Don't Expect Ben Tate to Stick With the Minnesota Vikings

In Houston Ben Tate played second fiddle to Arian Foster. It was a paycheck and as often as the Texans ran the ball and Foster got injured he got a good amount of work. After averaging 4.7 yards a carry in three seasons he decided he wanted to be the man instead of the man behind the man so he left town.

It was an understandable move so not too many were mad at him.

via Bleacher Report

There is only one problem. It didn't work, or at least it hasn't yet. He was never able to earn enough carries to justify his roster spot with the Browns so they went ahead and cut him. Tate was not expected to clear waivers and sure enough he didn't. Minnesota picked him.

But don't expect him to stick there either.

The Vikings really don't need him. After ten games they have the No. 12 rushing game in the league so what they are doing is not bad. Rookie Jerrick McKinnon has done a decent job in Peterson's absence averaging 4.9 yards a carry on 98 attempts. Matt Asiata is averaging  a lot less (3.3 yards) on his 85 carries, but he has had a nose for the end zone with six rushing touchdowns.

McKinnon does well when he gets the carries. The three times he got more than 15 carries he ran for 135 (7.5 yards/carry), 103 (5.4 yards/carry), and 83 yards (5.2 yards/carry).

The team was leery about starting Teddy Bridgewater (till there was no choice) without Peterson to help take the pressure off, but it looks like they could take plenty off by giving McKinnon the ball 20+ times a game.

So--why pick did they bother picking up Tate? For the rest of this season it is all about depth. Should McKinnon go down their running game is show. Asiata is more of a second-fiddle/change of pace kind of guy. While Tate's body of work in Cleveland was poor the Vikings are likely hoping he will return to the form he showed in Houston.

But even if he does the Vikings are not going to pay to keep him next season. Peterson will be back and McKinnon will be his back up. Asiata will still have the change of pace role.

Tate will not get to play much so even if the Vikings wanted to keep him he will not want to stay.

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