Jerick McKinnon Thread

[REPTAR]

I have too. I have no idea what he will become and may be nothing. But all this talk about how freakishly gifted he is and his SPARQ (whatever that means) score being off the charts has piqued by interest. Glad I own him so I can at least see how it plays out, even if nothing becomes of it.

[Titus Young's Lawyer]

Norv loves gadget plays and McKinnon used to be a QB so look for a HB option pass. McKinnon should be able to win this job within a few weeks.

[Jimmy Jones]

Norv loves gadget plays and McKinnon used to be a QB so look for a HB option pass. McKinnon should be able to win this job within a few weeks.

He can probably throw it better than Cassell too. McKinnon to Patterson for 6?

[joeday]

Dude has had 3 regular season carries - c'mon man, get that YPC business outta here!

lol it was hyberbole. I'm just saying I really don't consider him overly special. I probably wont play either of them this week if I can help it...just to see how it all works out.

Damn Joe really??? Man I've been intrigued by this guy for months!

Hey, I've been wrong before, so who knows. But considering the Vikings were used to having an elite bell cow, I could see them taking Gurley early if AP isnt back with the team. In every league I have AP I also have Asiata and McKinnon, so I would be THRILLED if one of them got the job and ran with it (pun intended). In the league I just have Asiata, I only picked him up quick after I heard the AP news last Friday (McKinnon was already rostered or I would have picked him up to), so I have nothing invested in him whatsoever (I dropped Shaun Draughn to get him lol). Hoping he looks semi decent this week so I can flip him.

[mnnightowl]

But considering the Vikings were used to having an elite bell cow, I could see...

Could be. In your mind how does the term bell cow apply to the likes of Jamaal Charles, McCoy, MJD, Chris Johnson, etc.? I ask this somewhat tongue in cheek because my own view is a smallish RB is frequently pigeon holed as being capable only of change of pace play, until he isn't.

[joeday]

But considering the Vikings were used to having an elite bell cow, I could see...

Could be. In your mind how does the term bell cow apply to the likes of Jamaal Charles, McCoy, MJD, Chris Johnson, etc.? I ask this somewhat tongue in cheek because my own view is a smallish RB is frequently pigeon holed as being capable only of change of pace play, until he isn't.

oh, I think of Charles and McCoy as Bell cows. MJD started his career splitting carries. Other than his monster 2008 campaign, CJ has proved he cannot sustain being a bell cow. Its not size, to me, that determines bell cow backs...but someone like Gurley who has an amazing combination of size, speed and pedigree could be truly special.

[Lotto4Life]

but someone like Gurley who has an amazing combination of size, speed and pedigree could be truly special.

Gurley is the best prospect since Peterson (other than Trent Richardson).

[joeday]

but someone like Gurley who has an amazing combination of size, speed and pedigree could be truly special.

Gurley is the best prospect since Peterson (other than Trent Richardson).

lol I guess you arent a fan. is what it is.

[Lotto4Life]

I actually am a big fan. I am just leery when it comes to the consensus top guy lately. Seems the hit rate hasn't been great since Peterson.

[mnnightowl]

But considering the Vikings were used to having an elite bell cow, I could see...

Could be. In your mind how does the term bell cow apply to the likes of Jamaal Charles, McCoy, MJD, Chris Johnson, etc.? I ask this somewhat tongue in cheek because my own view is a smallish RB is frequently pigeon holed as being capable only of change of pace play, until he isn't.

oh, I think of Charles and McCoy as Bell cows. MJD started his career splitting carries. Other than his monster 2008 campaign, CJ has proved he cannot sustain being a bell cow. Its not size, to me, that determines bell cow backs...but someone like Gurley who has an amazing combination of size, speed and pedigree could be truly special.

Fair enough. Obviously Gurley looks like he could be a beast, so no disagreement there. However, you left me with the impression you will always miss the train on undersized RBs. Maybe that's unfair, just my impression if you say you don't dismiss small RBs but look for the combination of size/speed/pedigree (which does dismiss small RBs). Also on Chris Johnson, he was certainly suitable bell cow when he racked up 2000 yards rushing. In retrospect you can say he cannot sustain being a bell cow, but I'm not sure that is fair. Fact is he became the 6th RB ever to accumulate 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first 6 NFL seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, etc. He was a contract casualty, and I'd say decreased production on that horrible offense was due to many more factors than his own ability.

Any event, I'm far more intrigued by McKinnon. He was a bell cow in every sense in college, basically having the ball in his own hands virtually always whether it was playing QB, RB or even CB. Excellent athlete, freakishly strong lower body (which is a trait that caused me to target MJD when he was being dismissed as a COP). I do think he has a lot to prove in terms of receiving and pass protection, but I see no reason he could not put a JAG like Asiata on the bench, and give the Vikes a great rush/pass 3 down back a la Charles, McCoy, MJD... which BTW is something the Vikes never thought they had in Peterson (given that he was almost always taken out on 3rd down).

[OhCruelestRanter]

I actually am a big fan. I am just leery when it comes to the consensus top guy lately. Seems the hit rate hasn't been great since Peterson.

The problem is that running backs are way, way more reliant on their situation than we seem willing to admit. Guys like Morris, Ball, hell, even Foster and Gore, are not special talents. They've only been good enough to hold on to a very good situation. Gurley is a beast, and if he lands in Minnesota as the top-dog, he'll probably do very well. If he lands in Oakland, behind their dumpster fire of an O-Line? It might take him a while to succeed.

[Titus Young's Lawyer]

135yds on 18 carries! I didn't get to see the game, anybody have the scouting report?

[John Paul]

He looked good. Norv will probably shelve him now so teams can't get good tape on him.

[Jecked]

He just looks so explosive compared to asiata.

[Phaded]

135yds on 18 carries! I didn't get to see the game, anybody have the scouting report?

One of his first carries was a 51 (or so) yard carry, weaving through the defense and breaking multiple tackles.

He also almost had a redzone TD but his knee went down with about 1/4 of a yard to go. Was originally called a TD but official review turned it over.

...He just looked absolutely explosive to be completely honest. His athleticism that everyone was raving about shined today.