Bleacher Report - Articles by Andy Rarick

The Best Offseason Move in the NFL: The Fall of T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Andy Rarick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:21:11 -0500

Late last February and into early March, the Minnesota Vikings were pursuing one of the biggest names on the free agent market, wide receiver T.J Houshmandzadeh.

Wide receiver Bernard Berrian was the only true receiver that put fear into a defender's eyes.

Trust me, it wasn't all that terrifying either.

Houshmandzadeh—or simply Housh—choose the Seahawks over the Vikings because "I just felt it was the best destination. It was the best team. It was the best choice for me."

Well, I think Housh might be regretting that fateful decision.

The Seahawks are just 3-6 while the Vikings have a commanding lead in the NFC North with an 8-1 record, coasting into what seems to be an easy first-round bye in the playoffs.

It all came down to the quarterback position in which Housh felt the Seahawks were clearly superior.

At that precise moment, he was probably right. One thing he forgot to take into account was Seattle's lack of a healthy quarterback, lack of a running game, and lack of anything really.

In fact, Housh is one of the main reasons why this Vikings team is 8-1 instead of 6-3, 5-4, or worse. His $8 million per year salary would have crippled the Vikings, making it difficult to add talent to any other position over the next few years.

If Housh were to sign, the Vikings probably don't take current Rookie of the Year front-runner Percy Harvin. Instead, they probably take Michael Oher.

That's all good, but what would have happened in the second round? Hardly anyone chosen in the second round this year has made any impact.

Again, thank you, Housh.

Second round selection Phil Loadholt has taken on the starting right tackle position and has done an amazing job of doing so. After a rough start to the season with injuries and all, Loadholt has developed into one of the best rookie offensive lineman this year—behind Oher of course.

Would the Vikings have had enough money to sign Favre? We'll never know. Money was definitely a factor in him coming to Minnesota. After all, $25 million over two years is much more than he would have received otherwise.

A lot of people were angry with the drafting of Percy Harvin. After all, wide receiver didn't seem like a need at the time, especially considering the hole at right tackle. With Oher still on the board at the time, it was a no-brainer. However, the Vikings shocked the NFL drafting what would soon become the best pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Houshmandzadeh will come into Minnesota with a target on his head. Picking the Seahawks over the Vikings was a mistake—at least from his perspective.

Vikings fans are going crazy this year and are loving every minute of it. Housh's signing with the Seahawks ultimately brought us Percy Harvin, Phil Loadholt, and Brett Favre.

Not to mention, who knows what kind of playing time Sidney Rice would have gotten with Housh in the mix. I think it's fair to say that Vikings' fans would much rather have Rice now.

With all the great off-season moves around the NFL this season, Houshmandzadeh's signing with the Seahawks was the best move by far. At least from a Minnesota Vikings' fan's perspective.

So, enjoy your stay in Seattle Housh. Remember, the Vikings couldn't have done it without you.

Vikings-Steelers: Referees Ruin a Great Game

Andy Rarick — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:42:45 -0400

I don't think too many Vikings fans were shocked at the result of Sunday's game versus the Steelers.

We knew this was going to be a tough game. After all, the Vikings were without their lone Pro Bowl player in the secondary, Antoine Winfield, while the Steelers got their stout safety, Troy Polamalu, back from injury.

However, the Vikings played very well on both sides of the ball. They gave up a few big runs to Rashard Mendenhall, but at the same time held quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in check for the majority of the game.

The secondary proved that they can rebound from such a dramatic blow. Cornerback Benny Sapp played excellently, but his lone mistake came from a stupid late hit on Roethlisberger as the star quarterback ran out of bounds.

Karl Paymah again proved that he can't tackle. All three of Mendenhall's 10-plus-yard runs were to Paymah's (twice) and Sapp's (once) sides. That was one area where Winfield was missed the most.

The secondary held Roethlisberger to 175 yards on 14-for-26 passing through the air with a touchdown. That's outstanding for the secondary, especially considering Big Ben came into the game leading the league in passing yards.

Hines Ward, who many thought would have a huge game, was held to just one catch for three yards. Again, fantastic job by the secondary.

Adrian Peterson was kept at bay for most of the game. He managed only 69 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown but caught four balls for another 60 yards.

Questionable play calling held Peterson back. Those runs to the outside won't work well against a team like the Steelers, who have extremely fast linebackers.

I think running through the middle would have worked better. Two of Peterson's best runs were up the middle, one of which he cut outside anyway.

How about that Sidney Rice guy, huh? The kid has matured into a fantastic receiver. He ended the day with 11 catches for 136 yards. The guy is simply amazing. We couldn't have asked for more.

Brett Favre was solid after the first quarter. His two mistakes were the result of great defensive coverage and a dropped pass by Chester Taylor. He threw the ball 51 times and completed 34 of them for 334 yards.

That dropped pass by Taylor finally decided the game. Granted, the ball was thrown higher than it should have been, but it was still very catchable.

Overall, this was a great game between two great teams.

The only thing that kept it from being fantastic was the horrendous officiating.

A mysterious tripping penalty erased what would have been the go-ahead touchdown to Rice late in the fourth quarter. Not even the announcers could describe where the call came from.

On the same drive, Favre ended up fumbling the ball and having it returned by the Steelers for a touchdown.

Just minutes before, a holding penalty erased a 34-yard completion to Rice. Replays showed that Bryant McKinnie merely pushed James Harrison to the ground (or at Favre, depending on your take).

Does anyone remember that defensive delay of game call on the Vikings? I didn't see any defenders move out of the ordinary, but on a 3rd-and-4, I guess the officials had already decided who was going to win

Don't get me wrong, the Vikings got away with a few calls too, but the degree of the three calls against the Vikings were of much greater significance.

I'll be excited to see the head of officiating defend the tripping call later this week.

Who knows? Had those penalties not been called, the Steelers could have won anyway. We'll never know though.

The only thing for certain is that the Steelers beat the Vikings by three, and the officials beat the Vikings by at least seven. It's never fun seeing your team lose, but when they lose a game partly due to terrible officiating, it's that much worse.

The Steelers took advantage of a fumble and an interception and made the Vikings pay dearly. They won the game, and I give credit where it's due.

All I want for Christmas is some better officiating, but unfortunately I'll have to wait at least another two months to get that wish, if ever.

Without Winfield, The Vikings Are in Deep Trouble

Andy Rarick — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:09:17 -0400

Along with many other fans of the Vikings this past Sunday, I watched as Joe Flacco lit up a terrible defense play after play. Upon further inspection, I realized that the same player was giving up big plays time and time again, Karl Paymah.

