Zach Line

Kaptain

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61 yard TD in preseason opener

[video=youtube;CNInLA-YLSc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNInLA-YLSc[/video]
 

Wes Woodhead

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If you listen close you can hear some obviously black voice saying "whiteBOY".
 

FootballDad

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"Backup to everybody, Zach Line....." If only he had any skill, he might be able to beat out such otherworldly talent like Joe Banyard, Bradley Randle, Jerome Felton, Matt Asiata, or Jerodis Williams. Yes, those supa-affletic backs with the necessary "wiggle" are all listed ahead of Zach on the Vikings depth chart........
 

white is right

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"Backup to everybody, Zach Line....." If only he had any skill, he might be able to beat out such otherworldly talent like Joe Banyard, Bradley Randle, Jerome Felton, Matt Asiata, or Jerodis Williams. Yes, those supa-affletic backs with the necessary "wiggle" are all listed ahead of Zach on the Vikings depth chart........
His situation is the typical UDFA situation that White tailbacks are in when they try and make a roster. He will need to significantly out perform Felton to beat him out at fullback as Felton has a decent long term contract for a fullback. Also he isn't being considered for the third tailback spot.
 

celticdb15

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Line is showing his skill set to the whole league. Hopefully someone takes notice and brings him in after the Vikings cut him. It's not a good spot for him anyway.
 

ToughJ.Riggins

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It would actually be a fair comparison to say that Line is like a slightly slower, slightly less powerful, slightly less shifty version of Eddie Lacy. I think Line could have the effectiveness in this league of a guy like Jocque Bell in Detroit who has been effective. Actually, an announcer in the Lions/Jets game was stating Bell should beat out Leshoure (recent 2nd round pick) for 2nd string.

You see the difference here. Line (UDFA who will probably be cut) and Lacy (was hyped to be a 1st round pick and 1st back taken after running behind that amazing Alabama line). I believe Lacy wound up the 4th back taken.

Line could be very effective taking 10-15 carries or so a game. Line does share some size and skill comparisons to Gerhart coming out of college, but he's DEFINITELY a less talented version (I believe Gerhart is somewhere between the 5-8th best back in the league if given the chance to start). Line's more like a slightly poorer version of Lacy or maybe a Jocque Bell type. A little scouting report with comparisons there.
 
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ToughJ.Riggins

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Surprisingly, Sports Illustrated has a story on Zach that is alternating on its homepage with several other feature articles: http://mmqb.si.com/2013/08/12/zach-line-rookie-journey-3/?sct=hp_t1t_a1&eref=sihp


That is surprising, that that is on the homepage. The media likes to blackout white RBs. I'd still much prefer if there was a Burkhead homepage story coming out of SI. I think Burkhead is the only hope for a new white RB getting carries this year and he will need all the exposure he can get.

Not trying to take anything away from Line, but I don't see the NFL ever letting him be anything more than Kuhn even though he could be used for so much more than that role.
 

Carolina Speed

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That is surprising, that that is on the homepage. The media likes to blackout white RBs. I'd still much prefer if there was a Burkhead homepage story coming out of SI. I think Burkhead is the only hope for a new white RB getting carries this year and he will need all the exposure he can get.

Not trying to take anything away from Line, but I don't see the NFL ever letting him be anything more than Kuhn even though he could be used for so much more than that role.


Agree 100%! The attention for now is on Line, steering purposely away from Burkhead, and the media knows Minnesota or any other team will never use him for more than the occasional out pass or for blocking, which is something he didn't do nearly as much at SMU and they know this is going to be almost impossible for Line to do on a consistent basis, given the small amount of time he has to hone his skills. They're thinking another Jim Kleinsasser. Remember him?

Matt Cassell using the same old stereotype, he brings his hard hat everyday. Thanks Matt.

Meanwhile, Rex Burkhead is playing well and they want no part of him being a starting white RB. I so hope I'm wrong and both Line and Burkhead make it and somehow and someway Rex makes it and becomes starting white RB in the NFL.

The only way whites will break through at RB is with being in the right place at the right time or in other words a whole h3ll of a lot of luck. I hope more than anyone here that it happens.

I'm not taking anything away from Burkhead, but there are so many other great white RB's coming out of high school that have as much or more potential than even Rex, but sadly most will not get the opportunity he has. So when one is there, trying to break through we need to give him all the support we can to make way for another and another.

