Jacked Decision

It kind of seemed inevitable that it would happen. Still, it doesn't make the reality any easier to stomach.

Vikings coach Brad Childress named Tarvaris Jackson the team's starter for 2009. The announcement doesn't come as a surprise as Jackson excelled while Gus Frerotte was sidelined with a lower back injury and has long been labeled the franchise's future, mainly because of the time Childress has invested in developing the 2006 draft pick.

The team likely won't give Matt Cassel, or another decent free agent to be quarterback a look. The future starts (and stops) with Jackson.

As a starter to close the season, he led the Vikings to a 2-1 record and came off the bench to bring the team back from a first-half deficit against the Lions in Week 14.
Against Arizona, Jackson took on the role of a Vietnam platoon leader. He astutely and calmly dissected every defensive scheme and made precise decisions when called upon, finishing with four touchdowns on 11-of-17 passing.

When the Vikings needed a play-maker against the Giants in Week 17 to assure a playoff berth, Jackson hit receiver Bernard Berrian on a 54-yard touchdown to put the team within striking distance and converted two key third downs to set up the game-winning field goal by Ryan Longwell.

Jackson consistently moved the ball versus the Atlanta Falcons, but costly turnovers proved the team's undoing.

With the outwardly collective and heroic comes the internal fear and post-traumatic stress.

Most of the mistakes made in the Atlanta game were by Jackson. He fumbled three times, losing two. No interceptions is perceived as fantastic, but if the only throws made are tosses out-of-bounds or short drops across the middle, not so much.

The point is, Jackson continues to play scared. That means not taking chances.
There are also the poor reads and indecision that lead to turnovers and loss of downs in other situations (think the end zone interception in the first half of the Giants game).
He learned to cope slightly better than to start the season and has become more comfortable with the offense, no doubt.

The Vikings are (and will be consistent) playoff contenders with him, but never super threats. With a deafening crowd (now that the Metrodome finally sold out for Sunday's game), a talented defense, offensive line, and Adrian Peterson to help, Jackson could very well be fine against the Eagles.

Sooner or later, however, his mind will catch up to his throws.

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