To QB Or Not QB

With Favre giving his answer to the Vikes early this week, that he will not be joining them for 2009. With that being said the Vikings QB does not have to be a superstar or anything. The player that earns the starting job will need to keep the defenses honest and make plays. Adrian cannot do it all, he is only one man. Right now at least it looks like that John David Booty will be the number three, right now at least. The battle will be between Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.

It is the starting job for Tavaris Jackson to lose. Last season, he had the starting job, but after 2 mediocre starts. Jackson was then benched in favor of Gus Frerotte after starting the season 0-2. Jackson was playing with no urgency and he was not able to lead capitalize on good field position. After Gus was injured in Week 14, Jackson then was the starting for the rest of the season. He did play better, but to improve in his consistency of competing passes. Jackson knows that this will be it for him to compete for a starting job in a Vikings uniform.

Sage Rosenfels has a much similar story to Jackson. He has been a player that has been unable to solidify a starting job. In his 9 season, he has played in 32 games and has thrown almost as many TDs as INTs. Childress tried to get his in 2008, but Houston was not willing to deal. This past offseason, the Vikes went out and traded their 4^th round pick in exchange to acquired Sage. He has much better consistency as what Jackson has shown. He does not give up a sack very often either, with only 19 sack in his career, thus far. If anyone is going to bring the Vikes to the promise land Sage can do it.

# Player Ht. Wgt Years College

4 Booty, John David 6'3" 213 2 USC

7 Jackson, Tarvaris 6'2" 225 4 Alabama State

2 Rosenfels, Sage 6'4" 225 9 Iowa State

BOLD-Denotes Starter last Season

Run Through 'Em

The Vikings are somewhat at ease to know what they have for running backs. The 1-2 punch that the Vikes have with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor for the rushing attack. There are very few teams in the league right now that have running back combo as the Vikes have. Both have the ability to go the distance, but they each have a different set of tools that they bring to the table. Peterson brings his power running style and fights for every inch that he can get.The Vikes are looking forward if he keeps improving the way he has been the past two season have accumulated over 3000 rushing yards in those seasons. Taylor is used primarily as receiving back, or a third down back last season. The top two spots in running back depth chart are set by the looks of it.

Fighting for the number three spot will be Ian Johnson and Albert Young. Ian Johnson went undrafted in this past year’s draft, which is surprising to me with the resume that he has. He set Boise State’s record in rushing TDs with 58 and broke WAC record formerly held by Marshall Faulk with 57 TDs. Johnson had 4,183 career rushing yards and 4,952 yard. Everyone remember him as scoring on the Statue of Liberty two point conversion in Fiesta Bowl following the 2006 season. Albert Young will try to make the team this season after spending it on the practice squad all of last season. He had a year to learn from one of the best running tandems that NFL has right now. Will the experience help him for the preseason? I am saying that it will between these players for the 3 spot.

The Vikings also plan on using Percy Havin the WR out of Florida as wildcat back as well. What is the Wildcat? The general scheme can be instituted into many different offensive systems, but the distinguishing factor is a direct snap to the running back and an unbalanced offensive line. We shall see if the Vikes will be able implement this package with offense this season. This has the potentail for more big player from the rushing offense.

In fullback position, the Vikes need a hard nose player and does worry about touching the ball. The fullback is used a receiver out the back field and lucky if you get to rush the ball 10 times a year. Tahi and Dugan will help pave the way for our backs to run free for daylight. The Vikes have the tools to have a very successful rushing attack again this season.

