Vikings’ TE duo could benefit from loss of Robinson

By Krupka  |   Tuesday, August 22, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Minnesota Vikings
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Not every team is lucky enough to have a tight end that is a viable pass catching option. Even rarer is having two. And two pass catching tight ends is exactly what the Minnesota Vikings possess.

With the likelihood of a year-long suspension for No. 1 wideout Koren Robinson, everyone has keyed on the alleged lack of depth in the receiving corps, assuming one of the receivers, namely Troy Williamson, will have to pick up the slack. However, the answer may be found in the Vikings' splendid tight end duo of Jermaine Wiggins and Jimmy Kleinsasser.

Wiggins joined the Vikings prior to the 2004 season and has been nothing short of spectacular. The burly yet prolific pass catcher's signature move includes leaping over defenders with the grace of a figure skater. While he may not look like the most athletic player at first glance, once you see the 6-foot-2, 260-pounder in action, there is no discounting his athleticism and game-changing ability.

In his first season with the team, he led all Vikings in receptions, with 71 for 705 yards and four touchdowns. In his second season, he became the fastest Viking to record 100 receptions in team history, adding 69 catches for 568 yards and a touchdown.

The second cog of the duo is Kleinsasser. Prior to the addition of his counterpart, the North Dakota product was becoming a favorite target of then Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper. From 2001-2004 his receptions, yards and touchdowns steadily increased each year. In the three-season span, he hauled in 107 passes for 978 yards and five touchdowns. An injury limited him to just one game in '04.

Last season the 6-3, 272-pounder added 22 receptions and 171 yards, giving the Vikings' offense superb production from the tight ends, with 91 receptions and 739 yards. The lone disappointing statistic is just one touchdown combined from the two.

Wiggins is more of an offensive threat than Kleinsasser, although both certainly hold their own and are effective assets to the unit, and Kleinsasser is the better blocker. Together the two will likely be counted on to shoulder the load through the air with Robinson gone.

The Wiggins-Kleinsasser double act will likely be the biggest beneficiaries within the new offense that will forge on without the Pro Bowler Robinson. Expect to see more two-tight end sets than originally anticipated, both to aid against the likelihood of defenses stacking the box against the run and to exploit mismatches Wiggins and Kleinsasser create.

Opposing defensive backfields will likely focus their attention on Williamson, the Vikings' new No. 1 target, trying to force the other receivers to make plays. This should open up opportunities for Travis Taylor, Marcus Robinson and Billy McMullen, but more importantly allow Wiggins and Kleinsasser to do the dirty work underneath.

Expect the two to get more touches, hopefully becoming bigger targets in the red zone and picking up the production the team lost on Tuesday Aug. 15, when Robinson was caught driving drunk.

Eric Krupka can be contacted at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

Go ashore, burn the boats, and never look back with the Minnesota Vikings at Realfootball365.com
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