From: jag@unislc.uucp (John Ganske)
Subject: Minnesota Vikings News 8/17/92
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 17:20:27 GMT
Keywords: minnesota vikings news offense redskins burns


Some Vikings news from the Minneapolis StarTribune for Monday August 17,1992:

    from an article titled "After two exhibitions, Vikings embrace offence"

    (my editorializing: I took this article with a huge grain of salt.
    I've seen far to much premature enthusiasm around the Vikings in
    the following cases:

      1. The new enthusiastic, emotional (the local press loved to 
	 highlight this after the laid back Bud Grant years),
	 gung-ho training camp under Les "can you really believe 
	 that year as head coach actually happened" Steckel

      2. Hershal Walder's first game with the Vikes - he ran
	 for 148 yards, and was named the teams's ticket to 
	 the Super Bowl

      3. Many recent games in which they posted early leads that
	 merely served to set them up to snatch yet another defeat
	 from the jaws of victory)

   from the article: 

     During the offsesaon, the big question among the Vikings' offensive
     players was: Will they find a quarterback to lead them?  After two 
     preseason games, it has changed to: Could they find one to hold 
     then back? 

     "This offense is great" said quarterback Rich Gannon, who played his 
     first game in offensive coordinator Jack Burns' system Saturday
     night (against the K.C. Chiefs).  "Receivers are open all over the
     place.  I have no idea who's going to be the quarterback here but
     whoever is, is going to score a lot of points."

     Gannon gave everyone a better idea of who will be the starting
     quarterback Saturday, completing 12 of 18 passes for 175 yards,
     one touchdown and no interceptions in the second half of the
     Vikings' 30-0 victory over Kansas City at the Metrodome.

     The difference between Gannon and Sean Salisbury was subtle, but
     important.  Gannon threw quickly and decisively, or scrambled to 
     avoid pressure and give himself time to throw.  Salisbury took
     an extra half-second or so to make up his mind and had trouble
     escaping the rush.

     Salisbury finished 7-for-17 for 87 yards and had at least two
     passes dropped.  He did not throw any passes that came close
     to being intercepted, but he was sacked three times and fumbled
     three times.  Vikings quarterbacks are 38-for-70 for 483 yards, 
     two touchdowns, no interceptions and four sacks in two games.

     Those numbers are particularly impressive considering the Vikings
     are working in a new system - a Redskins-oriented offense that also
     borrows from the 49ers.  Call it the "stealth" offense for its 
     ability to spring receivers open downfield.  "Our offense is 
     basically in, and now we're just refining it," Salisbury said.
     "I think our offense is further along now than it has been since       
     I've been here".

     The running game is not in full stride, but, like the Redskins',
     this is a passing offense that relies on the run to control the
     ball and soften defenses up for the big play.  Here's how the
     offense promises to work:

     The Vikings rely on multiple sets, but their favorite seems to
     be the oine with Anthony Carter and Cris Carter at receiver,    
     Steve Jordan at H-back, Mike Tice at tight end or Y-back, and
     Terry Allen at halfback.

     During the game, Roger Craig will alternate with Allen, and
     Hassan Jones, considered a starter, often replaces Tice to give
     the Vikings a three-receiver set.  The Vikings also can use three               tight ends to give them a power-running set in shich Cris Carter
     usually is the line receiver.

     Burns uses a lot of motion, and it isn't just for show.  When  
     Jordan goes in motion out of the backfield to the right and Jones
     goes from right to left, the quarterback quickly finds out
     whether the defense is playing zone or man-to-man; and how the
     defensive line plans to attack.

     "We've tried to become an attack offense," Salisbury said.  
     "I talked to (Chiefs All-Pro cornerback) Albert Lewis the other
     day, and he was talking about how difficult it is to guard against
     us, with all the motions and shifts.   

     In short-yardage sets, the Vikings usually will have Pro Bowl guard
     Randall McDaniel play fullback ahead of Allen or Craig, or they'll
     have two or three receivers spread the defense to set up a short pass
     or a quick run up the middle.

     Another innovation borrowed from the Redskins is "bunched" receivers.
     Often the Vikings will have two or three receivers breaking off the
     line of scrimmage from the same spot, near the offensive line.


John Ganske -------------------------
a readheaded dad, vegetarian, cyclist, runner, volleyball player,
programmer, and all-around good guy, glad to be back in Minnesota
and soon to become small-time (very small-time) farmer 
     -----------------------------------------------------  
Unisys Corp.                            jag@unislc.slc.unisys.com 
Roseville, Minnesota                    612 635-7545  
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