Running Backs

# Player Ht Wgt Service College

36 Bell, Kahlil 5'11" 212 0 UCLA

32 Broughton, Nehemiah 6'0" 260 3 The Citadel

42 Johnson, Ian 5'11" 212 0 Boise State

28 Peterson, Adrian 6'1" 217 3 Oklahoma

29 Taylor, Chester 5'11" 213 8 Toledo

34 Young, Albert 5'10" 209 1 Iowa

Full Backs

83 Dugan, Jeff 6'4" 258 6 Maryland

38 Tahi, Naufahu 6'0" 254 4 Brigham Young

BOLD-Denotes starter last season

Favre Says NO For Now

The first thought that entered my mind when I heard the news regarding Brett Favre “Are you serious?” Favre gave the Vikings his decision about playing this season. He informed the Vikings coach that he will remain a retiree for the 2009 season. This came to surprised to me with events that happened all offseason. I figured when the Vikes waived CB Charles Gordon a couple of days ago were to make room for a certain player. With all the speculation with the Favre and Vikings talk all offseason, it is now finally over. Now let the duel between Sage and Tarvaris continue on.

Right now at least, I take this report with a grain of salt. I do not trust Brett Favre to stay away from football. He is nothing but a media premadona. He loves to be talked about, and everyone knows this. Hence, with the drama over the past two years. Right now, I am just glad that Favre talk is halted. Just hope that the Vikings can move toward training camp with no other distractions.

Explode Off The Line

With the Vikings training camp coming up later this week, the marquee battle on the offensive line will be between Ryan Cook and Phil Loadholt. Ryan Cook not living up to the expectations of the Vikings, so far in his short career on the right side of the line. He has been trying to make the transition from center in college to right tackle in the pro. So far, he has been struggling in making the adjustment to the position. He has been known for missing assignments and penalty after penalty.The Vikes this past draft, make the decision to draft Phil Loadholt in the 2^nd round offensive tackle out of the University of Oklahoma. Loadholt has a good explosion is hey with the Viking West Coast type offense. Loadholt has some trouble with quick rushers off the edge. I figure that Loadholt will win the position for right tackle as the season opens.

I believe that Ryan Cook should be moved over to the center position to give John Sullivan a run for his money. With the departure of Matt Birk to the Balitmore Ravens, the second year man, Sullivan has the position right now by default. He has never started a game in the NFL. Sure he has some completion, but nobody to really push him. With Cook excelling at the center position in college (All Montain West 1^st Team), now this would be a good position battle. Regardless, it is big shoes to fill with Matt Birk being the face of the Vikings for nearly a decade.

At Right Guard is Anthony Herrera, he started every game last season. He does what is asked of him and gets the job done. It seems that barring injury that he will be the Right Guard for the Vikes again this season. He earned a place on 2008 USA Today All-Joe Team that honors the hard-working and overlooked in the NFL.

On the left side of the line the Vikes have one of the best tackle guard tandems in the NFL right now (Steve Huchinson and Bryant McKinnie). There is nothing to worry about as long as they stay healthy and no bar fights. Both have been durable and deadly efficient. Count of the left side being intact for the season.

