MINNEAPOLIS -- Truth be told, Adam Thielen says he was more concerned with sidestepping Cordarrelle Patterson than trying to clear a final path for the Vikings wide receiver to finish his 67-yard touchdown run against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
He ended up doing both.
Thielen, who earned a spot on the Vikings roster after playing on the practice squad last season, finished off defensive tackle Robert Brockers at the 5-yard line as Patterson lunged for the end zone with cornerback E.J. Gaines draped over his back.
“At that point, I was just trying to get out of his way and try to get somebody off him,” Thielen said.
No surprise he was the farthest player downfield trying to clear a path for Patterson, whose record-setting rush was the longest ever by a Vikings receiver.
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“In high school (Detroit Lakes), our whole offense was 95-percent run, so all I did was block,” Thielen said. “In college (Minnesota State-Mankato) I did a lot of blocking. I’m used to it. I pride myself on it. It’s not easy, and it takes a lot of effort and skill.”
There will likely be more run-blocking opportunities Sunday, when the Vikings (1-0) host the New England Patriots (0-1) at TCF Bank Stadium. The Patriots gave up 191 rushing yards to the Miami Dolphins in a season-opening loss. That’s 5 more rushing yards than Vikings piled up in the 34-6 win over the Rams.
The Pioneer Press is a media partner with Forum News Service.