Let's hope upon hope things will fall into place for both Line and Burkhead.
 
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Freethinker

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white is right

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Line is showing his skill set to the whole league. Hopefully someone takes notice and brings him in after the Vikings cut him. It's not a good spot for him anyway.
Line might break camp with the team now that Felton is going to be suspended for 3 games because of a DUI charge. I can't see the Vikings looking at the waiver wires for a fullback with Line showing decent ability as an all purpose back.......http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp...s-minnesota-vikings-pro-bowl-fb-jerome-felton
 

white lightning

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I'm glad that S.I. is giving the kid some publicity. He needs it but think about this guys. First off, how many kids are the 2nd leading rusher in the history of their college and being asked to change positions? Zach Line ran for the 2nd most yards ever in the history of SMU. Only Eric Dickerson ran for more yet he is being asked to change positions. Then on top of that no team had interest in him in the nfl draft. All we heard was that he was too slow and not talented enough. What a crock of b.s. Did he look too slow on his first touch in an nfl game where he ran for a 61 yard touchdown? I think not but we all know his lack of a tan will keep Line and others just like him on the bench or out of this racist league we call the nfl.
 

dwid

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meanwhile, Khiry Robinson, out of West Texas A&M is considered for the Saints rotation (they rotate 4 backs and has had a good preseason, 4th back has gotten over 100 carries in one year and not unusual) , he ran a 4.71 at his pro day at 206 pounds, which would be a 4.8 at the combine, Zach Line has almost 50 pounds on him and is quicker and would never be considered for that role.
 
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white is right

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Here is the latest S.I. article on Zach Line. Good luck to this kid tommorow night. I hope he can score another touchdown.

http://mmqb.si.com/2013/08/28/zach-line-decision-day-looms/?sct=hp_bf1_a5&eref=sihp
Line was placed on the IR today with a "knee injury". I suspect this was a calculated move by the Vikings to hide him from the waiver wire as he had a good chance of being picked up by a team needing a utility back or a fullback. Money wise this beats the practice squad as Line will make 5 times the money on the IR....http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/blogs/224907612.html
 

Leonardfan

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Line was placed on the IR today with a "knee injury". I suspect this was a calculated move by the Vikings to hide him from the waiver wire as he had a good chance of being picked up by a team needing a utility back or a fullback. Money wise this beats the practice squad as Line will make 5 times the money on the IR....http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/blogs/224907612.html

Pretty sure they are getting there affletic fullback back after a 3 game suspension and decided to rob Zach Line of anymore playing time his rookie year.
 

white is right

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Updated article on Zach Line...hopefully he will be healthy & make an impact! The wear & tear on Peterson & the departure of Gerhart could open up some opportunity in the future. The Vikings are high on him...

http://mmqb.si.com/2013/12/19/zach-line-minnesota-vikings-rookie-journey-nfl/
This article has the familiar story of veteran being on the bubble because of his bloated salary versus a younger player. In this case it helps Zach Line.....http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_26314993/vikings-jerome-felton-dismisses-talk-he-might-get
 

Don Wassall

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Even with Adrian Peterson's legal troubles, Line is still fourth at best on the depth chart at running back. It will take a slew of injuries ala what happened in Denver in 2008 when Peyton Hillis was the seventh man up at RB, for former college standout Line to get an opportunity to play tailback even though he likely would excel as a very effective "throwback" power back. From Weenieworld:

Vikings signed RB Joe Banyard off their practice squad. With Adrian Peterson inactive, the Vikings needed more bodies in the backfield. Banyard will slot in behind starter Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon. Banyard had 212 yards on 36 carries this preseason.
 

celticdb15

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What a weak group of runningbacks to be behind.
 

Don Wassall

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The Caste System strikes again:

Vikings waived FB Zach Line. The move clears a roster spot for Joe Banyard. Line will likely be signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
 

jaxvid

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The Caste System strikes again:

Vikings waived FB Zach Line. The move clears a roster spot for Joe Banyard. Line will likely be signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Vikings management: "Let's not get stuck in another Toby Gerhart situation".

Two different white running backs getting carries for the same team within a 10 year period is verboten.
 

Leonardfan

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The Caste System strikes again:

Vikings waived FB Zach Line. The move clears a roster spot for Joe Banyard. Line will likely be signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

What a crock of **** and a purely racially motivated move.
 

celticdb15

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He just didnt have the hip wiggle
 
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