Watching the Big Uglies Tonight and This Month

I am a big fan of the running game, and if you sit anywhere in the Metrodome, you have more than likely heard me yelling "POUND IT! TELL THEM WHAT'S COMING, GIVE THEM THE PLAY, AND THEN SHOVE IT RIGHT AT THEM! POUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!:

Well, last season was the closest I have seen the Vikes be able to do that, but it wasn't perfect. With Bryant McKinnie suspended for 4 games, the left tackle position will see good old Artis Hicks taking over at left tackle, and he'll have to fend off Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Dwight Freeney in the first two games of 2008.

The good news is that this shouldn't effect the Vikings run game that much. According to post I found online from a random Vikings fan who was citing a website called football outsiders (http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol.php) the Vikings run most of the time (52 % as a matter of fact) between the Guards, or right up the gut. Guards Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera along with Matt Birk are the guys who deserve the credit for the running game. Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor don't have to worry too much, but replacing McKinnie with Hicks for 2-4 games will have implications in pass-protection and running wide around the left-end.

The Vikings did a fair amount of running to the left side of Mount McKinnie, and that will not be as eminent with Hicks. Instead, my guess is that you can look for some swing passes to the left side for ALL-Day off play action to the right side. OR... look for Jimmy Kleinsasser to line-up at TE on the left side, and block his butt off.

So, in conclusion, I say again, POUND IT!