Since the moment of Musgrave’s hiring fans have been speculating on what approach the new coordinator will bring to the Vikings. Going by Musgrave’s own statements, the new offense will be heavily influenced by the one he helped run in Atlanta when he was quarterbacks coach under Mike Mularkey.

“It will definitely be the Minnesota Vikings system,” Musgrave said when asked a few months back about his plans. “It will have its roots in language, I’m sure, from my history with coach [Mike] Shanahan and most recently from my experience with Mike Mularkey. There will be some language that our guys will recognize right off the bat because it will have some West Coast roots, and it will have some formations and protections that are more along the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, which we ran down here in Atlanta with coach Mularkey.”

The best quick rundown I’ve been able to find of the Mularkey/presumed-Musgrave offense is offered by Gary Horton of Scouts, Inc.:

Mike Mularkey brings a smashmouth style to Atlanta and, not surprisingly, favors a power-running attack. But he also is a creative playcaller who is drawn to multi-dimensional players. Mularkey always has been good for a few gadget plays, and he constantly is moving his personnel to keep defenses off balance. Expect a lot of two-back and two-tight end power sets designed to help the run game and to set up a vertical, play-action passing game.

Of course Bill Musgrave is not Mike Mularkey. He will bring his own tweaks to the system, depending on personal preference and the realities of personnel. Briefly breaking down the Vikings’ personnel and how the various players may or may not fit into what we think we know of Musgrave’s system:
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