Post by elp525 on Apr 15, 2010 7:02:40 GMT -5
April 14, 2010
Jeff Gentner, Associated Press file
The Vikings' Darius Reynaud was recruited by West Virginia as a running back and receiver. He chose the latter to get quick playing time.
Punt returner's mimicry of the New Orleans star leads to his chance at running back for Minnesota.
By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune
Darius Reynaud can partially thank Reggie Bush for his move to running back -- or at least his ability to imitate the Saints running back.
The Vikings moved Rey- naud from wide receiver to running back at the start of offseason workouts three weeks ago because of the loss of veteran Chester Taylor.
However, the seed was planted the week of the NFC Championship Game as Reynaud, an all-state high school running back in Louisiana, played the role of Bush on the Vikings scout team offense.
"I gave a good look [as Bush]," Reynaud said. "The defense liked what they saw, and the coaches liked what they saw. They came to me after the game before we did our exit [interviews] and said I looked natural back there."
It's not a risky move. Rey- naud, now wearing No. 27, will handle punt returns again, but he did not catch a pass last season and probably wouldn't have been much of a factor in that role this season either.
Albert Young is the frontrunner to win the No. 2 job behind All-Pro Adrian Peterson, but teams can never have enough depth at running back.
"You have to be stacked at that position," Young said.
Reynaud earned all-state honors at Hahnville (La.) High and led his team to the Class 5A championship after rushing for 1,889 yards and 37 touchdowns as a senior. He had nine 100-yard rushing performances that season.
West Virginia recruited Reynaud as a running back and wide receiver. However, the Mountaineers also had star running back Steve Slaton, so Reynaud's decision was an easy one. "The quickest way for me to get on the field was to play receiver, so I just took it and ran with it," he said.
Reynaud is powerfully built (5-9, 201 pounds), has a good burst and showed an ability to pinball off tacklers as a returner. Those traits should help him in his new role, which he called a "dream come true."
"I always did want to play running back," he said. "I came in as a receiver. I didn't want to say too much. Just fit in with the younger guys. I'm glad I'm going back to it."
Reynaud said running backs coach Eric Bieniemy sat him down on the first day of offseason workouts and stressed the importance of being able to pick up blitzes.
"That's the hardest adjustment," Reynaud said. "Anybody can run the ball, anybody can catch. The main thing is protecting the quarterback. That's the first thing [Bieniemy] said. 'The No. 1 thing is protecting the quarterback. Any other thing you can do is just natural, but the first thing you have to do is protect the quarterback.' "
Reynaud said he studies film and his playbook more now and noted that running backs devote considerable time in their workouts to pass protection.
The Vikings will get a better gauge of Reynaud's progress during organized team activities, minicamp and training camp. The team still could add players at running back through the draft or free agency, but Reynaud is happy that he's getting this opportunity. "It's a new thing for me," he said. "I'm at the highest level, so I have to up my game. I have to be ready to go when they call my number."
Jeff Gentner, Associated Press file
The Vikings' Darius Reynaud was recruited by West Virginia as a running back and receiver. He chose the latter to get quick playing time.
Punt returner's mimicry of the New Orleans star leads to his chance at running back for Minnesota.
By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune
Darius Reynaud can partially thank Reggie Bush for his move to running back -- or at least his ability to imitate the Saints running back.
The Vikings moved Rey- naud from wide receiver to running back at the start of offseason workouts three weeks ago because of the loss of veteran Chester Taylor.
However, the seed was planted the week of the NFC Championship Game as Reynaud, an all-state high school running back in Louisiana, played the role of Bush on the Vikings scout team offense.
"I gave a good look [as Bush]," Reynaud said. "The defense liked what they saw, and the coaches liked what they saw. They came to me after the game before we did our exit [interviews] and said I looked natural back there."
It's not a risky move. Rey- naud, now wearing No. 27, will handle punt returns again, but he did not catch a pass last season and probably wouldn't have been much of a factor in that role this season either.
Albert Young is the frontrunner to win the No. 2 job behind All-Pro Adrian Peterson, but teams can never have enough depth at running back.
"You have to be stacked at that position," Young said.
Reynaud earned all-state honors at Hahnville (La.) High and led his team to the Class 5A championship after rushing for 1,889 yards and 37 touchdowns as a senior. He had nine 100-yard rushing performances that season.
West Virginia recruited Reynaud as a running back and wide receiver. However, the Mountaineers also had star running back Steve Slaton, so Reynaud's decision was an easy one. "The quickest way for me to get on the field was to play receiver, so I just took it and ran with it," he said.
Reynaud is powerfully built (5-9, 201 pounds), has a good burst and showed an ability to pinball off tacklers as a returner. Those traits should help him in his new role, which he called a "dream come true."
"I always did want to play running back," he said. "I came in as a receiver. I didn't want to say too much. Just fit in with the younger guys. I'm glad I'm going back to it."
Reynaud said running backs coach Eric Bieniemy sat him down on the first day of offseason workouts and stressed the importance of being able to pick up blitzes.
"That's the hardest adjustment," Reynaud said. "Anybody can run the ball, anybody can catch. The main thing is protecting the quarterback. That's the first thing [Bieniemy] said. 'The No. 1 thing is protecting the quarterback. Any other thing you can do is just natural, but the first thing you have to do is protect the quarterback.' "
Reynaud said he studies film and his playbook more now and noted that running backs devote considerable time in their workouts to pass protection.
The Vikings will get a better gauge of Reynaud's progress during organized team activities, minicamp and training camp. The team still could add players at running back through the draft or free agency, but Reynaud is happy that he's getting this opportunity. "It's a new thing for me," he said. "I'm at the highest level, so I have to up my game. I have to be ready to go when they call my number."
