Sports Illustrated gives the Vikings a decent grade for their work this offseason
By Adam Patrick
The publication recently released their offseason report card for each team from the NFC and the Minnesota Vikings’ grade should satisfy some.
It is indeed that time of the year where a multitude of predictions and evaluations begin to take up most of the media coverage for the NFL. With training camps still a little under two months away, there really is not a whole lot to talk about at this point in the offseason.
Recently, Sports Illustrated released their offseason report cards for all 16 teams that play in the NFC. Sports Illustrated writer Jonathan Jones was in charge of evaluating the moves made by the Minnesota Vikings this offseason and he rewarded their efforts with a final grade of a B.
"“Minnesota loaded up at running back after (Adrian) Peterson’s departure. The Vikings kept Jerick McKinnon, who led the team in rushing in 2016 with 539 yards, and they added Latavius Murray in free agency and Dalvin Cook in the draft.McKinnon was forced into the starting role last season, but there’s no mistake that the job will go to either Murray or Cook. Murray had ankle surgery less than a week after signing with the team and will miss all of the on-field work leading up to training camp. That opens the door for the rookie Cook to establish himself before the Vikings head to Mankato in late July.Peterson is gone, and it’s probable that no one will ever wear No. 28 for Minnesota again. But if the goal is to get 1,500 rushing yards from your top back, that can be achieved by combining Murray and Cook in the backfield in 2017.Grade: B”"
So a B is a pretty good grade to get on a report card. It may not be something that gets hung up on the fridge, but it still a grade that should amount to an extra scoop of ice cream for dessert.
Although Jones discredits Cook for his, “lack of athleticism,” and the Vikings for having, “no star power at wideout,” he mostly approves of the team’s newest acquisitions this offseason. Jones also notes that the additions in Minnesota’s offensive backfield and their offensive line indicates that the team likely will not be moving away from a run-first mentality on offense in 2017.
Next: Should Teddy play in 2017?
Only 14 more weeks until the beginning of the regular season. But who’s counting?