Vikings Line-Up Shuffle Shows Concern Over Pass Protection

There have been concerns all year about the ability of Vikings backs to pick up blitzers and keep Brett Favre from being flattened.  That came to a head in the first half against the Jets Monday night when Naufahu Tahi conspicuously failed to identify a blitzing Drew Coleman, who came through unmolested to sack Brett Favre.

Brad Childress was visibly annoyed at the lack of pass protection during his press conference after the game, and though he didn’t identify Tahi by name, you had a feeling the fullback would be spending some time in the doghouse.  Indeed, when the Vikings inactives were released today, Tahi was listed among the players not suiting up for this afternoon’s tilt with the Cowboys.

I hope Brad will at least let Tahi have a blanket out there in the doghouse, so he doesn’t get too cold.

As further proof of the Vikings’ concern over pass protection, Childress has also elected to activate Albert Young today after leaving him off the active list the last several games.  Young is generally seen as a better blocker than Toby Gerhart but a less effective runner.  Contrary to an initial report saying Gerhart would be inactive this week, both backs are in fact up for this game.

I’m not sure what these moves can tell us about the Vikings’ gameplan today, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of max-protection, multiple tight end formations like the ones used during the Saints game.  With any luck, the Vikes will be able to get Randy Moss downfield in some of these sets and hit some big plays.

Follow FanSided on Facebook. Follow The Viking Age on Twitter.