I looked hard at the TV trying to see the number of the players on the Vikings defense. I couldn't find good ol' No. 26 anywhere. I thought to myself, "Where did Winfield go? Did he get hurt? Maybe he had a family emergency to attend to."

Not once did the announcers mention anything about Winfield's absence, but it became clear very fast.

Karl Paymah couldn't stop anything. Part of me wondered whether it was even worth it to have him on the field. He not only gave up a huge touchdown with his back to the play, he couldn't tackle to save his life.

The defense looked dreadful. They gave up two huge runs after shutting the running game down in the first three quarters. They couldn't tackle or deflect any pass.

It was almost as if the Ravens had told every player on the Vikings defense, "You guys won! Congratulations! You can go home now. We'll just shower and get on the first plane back to Baltimore. Pack up your things and head to Pittsburgh. This game is over."

The Vikings defense said, "Okay!" and walked off the field as the Ravens put up 21 points in under six minutes.

"Hey!" the Vikings defense squeaked. "You guys lied to us! The game isn't over yet!"

Well, they had me fooled too.

I thought the game was over. Up by 17 points in the fourth quarter with no sign of the Ravens showing up to play, I was sure Favre and Peterson would again be sitting on the sidelines for the rest of the game. But it all happened so fast.

We know how the story ended, but a new chapter could potentially unfold this Sunday when the Vikings take the field without their heart and soul, Antoine Winfield.

While no official announcement has been made, the purple warrior will likely have to sit a week and prepare for a slugfest in Green Bay.

One could easily tell it was not the same defense without Winfield.

Not only was Winfield injured, but backup cornerback/nickelback Benny Sapp was injured too. He was playing off and on, but repeatedly left the field because of a head injury he suffered in the early minutes of the game.

But please GOD do not make me watch Karl Paymah go up against Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. Paymah wouldn't stand a chance and Roethlisberger would have a career day.

I will say this. If Winfield does not play, the Vikings have very little chance at pulling off a 7-0 record by the end of Sunday.

I think the offense is more than capable of putting up some big numbers, but the defense needs to show that they can live without its Pro Bowl cornerback for one game.

It could be an ugly game Vikings fans. Let's just hope that Winfield is near 100 percent and a massively improved Benny Sapp is ready to go.

SKOL VIKINGS...urgh...

Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings: Who Looks Better in Purple?

Andy Rarick — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:02:34 -0400

The Vikings are heading into their biggest three game stretch all season that includes the Ravens at home, the Steelers at Pittsburgh, and the Packers in Green Bay.

If there are still doubters as to whether this Vikings team is any good, a strong showing these three games is critical.

After back-to-back heartbreaking losses, the Ravens are hungry. That's bad news for the Vikings who have coasted to a 5-0 record. The Ravens need the win more than the Vikings do and that could prove to be costly for the purple and gold.

Ray Lewis brings in the fourth ranked rushing defense in the NFL. They're only giving up a measly 3.0 yards per carry. Peterson hasn't been over the 100-yard mark since Week One, but don't let that scare you. It's not from a lack of production as much as a lack of touches for the third-year back.

The Ravens pass defense hasn't been very good this season compared to others. They are currently ranked 26th in the NFL. At times, they've looked downright awful. But if you're the Vikings, plan on the Ravens bringing in their A-game into the Metrodome. They won't simply lay on that beautiful turf for you.

Ed Reed will be watching Favre closely. You can almost be sure he will get his pick. He's the best free safety in the NFL and by the time he's done, could be one of the best ever. Favre needs to watch for this guy and NEVER throw in his direction.

The Ravens' offense has changed keys this season handing them over to Joe "Cool" Flacco. Joe has been one of the bigger surprises this season, throwing for over 1,200 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

With the Vikings' inability to shut down the passing game, Flacco may run wild especially for the Vikings' well-documented poor tight end coverage.

The running game has been led by Ray Rice who himself has been a huge surprise taking over the starting job in Baltimore. Both running backs are averaging over 5.0 yards per carry. They won't back down on their rushing attack. After all, you don't want to get into passing situations with Jared Allen breathing down your neck.

The Vikings defense has been decent this season. A lot of yardage has been given up in garbage time in the fourth quarter of a couple games.

The defensive line is headed by Pro Bowlers all over. With massive tackle Jared Gaither doubtful for Sunday's game, Jared Allen could have a field day.

The pass defense is still trying to man up to the 10th ranked rush defense of the Vikings. The Vikings have been notoriously bad in he passing game, but since the arrival of Jared Allen, quarterbacks don't have nearly as much time to get the ball off.

The offense has been steady the last couple of weeks. Brett Favre has shown that he has the arm needed to win games, but the bread and butter of the offense still revolves around Adrian Peterson. Expect the Vikings to keep their guard up and be looking for Ray Lewis at all times.

The Ravens gave up their first 100-yard rushed in nearly three years to Cedric Benson last week. Peterson always has the ability to break one and could hand the Ravens back-to-back 100-yard rushers on defense.

One thing to watch for this Sunday will be the return of the best center in Vikings history, Matt Birk, who signed with the Ravens in the offseason. In case you already didn't know, No. 77 in the picture above is the big man himself. That undoubted gives the Ravens an advantage as far as philosophy goes.

Was Matt Birk's career really finished? This writer doesn't think so, but current Vikings center John Sullivan has shown improvement in the last two weeks.

When you break everything down, the Vikings are a better looking team. The Ravens have an advantage at the linebacker and receiver positions, but the Vikings have the advantage in the other areas.

So to answer my question in the headline, I think the Vikings look better in purple. They won't back down no matter how intimidating Ray Lewis and company may be.

Prediction: Vikings 31, Ravens 20

Stop The Nonsense: The Vikings Are For Real

Andy Rarick — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:14:29 -0400

If you were to tell me at the beginning of the season that the Vikings would be 5-0 to start the season, I would have said, "So what?"

If you were to tell me that Favre would be one of the top quarterbacks in the league at the end of week five, I would have replied, "Yeah, probably."

Everything the Vikings have done thus far in their season is what I expected. I expected Peterson to be near the league lead in rushing. I expected Favre to be one of the best overall quarterbacks. I expected the defense to be relatively stout.

Why does this seem like such a shock to people that the Vikings are being mentioned as not only one of the best in the NFC, but the NFL as a whole?

You immediately see the doubters proclaim that the Vikings have yet to face a worthy opponent. They don't deserve to be mentioned among the Colts and Giants of the NFL.

Keep dreaming fellas.

Not only has this Vikings team performed well, they've done so while giving more playing time to backups than any other team in the NFL and by a good margin.

