As Cook rests, Vikings get long look at backup running backs
5 years, 4 months ago

As Cook rests, Vikings get long look at backup running backs

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — Mike Zimmer knows the potential and importance of running back Dalvin Cook to the Minnesota Vikings, so the coach is taking the cautious approach to Cook’s workload during the preseason. The advantage is two-fold: Cook stays fresh and injury-free, while the Vikings get a long look at a quartet of players who are trying to seize a vital spot as Cook’s backup this season. We can’t be, ‘OK, let’s survive till Dalvin gets back.’ We keep going forward.” Zimmer, who was mum on whether Cook would play Sunday against Seattle, and Kubiak had reason to be encouraged with the performance in the first preseason game last week at New Orleans. Just trying to work at it every day.” The four players will look to fill a role as the complement to Cook and replace Latavius Murray, who signed with New Orleans after rushing for 578 yards and six touchdowns while starting six games last season.

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History of this topic

Vikings thrive under coach of year favorite O’Connell, a relatable state for Packers with LaFleur
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Vikings thrive under coach of year favorite O’Connell, a relatable state for Packers with LaFleur

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell’s stirring locker room tribute to his team last week at Seattle was respectfully interrupted by seven-year veteran right tackle Brian O’Neill, who flipped the script on the game ball awards by tossing one to the boss in honor of his second 13-win season in three years. The Vikings have obliterated even the most …

The Vikings and their in-gear offense will be a tough team to outscore moving forward
1 month ago

The Vikings and their in-gear offense will be a tough team to outscore moving forward

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — Sam Darnold pinballed around his collapsed pocket to dodge a sack on third-and-8, before slicing through a skinny opening to sprint right in search of more space as Justin Jefferson’s hand shot up downfield. With O’Connell directing the quarterback development program and calling the plays and Jefferson leading a dangerous and diverse group of pass-catchers, Darnold has …

Vikings keep putting pressure on opposing QBs without relying as heavily on the blitz
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Vikings keep putting pressure on opposing QBs without relying as heavily on the blitz

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — With the Minnesota Vikings holding a 10-point lead at Tennessee midway through the fourth quarter, Titans quarterback Will Levis lined up in the shotgun formation for a crucial fourth-and-4 play from the Minnesota 43. Patrick Jones powered past Titans right guard Peter Skoronski, the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and pulled down Levis for …

Vikings Reassess Darnold Amidst Turning Tides
Trending News
2 months, 1 week ago

Vikings Reassess Darnold Amidst Turning Tides

Associated Press  

Despite some costly turnovers, the Minnesota Vikings are enjoying a surprising season of revival. Quarterback Sam Darnold has been a bright spot for the team, leading the league in interceptions and completing at a high rate. The Vikings' offense has also been effective, with wide receiver Justin Jefferson consistently making catches. However, Darnold has also had some costly turnovers, and …

Vikings' Defense Struggles as Flacco Takes Over in Crucial Match
Trending News
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Vikings' Defense Struggles as Flacco Takes Over in Crucial Match

Associated Press  

The Minnesota Vikings are looking to bounce back from a tough 2-2 start to the season after a five-game winning streak. They face the Indianapolis Colts in prime time, a team that has shown they can overcome challenges with their passing attack. The Vikings will need to find their defensive footing quickly if they want to win this game. The …

Vikings post-NFL Draft depth chart: Sam Darnold at QB, defensive improvements aplenty
8 months, 1 week ago

Vikings post-NFL Draft depth chart: Sam Darnold at QB, defensive improvements aplenty

New York Times  

The NFL Draft is over, and the Minnesota Vikings’ summer schedule is heating up. Here is our full breakdown: Quarterbacks Starter: Sam Darnold On the roster: J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens Out: Jaren Hall The Vikings do not want to rush McCarthy’s development. Wide receivers Starters: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison On the roster: Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield, Jalen Nailor Out: Trishton …

Vikings release RB Alexander Mattison with their ground game still in need of a boost
10 months, 1 week ago

Vikings release RB Alexander Mattison with their ground game still in need of a boost

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings released running back Alexander Mattison on Monday, with the club continuing to seek solutions to a lagging rushing attack. The Vikings cut four-time Pro Bowl pick Dalvin Cook for cap savings last year and turned the backfield over to Mattison, one of the most popular and respected players in the locker room. Mattison had 25 …

Vikings give their backfield to Mattison, seeking efficiency on the ground and against the cap
1 year, 5 months ago

Vikings give their backfield to Mattison, seeking efficiency on the ground and against the cap

Associated Press  

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! “I’m extremely honored that they trust and believe in me.” The most recent time the Vikings played a season without a Pro Bowl running back on the roster was 2006, the year before they drafted Adrian Peterson seventh overall. After 10 seasons with the franchise’s career …

Minnesota Vikings release star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap reasons, AP source says
1 year, 7 months ago

Minnesota Vikings release star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap reasons, AP source says

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap savings after his fourth consecutive season surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark. Cook was scheduled to count more than $14.1 million against Minnesota’s salary cap, which would have been the third-highest figure for a running back in the league behind Derrick Henry and Nick …

Why the Vikings released Dalvin Cook and what’s next: Is it Alexander Mattison time?
1 year, 7 months ago

Why the Vikings released Dalvin Cook and what’s next: Is it Alexander Mattison time?

