UpdatedAug 17, 2011 6:25 AM ETAt a time when passing schemes around the NFL are constantlyevolving, the Vikings still value thefunctionality of the fullback in an attempt at Steelers Jersey power football undernew offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave.At least three lead blockers might be directing traffic forrunning back Adrian Peterson on Saturday night against Seattle -first-string fullback Ryan D'Imperio and tight ends Jim Kleinsasserand Jeff Dugan, who also have fullback responsibilities.The Vikings plan to NFL Taylor Mays Jersey find playing timefor these players despite the presence of pass-catching tight endsVisanthe Shiancoe and 49ers Vernon Davis Jersey Kyle Rudolph and 231-pound backup runningback Toby Gerhart, who looks more like a fullback.Former coach Brad Childress employed a similar roster strategywith now-free agent Naufahu Tahi as a fullback alongsideKleinsasser and Dugan. These Vikings will Vernon Davis Authentic Jersey have plenty of blockingresponsibilities in Replica Taylor Mays Jersey Red an offense expected to use less zone blockingthan in the past."There are some teams that don't even carry a fullback anymore,"first-year coach Leslie Frazier said. "But there's a place for afullback in our offense."Several of the league's best rushing teams use some variation ofa fullback, though the position is not considered a high prioritywhen building a team.The last fullback selected in the first round of the NFL draftwas San Francisco's William Floyd in 1994. Cleveland's fourth-roundpick, Owen Marecic of Stanford, was the first fullback taken in the2011 draft.Gone are the days of Larry Csonka or Christian Okoye serving asprimary ball carriers from the fullback position. Teams such as theColts and Premier Taylor Mays Jersey Cardinals have not carried a fullback in recentyears.Kleinsasser, who has played tight end and fullback during hisfirst 12 seasons with the Vikings, said Authentic Vernon Davis Jersey the restrictions of a53-man roster make it difficult for some teams to carry a fullback- especially with the versatility of tight ends in today'sgame.But having Peterson, arguably the Custom 49ers Jersey game's best running back, putsthe Vikings "in kind of a differentsituation," Kleinsasser said."You're not going to see most offenses with the old-schoolapproach, but with Adrian, we're going Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey Shop Online to run the ball,"Kleinsasser said. "You need a hammerhead Reebok Vernon Davis Jersey coming through themiddle.Under former Vikings coach Mike Tice, Kleinsassersaid most of his blocking Authentic Vernon Davis Jersey White assignments were out of Official Taylor Mays Jersey the backfield.The Childress-preferred West Coast system changed that approachslightly, Authentic Taylor Mays Jersey Red but now Kleinsasser sees fullbacks and tight ends linedup at several spots on the field, depending on the play.D'Imperio, a converted linebacker from Rutgers drafted in theseventh round of the 2009 draft, is working hard to keep up."You have to know the whole system, because you never know whereyou're going to line up," he said.The Vikings have Taylor Mays Jersey Authentic enough faith inD'Imperio to play the preseason without acquiring a veteranfullback in free agency. But a roster spot for the Sept. 11 openerat San Diego is far from certain. The Vikings also have undrafted freeagent Matt Asiata in the fullback mix.Musgrave said the Vikings' use of a fullback is basedon personnel, not offensive philosophy."There's still a few guys that know the trade and can do a goodjob, and we have a couple candidates on our team to do that andfill that role," Musgrave said.Is that what Peterson wants?"He just wants the football, period," Musgrave said.Follow Jeremy Fowler at twitter.com/vikingsnow .Terms & Conditions |Privacy |Copyright |? 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Post je objavljen 18.08.2011. u 09:32 sati.