The drafting of Adrian Peterson gave the Vikings a potential all-pro stud yes, but it also gave them a surplus of viable running backs.
Chester Taylor was the starter last year with Mewelde Moore serving as the third-down specialist, but contributions were also made by Artose Pinner and Ciatrick Fason. All four remain on the roster – but it’s unlikely that this will be the case once the season starts. At some point during training camp, one or maybe even two of our excess backs will be traded off – and the most valuable of them would seem to be Mewelde Moore.
Moore has moves – that’s obvious to anyone who’s seen him run. He’s especially deadly on swing passes and screens (a fact Brad Childress only seemed to remember last year once the team had fallen well behind and needed to scramble). He’s also a solid punt returner. The knocks on him have always been health and attitude – he’s injury prone, and even when he is well, he doesn’t always seem eager to go out and contribute. Mike Tice famously remarked on Moore’s body language, saying he could tell Moore didn’t really want to be in the game. Talent-wise, however, Moore would seem the Viking back with the most to offer (the Colts, Browns and Patriots are all rumored to be interested).
Ciatrick Fason remains a prospect, an alleged big back who has shown no particular ability in short-yardage situations, or any other situation for that matter. Artose Pinner, on the other hand, demonstrated last year that he can get it done when called upon – he put up a 125 yard, 3 TD game in December against his old pals the Detroit Lions when Chester Taylor was on the shelf.
It would be a little bit disappointing to see Mewelde go, especially given his punt-return ability and overall skills. But it’s hard to see how a guy like that fits in when you already have Chester and Adrian – particularly when you consider Moore’s tendency to sulk when he doesn’t get to play. Pinner and Fason both seem expendable – I’d keep one or the other of them as an insurance option behind AP and Chester; preferably Pinner, who at least has had some success in the league. At any rate, it’s nice to have at least one position where you know you’re set, and can discuss what to do with the guys you don’t need.