New York Times  

The Athletic has live coverage of Vikings vs 49ers on Monday Night Football. The Minnesota Vikings officially released running back Dalvin Cook, the team announced on Friday. With no team biting on a trade, the Vikings were left with this decision: releasing a four-time Pro Bowler so that they’d be able to use the cap resources elsewhere. Expected Points Added …

With Dalvin Cook departing, where does the Vikings’ run game go from here?
1 year, 7 months ago

With Dalvin Cook departing, where does the Vikings’ run game go from here?

New York Times  

They desperately want to run the football effectively. “A main goal of mine is to have some improvement in our running game,” O’Connell, a former quarterback and also the team’s play caller, said. “Depth and continuity for another year are huge.” Last year, Pro Football Focus graded the Vikings’ run-blocking unit as the fourth-best in the NFL. Following that game, …

Cook, Vikings can’t capitalize on Jefferson’s record day
2 years, 1 month ago

Cook, Vikings can’t capitalize on Jefferson’s record day

Associated Press  

DETROIT — In the end, no amount of fireworks from Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson — and they set the air ablaze Sunday — could overcome perhaps the worst game of Vikings running back Dalvin Cook’s six-year career. “When I look at it, there was some positive performances from some individual players and some things that gave us a chance …

Cook, Vikings seek consistency after breakthrough TD
2 years, 2 months ago

Cook, Vikings seek consistency after breakthrough TD

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — Dalvin Cook took the handoff to the left, burst through a big hole between the center and the guard, then made a slick cutback to evade an arm tackle and veer right. “But when those big plays hit, we try to take advantage of them.” The NFL has experienced a resurgence of rushing success this year, with a …

Cook’s 4 TDs help Vikings knock off Packers 28-22
4 years, 2 months ago

Cook’s 4 TDs help Vikings knock off Packers 28-22

Associated Press  

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Now that Dalvin Cook’s feeling healthy again, the Minnesota Vikings have a chance to turn around a season that seemed headed to oblivion. Cook gained 226 yards from scrimmage and became the first Viking in over four decades to score four touchdowns in a single game as Minnesota defeated the Green Bay Packers 28-22 on Sunday. …

Vikings draft grades: What they got right, what they didn’t in their 15 picks
4 years, 8 months ago

Vikings draft grades: What they got right, what they didn’t in their 15 picks

New York Times  

It was a busy NFL Draft for the Vikings, as they made a record 15 picks over the course of the seven rounds. First round Picks: WR Justin Jefferson, CB Jeff Gladney Chad’s grade: A Barring a major fall for one of the top prospects, it’s hard to imagine the draft board shaping up much better for the Vikings in …

Correction: Raiders-Vikings story
5 years, 3 months ago

Correction: Raiders-Vikings story

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — In a story Sept. 22 about the Raiders-Vikings game, The Associated Press erroneously referred to the Oakland quarterback. A corrected version of the story is below: NFL rushing leader Cook leads Vikes romp past Raiders 34-14 NFL rushing leader Dalvin Cook leads Vikings romp past Raiders 34-14 with 3rd straight 100-yard game By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football …

Vikings Mailbag: O-line and CB issues, how to attack the Packers D and more
5 years, 4 months ago

Vikings Mailbag: O-line and CB issues, how to attack the Packers D and more

New York Times  

Mike Zimmer on Monday tried to downplay the Vikings’ strong start to the season. — Hunter G. Unfortunately, I think the Vikings’ best option is just to hope like heck that Hughes can play soon and play at a high level. We’ll just kind of see where he’s at when he’s ready to roll.” If he can play in Green …

Vikings top Seahawks 25-19 behind crisp preseason passing
5 years, 4 months ago

Vikings top Seahawks 25-19 behind crisp preseason passing

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — The pressure is on Minnesota’s offense to improve, and a more productive passing attack will depend partially on a diversified group of targets for Kirk Cousins. Rookie tight end Irv Smith Jr. and backup wide receiver Brandon Zylstra each had touchdown receptions, and the Vikings used a versatile offense to beat the Seahawks 25-19 in a preseason matchup. …

Six late-emerging NFL Draft sleepers that would fit the Vikings’ mold
5 years, 8 months ago

Six late-emerging NFL Draft sleepers that would fit the Vikings’ mold

New York Times  

In the time since our piece looking at the type of prospects the Vikings were likely to target based on athletic thresholds, a number of players have improved their scores — or arrived on the scene with new scores — since then with their Pro Day performances. Scouting reports on Barton, including The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s, mention his clear sideline-to-sideline …

Vikings position-group breakdowns: An offensive line with something to prove
6 years, 4 months ago

Vikings position-group breakdowns: An offensive line with something to prove

New York Times  

The Vikings offensive line is the biggest question for the team heading into the season. Quarterback Kirk Cousins benefited from a pressure rate of only 31.0 percent in the preseason, which would have been one of the lowest pressure rates in the NFL over the course of the 2017 regular season — it’s quite possible that the Vikings have a …

Vikings position-group breakdowns: Building a title-worthy defensive line
6 years, 4 months ago

Vikings position-group breakdowns: Building a title-worthy defensive line

New York Times  

In January’s NFC championship game, the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles abused the Minnesota Vikings in part through their extraordinary defensive line depth and rotation — Case Keenum had a passer rating of 116.5 when kept clean in that game. Richardson has been winning a lot of one-on-one reps and creating big problems in the Vikings’ offensive run game …

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