Minnesota Vikings: The Unsung Hero

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Well, How exciting is this! A game against the hated Green Bay Packers, a rushing record that’s stood for the better part of 3 decades is in jeopardy, and if the Vikings win they will be the most unlikely team to make it to the NFL playoffs in 2012.

But we all know about these stories, I’d like to give some credit to a  player who is a key component of the Vikings unexpected success on the field this season, yet for the most part, has flown under the radar so far. Lets talk a little bit about the fullback, Jerome Felton. Adrian Peterson has said many times that he prefers running out of single back formations rather than with a fullback, but i bet he has changed his tune this year. This man has been just pummeling his way through the front seven of opposing defenses all year and has been absolutely key to the success Adrian is having on the field. Without Felton I don’t believe we would be talking about any rushing record, or for that matter a 9-6 record with a win-and-in playoff scenario.

Felton signed with the team this year as a free agent and is by far the best value the team acquired through free agency. Although I hear they also signed a guy named John Carlson who is supposed to be a tight end with a lot of upside, and a wide out from the Bengals named Jerome Simpson who is a legitimate deep threat, and can do front flips, so they should really open up things in the pass game for Ponder this year,  if they ever decide to make it to a game.

But in all seriousness, to get a glimpse of the way Felton is punching holes for the Beast to run through you need not look farther than the 82 yard touchdown run against the Rams. Adrian almost missed the block by starting to cut the wrong way, but had time to scan the field and change direction to bust loose, and there was no way that defender was going to shake Feltons block.

This is Jerome’s 5th season in the NFL. His first 3 were with the Detroit Lions, and last year he played for both the Texans and the Colts. He played his college ball at school called Furman, which i believe is an online community college or something, and now he is the NFC’s only fullback selected to the Pro Bowl, which he will obviously have to miss due to the Superbowl obligation he and his teamates will have.

Congratulations to Jerome on his sensational season. Who do you think is a Vikings unsung hero? Would love to hear your thoughts. Please comment with your answers here or find me on Twitter @disko37

as always, (and a little extra this week!) The Packers SUCK!

SKOL Vikings!

-Jordan Nadel