Rarely do you see a Vikings starter play the entire game. We Vikings fans are watching the Jared Allens, Steve Hutchinsons, Adrian Petersons, Brett Favres, and Antoine Winfields sitting on the sidelines with six minutes left in regulation.

The Vikings have simply beaten every team they've faced. Aside from a very physical 49ers game, none of them have been close whatsoever.

That's not good enough for many of you doubters though. When will the Vikings be good enough for you? Does Favre need to throw for 300 plus yards every game? Does Peterson need to rush for 150 yards and three touchdowns? Does the defense need to allow less than three points per game?

Give the Vikings the respect they deserve.

Teams like the Cleveland and Detroit need to remember that a full game is 60 minutes long, not 30 minutes.

Teams like Green Bay need to stop that emotional roller coaster and play the game.

Teams like St. Louis need to trade Steven Jackson to a good team to give him a shot at the playoffs (that's for a different article).

Why are the Vikings being penalized by the fans for having a soft schedule?

The fact is, the Vikings have won and won big. They've done in on the ground (Cleveland and Detroit) and they've done it through the air (Green Bay and San Francisco). This team has it all, whether you like it or not.

Fans from other teams like to look down on the Vikings because some of their statistics aren't great. They hover around the middle of the pack in nearly every team stat you can come up with.

If the Vikings want to run on you, they will. If they want to pass it on you, they can. There is nothing that this Vikings team can't do.

The receiving corp was an area of concern in the offseason. Well, with a huge upgrade at quarterback, we've seen a tremendous weakness become a strength.

Third-year receiver Sidney Rice is simply amazing. He catches nearly everything thrown his way. He doesn't create separation, but when you have agility and hands like he does, you don't need to.

It took a while for Berrian and Favre to gel, but things are starting to look up. They connected on a solid touchdown pass against the Packers that seemed to create a mutual understanding of one another.

Shiancoe had a bad game in Green Bay dropping a couple, but he has been great so far. He's catching touchdowns and turning himself into one of the elite tight ends in the league.

I owe an apology or two to rookie Percy Harvin. I thought the guy would turn to be a complete bust. But he has shown that he has some sticky hands and is one of the hardest receivers to bring to the ground. Very rarely will you see only one guy take Harvin down. He makes defenders miss by juking or simply running over them. He's fun to watch.

Brett Favre has done wonders for this offense the past couple weeks. Experts were quick to say that he was done. His career was finished and he had nothing left.

He started to prove people wrong against San Francisco. He followed that game up with a one of the best in his career against Green Bay. Doubters are starting to turn their heads. Slowly teams are becoming aware that this isn't a one or two game thing. It's going to last all season.

A lot of people have been worried about Peterson's supposed slip this season. If I may ask all of you who feel this way, "Why are you worried and why do you think he's slumping?"

All you guys are quick to point out that he hasn't had a 100-yard game since week one. I'm here to say, what's your point?

The guy has had game averages of 7.2, 6.1, 4.5, 2.5, and 4.6 yards per carry. I see one bad game, two solid games, two great games.

The guy just isn't being used right now. That's not a bad thing Vikings fans. Let Peterson rest while others carry the load. When he need him to, he shows up. That's the important thing. He's still the best in the game at what he does.

The true test is indeed up ahead in the next three weeks with a game against the Ravens at home followed by back-to-back games in Pittsburgh and Green Bay.

It should be an interesting ride boys.

San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings: Week Three Preview

Andy Rarick — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:26:50 -0400

Here the Vikings sit at an undefeated 2-0. Minnesota has started the season in the best possible way record-wise, but the team still has a long way to go.

Their first two wins have come against what looks to be two of the worst teams in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.

Week Three seems to be a little more difficult, as football legend Mike Singletary brings his physical 49ers team to face off against the Minnesota Vikings.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill has done everything the team has asked of him, keeping turnovers to a minimum and completing passes to keep the drives alive.

Through two weeks, Hill has 353 yards passing, one touchdown, and zero interceptions.

Frank Gore has also proved to be rather impressive thus far, rushing for 237 yards and three touchdowns.

San Francisco has proved to be one of the surprise teams early on this season, as they've beat the defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks.

What's even more impressive is the way they are winning games. It's not through a high-flying offense, but rather a stifling defense that ranks seventh overall at this point.

The 49ers secondary is a strong, veteran group that will likely not fall for the play action. They play a tough zone and make it hard for opposing quarterbacks to get the ball off to the receivers.

The hard-hitting 49ers will have some stiff competition themselves, as they go up against the No. 1 rusher in the NFL, Adrian Peterson.

Peterson managed 180 yards rushing in Week One and added another 92 in Week Two. The problem here lies in the 49ers rushing defense that has only given up 106 yards rushing total.

Also, the last time Peterson faced the 49ers, he was held to just three yards on 14 carries. But the 49ers forgot that Minnesota has two backs capable of having 1,000 yard seasons and allowed backup Chester Taylor to rush for over 100 yards instead.

Quarterback Brett Favre may be in a little trouble this week as Patrick Willis looks to put a pounding on the offense.

Favre has been sacked seven times already this season due to an ineffective offensive line in pass-protection.

The hasn't stopped Favre from posting a 77.1 completion percentage and three touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Vikings look stronger than ever. Antoine Winfield has played well so far this season. Teams haven't thrown his way hardly at all this season, and are instead targeting Cedric Griffin, a strategy that has proved to be costly more than once already this season.

The defensive line is getting solid pressure and has seven sacks in their first two games.

As far as injuries go, both teams a little dinged up, but nothing major.

Running back Frank Gore injured his ankle last week, but he will likely start anyway. Backup running back Glen Coffee and guard David Baas should be ready as well. Justin Smith was also on the injury report, but it's been reported numerous times that it's not injury related and he will play.

Running back Adrian Peterson, linebacker E.J Henderson, safety Madieu Williams, and tight end Jim Kleinsasser have all been limited in practice this past week, but all players should be ready for Sunday.

This looks to be a great game between a couple of 2-0 teams. With the best two players from the 2007 draft going head-to-head (literally), this is going to be a battle of strength and endurance. I'm not quite sure if the 49ers are for real yet, but they look to be heading in the right direction.

Key Matchups

Adrian Peterson vs. Patrick Willis: Peterson got lit up in the first meeting, but has the tide turned since then?

Frank Gore vs. Vikings defense: Can Frank Gore get the first 100-yard game against the Vikings since 2007?

Brett Favre vs. 49ers blitz: We know they're going to blitz, but can youngsters John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt hold their own?

Shaun Hill vs. Vikings Front Seven: Can the 49ers hold the aggressive Vikings back?

