Saturday was funny and passionate, so it’s not surprising to see him thriving as an NFL analyst for ESPN. He’s at his best when former players are on a panel and someone asks about the key to winning.
“Run. The. Ball,” Saturday will say, as if this strategy could solve all of humanity’s problems.
This past offseason, the Vikings traded for power runner Jordan Mason, signed center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries, and spent their first-round draft pick on guard Donovan Jackson to add beef to their running game.
With young J.J. McCarthy and battered old Carson Wentz playing quarterback for the Vikings this season, certainly O’Connell would use all of that running-game power to control the ball, wear down opposing defenses and simplify the game for his quarterbacks.
Well, last year, the Vikings averaged 23 handoffs per game to running backs, yielding 96 yards.