PiPress: Ra'Shede Hageman: Former Gophers standout thriving in Atlanta

BleedGopher

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per Brian Murphy:

The former University of Minnesota standout is a bulwark in the NFL's No. 1-ranked run defense, a fast and fierce unit that has allowed an average of just 87.4 rushing yards per game.

No long ago he was mesmerized by Peterson, the Vikings' superstar whose highlights Hageman absorbed living in Dinkytown. Now Peterson is just another running back to target.

"You know what? In college I used to watch Adrian Peterson all the time," Hageman said. "All that went out the window as soon as I got into the league. I can't be awestruck to see Adrian Peterson. He's trying to run me over."

Hageman is thriving again in Atlanta's 4-3 base defense under first-year head coach Dan Quinn following a rocky rookie year in which he struggled to assimilate under fired coach Mike Smith's old 3-4 scheme.

More brute strength is required from tackles in a 3-4 formation. Hageman's hallmarks are speed and agility, which he leveraged into All-Big Ten honors in 2013 playing for then-Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys.

"He's off to a really good start," said Quinn. "I think it's the combination size, strength that he has. He has been a real factor in our run game. We know the challenge ahead of us facing Minnesota, and he's right there in the middle of it as a factor for us.

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/c...eman-former-gophers-standout-thriving-atlanta

Go Gophers!!
 




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