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 27, San Francisco 49ers 13

Two Weeks Down: What We've Learned Of The Minnesota Vikings

Andy Rarick — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:24:49 -0400

Two weeks are down and only 20 more to go...hopefully!

The Vikings are off to a 2-0 start with their defense clicking and offense plugging along.

We've seen some pretty amazing moments along with some pretty bad ones. I think it's safe to say that the Vikings record has lived up to the expectations of its fans, but not necessarily the play.

We'll take a look and analyze a couple of points,some good and some bad, on the Minnesota Vikings.

THE GOOD

1) Percy Harvin is a beast. Among all rookies, Harvin is tied for first in receptions (8), fifth in receiving yardage (77), first in touchdowns (2), fourth in rushing yards (36), first in kick-return average (29.7), and third in kick-return yardage (178).

I'll admit, I wasn't too happy when the Vikings selected him with their 22nd overall pick in this year's draft. With Michael Oher still on the board at the time, I thought it was a no-brainer. I mean, Harvin tested positive for drugs right before the combine!

Well, he's done a great job turning my view around. The guy simply won't go down to the ground with the ball. I haven't seen a wide receiver run so hard in my life. The guy lowers his shoulders and pushes his way through the defense gaining an extra three or four yards every time.

Harvin has done a great job thus far. I give him a solid A.

2) Favre hasn't thrown an interception. He has been very consistent with his throws. He's getting the ball to his intended target which is exactly what the Vikings needed. Favre is able to convert those third downs that Jackson or Frerotte could not do last season.

Favre has done a great job of lighting the mood on the Vikings offense. There is a sense of joy that hasn't been seen for quite some time. I can finally see the Vikings players smile on a routine basis and it's not because of Peterson. Favre has been a calming presence that has kept this team alive.

3) Peterson is astounding. The guy is currently leading the league in rushing as well as touchdowns. He was the number one fantasy pick in nearly every draft this season and he has not disappointed. His four rushing touchdowns leads the league.

His touchdown run against the Browns shows us just how dominant of a runner he is. In one play, he showed off his lightning speed, supurb agility, and behemoth-like strength all within three seconds. There is not a single player in the game today more explosive than Adrian Peterson.

4) The pass defense has been fantastic. While the Vikings are lacking a bit in the sack department thus far compared to last season, they are still getting good pressure on the quarterback. Both Quinn and Stafford had some pretty ugly plays against the Vikings defense.

Three interceptions in the first two games are more than we had in nine combined games last season. It's a sad stat for last season, but good for this season. The Vikings are currently ranked 5th in the league in passing defense.

5) The special teams has improved...sort of. The lone punt return for a touchdown against the Browns has really been the only miscue on special teams thus far. Otherwise, they've done a great job on the coverage units.

Harvin is doing well returning kicks. Returning punts is second-year receiver Darius Reynaud. He too is having a solid start to the season nearly breaking off a couple touchdowns in week one.

The special teams unit really did miss Heath Farwell last season. This season, he's back at it and is their primary play-maker. He's done a solid job of getting to the ball and is usually one of the first to make the tackle.

THE BAD

1) Short dip-and-dunk throws are hurting the receivers and the offense as a whole. Favre came into the preseason a little too late. He hasn't had time to work with his receivers, primarily Bernard Berrian. Berrian's six catches on Sunday where very quiet and very short. If the Vikings want to move down the field more often, they're going to need Favre to start taking shots down the field more.

I know what you're thinking. The passing game is working thus far, so why do we need to expose Favre to potential interceptions? The Vikings have faced the Browns and Lions so far, neither of which have an astounding defense by any means. Against a better defense such as the Ravens or Steelers, this sort of passing game probably won't work with linebackers all over the field.

If you haven't noticed, the first two quarters of each game have been terrible for the offense. Peterson hasn't rushed particularly well and Favre is throwing incompletions when it matters.

To keep the defense honest against Peterson and Taylor, the Vikings are going to need to take the shots downfield. To simply put it, the offense needs to play better in the first half.

2) Our rush defense isn't up to par with previous years. Jamal Lewis ran all over the Vikings in week one to the tune of 57 yards on just 11 carries, a 5.2 average. As a team, the Browns ran the ball 20 times for 89 yards, a 4.5 average. That's good if you're the Lions, but when your're the Vikings, 4.5 yards per carry is not good.

The Lions ran the ball 34 times for 129 yards, a 3.8 yards per carry average. If a team runs 34 times against you, they aren't scared. The Lions clearly were not afraid of the Vikings. Had it not been for a couple of stout plays late, the Lions would have had upwards of 143 plus yards.

The numbers are decent, but not what we're used to. The carries have been from very average backs and some not-so-good offensive lines. The linebackers are making more plays than they should have to at the line of scrimmage. The line is not shedding blocks like last season.

3) Missed tackles are killing the defense. In total, I counted 11 missed tackles in week two alone. That is not good for a defense that prides itself on stuffing opposing ball carriers. Greenway on his own had three missed tackles in less than a half. Our captain E.J Henderson has even missed a few. Superman is not supposed to get run over by second-year running backs.

If this defense wants to kill drives and get off the field, they are going to have to tackle better. The opposing offense was on the field too long because of this. Drives that should have been three and outs are becoming time consuming, nine-play drives.

I know I may be nitpicking and we're only rolling around to week three of the regular season, but now is the time for the Vikings to show that they can beat the above average teams.

Next week, San Francisco is coming to town and their team looks fantastic so far. The defense is solid and their offense is clicking behind a mediocre quarterback.

The 49ers will be a good test for the Vikings offense. It should be a fun season. Things are starting out great, but they can always get better!

SKOL VIKINGS!

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions: Week Two Preview

Andy Rarick — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:48:21 -0400

This week, the Vikings travel to Detroit take on the Lions.

Some of you might remember that the Lions went 0-16 last season and are on an 0-18 streak dating back to 2007.

I will say this, the Lions shouldn't have been 0-16 last season. They should have beaten the Vikings the second-time around had it not been for a fluke pass-interference call in the final seconds of play that set up a game winning field goal by Ryan Longwell.

On to this week's matchup.

The Lions are coming off of a blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints. In the game, Drew Brees threw for a over 350 yards and six touchdowns, SIX!

On top of that, the Lions allowed 157 yards rushing, most of which came via Mike Bell. If you've never heard of Bell, you're not the only one.

Rookie Matthew Stafford will be making his second career NFL start. His first regular season game was less than spectacular. He went 16-for-37 with 205 yards passing and no touchdowns to three interceptions.

Stafford was only sacked once, but was pressured all day long. You can expect the Vikings' defensive line to work the Lions' offensive line to the ground and get to Stafford a couple times.

