Blazing Fast Young Viking Called “Untameable” While Travelling Toward “Layup City”
Young Viking Tai Felton hasn’t caught a pass. He’s still turning heads.
According to special teams coordinator Matt Daniels, punter Ryan Wright is tossing the ball toward the basket and Felton is happy to elevate for the slam dunk. Put differently, Wright is launching the ball on punt and Felton is such a menace as a gunner that he’s getting right onto the returner’s toes without much hindrance.
Young Viking Tai Felton Proving to be a Menace
Leave a single blocker on Felton at your own peril. That’s what Daniels thinks, at least.
Check out what the special teams coach had to say: “[Felton] believes that he can’t be stopped. Really untameable, undeniable type of attitude that you really appreciate. And he goes out and wins those one-on-one matchups […] It’s going to require two guys to try to hold [Felton] up. Otherwise, it’s going to be layup city left and right between him and Mr. Wright.”
Opting for a receiver at No. 102 — the final pick of the 3rd — hit some as a surprise.
Minnesota has a loaded receiver position. Justin Jefferson is the top option. Jordan Addison, currently absent, will be back in Week 4 as one of the NFL’s foremost WR2s. There’s then Adam Thielen (someone added later on) alongside Jalen Nailor. When partnered with the tight ends, the Vikings’ pass-game options aren’t in short supply even if the opening pair of games would cause onlookers to think otherwise.
Part of the motivation for drafting the Terrapin may have been future-oriented since Nailor is moving into his final season under contract (Thielen, too).
But while he works on mastering his craft, Tai Felton can be a monster on specials. He is the backup kickoff returner, someone getting reps at that spot after the injury to Ty Chandler. There’s then the work in coverage, most notably as the punt gunner.
The receiver possesses 4.37 speed. He hasn’t yet gotten onto the field for offense. He has, however, been showing off that speed on specials for 35 snaps, leading to his trio of tackles.
The funny thing, though, is that Daniels’ comments refer to plays where Tai Felton isn’t getting onto the stat sheet. Rather, he’s getting to the returner so quick that there is no return. Doing so is basically the specials teams version of a pass rusher getting pressure on the quarterback, leading to throwing away the ball instead of attempting to earn yards.
Combating the problem, per Daniels, may involve devoting a pair of blockers toward Felton (just like teams will double someone like Jonathan Greenard).
If that ends up being the case, then the Vikings’ focus will rest on winning somewhere else. Football is a numbers game. Seeing a single player — in this case, Tai Felton — demand the effort from two blockers means that someone is going to be left free to get down the field. So, Felton’s excellence won’t be wasted even if there’s a twosome out there capable of slowing down the receiver who is shining on specials.
The Vikings, desperate for any good fortune, will be hoping that Mr. Wright finds Mr. Felton for a few more layups when the Bengals come to town on Sunday, September 21st.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
