LaDainian Tomlinson Signs With the Jets

Am I the only one in Vikings land who understands the difference between a feature back and a scat or third down back?

The feature back is the power back for first and second downs and the scat back is fast and agile and can catch and block for third downs.

Let us take the Jets for example: Shoone Green is the feature back and Leon Washington is the scat back. LT will be backing up both, even though he is not the best for either anymore. At San Diego, LT was the feature back and Darren Sproles was the scat back.

The Vikings have AD for feature back but have no real scat back. Chester Taylor was a feature back put into third downs because he could catch and block. But he wasn’t optimal for that and didn’t even want to do it. That is why he left. Same with LT. Albert Young is also more of a feature back that can back up AD.

The Undrafted Free Agent writes: “The idea of a third-down back is to change the pace and style of the runner in an attempt to catch the defense off their guard. They usually come in on third down because, generally speaking, they have more speed than the starter, can catch out of the backfield better, making them more of a threat for that down and distance. They may also be a better blocker. ...For the most part, they all share traits of an elusive back….Though there are cases, like Brian Westbrook, of a weapon-back that does indeed also play the lead role.”

We need to address or QB position first, and sooner than later. As a lifelong vikes fan I have to admit Farve was our best chance at a successful run at the super bowl, no matter the bad taste it left in my mouth to see farve in a purple jersey. Farve has done more in his career to ruin our chances of success than to help. So I hate the idea of a selfish player, coming back from “retirement” to feed his own ego, not because he loved our Vikings, leading our team. The league, all fans and the media developed and continue to feed to the Favre mystique, we can only blame ourselves for thinking he may return to address our teams need and not his own. We may be better off without him. Find a QB for the future. The Packers decided not to put up with him advancing his own agenda and seem to have not skipped a beat in their selection of Rodgers. We need to do the same. I can’t stand cheering for a former hated rival again. Don’t tell me we have to rely on GB’s old QB to continue to be successful. Farve will be remembered as one of the best to play the game…but he’ll be remembered as a Packer.

Now Vikings fans can expect two big additions around training camp - Favre and Westbrook. They will likely sign Westbrook after he heals around the time of training camp (or perhaps sooner if he agrees to a deal that allows his release after training camp).

The Vikings need a third down RB who has the experience to catch passes and block within the WCO. That cannot be obtained from the current roster or the draft. That is why they pursued LT. The best fit is Westbrook.