Centers

68 Cooper, Jon 6'2" 291 10/1/1986 0 Oklahoma

67 Garcia, Juan 6'3" 294 4/24/1984 0 Washington

65 Sullivan, John 6'4" 301 8/8/1985 2 Notre Dame

Guards

63 Daniels, Brian 6'4" 303 10/31/1984 2 Colorado

66 Urban, Nick 6'4" 309 4/22/1986 0 Winona State

64 Herrera, Anthony 6'2" 315 6/14/1980 6 Tennessee

76 Hutchinson, Steve 6'5" 313 11/1/1977 9 Michigan

78 Kemp, Andy 6'5" 315 3/12/1987 0 Wisconsin

Tackles

62 Cook, Ryan 6'6" 328 5/8/1983 4 New Mexico

75 Clark, Chris 6'5" 315 10/1/1985 1 Southern Mississippi

74 McKinnie, Bryant 6'8" 335 9/23/1979 8 Miami (Fla.)

79 Hicks, Artis 6'4" 335 11/28/1978 8 Memphis

60 Radovich, Drew 6'5" 305 6/20/1985 2 USC

71 Loadholt, Phil 6'8" 332 1/21/1986 0 Oklahoma

BOLD-denotes starters last season

Antoine Gets His Wish

With the News coming out of Vikings headquarters that there was a contract signing. Glad to head that it was not the news of Lord Voldemort. It was the contract extension of Antoine Winfield, he has inked a 5 years extension to his existing contract. It looks that the 32 year old cornerback just got his wish. That is that he will be able to retire a Minnesota Viking.Winfield knew that it was the beginning of the end.Winfield and his agent want to get his deal done before training camp kicked off this year.
Now he has no worries next offseason, when his original contract was to expire.
Winfield was "excited" about the signing as am I. He has been one of my favorite player since he was with Ohio State.He has never been one to run his mouth or give to offense something be get pissed off about. He is one that does his job on the field and goes home. He does not get his name on the news with late night club news.

A Need For Speed

With the Vikings trying to build up their receiving corps from what it was a couple of years ago. It is fair to say that the Purple are getting some decent and reliable players. Considering that we use to have a guy Troy Williamson (I know it hurts), he was suppose to be the replacement for Randy Moss.

Last offseason, the Vikes acquired Bernard Berrian as a free agent; he was worth the money last season at least. He had one of the highest Yards per catch average last season with over 20. It seems that the Vikes actually have a number one receiver now with Berrian here. He is not afraid to catch the ball in the middle and take a hit from a linebacker and has the speed to take the ball to the house.

Bobby Wade has led the Vikings in reception the past two seasons. He has been a reliable player for the Vikes the past two seasons. In Wade, wherever he is needed he gets the job done. He is a highly underrated receiver, which many teams look past. He is a smaller version of Berrian not afraid to catch the ball wherever on the field he is.

Sidney Rice has had promise to be a good receiver, but the injury bug has bit him in his first 2 seasons. He has the making to be a good receiver, but to keep him on the field is the next step. He is working had to be in the best shape in the start of training camp. Rice’ job is in question with the move the Vikes made this past offseason. They drafted Percy Harvin, which they will use to implement “Wildcat” formations to the Viking offense. Harvin will be in the backfield as well as lining up as a receiver. It will be interesting to see how Harvin will be used coming out of gates as a rookie. In the case of Rice it is going to be do or die this years’ training camp. He will have show the coaching staff that he is worthy of have a spot on this receiving corps. Or he may be suiting up in another uniform this season.

It seems that Vikes will also keep Glenn Holt as their last receiver due to his special teams abilities. He has not been used much as a receiver when he was with the Bengals. He has been a return man most of his career. If he does make the team, I am assuming that is what the Vikes will be doing with him as well.

The battle to watch will be between Johnson and Reynaud. It will be a fierce battle to see who ends up winning the last reciever spot on the team. Both have work hard this past offseason to make themselves a better player.

With Shanks as the starting tight end, he emerged as a pass catching TE this past season.He is really making a name for himself after coming the Vikes a couple of years ago. It is going to be interesting if the Vikes do keep just two TE’s on the roster. I think that Mills will spend most of his time on the practice squad. Who really knows what Chilly will be thinking when it comes to the receivers and tight ends for the Vikes.

40 Kleinsasser, Jimmy TE 6'3" 272 11 North Dakota$

45 Mills, Garrett TE 6'1" 235 4 Tulsa

81 Shiancoe, Visanthe TE 6'4" 250 7 Morgan State$

84 Allison, Aundrae WR 6'0" 198 3 East Carolina

87 Berrian, Bernard WR 6'1" 185 6 Fresno State$

12 Harvin, Percy WR 5'11" 192 0 Florida$

16 Holt, Glenn WR 6'1" 193 4 Kentucky$

11 Johnson, Jaymar WR 6'0" 176 1 Jackson State

14 Moore, Nick WR 6'2" 186 0 Toledo

15 Perretta, Vinny WR 5'9" 186 0 Boise State

82 Reynaud, Darius WR 5'9" 201 2 West Virginia$

18 Rice, Sidney WR 6'4" 202 3 South Carolina$

19 Wade, Bobby WR 5'10" 186 7 Arizona$

13 Williams, Bobby WR 6'2" 194 0 North Alabama

$-makes the team

Bold-denotes last year starter