CalVkg (889)
B. Grant (803)
bjohnny (690)
Purple Charlie (684)
Tomb... (603)
Fran the Man (590)
Skol12 (532)
Norseman66 (483)
c.carterhof (460)
wtfvikesfan (449)
[Note From Adam: This is part two of my position-by-position breakdown of this Vikings roster. Part one, The Passers, can be found by clicking here.]
The Vikings running game was not unsuccessful in 2011, as they ranked fourth in the league, despite numerous challenges such as struggles along the offensive line and injuries to their running backs. The position of running back, however, suddenly has a number of question marks that need to be discussed this offseason.
Let’s take a closer look.
The Vikings entered the offseason with their fanbase in a panic.
Adrian Peterson had a potentially career altering knee injury that left a lot of uncertainty, and backup running back Toby Gerhart had an MCL injury that had many wondering how effective the Vikings running game would be in 2012.
Peterson put some minds at ease this week by putting forward a positive message regarding his rehab, and it sounds like he is already ahead of schedule.
Meanwhile, Tom Peslissero reports that Gerhart has returned from his Hawaiian vacation and the evaluation of his MCL is such that surgery will not be required. It has been determined that rehabilitation and rest will be the appropriate remedy for his injury.
Peterson has also entered the rehabilitation phase, following his surgery, and it sounds like he is determined to commit to the process 100%. One potential problem, however, is that the Vikings are assumed to want their $100 million running back rehabbing in Minnesota at Winter Park where they can keep an eye on him, but it appears Peterson may have different plans. Judd Zulgad has more details on this pseudo-story.
As we mentioned yesterday, Vikings running back Toby Gerhart suffered MCL damage after being hit by Major Wright in the season finale. This was sobering news considering fans of the Vikings are already wondering if Adrian Peterson’s knee injury will cause him to miss time in 2012.
Gerhart had a pretty positive message on Tuesday, however, and it sounds like he thinks surgery will be unnecessary for him.
“Swelling should go down with rest as my range of motion returns,” said Gerhart to the Pioneer Press.
This year, Gerhart saw more action than he previously had because of Peterson’s various injuries, but it may surprise some fans to learn he actually averaged more yard per carry than Peterson did.
Peterson averaged 4.7 yards per attempt while Gerhart ended the season at 4.9.
Of course, opposing defenses stacked less guys in the box with Gerhart standing in for Peterson, but he still showed some impressive ability to be an every down back. He ran for 531 yards and one touchdown this season. He also caught 23 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns.
Newly appointed Genreal Manager Rick Spielman and Head Coach Leslie Frazier are underway with their press conferences announcing various offseason plans, but before we dissect their various statements, I wanted to pass along one very important piece of information from the pressers.
Toby Gerhart, contrary to previous reports, actually did tear his MCL in the season finale.
The team will evaluate the running back over the next few weeks to determine whether or not surgery will be required.
Adrian Peterson has already gone under the knife, so the Vikings running game in 2012 is suddenly a very big question mark.
Recent comments