Jets rookie RB McKnight is trying to avoid embarrassment

The New York Jets singed former USC star running back Joe McKnight in the fourth round of NFL draft to improve the team’s running game, however, the rookie did not seem to fit the team well, and he was vomiting and cramping for most of the three days. But McKnight does not want to give up and decided to dedicate the rest of the offseason to avoid such embarrassments again.

"I went home and worked on my cardio — I did a lot of core training and running to get my wind back," McKnight told The Times-Picayune. "It’s helped me because a lot of papers described me as lazy and not hard-working. I’m still changing that perception of me."

Actually, the rookie has to work hard to at least catch up with other rookies, let alone his aim is to take some snaps from veterans like Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson and Chauncey Washington. When talking about Tomlinson, who gave up the chance of putting on Minnesota Vikings jersey to join Jets instead, McKnight was filled with admire and said that he was glad for having a chance to play with LT.

Vikings WR Harvin wants Favre to return

Among the many fans and players who are expecting Brett Favre to wear back the No. 4 Minnesota Vikings jersey, Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin was the first one to talk about his expectation publicly and take Favre’s return as benefit for his own development in NFL.

Harvin had a brilliant season in 2009 and he credited his success to his starting quarterback Favre, who threw most passes to Harvin during the season. Harvin said Favre helped him learn faster and better about the passing and catching game.

“I just went into [the season] trying to contribute to the team first of all in the special-teams area but Brett got there and kind of took me into the game a little faster than I probably would have learned it under other quarterbacks,” Harvin said. “I knew my job would be a lot easier when Brett got here,” Percy said. “He knows the game better than some of our coaches there. I knew our offense would run a lot smoother with a lot more opportunities. He’s known as a gunslinger.”

So, if Harvin wants to remain as the Vikings’ leading receiver, Favre’s return is necessary. The return is also necessary to the whole team as the quarterback’s existence will make the offense more dynamic and exciting. By so far, there has been no qualified quarterback who can take perfect replacement for Favre, so it is still highly expected that the 40-year-old man would make his final decision to wear back his Favre jersey for another season.

Vikings rookie RB Gerhart will enjoy his backup role

Putting on the Minnesota Vikings jersey after being picked by the team in the second round of 2010 NFL draft, rookie running back Toby Gerhart has adjusted himself to NFL career with a elite team full with big-name players. With Adrian Peterson being the No.1 running back of the team, Gerhart has a clear definition of his own role.

"Adrian is the guy," Gerhart said. "I'm going to embrace whatever role the Vikings have for me. Competition is always good. I'll push him and make him get better every day in practice, and I'll push myself. Hopefully, I can give him a break during games. Maybe we'll be in the backfield together. We could be a dangerous tandem."

By so far, it has been expected that Gerhart will replace Chester Taylor, who was signed away by the Chicago Bears during free agency, to be the No.2 running back behind Peterson. Compared to Taylor, who had an average of six carries per game in 2009 but 44 catches for 389 yards, Gerhart was originally believed to be able to catch, but he still managed to have 24 catches for 271 yards in his last two college seasons. As also a baseball player, Gerhart himself believes that he can catch the ball much better if he is given opportunities. Well, that is very likely to be proven during the preseason.