![]() ![]() Of course, this is not simply Cook’s fault. ![]() ![]() Instead, Cook was getting nailed at or behind the line of scrimmage much too often. When defenses were concentrating on preventing those plays, the Vikings should have been able to make big gains with the running game between the tackles. Hockenson and the other Vikings receivers were not going to make plays outside the hashmarks. In O’Connell’s study of last year’s game films, the real weakness of the running game took place when the middle of the field was wide open and opponents were attempting make sure Jefferson, T.J. “I think it’s one thing to want to call more runs,” he said, “but what do those runs look like when you call them? … What are we trying to get accomplished schematically? How are we using our players to do the things that they do well, while also sticking to the philosophy of marrying the run and the pass?” ![]() O’Connell’s thought process demonstrates he is concerned with increasing the team’s average per carry and eliminating the negative plays. Cook’s status is very much up in the air, and it probably has as much to do with his cap hit of $14.1 million as his downturn in production. The Vikings signed backup running back Alexander Mattison to an extension, and the team drafted DeWayne (Deebo) McBride from UAB in the 7 th round. He still has speed on his side, but he may not be as quick as he once was, as evidenced by the number of zero-yardage and negative carries. ![]()
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