Vick, McNabb show improvement

The Eagles, Falcons and Vikings all looked impressive offensively in the opening week, writes Gary Horton.

Originally Published: September 7, 2006
By Gary Horton | Scouts Inc.
While a lot of NFL teams struggled with their timing and consistency in Week 1, three offenses really impressed, not only in terms of production, but also for their ability to stay with their game plans. Let's look at these three teams.

Minnesota Vikings
Most people assume Vikings head coach Brad Childress has a pass-heavy philosophy because of his time in Philadelphia with Andy Reid. However, he loves to run to set up the pass and is a proponent of ball control and physical football. For the most part, his offense carried out his philosophy to perfection on Monday night against Washington.

The Vikings ran 34 times, with Chester Taylor carrying the ball a career-high 31 times. They averaged only 2.5 yards per rush, but the key is they stayed committed to the run for the entire game. Led by left guard Steve Hutchinson, the Vikings' offensive line was aggressive and nasty. The Vikings are developing a mind-set that they can dominate the line of scrimmage and win games in the trenches.


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Gary Horton

Scouts Inc.
Gary Horton spent 10 years in the NFL as a scout and another 10 years at the college level as an assistant coach and recruiter. He is the founder and most seasoned member of the Scouts Inc. staff, and his extensive experience at all levels of football make him an excellent talent evaluator.

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