Greg Jennings diversifies Vikings

A case can be made that very few playoff teams in NFL history had a more one-sided offense than the 2012 Minnesota Vikings. The Purple and Gold had the presence of possibly the best power running back since Earl Campbell (Adrian Peterson), a fact that should theoretically have opened up passing lanes. Defenses facing Peterson have to be constantly conscious of Peterson the runner and Peterson the pass-catcher. And yet the Vikings ended the season with one of the worst passing attacks in the league.

What was already a deficiency took another hit when Percy Harvin was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a collection of three draft picks earlier this week.

Those elements were likely a huge reason the Vikings signed free-agent wide receiver Greg Jennings to a five-year deal on Friday.

Jennings, with 425 catches and 6,537 yards in seven seasons with the Packers, will obviously upgrade Minnesota's passing game, but by how much? Is he enough to get this aerial attack to the point where it can keep defenses from keying on stopping Peterson, thus give All Day an even better chance at breaking the single-season rushing yardage record?

To find this out, let's start by establishing some benchmarks.

To read more of KC Joyner's piece on Greg Jennings and what he means to the Vikings, become an Insider today.

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KC Joyner

NFL Insider

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• NFL and CFB analyst for ESPN Insider
• Known as "The Football Scientist"
• Uses proprietary metrics from game tape study