Second-year running back Kevin Smith had an up and down day against the Saints totaling 20 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, but catching 7 balls for 52 yards.

Look for him to do a lot more in the receiving game again against the stout rush defense of the Minnesota Vikings.

Calvin Johnson is the best player on the team, hands-down. In my opinion, he's the best receiver in the league. He has freakish speed, a legendary vertical, and hands that could catch a bullet out of mid-air.

Though Johnson will be going up one of the most physical cornerback duo's in the game, Johnson's overall ability is just too much for the Vikings to handle. I expect Johnson to have a solid day.

On defense, the Lions boast a very strong and very fast linebacking corps that features Ernie Simms and newly acquired linebackers Larry Foote (via free agency) and Julian Peterson (via trade with Seahawks). It'll be interesting to see if they can stop the Minnesota offense.

The Vikings offense comes into Week Two as the number one ranked rushing offense with over 200 yards on the ground, 180 of which came from Adrian Peterson.

Quarterback Brett Favre showed in his Vikings debut that he is more than capable of managing the game and not making stupid turnovers. He proved that all he needs to do is hand the ball off to Peterson and let him run.

With his upcoming NFL start, Favre will move ahead of Vikings' legend Jim Marshall on the all-time consecutive games starting record, 271.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Vikings boast Pro Bowlers all over. While the Browns offense from a week ago isn't much to look at, they did a solid job against Brady Quinn. They did let Jamal Lewis run over them, but the Vikings are just getting warmed up in that aspect.

The only problem with calling this game a definite blowout is the fact that the Lions played their best football against the Vikings last season. The two teams always play a good game, but the Vikings always manage to squeak one by.

KEY MATCHUPS:

Adrian Peterson vs. Detriot Lions defense: Can they really hold Peterson under 100 yards?

Antoine Winfield/Cedric Griffin vs. Calvin Johnson: Johnson is a freak. There's not a cornerback in the league that can contain this guy.

Vikings Offense vs. Detriot Linebackers: Will the linebackers stop Peterson and the dip and dunk passing game?

Prediction: Vikings 27, Lions 14

Minnesota Vikings-Cleveland Browns: Week One Preview

Andy Rarick — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:10:24 -0400

The moment we've all been waiting for is finally upon us: offseason workouts, the NFL Draft, training camp, and preseason games are finally over.

Week one brings us a rather unusual matchup between the Vikings and Browns. The two haven't squared off since the 1980s.

Last season, the Browns allowed 151.9 per game rushing alone. Adrian Peterson averaged 110 yards by himself meaning Peterson could have one heck of a game.

While Brady Quinn has been named the Browns starting quarterback, he shouldn't scare the Vikings defense.

Neither Brady or Anderson has completed more than 57 percent of their passes in a season and the two combined have a 45:37 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Protecting Quinn will be Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas. Thomas has proven to be a great starting left tackle, but he may have his hands full with Jared Allen.

The Browns have a solid receiver in Braylon Edwards, but Edwards has yet to make a name for himself in the NFL. His four-year career has been inconsistent. He had a Pro Bowl year in 2007, but didn't do anything the following year to back it up.

Running the ball will be aging back Jamal Lewis. The 30-year-old back will have a tough time against the league's best rushing defense three years running. He's averaged under four yards-per-carry the last four seasons as his career is on a slow decline.

The Browns traded their first-round pick numerous times in the 2009 draft and finally ended up with center Alex Mack. Mack is a talented center who will have his work cut out for him against the best defensive tackle tandem in the NFL, Pro Bowlers Pat and Kevin Williams.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Browns have very few names.

The Browns feature one of the game's best nose tackles in Shaun Rogers, the 6'4" and 350-pound mammoth formally of the Detroit Lions. Rogers played in a 4-3 with the Lions, but made an amazing transition to the 3-4 nose tackle and put up some fantastic numbers with 76 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Rogers will be going against second-year player and former sixth-round pick John Sullivan. Rogers weighs 50 more pounds than Sullivan. That could present some problems for Sullivan who'll be making his first career NFL start.

Behind Rogers you have D'Qwell Jackon who led the NFL in tackles a season ago and looks to finally earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He's an undersized inside linebacker, but don't let that fool you. The guy is one of the best tacklers in the game and a very hard hitter.

The Browns have a couple of imports from the Jets via trade this offseason including inside linebacker Eric Barton, defensive end Kenyon Coleman, and safety Abram Elam. All three players are decent and give the Browns an upgrade in their run defense, but it probably won't amount to enough with Peterson and Taylor in the backfield.

The Vikings will get their first look at new quarterback Brett Favre. The former Packer great leads a talented Vikings offense that features running backs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, wide receivers Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin, and a solid offensive line featuring perennial Pro Bowler Steve Hutchinson.

The Vikings defense will look to eat up a talent-deficient Browns offense. The Vikings will get a solid look at E.J Henderson who missed nearly all of last season with a pair of dislocated toes. He was the heart and soul of their defense as their captain and MVP.

The suspensions of Pat and Kevin Williams have been recently lifted for the entire season. They won't see any suspensions until opening day of 2010, if ever. That's good news for an already loaded defense.

Neither team has any major injuries to report. Nose tackle Shaun Rogers, cornerback Eric Wright, backup running back Jerome Harrison, and linebacker David Bowens have been limited in practice, but should start on Sunday.

The Vikings currently have only three players listed on the injured list, backup linebacker and special teams player Erin Henderson, wide receiver Bernard Berrian, and tight end Jim Kleinsasser. Henderson won't play, but Berrian and Kleinsasser should each get significant playing time.

This looks to be a blowout as it stands now. The Vikings offense could put up some big numbers as could the Vikings defense.

Key Matchups:

Alex Mack vs. Pat and Kevin Williams: Can the rookie man-up against the Williams's?

Shaun Rogers vs. John Sullivan: Will Rogers destroy an inexperienced Sullivan?

Joe Thomas vs. Jared Allen: Can Allen get by Thomas?

Browns Defense vs. Adrian Peterson: Can the Browns stop Peterson?

Prediction: Vikings 34, Cleveland 10

Brad Childress: Maybe Coaching Isn't Your Thing

Andy Rarick — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:03:48 -0400

As we all know, Brad Childress hasn't been the greatest head coach our Vikings have seen. Granted he's not as bad as say, Norm Van Brocklin or Mike Tice, but he's no Bud Grant, let alone Dennis Green.

Childress's tenure with the Vikings has been a very predictable one on the field, yet very unpredictable off the field.

Childress is probably one of the most conservative coaches in the NFL today. I don't think there's any other team in the NFL that would run on third and 10 on a routine basis and still keep his job.

