The Jerick-o
Lets temper our expectations here.
The hype is building around athletic stand out Jerick McKinnon and I really want to buy into it. However while everyone is jumping on the Bandwagon I have to play the devils advocate.
Before this season started Adrian Peterson was a top 5 RB. Read any rankings like this, or this. Since then AP has struggled. He’s averaged 1.6ypc, which is preposterously low. I’d expect more from Mark Sanchez scrambling. There was a few reasons AP struggled but I don’t feel he is past it that yet. McKinnon has a lot to prove
Here are the Pros and Cons of McKinnon and his situation
Positives:
- He’s 24. The prime Running Back break out age.
- His head coach has named him Starter.
- He’s been learning Behind one of the Greats, I said the same about Jay Ajayi, who then was a healthy scratch because he wasn’t happy being placed behind Arian Foster on the depth chart – Making me feel like an idiot. The difference here is Jerick accepted this role when he was drafted and will only have gained from it. There’s a lot to say about a players character if he takes that role without complaint. It’s easy for players to talk a big game at interviews but words are cheap and their true colours are quickly shown when a situation doesn’t go their way.
- Athletic standout – Ran unofficial 4.35 and 4.38 times with an official 4.41.
- Vikings have always been a Run heavy offense.
- Has 3-4 months to prove himself. At this point it looks like AP will be out for a considerable amount of time and even when he’s healthy he’ll have to be eased back in. By that point Jerick could have carved out a role and offer a change of pace.
Negatives:
- ADRIAN PETERSON himself couldn’t run behind this line. AP is not that bad yet, but this line has given him no space between the tackles. That’s unacceptable in a Run heavy offense.
- Stefon Diggs is having a Break out season which could help McKinnon but could hinder him. The passing game thriving should take pressure off the Run; but that will take more plays away from the run. Equating in less play chances for McKinnon with mouths to feed.
- Two other RB’s are nipping at his heels. Don’t expect McKinnon to receive 20+ Carries a game. Matt Asiata is a very serviceable Back with good hands, and Ronnie Hillman will have something to prove after being Cut.
- His first game as a starter is against that stout Carolina Defense that has held other backs to 3.9 yards per carry. Now I know CJ Anderson went off, but that most of his damage was done out of the passing game. The other game was the 49ers in which they shutdown a talented Carlos Hyde.
- He’s largely an unknown quantity, can he catch that well? Will he be fumble prone? Can he bring the power along with speed?
He could be feature back level talent but nobody actually knows. It’s all speculation about timing and situation; I feel the timing for him is fantastic but the situation doesn’t look ideal.
I hope that I am wrong, I’d love him to be fantastic (Perhaps next season as I was outbid for him this season), to show the Vikings there is life beyond AP. Have the offense becomes a deadly dual threat with Diggs and Treadwell as wide-outs. This team reminds me of a young Steelers offense, Diggs is Brown – Mike Wallace made this comparison first. Treadwell could be Martavis Bryant – Less Drugs though we hope. Jerick McKinnon could be LeVeon Bell – If he is as good as everyone is hyping him up to be. All they’re missing is a Gun Slinging QB, although Bridgewater could be a a more dynamic fit next season.
For now we have to wait a couple days and see what he can do in a prominent role.
James Cooper.
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