Priefer Wants Cook To Return Kicks
Dalvin Cook - RB - Vikings
Vikings special teams coordinator Mike Priefer is campaigning coach Mike Zimmer to allow him to use rookie Dalvin Cook on kick returns.
One of the best STs coaches in the league, Priefer admitted he's not holding his breath that Zimmer will allow it. Cook is in the mix, if not the favorite, to be the Vikings' No. 1 running back, which would surely mean he won't be on returns. Minnesota is looking for a replacement for Pro Bowl returner Cordarrelle Patterson. Rookie WR Rodney Adams is considered the lead man for the job.
Source: Sirius XM NFL Radio Jul 18 - 9:17 PM
Wonder if this is just trying to get the best man to do the job or is this his way of saying that Adams doesn't look the greatest.
Either way, Cook is not going to be returning kicks IMO.
Good luck with that Priefer... I could see certain situations where we might have Cook take one like AD did early in his career, but not as a full time KR.
The weird thing about all this is Sherels has done a good job when called upon...why not just hand it to him?
@"Wetlander" said: Good luck with that Priefer... I could see certain situations where we might have Cook take one like AD did early in his career, but not as a full time KR.
My initial thoughts for sure. Maybe one if the game is close and we need a boost or something. Not sure you are going to put your weapon on offense out there to be a sitting duck.
@"BarrNone55" said: The weird thing about all this is Sherels has done a good job when called upon...why not just hand it to him?
Sherels is an ELITE punt returner... but I haven't been impressed with his kick returns the past couple seasons. I guess I would like to see McKinnon and Adams for that role. Someone with a little more "juice"...
Cook in not expendable to be put in that position of returning kicks, risking injury and probably on his way to being a featured running back. Sherels, McKinnon, Adams or anyone else...not so much that it will effect the whole as a team.
@"Wetlander" said:@"BarrNone55" said: The weird thing about all this is Sherels has done a good job when called upon...why not just hand it to him?Sherels is an ELITE punt returner... but I haven't been impressed with his kick returns the past couple seasons. I guess I would like to see McKinnon and Adams for that role. Someone with a little more "juice"...
I agree, Sherels KR attempts have not been that impressive from my memory. His abilities on PR dont seem to work well in a KR situation where he needs to eat a bunch of ground, make a quick move and then get up field.
I have no problem with this... if it helps the team. No player is above playing a position that the coaches think will help the team win.
@"Bezerker88" said: I have no problem with this... if it helps the team. No player is above playing a position that the coaches think will help the team win.
Like it or not... according to PA, right now the starting RB or RB1 is McKinnon. He took all the first team reps in the OTAs. I am sure that Cook will get his chances to surpass JM, but thats where things stand right now. If DC does not show a marked improvement over the other 2, I have no issue using him on special teams until the time comes where he is the true feature back that most expect he will be.
Yes, Cook is going to have the chance to ascend to RB1 but in the meantime its not a crazy idea to have him compete for the KR job. He is obviously explosive and works well in space which would suggest he'd be a natural. The only drawback is that he has enough speed but doesn't have that electric speed to run away from the fastest players. Someone needs to compete with Rodney Adams, why not Cook?
As for Sherels, returning kicks is very different than returning punts. On the KR you're looking for someone that has the ability to read blocks, has the ability to make people miss 1x1, and the size to run through arm tackles. Sherels is sure handed and can make someone miss in the hole, but he doesn't have the size/speed to defeat tacklers by outrunning their angles.
I wonder what happens IF Cook gets the chance to return kicks BUT then coughs up the ball (he has somewhat of a rep of ball protection issues) too many times. Does that affect his chance of becoming RB1? Perhaps one reason not to put him in there and face guys with a 40yd running start.
F that.
Remind me how Chad Greenway was hurt again after we drafted him???? Special teams / kick return if I'm not mistaken.
Hell to the NO
@"Vanguard83" said: F that.Remind me how Chad Greenway was hurt again after we drafted him????
Playing football.
I'll put my money on Adams earning the KR duties. He seems like the perfect guy for it. At the same time, I don't want any responsibilities simply gifted to any player, especially an unproven one. I don't want Cook anywhere near the KR role. He's going to take enough abuse the way it is. Why risk it?! Fruechte, Coley, Adams would be my choices to fight for the opportunity. Winner makes the 53, losers make the PS.
@"Wetlander" said:@"BarrNone55" said: The weird thing about all this is Sherels has done a good job when called upon...why not just hand it to him?Sherels is an ELITE punt returner... but I haven't been impressed with his kick returns the past couple seasons. I guess I would like to see McKinnon and Adams for that role. Someone with a little more "juice"...
Well, he really hasn't returned kicks the last couple years...when he did early in his career, he was around 27 yards a return...
My guess is Fruechte is gone. He has nice general skills, but nothing really special enough that puts him on an NFL roster IMO. With Treadwell, Floyd, Diggs, Thielen, and Wright pretty much locks, I see the team keeping their last receiver spot for one of the 2 rookies, and even though Fruechte is PS eligible, I dont know if the team would use a spot on him his third year.
also.... no love for Boehringer this offseason? I dont think I have heard him mentioned in any conversations or stories regard the receiver corp. :'(
@"Vanguard83" said: F that.Remind me how Chad Greenway was hurt again after we drafted him???? Special teams / kick return if I'm not mistaken.
Hell to the NO
Should the Vikings allow Teddy to drop back and throw during practice?
@"JimmyinSD" said: My guess is Fruechte is gone. He has nice general skills, but nothing really special enough that puts him on an NFL roster IMO. With Treadwell, Floyd, Diggs, Thielen, and Wright pretty much locks, I see the team keeping their last receiver spot for one of the 2 rookies, and even though Fruechte is PS eligible, I dont know if the team would use a spot on him his third year.also.... no love for Boehringer this offseason? I dont think I have heard him mentioned in any conversations or stories regard the receiver corp. :'(
I like Moritz. Maybe it's me rooting for the underdog, but his raw physical gifts would be awesome to play with, if he can develop them. If Moritz makes the team, I don't see him as a KR guy. Gunner, maybe.
@"AllBS" said:@"JimmyinSD" said: My guess is Fruechte is gone. He has nice general skills, but nothing really special enough that puts him on an NFL roster IMO. With Treadwell, Floyd, Diggs, Thielen, and Wright pretty much locks, I see the team keeping their last receiver spot for one of the 2 rookies, and even though Fruechte is PS eligible, I dont know if the team would use a spot on him his third year.also.... no love for Boehringer this offseason? I dont think I have heard him mentioned in any conversations or stories regard the receiver corp. :'(
I like Moritz. Maybe it's me rooting for the underdog, but his raw physical gifts would be awesome to play with, if he can develop them. If Moritz makes the team, I don't see him as a KR guy. Gunner, maybe.
its hard not to root for the kid, but he was really really raw, I dont think people can appreciate how far from field ready he was without seeing him in person. I think he will look much better this year, but its going to take quite a bit for him to make the roster. I dont know if he has much change of direction in him, he was so much faster than everybody else in his German league that all he really did was catch the ball and run away from people, but his speed isnt as big of a factor in the NFL so I dont know if he would be a legit KR candidate or not. likely not.
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