In just three seasons with the Vikings, Childress has a .500 record, going 24-24 with one playoff loss.

The play calling is what has killed so many Vikings fans. He runs left on first down, right on second down, and then expects the quarterback to make a third and long throw to keep the drive alive.

It's no wonder quarterbacks can't survive here!

Granted, Adrian Peterson is your running back, he's not going to pick up 12 yards on every drive for a first down. Even Peterson gets stuffed for a two-yarder every once in a while.

If things don't go the Vikings way this season, Childress can expect that he won't have a head coaching job in the NFL much longer.

Although that would be great news for Leslie Frazier (who could be a monster head coach if given the chance), Childress would likely be searching for a job for a couple years.

He lost the respect of many players and fans alike by reaching out for Brett Favre after he reportedly claimed he no longer had interest in the future Hall of Famer. To all of you that are still disgruntled, get over it.

If you look what Childress has done for the Vikings the last few seasons, it's evident that he has a tremendous eye for talent. He just can't seem to put the pieces together.

Childress has acquired the likes of proven NFL starters in Brett Favre, Jared Allen, Bernard Berrian, Madieu Williams, Visanthe Shaincoe, Adrian Peterson, Chestor Taylor, Chad Greenway, Cedric Griffin, Steve Hutchinson, and more.

On top of that, he's acquired some potentially great players in Jaymer Johson, Darius Reynaud, Sidney Rice, Brian Robison, John Sullivan, Tyrell Johnson, Percy Harvin, Phil Loadholt, and more.

The guy has drafted very well for the Vikings with his only real bust being Tarvaris Jackson picked in the second round in 2006.

This got me thinking; how can a guy with such a knack for talent be such a mediocre coach?

I've said it for the last year, Childress shouldn't be a head coach. I don't want him off the Vikings altogether though. I want Childress in the Vikings front office.

Let someone else take charge of the team (*cough*...Leslie Frazier...*cough*). All Childress needs to do is look for talent and bring them to the Vikings organization, something I think we can all agree that he is more than capable of doing.

Childress, Ziggy Wilf, and Rick Spielman have created an immensely talented team in Minnesota over the last three seasons. Players are reaching their potential and many are in their primes. The team is ready to go and it's all thanks to these three men.

So here I stand today and proclaim, Brad Childress could be one of the best General Managers the NFL has seen in recent years.

Many fans seem to think the players he picks up are worthless and overpaid (see Visanthe Shiancoe and Bernard Berrian), but soon enough, Chilly proves us all wrong.

Shiancoe broke out last season and is catching absolutely everything that is near him. He outworks every defender en route to the ball and uses his strength to grab the ball away from anyone.

Berrian proved he's the ultimate deep threat, leading the NFL in yards per reception last year with 20.1 average. He added a very quiet seven touchdowns with that, despite not having a solid quarterback leading the offense.

So to all you fans who want Childress out of Minnesota, I say re-think your position. I don't know that you want him out of Minnesota.

You may not want him to be a head coach, but you have to admit that as a general manager, the guy could be great.

Tomlinson Says He--Not Peterson--Is The Best Running Back in The NFL

Andy Rarick — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:42:16 -0400

Widely known for his calm personality and fighter's soul, LaDanian Tomlinson is one of the most beloved running backs of our era.

He became the fastest running back to 100 touchdowns and the first to catch 100 balls in a season. He was a class act both on and off the field.

Last season and the postseason before, Tomlinson has battled injuries that have taken a toll on the 30-year-old running back for San Diego. He has seen his performance dwindle and fans around the NFL took notice. They jumped off Tomlinson's bandwagon and hopped onto Peterson's.

One of the best running backs of all time, Jim Brown, is one of those people that have jumped on the young running backs wagon.

In a recent interview for Sporting News magazine, Jim Brown claims Adrian Peterson is the most complete running back in the NFL today.

Well, Tomlinson got a hold of the article and apparently took offense.

"I was sitting there reading it thinking, 'Wow,'" said Tomlinson to an L.A Times writer.

"The difference with me is you can put me out on that field and there will be nothing I can't do. I won't have to come off the field. Adrian has to come off sometimes on third down. Running routes, he's still not there yet."

If you ask me, these comments don't sound like a guy that's confident in his abilities. These comments are hate comments.

For years, Tomlinson was the unquestioned best running back in the NFL. Now some don't even think he's a top five running back.

Tomlinson needs to come to the reality that he's not what he once was. Age was shown her colors on Tomlinson.

Peterson doesn't "have" to come off on third downs. It's not his choice to come out of the game. It just so happens that backing up Peterson is a former 1,200 yard rusher who is easily one of the best backups in the NFL, Chester Taylor. You can't make a guy of Taylor's ability warm the bench all game long.

"But anything on that field you want me to do -- throw it, block -- I can do it. That's what I pride myself on is not having any weaknesses. And that's what makes me the best back," Tomlinson stated.

Well Tomlinson, your biggest strength could quickly turn into you greatest weakness: your ego.

I didn't know that all those turf toe injuries could go to your head.

While it's true that Peterson may not be the best route runner or receiver, he is without a doubt the best running back. His explosiveness, agility, and brute strength make him the best running back.

Just because Tomlinson is a better receiver doesn't make him a better running back. Is Tomlinson more complete than Peterson? Sure he is, but by no means is he a better running back.

I hope someone gives Peterson these statements from Tomlinson. It may be that extra motivation that puts him past 2,000 yards. As if Peterson needed any more motivation. The guy is a beast and easily the best running back in the NFL.

The Top Five Unsung Vikings Players Today

Andy Rarick — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:08:41 -0400

Every team has those players that just seem to be "there", you know? There are players that start along side some pretty notable characters, but don't get the recognition they deserve. Some play every so often on third and short situations and some play every down and go unnoticed. It doesn't matter what they do, they can't get their names out to the rest of the NFL. Many are considered role players and not fit for regular playing time. Usually people like to use the term "underrated", but for this article, I like the term "under-appreciated" much better.

Begin Slideshow

Tarvaris Jackson Is Making It Harder To Trade Him

Andy Rarick — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:43:32 -0400

Just when we lose all hope in Tarvaris Jackson, he come through and plays great.

In a game when he needed to perform, Jackson answered with a 12-for-15 night for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He also scrambled once for five yards.

He threw a very impressive 64-yard touchdown pass to Darius Reynaud where he split a couple defenders and hit Reynaud perfectly in stride.

On a night that Favre was to debut for his formal rival, Jackson stole the show. He threw nice passes all over the field and more importantly, they were catchable.

