Breakouts '06: Vikings RB Chester Taylor

**singersp** · 07-10-2006, 01:02 AM

[size=18px]Breakouts '06: Vikings RB Chester Taylor[/size]

July 9, 2006

Vinnie Iyer
sportingnews.com

Six years ago, I was watching Toledo play at Penn State on television, thinking the Nittany Lions were about ready to whack a MAC team.

Then there, on the field in Happy Valley, this quick, compact back named Chester Taylor ran over Linebacker U. for 141 yards and two scores in a stunning 24-6 upset.

I thought to myself, this kid, the Toledo Rocket, could be a really good pro. It's taken a few years since, but he's finally getting his chance to be an NFL starting running back.

Coach Brad Childress and the Vikings won't be disappointed as they put Taylor to work as a runner and receiver. For some reason, despite some good all-around numbers, he didn't quite fit in the Ravens' offense behind Jamal Lewis.

Taylor is the ideal back for the kind of offense Childress likes to run, where backs are heavily involved in the passing game. I have great respect for what the former Eagles offensive coordinator has done in the past, and this decision was a good start in Minnesota. Adding the planet's best guard, Steve Hutchinson, didn't hurt, either.

I was getting bored of annual post-Robert Smith gaggle including Michael Bennett, Moe Williams, Onterrio Smith and more recently, Mewelde Moore and Ciatrick Fason. I'm glad the Vikings have only one feature back again, and Taylor will be their newest offensive star.

Breakouts '06: Vikings RB Chester Taylor

**DarrinNelsonguy** · 07-10-2006, 01:05 AM

I hope Vinny is correct in his assesment of Chester and we need him to help establish our running game.

**NordicNed** · 07-10-2006, 01:13 AM

Sounds good to me.....I'm also looking forward to seeing how Chester fills in at his new roll.....

Let the games begin already.....

**Ltrey33** · 07-10-2006, 01:16 AM

I think Taylor is going to have a great year this year. It'll be fun to see him run behind that left side! :grin:

**nephilimstorm** · 07-10-2006, 01:30 AM

Thats a good article...at least there wasnt some dumb trade to get a feature back. And I like what he said about the other backs, accept that of Moore

**Vikes_King** · 07-10-2006, 01:30 AM

i hope he does really well, although, if you think about it Mewelde, if he can stay healthy and lower his shoulder and try and be a more physical back, he could be perfect for this system also.

he's a smaller westbrook, moore is known for his extremely good numbers in his recieving stats, as well as his running

**oakmage** · 07-10-2006, 01:40 AM

Personally I think that Taylor is going to have a great career with the Vikings, I would like to think Moore was the man but he gets hurt to much

**kramer9guy** · 07-10-2006, 01:41 AM

"singersp" wrote:

...I was getting bored of annual post-Robert Smith gaggle...

Me too, except, I really like Mewelde. And, minus the injuries, I think he has a big upside (he's proven that many times in the past).

I hope Chester and Mewelde can create a one-two punch at the RB position that we haven't seen around these parts in a while.

I can't wait until the season begins!