It takes more than one player to make a team successful.
That's why some of the best offenses in football usually have a collection of skill players.
NFL.com analyst Dave Dameshek recently ranked offensive triplets around the NFL, groups that were comprised of a quarterback, running back and wide receiver or tight end.
Dameshek likes what the Vikings have on offense. He tabbed Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver Stefon Diggs as the **eighth-best trio** in the league.
Dameshek wrote:
Cousins was a great Cinderella story in D.C., but now, he must rise to the role of leading man while making Vikes fans forget their more cost-effective 2017 underdog, Case Keenum. He'll get as much help as any QB in the league from his dandy collection of receivers, led by the electric (and now affluent) Diggs. All that said, Cook's potential rebound could play the biggest part in another deep playoff run.
Cousins, a former fourth-round pick in 2012 out of Michigan State, threw for 13,176 yards and 81 touchdowns while compiling a passer rating of 97.6 in the past three seasons as Washington's starter. He has thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of the previous three seasons.
Cook, a second-round pick in 2017, rushed for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 2017 before suffering a torn ACL in week 4. He rehabbed all offseason and could be in line for a breakout season in 2018.
Diggs had 64 catches for 849 yards and tied for the team lead with eight receiving touchdowns in 2017. He recently signed a contract extension with the Vikings.
The Vikings were the fifth NFC team listed by Dameshek along with New Orleans, Atlanta, Carolina and Green Bay.
Scoggins highlights Rudolph's relentless charitable work
Kyle Rudolph is one of the most respected members in the Vikings locker room, and his Pro Bowl-caliber play isn't even a reason why.
The Vikings tight end is relentless with his work and community involvement in the Twin Cities and beyond, and his endeavors were recently highlighted by Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune.
Scoggins wrote that Rudolph's generosity will long be remembered after he hangs up his cleats, and detailed a connection between the tight end and a family whose young son passed away a few years ago.
Scoggins wrote:
His community involvement will be Rudolph's legacy long after his football career is complete. Known for his large catch radius as a jumbo-sized tight end, Rudolph's philanthropic work shows that his heart radius is infinitely larger. He has partnerships or works closely with numerous charities and organizations, most of them focused on kids.
He and [his wife] Jordan personally donated $250,000 to help fund a 2,500-square foot playroom at Masonic Children's Hospital called "Kyle Rudolph's End Zone." The space, which serves as a temporary getaway for patients and their families, includes a basketball hoop, sports simulator, kitchen and lounge.
The Rudolphs met with corporations throughout the Twin Cities to ask for their financial assistance in building the End Zone. They raised more than $2 million.
Vikings players nominated Rudolph for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award last season. He was an easy choice.
"I think you're missing an opportunity if you don't use the platform that we have to impact these kids' lives," he said.
Scoggins' full feature on Rudolph can be found **here**.