When the Vikings played the Colts last week, it seemed that Jackson was out in his own world, barely completing 50 percent of his passes with an interception. Balls were flying everywhere, five to ten yards off target nearly every time.

That obviously wasn't the case against the Chiefs.

So why is Jackson making it harder to trade him?

After a night that he had, it should raise some interest in teams around the league who are looking for a solid backup.

The team that may not want to pull the trigger on a trade yet is the Vikings.

They have seen signs of brilliance in the young quarterback, but also seen him struggle mightily.

What happens if Favre goes down to injury early in the season? We are left with Sage Rosenfels and John David Booty. Is that really what we want?

I don't have any faith in JDB to be a quality backup yet. I think Sage could be a great quarterback for the Vikings, but I would feel more comfortable with Jackson as a backup or starting than I would with JDB.

If the Vikings do trade Jackson, will he turn around and bring a team to the playoffs? That is what may scare the Vikings right now.

They've given up some big money to Sage Rosenfels and can't afford to cut or trade him right now. They just drafted Booty and don't want to give up on him yet.

What will the Vikings do? Jackson has put them in a pickle that could come back to haunt them.

The Complete 2009 NFC North Preview

Andy Rarick — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:37:36 -0400

The NFC North has seen quite an overhaul this past offseason with each team receiving some key players. The Bears made the biggest move in the history of their franchise acquiring Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler and a fifth round draft choice from the Broncos in exchange for quarterback Kyle Orton, two first-round draft picks (2009 and 2010), and a third round draft choice. The Packers had an amazing draft picking up two first round draft choices. They used the picks to acquire B.J Raji from Boston and linebacker Clay Matthews out of USC. They will use both players as they transition to a new 3-4 defense. The Lions added people everywhere on their roster. They added some solid free agents in Grady Jackson, Shaun Smith, Larry Foote, and Bryant Johnson. The also had a great draft picking up two first-rounders in Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford and Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew. The Vikings didn't have much of an offseason. They acquired Sage Rosenfels from Houston for a fouth-round draft pick. In the draft, they picked up wide receiver Percy Harvin out of Florida. Their biggest move occurred recently, picking up aging quarterback and future Hall of Famer Brett Favre. It will truly be an interesting ride. Let's take a more in-depth look into each team.

Begin Slideshow

Problems Still Lingering in the NFC North

Andy Rarick — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:06:46 -0400

As the regular season nears, many teams are still facing difficult decisions.

The Browns still don't know who their starting quarterback will be. The New York Jets have a couple players suspended in the opening weeks. The Philadelphia Eagles have some serious injury problems to key positions.

Whatever your favorite team is, there are likely problems. The NFC North is no exception.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears still can't find a legitimate receiver to help out their new quarterback, Jay Cutler.

Not only that, but Cutler has already started becoming a "me first" player, as seen here. It seems as though it's everybody's fault except him, no matter the problem.

Lovie Smith needs to crack down on Cutler and tell him that this is supposed to be a team effort. What is Cutler doing lobbing a ball into coverage with a 5'11'' receiver?

The Bears' defensive woes seem to continue. Their secondary is very thin thanks to injuries, and their line still isn't getting the job done.

Is Rod Marinelli really doing his job? This looks like the exact same line that struggled to get pressure on the quarterback last season.

Detroit Lions

The Lions are in rebuilding mode—we get it. But their problems are a little deeper than that.

The Lions won their first preseason game, but does it really matter? After all, they went 4-0 in the preseason last year and then failed to win a "real" game all season, becoming the first team ever to go 0-16.

But the Lions' win against the Falcons isn't as impressive as it sounds. They scored all but three of their 27 points in the second half by people who will likely be fighting for playing time—their starters didn't get it done on offense.

The defense wasn't super, either. It failed to get a sack or turnover, but it still managed to hold off the Falcons.

If the Lions want to be anything but another 0-16 team, they need better play out of their starters.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings still don't know who the quarterback will be. After watching the first preseason game, though, the job should easily go to Sage Rosenfels.

Tavaris Jackson showed that he still has a very inaccurate arm and cannot move the team down the field. He completed just 50 percent of his passes and routinely threw the ball behind his receivers.

Rosenfels looked good with the first team, which was without rookie Percy Harvin for safety reasons.

The defense looked good, sacking Peyton Manning three times, but it also allowed the big play to keep the Colts close. In order for this defense to be successful, it needs to clamp down on the offense.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers finally signed first-rounder B.J Raji after a two-week holdout, but it may be too late.

The Packers' new 3-4 defense looked fantastic in their first preseason game, causing several turnovers and confusing the offense all game long.

If thier success with the defense continues, Green Bay could be a tough team to beat.

The problem here lies with injury concerns, as the linebacking corps of the Packers has been beaten up. Every starting linebacker has had some sort of injury this training camp. They need these guys healthy now, as the 3-4 defense relies on linebackers to get to the quarterback and defend quick routes.

Raji needs to show the Packers that he's capable of being a 3-4 end, because if he performs well, so does Aaron Kampman. The success of both players lies on the other.

The NFC North finished the first round of preseason games going 3-1, with the only loss coming at the hands of the Buffalo Bills.

The North looks to be strong this season, with every team making huge upgrades to key positions minus the Vikings.

It should be an interesting season, should these problems get fixed soon.

Vikings Defense Primed to Bring Back the Purple People Eaters

Andy Rarick — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:16:46 -0400

The Minnesota Vikings featured one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2008.

Leslie Frazier, the defensive coordinator for the Vikings, has transformed what used to be a major weakness in the organization for many years into a powerhouse.

He has done something that no other team has done in the history of the NFL: lead the league in rush defense three years in a row.

While the the rush defense has been supurb, the pass defense had suffered. Until last year anyway.

The Vikings finished 32nd in pass defense in 2007, but jumped 14 spots to 18th in 2008. They'll look to improve that number this upcoming season.

The defensive line was nearly unstoppable last season.

They've got everyone back and in full health. Jared Allen's shoulder is completely healed as is Pat Williams'.

Ray Edwards is entering his fourth season and second as a full-time starter. While his sack totals aren't where we want them to be, he is a great run stopper.

Then of course there's Kevin Williams, the best defensive tackle in the NFL today. His 8.5 sacks ranked him first among all defensive tackles in 2008.

Behind them, you have an underrated linebacking corps that features our "Superman" in E.J Henderson. The guy is healthy and ready to get back in hitting mode.

Chad Greenway proved that he was worthy of his first round draft status compiling 5.5 sacks. That ranked him first among outside linebackers in a 4-3 defense. On top of that, he compiled over 100 tackles.

