 after their win against Pearl-Cohn at Montgomery Bell Academy Friday, Aug. 26, 2022 in Nashville, Tenn.</p>
<p>Nas Mba Pearl Cohn 038</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USATSI_18933070-788×443.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USATSI_18933070-1024×683.jpg” loading=”lazy” width=”1024″ height=”683″ src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USATSI_18933070-1024×683.jpg” alt=”” class=”wp-image-77324″ srcset=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USATSI_18933070-1024×683.jpg 1024w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USATSI_18933070-336×224.jpg 336w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USATSI_18933070-750×500.jpg 750w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USATSI_18933070-1536×1024.jpg 1536w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USATSI_18933070-2048×1366.jpg 2048w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USATSI_18933070-scaled.jpg 1600w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”/><figcaption>TSU head football coach and former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George talks with his son MBA linebacker Eriq George. © George Walker IV / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK.</figcaption></figure>
<p>George became the head coach of state HBCU Tennessee in 2021. </p>
<p>He also contributes to the33rdteam.com, a website that shares analysis of former players, coaches and administrators, where he names the most entertaining quarterbacks. </p>
<figure class=)
 runs the ball while Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum (98) defends in the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-750×422.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-1024×684.jpg” loading=”lazy” width=”1024″ height=”684″ src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-1024×684.jpg” alt=”DJ Wonnum” class=”wp-image-55637″ srcset=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-1024×684.jpg 1024w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-336×224.jpg 336w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-750×501.jpg 750w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-1536×1026.jpg 1536w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-2048×1368.jpg 2048w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-300×200.jpg 300w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-700×467.jpg 700w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-768×513.jpg 768w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/USATSI_14956055-scaled.jpg 1600w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”/><figcaption>September 20, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs the ball as Minnesota Vikings defensive end DJ Wonnum. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
<p>His first choice was Jonathan Taylor. The Colts back is the total package, as he combines speed, power and vision. All of this helped him secure the rushing title in 2021. He led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns, both by wide margins. </p>
<p>Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris was George’s next mention. He led all rookies in rushing yards and his 1,200 yards ranked him fourth in the league. However, the 3.9 yards per carry average was underwhelming. His size, combined with his advanced skills, make him an intriguing player. </p>
<figure class=)
 celebrates a two-point conversion with fullback C.J. Ham. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/USATSI_17208288-788×443.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/USATSI_17208288-1024×683.jpg” loading=”lazy” width=”1024″ height=”683″ src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/USATSI_17208288-1024×683.jpg” alt=”Vikings Pro Bowler could face roster cuts” class=”wp-image-72316″ srcset=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/USATSI_17208288-1024×683.jpg 1024w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/USATSI_17208288-336×224.jpg 336w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/USATSI_17208288-750×500.jpg 750w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/USATSI_17208288-1536×1024.jpg 1536w, https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/USATSI_17208288-scaled.jpg 1600w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”/><figcaption>November 21, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Dalvin Cook (33) celebrates a two-point conversion with linebacker CJ Ham. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.</figcaption></figure>
<p>“And also Dalvin Cook in Minnesota,” George said of the Vikings running back. “I don’t think he gets enough credit, but he’s the ultimate game breaker. “If he’s healthy, I think he could easily be the best running back in the league.”</p>
<p>Vikings fans know their running back is a fantastic player, as Cook entered the league and immediately looked different. His first preseason touches were electric, just like the start of the regular season. In Week 4, Cook tore his ACL and missed the remainder of the season. Not only that, but he also didn’t get back to that explosiveness until late in the season and, as a result, had a bad 2018 with a lot of infectious games. </p>
<p>However, in 2019, Cook had a great season and has maintained that level of play ever since. Despite missing eight games over the last three seasons, he still trails only Derrick Henry with 3,851 games. His 35 tackles are also second, again behind Henry. The third-best in that span was just 29. </p>
<p>Cook has a career rushing yardage average of 86.1, ranking him 7th in NFL history. He is behind only all-time greats like Jim Brown, Barry Sanders or Eric Dickerson. </p>
<figure class=)
 100vw, 1024px”/><figcaption>July 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.</figcaption></figure>
<p>The Vikings are expected to go even further in 2022 under new head coach Kevin O’Connell. However, it would be foolish not to feature one of the elite running backs in the NFL. He’ll still have plenty of touch, but his usage may look different. Cook could be more involved in the passing game and get fewer runs, instead. This can be a great way to get the ball back into space where he can use all of his skills. </p>
<p>Cook is a magician. He’s elite at making opponents miss and it doesn’t matter if he’s downfield or in the open field. His number of forced fumbles, per PFF, ranked him 6th in 2021 and 2nd in 2020. </p>
<p>Cook’s speed is elite and he uses it to make people miss; Vikings running backs can just outrun them. </p>
<p>While his 2021 season was a down year, he still had the 5th-most rushing yards in the NFL despite only playing in 13 games. Only injuries can slow him down, but if Cook is healthy in 2022, there’s no reason why he can’t continue to be one of the best defenders in the league. </p>
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who loves numbers and statistics. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking football encyclopedia, enjoys watching sitcoms and classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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