EDIT: I re-did the poll because I forgot somebody that clearly needed to be mentioned. My apologies to those of you that had already voted. Feel free to re-cast your votes. - Chris
As a part of our plans for complete world domination, we are one of just four blogs in the SB Nation Network that has been asked to partake in the following campaign. I guess the folks at Miller like us. . .they really, really like us. The "Who Manned Up" Award will be given to someone that has a good performance, someone that plays through an injury, a backup that plays a big role. . .basically to somebody who stepped up their game when it was needed the most.
(This is not to be confused with MAYNHOLUP, whose exploits you can generally see over at Canis Hoopus.)
This will generally be a question that gets asked after each game from here on out, but since we're a little late in the week. . .and lord knows we don't want to think about the Kansas City game any longer. . .we'll make this installment of "Who Manned Up" a look at who has been the most impressive performer for the Vikings through the first quarter of this season. And even though this team is 0-4, they do have some folks that fall under this heading.
RB Adrian Peterson - Despite not having a whole lot in the way of a passing attack to keep teams away from him, Peterson is still the third-leading rusher in the NFL as we reach the quarter-pole of the NFL schedule, and the leading rusher in the NFC. He's also leading the NFL in rushing attempts through the first four games of the season.
DE Jared Allen - I'll ask again. . .anyone remember this past off-season when this guy was washed-up and stuff? Yeah, it sounded stupid then, and it sounds stupid now. Allen's 6.5 sacks place him second in the NFL in that category behind Jason Babin of the Philadelphia Eagles, and he also has three passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble to his credit thus far as well.
LB E.J. Henderson - The guy plays with a metal rod in his leg where his thigh bone used to be, for crying out loud. Despite having to deal with swelling in the knee as a result of that, he has been the Vikings' second-leading tackler this season (behind only Antoine Winfield), and has still been a steady force while playing through an injury that would have ended some people's careers.
CB/PR Marcus Sherels - This guy was on the practice squad last season, busted his butt to work his way on to the active roster, and is averaging a healthy 13.6 yards per punt return through the first four games of the season. Hopefully he will get many, many more chances to return punts as the season goes on.
CB Cedric Griffin - Yeah, he hasn't been amazing in coverage this year or anything. . .but, you know, for a guy that's blown out both of his ACLs over the past couple of seasons, the fact that he's out there at all is still pretty freaking amazing, isn't it?
So, in your opinion, who has "manned up" the most for the Minnesota Vikings through the first four games of the 2011 NFL season?