Posted on 8/10/2007 4:56:19 PM

Football Betting - Which Of Vicks' Dynamic Duo Will Start

By Charles Jay

It is no secret that the Minnesota Vikings are hopeful of launching their running game into the stratosphere. When head coach Brad Childress came aboard, it was his offensive priority to control the football in a way predecessors Dennis Green and Mike Tice had failed to do. Obtaining All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson via the free agent route was a cornerstone to that strategy, and he joined Matt Birk and Bryant McKinnie to form the nucleus of one of the NFL's best offensive lines.

Childress acquired running back Chester Taylor, who had been a backup with the Baltimore Ravens, and put the rushing load on his shoulders. Taylor responded with 1216 yards on four yards a carry. But Taylor, despite a 95-yard touchdown run against Seattle in the season's sixth game, does not necessarily have the explosiveness to make a lot of game-changing plays, and having carried the ball 303 times, there was definite concern about over-working him. So the Vikings reached out for Oklahoma star running back Adrian Peterson with its first-round selection in the NFL Draft.

Peterson was a sensation at Oklahoma right from the outset, finishing second in the Heisman balloting after rushing for 1925 yards as a freshman. But injuries slowed him down; in the 2006 season, he broke a collarbone that kept him out of action for seven games, limiting him to 1012 yards. Peterson returned for the Fiesta Bowl and ran for 77 yards, including a touchdown in both regulation time and the thrilling overtime period.

Peterson has not quite arrived as a receiver yet, but his workouts for scouts were good enough to allay much of the fear about his hands. He brings something to the table that Taylor does not - the ability to be absolutely spectacular. Most observers are in agreement that if he manages to stay healthy, Peterson is going to be a big star in the National Football League.

That establishes him, it would seem, as something of a favorite in the battle for the #1 running back position in Minneapolis, but Taylor might get the nod early because of his ability catching it, as his 83 receptions over the last two seasons gives him value. Furthermore, putting him into specialty situations where he can show off his talent, Peterson can be eased into the lineup. Once he gets there, he will make an impact. With Tarvarius Jackson and Brooks Bollinger at quarterback, the Vikings' passing game is going to be limited. So it will be especially important for Minnesota to maintain its level of defensive prowess (8th overall, first against the run last year) and advance itself in the running game for Childress to have any chance at getting his team to the post-season.

THE CHARLES JAY LINE

Who will start at running back for the Vikings in Game 1?

* Chester Taylor -130

* Adrian Peterson 110

* Both will start +350

Who will gain more yards for the Vikings in 2007?

* Adrian Peterson -299.5 yds -120

* Chester Taylor +299.5 yds -120

Will Adrian Peterson rush for at least 1000 yards in 2007?

* Yes -140

* No Even

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Charles Jay of TotalAction.com is a freelance writer and oddsmaker who contributes with gusto to the BetUS.com Locker Room