Slowly but surely we are going to get through the positions and players of the 2014 Vikings and summarize just how good (or awful!) they were in 2014. With a final 7-9 record, you can bet that the aggregate results will be “mediocre.” However, you can bet your ass there were some areas that stuck out. Let’s remember those fondly, instead.
RUNNING BACKS
Which Ones?
Adrian Peterson (Remember that one game?!), Matt Asiata, Jerick McKinnon, Joe Banyard, Ben Tate, something called Henry Josey
Who Did What?
Adrian Peterson ran the ball 21 times for 75 yards in 2014. He average 3.6 yards per carry. In his first and only game of the year. That game was a win, and Matt Cassel started it. Beyond that, nothing else matters. Why? Because Matt Asiata was your running back. He had 15 games to prove he was better than 3.6 yards per carry, and he could not do that. He average 3.5 yards per carry throughout 2014. Is that bad? Well. For players that had over 100 attempts in the season, Matt Asiata had the 38th best yard per carry average. There are 32 teams in the NFL. He was one of those 32 team’s starting. Meaning, the Vikings starting running back was worse than six potential fake team starters. So do with that what you will.
We could talk about Jerick McKinnon, but if I’m being honest I don’t ever think he’ll be a legitimate every down, NFL starting running back. He’s a cute little change of pace guy though, so he’s got that going for himself. Which is nice.
How Did That Work Out?
Well, again, not well. Imagine if Teddy Bridgewater could have had Adrian Peterson drawing defenses away from the rookie quarterback all season long? You think Teddy’s fairly impressive rookie season would have been even better with a veteran, MVP quality running back behind him? Call me a child abuse apologist, but yeah, I kind of think having Adrian Peterson around would have made this team a little better, and so, not having him made the team worse, and therefore, the running back position didn’t really work out that well. In fact, with Peterson on the team, I think they would have gone at least 9-7. Is that playoff good enough? I would have creamed my pants.
Also, the Ben Tate move was stupid. Stupid because of the coaching staff. Ben Tate isn’t a great running back, but – ya know – his career 4.4 yards per carry says that he’s probably better than Matt fucking Asiata. Jesus.
Guilty Pleasure For 2015?
You know what? I hope Adrian Peterson comes back pissed as hell. I hope the Vikings are just dumb enough to welcome him back with open arms without offering any kind of explanation. And I hope fans get super pissed off about it for no good reason, and then I hope he just fucking CRUSHES it, and every single asshole that wrote him off as the devil has to bite their tongue because he helps us the Super Bowl. God that would be awesome.
Favorite Position Moment
Matt Asiata’s penchant for scoring 3 touchdowns in a game, or not at all. What a butthole.
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