FINALLY!! The Vikings and Percy Harvin have agreed on a contract. The contract is said to be 5 year deal, but the deals of the number were not disclosed. With Harvin now signed, now it time to play some ball. I just hope that he is the high caliber player that the Vikes are hoping that he is. He is expected to battle with Sidney Rice for the starting WR spot opposite of Bernard Berrian, and also to be used in the Wildcat offense as a back. With Harvin set to arrive in Vikings camp this afternoon for practice.
The next question: Who will be there to get him the ball? Only time will tell to see how that battle transpires.
The MCL sprain the Jackson knee is only a Grade I. Brad Childress is not concerned with the injury to Jackson.So the Viking are not going to go and bring in an additional QB to take some reps. So Jackson will be day-to-day, while taking it easy on the left knee. So for now it is Sage and JD taking the reps for the offense. Close call
WOW!! That sure was quick. Vikings QB Tavaris Jackson has been bit with the injury bug already and it is only Day 2 into training camp. Tavaris Jackson has suffered a MCL sprain to his left knee. The Vikings are hoping that it is only a Grade I sprain(crossing your fingers), basically it means that he is day-to-day. If it is a Grade II or worse, it would be at least a couple of weeks before Jackson sees anymore action. It will not be to long til the MRI on Jackson's knee will tell how bad it is.
The injury happened when, Jackson tripped over defensive lineman Letroy Guion during a 11-11 drill. All QBs are off limits during practice, you taught that in practice from peewee on.Guion could not explain why he made contact with the QB in the first place.Anyways, it seems that the Vikings QB battle has been put on hold. When the team finds out how bad to left knee of Jackson is.
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 4th 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.
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 inFiesta 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.
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.
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 2nd 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 1st 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
68Cooper, Jon 6'2" 291 10/1/1986 0 Oklahoma
67 Garcia, Juan6'3" 294 4/24/1984 0 Washington
65 Sullivan, John6'4" 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 0Winona State
64 Herrera, Anthony6'2" 315 6/14/1980 6 Tennessee
76Hutchinson, Steve6'5" 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
