Player grades for the 2012-13 Vikings: Part two, running backs
By Nam Huynh
Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Packers 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
This is part two of a several part series where Sporting Sota will do a complete player breakdown of the team’s performance in 2012-13, broken down by position.
If you haven’t already, check out part one: quarterbacks.
The highlight is obviously Adrian Peterson, who basically single-handedly carried the team on his back to the playoffs.
Running backs:
– Matt Asiata – Like Bethel-Thompson, Asiata played very well in the preseason. He only got three carries for nine yards on the season.
Grade: N/A
– Jerome Felton – Felton lead the way for Peterson, and we all know what type of year Peterson had. Felton deserves a lot of credit, and there is a reason why he was elected as a Pro Bowler. One thing the Vikings did not utilize a lot about Felton was his receiving ability. He is an excellent receiver for the position he plays. It would be nice to see him in the play-action, as well as occasionally see him motion out as a receiver.
Grade: B+
– Toby Gerhart – Everyone—besides Peterson—expected Gerhart to get the bulk of the team’s carries, at least to start the season. Instead, Gerhart got a career-low 50 carries at 3.4 yards per carry. Gerhart simply didn’t get enough carries, so he didn’t necessarily regress from the season before where he averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 109 carries. The two backs are similar, in a sense that they both need multiple carries to get going and break down the defense. Gerhart only got a few carries here and there. He was running back, stuck in the unfortunate position as Peterson’s backup.
Grade: C
– Adrian Peterson – An orange peanut, for me? What is there to say? He almost broke the NFL single season rushing record, shortly removed from a torn ACL and MCL surgery. Peterson is certainly the team’s MVP, but also deserves the honors of league MVP.
Grade: A+