Post by Funkytown on Jun 15, 2019 19:06:15 GMT -6
Interesting:
Chuck Foreman knows plenty about the history of Vikings running backs, and he likes what he sees with the current group.
Foreman was a Minnesota running back from 1973-79, and made five Pro Bowls. He has remained in the Twin Cities since his retirement, and running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu invited him to have dinner last Wednesday with Vikings backs at Andiamo Italian Ristorante in Eagan and offer advice.
“This might be the best group of running backs from top to bottom that the Vikings ever have had in my opinion,’’ Foreman said. “I don’t know who they’re going to keep but what I do know is all of them are NFL material.’’
Minnesota’s group starts with Dalvin Cook, who might be ready to break loose after two injury-riddled seasons. After that, there is Ameer Abdullah, who has had two 500-yard seasons with Detroit, promising third-round pick Alexander Mattison and Mike Boone and Roc Thomas, who both showed flashes last year as rookies. The fullbacks are incumbent C.J. Ham and undrafted rookie Khari Blasingame.
“Wednesday night, I said (to Cook), ‘Man, it’s time for you to go the whole next level,’’’ Foreman said. “I asked him if he was ready for that and he said, ‘Yeah, I’ve been ready. It’s just that I’ve had some bad breaks.’’’
As a rookie in 2017, Cook was lost for the season in the fourth game with a torn ACL. He missed five games last year with hamstring issues, but still rushed for a team-high 615 yards.
Cook said after Thursday’s conclusion of spring drills he is fully healthy and “back having fun.’’ Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Cook had a “really, really good spring’’ and spoke of some of the other backs.
“Boone and Roc Thomas, and Mattison, they’re all still learning,’’ Zimmer said. So, we’ve got some work to do but I think C.J. Ham’s had a nice spring.’’
During his dinner with the running backs, Foreman talked about making a commitment because the NFL is such a “short-term gig,” and he was impressed with their serious demeanor. He told them about some advice he once got from hall of fame running back Jim Brown to avoid unnecessary wear and tear.
“He said one thing a running back has to know is when to go down,’’ Foreman said. “And that’s not to quit. But when you can’t go any further, you got to go down and come back another play. When it’s third and one, that’s different. But when you’re out the field and you got 10 guys coming at you, it’s time to go down.”
Foreman was a Minnesota running back from 1973-79, and made five Pro Bowls. He has remained in the Twin Cities since his retirement, and running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu invited him to have dinner last Wednesday with Vikings backs at Andiamo Italian Ristorante in Eagan and offer advice.
“This might be the best group of running backs from top to bottom that the Vikings ever have had in my opinion,’’ Foreman said. “I don’t know who they’re going to keep but what I do know is all of them are NFL material.’’
Minnesota’s group starts with Dalvin Cook, who might be ready to break loose after two injury-riddled seasons. After that, there is Ameer Abdullah, who has had two 500-yard seasons with Detroit, promising third-round pick Alexander Mattison and Mike Boone and Roc Thomas, who both showed flashes last year as rookies. The fullbacks are incumbent C.J. Ham and undrafted rookie Khari Blasingame.
“Wednesday night, I said (to Cook), ‘Man, it’s time for you to go the whole next level,’’’ Foreman said. “I asked him if he was ready for that and he said, ‘Yeah, I’ve been ready. It’s just that I’ve had some bad breaks.’’’
As a rookie in 2017, Cook was lost for the season in the fourth game with a torn ACL. He missed five games last year with hamstring issues, but still rushed for a team-high 615 yards.
Cook said after Thursday’s conclusion of spring drills he is fully healthy and “back having fun.’’ Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Cook had a “really, really good spring’’ and spoke of some of the other backs.
“Boone and Roc Thomas, and Mattison, they’re all still learning,’’ Zimmer said. So, we’ve got some work to do but I think C.J. Ham’s had a nice spring.’’
During his dinner with the running backs, Foreman talked about making a commitment because the NFL is such a “short-term gig,” and he was impressed with their serious demeanor. He told them about some advice he once got from hall of fame running back Jim Brown to avoid unnecessary wear and tear.
“He said one thing a running back has to know is when to go down,’’ Foreman said. “And that’s not to quit. But when you can’t go any further, you got to go down and come back another play. When it’s third and one, that’s different. But when you’re out the field and you got 10 guys coming at you, it’s time to go down.”
... and neither is this Chris guy.