn.com


Below is a summary of my expectations for each positional group.

Quarterback

I expect Christian Ponder to make positive strides this season in our run-heavy offense. Ir is clear that Ponder is not ready to take his play past the "game-manager" level. All is not doomed, however. Game manager is all that we need. Ponder will be a more consistent QB.

Stats: 60% Completion, 3200 Yards, 24 TDs, 16 INTs

Running Back

With defenses focusing on the run even more this year (who would have thought that was possible), its tough to expect 2,500 yards for Adrian Peterson. Repeating 2,000 Yards will be a remarkable feat. The player himself looks to be the real deal and primed for the best season of his career. The FB situation and OL preseason performances are not as encouraging. AD will again be the focal point and engine of our offense. I expect less yards but more TDs

Stats: 1,900 Yards, 20 TDs, 48 Receptions, 250 Yards

Wide Receiver

I expect lots of depth chart upheaval under Greg Jennings. Cordarrelle Patterson and Jarius Wright both look better than Jerome Simpson, so I'm sure they'll rise to the top while Simpson becomes our #4 option. Jennings and Patterson will make moderate positive impacts, giving Ponder two solid WR options as oppose to one stellar option in 2012.

Jennings: 80 catches, 800 yards, 8 TDs

Patterson: 48 catches, 400 yards, 3 TDs

Wright: 44 catches, 620 yards, 2 TDs

Tight End

Kyle Rudolph looks primed for a big 2013, and big things are expected. He is the favorite target of a struggling QB, who loves to check down. Rudolph also serves as the team's primary red zone threat. Rudolph will be essential to success in the passing game. John Carlson has won some people over this last month. I am not one of them. I think Carlson continues to struggle in both blocking and receiving. Looking for Rhett Ellison to have a big year as he supplants Carlson on the depth chart.

Rudolph: 70 catches, 700 yards, 8 TDs

Offensive Line

Other than the discouraging preseason effort, there is no reason to think that the OL will take a step back this year. I expect the OL to return to form, with marginal improvement. This unit's strength is run blocking, so don't expect clean pockets for Ponder. Ponder got sacked 32 times last year. That sounds about right for 2013 as well. The preseason penalties and miscues should vanish.

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.