Blogs

Versatile Veteran Hicks Steps In For Herrera

Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress told reporters after Sunday’s game that he can’t recall coaching a more versatile player in his career than rookie WR Percy Harvin. But it was another versatile player on Sunday who did his job and allowed other versatile players, such as Harvin, to rack up yards and points.

G Artis Hicks, an 8-year veteran who was acquired by the Vikings from Philadelphia the same year Childress came to Minnesota from the Eagles, stepped into the starting lineup on Sunday in place of Anthony Herrera, who was held out due to a concussion sustained in last week’s win over the Seahawks. The Vikings offense didn’t miss a beat with Hicks in the fold, racking up 537 nets yards – 159 of them on the ground – and allowing just 1.0 sack.

“I thought he did a good job,” Childress said of Hicks after the game. “He had Tommie Harris in there lined up as a three technique. He is a jack of all trades. He doesn’t flinch. He’s started right tackle, he’s started right guard, he started on the over side, so he’s a valuable guy and there is nobody on that team that thinks twice about him going in there.”

When the Vikings acquired Hicks several years back, Childress recalled a time when they were both in Philadelphia and Hicks was inserted into the starting lineup at LT only minutes before the game. LT is a premier position in football, of course, because you’re protecting the QBs blindside, and Hicks stepped into the starting LT position on a Monday Night Football game and the Eagles offense didn’t miss a beat.

During his time in Minnesota, Hicks has played several positions, including starting at LT last year in place of a suspended Bryant McKinnie. This year, Hicks has contributed significantly yet again.