Kirby Wilson is Promising

Kirby Wilson didn't control the offensive line in Minnesota under offensive coordinator Norv Turner.  However, if he hadn't had his guys run behind zone-blocking offensive lines before, he sure did there.  As running game coordinator, he could see it implemented.  I still believe Mister Man-blocking Hue Jackson has the sense to use it.

As mentioned, with the probable loss of Alex Mack, and the potential losses of Schwartze and even Thomas, the inside zone scheme becomes more desirable.

It's actually plug-and-play, and a simple scheme for inexperienced offensive linemen to master...Along with being ideal for Bitonio, Erving, and Thomas.

To help explain this, it usually starts with pairs of blockers ganging up on two defensive linemen, with one blocker coming in from the side.  You can see how this helps out a non-bulldozer, right?

Then the two blockers who hit the defensive linemen in the side proceed upfield, targeting the linebackers or safeties coming up to fill the gaps created.

The two blockers who are facing the two defensive linemen maintain contact and try to push them back.  This is easier now, because the combined impacts have usually frozen the defenders in place, if not established foreward momentum.

Also as mentioned, you really don't want Isaiah Crowell dancing and juking, ok?  Nor is he a human battering ram.  He is best cruising laterally, and then exploding through an opening gap.

This favors Duke Johnson on inside runs as well.

These two are analogous to Jarick McKinnon and that bigger guy, who isn't nearly as good as Crowell.  

Now, Turner also ran McKinnon wide a lot, often with a blocking back and a tight end.  The tackle would pull to the edge, the tight end block down on the defensive end or big linebacker to seal the edge, and the blocking back would run downfield between them.  This was how Norv made the most of McKinnon's speed, and spread the defense out.

I noted on the run chart something I need Flip to know: The '14 Vikings ran everywhere, except less through the strong side A-gap.  

This isn't zone-blocking (I don't think.  I haven't studied the outside zone yet).

This was used with handoffs, pitchouts, and called passes.  McKinnon caught a lot of passes.

So Kirby has this experience under his belt, and will recognize similar personnel here.  I hope he signs on, and does the same stuff with the Browns (are you listening, Hue?)