Toby Gerhart figures to have a bigger role with the Vikings in 2012 regardless of the health status of Adrian Peterson. 

"I think Toby has made strides in the pass protection realm of his game," said offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. "He has always been smart, but I think his technique has been better this year. He is playing with lower pad level. Running the ball too, he seems to be a little bit more assertive, a little bit quicker to hit the hole and I think that comes primarily from familiarity with our blocking schemes and our system.