Finally there's Ben Leber. He took over play-calling duties when Henderson went down last season. He showed that he's not afraid to put a hit on and doesn't fair too bad in coverage either.

The secondary features probably the best tackling cornerbacks in the business in Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin.

As we all know, Winfield had a career year in 2008 and earned himself a Vikings-friendly contract. At over 30 years old, he's playing his best football.

Cedric Griffin took a while, but finally came around in week five. He put a devastating hit on a Saints player and never looked back. Griffin developed some nasty physical skills that will make it hard for some opposing receivers to get of the line of scrimmage.

Madieu Williams was away from the Vikings for nearly half the season nursing an injured neck. It didn't seem to slow him down as his first game back was a great one. He compiled ten tackles and provided much needed assistance to Darren Sharper.

Well, Sharper is gone now and in steps his replacement Tyrell Johnson.

Sharper definitely showed signs of aging in 2008 recording only one interception the entire year.

While Johnson is young, he showed promise in his spot-start role for Williams last season. He hits extremely hard, but can find himself out of place. Playing on the same side as Antoine Winfield will help him progress as a player and allow him to make a nice slow transition to the starting role.

The Vikings return all but one starter from last season. That's definitely something to look forward to.

The Vikings finished sixth in overall defense in 2008 despite injuries to several key players.

Actually, they only finished a whopping .4 yards behind the fifth place New York Giants. That's pretty good company.

The 2009 Minnesota Vikings defense has the opportunity to be one of the best in franchise history. That's really saying something considering their vaunted 1970's defense took them to three Super Bowls.

With a talented Vikings defense and Adrian Peterson leading the way, there's no reason to believe that this team can't produce even better than 2008.

Forget About Vick, Favre, and Anderson: Let Sage Play

Andy Rarick — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:13:02 -0400

If you're like me, you're sick of hearing headlines about Vick, Favre, or some other random quarterback that the Vikings should get.

It all started with Favre and the possibility of him coming out of retirement for the second time.

We all know how that story ended.

Then, it was Michael Vick's turn. Why would you want this guy?

Vick has a career completion percentage that is barely touching 50 percent. The only thing Vick has going for him is that he is fast.

In case you haven't noticed yet, the Vikings already have a similar quarterback to Vick. His name is Tarvaris Jackson.

Jackson is a very mobile quarterback. While he's not as fast as Vick, he's more accurate and knows the system better.

The Vikings don't run with their quarterback. That's for Peterson and Taylor to handle.

Now there's articles saying that we should get Anderson or Quinn from the Browns.

What has Quinn done to even acknowledge any sort of trade value? Honestly, his completion percentage is below 50 percent. That's all I need to know about a quarterback to say he's not worth anything.

Quinn is a baby who even though was drafted 22nd a couple of years ago, still held out for more money. You are the 22nd pick in the draft for a reason. You have no right for a hold out. You were a rookie who hadn't proven anything and were drafted in the bottom half of the first round.

Anderson had a Pro Bowl year in 2007, but struggled along with the rest of his team in 2008. His benching was ridiculous if you ask me. Neither of his backups did any better.

My question is, why are all you fans writing Sage off before he's even taken a snap in a Vikings uniform?

The guy has a very high completion percentage and his football IQ isn't too bad either.

He has plenty of weapons around him to succeed and has a great arm to match.

For those of you who say he throws a lot of interceptions, what did Frerotte do last season for us other than lead the league in interceptions during his time?

Sage's four interception performance really dropped his rating down last season. Let's face it, Sage went up against a very good defense at a very bad time.

He's mostly known for his helicopter play against the Colts, but he has had more brilliant moments than not. We can't say that about our other quarterbacks in recent years.

We don't need a guy who can throw 30 touchdowns. We just need someone who can complete a pass on third down to keep the defenses honest.

The Vikings haven't had a quarterback complete more than 60 percent of their passes since the Culpepper era.

Sage turned only 31 last March and we only gave up a fourth round pick to get him. Fourth round picks typically end up on special teams only for their entire career. Whether you think so or not, this was a good move.

Let's see Sage play before we can him. The Vikings have had a great history of turning old "washed up" quarterbacks into Pro Bowlers. Guys that immediately come to mind include Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham, and Brad Johnson.

The Vikings can do the same with Sage. Give it time Vikings' fans.

We've seen Jackson play enough to know that he cannot carry this team deep into the playoffs. While I don't want to get rid of Jackson, I still think he needs to learn how to play the game.

He needs to stop throwing those awkward sidearm balls and learn to throw overhand when being pressured. Until he learns how to keep his composure under pressure, he shouldn't be starting for a Super Bowl caliber team.

Jump on Sage's bandwagon and give him your support. LET SAGE PLAY!

The Worst Draft Pick In NFL History: Dimitrius Underwood

Andy Rarick — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:14:54 -0400

When people think of the all-time worst draft picks, players like Ryan Leaf, Tony Mandarich, and Ki-Jana Carter come to mind.

But at one point, you have to stop and think a little.

While they weren't worthy of their first round status, they did have an impact on the game.

Ryan Leaf, despite his recent legal troubles, managed to throw for 3,666 yards in his career. His career was plagued by stupid decisions on and off the field.

Tony Mandarich was a drug addict who couldn't cut it with the Packers. When he signed with the Colts though, he had a decent career.

Ki-Jana Carter was injured for the majority of his career. He did manage to play eight seasons in the league.

Then you have Underwood. He didn't play much his senior season in college, yet the Vikings were impressed enough to select him with their 29th overall pick in 1999.

NFL scouts across the country were warned of the guy's mental instability. That hasn't stopped the Vikings before though.

The Vikings desperately needed a pass-rushing defensive end. Underwood fit the bill perfectly.

At 6'6'' and nearly 275 pounds, the guy has a mammoth. He was strong, fast, and downright scary as long as he remained healthy.

After signing a five year contract with the Vikings, Underwood left training camp the first day and never returned.

His excuse was that his faith wouldn't let him play the game. He had more important things to accomplish outside of football.

Okay, that's all well. If you love your God and want to devote your life to him, by all means go ahead.

His story doesn't end there.

He decided that football was the right thing for him. The Dolphins claimed him off waivers after a month and a half out of football.

Well, there was mistake number two for the NFL.

The guy couldn't focus on the game and constantly muttered chants of his Christian faith. He would even write out scriptures during team activities.

He got injured in the first preseason game, but remained on the Dolphins roster until that December when he took a knife to his throat and tried to kill himself. He would shout randomly that he is not worthy to be in the presence of God on Earth.

He would later be diagnosed with a severe form of bipolar disorder.

The following preseason, the Cowboys signed him to a multi-year deal. Underwood would play for two seasons, racking up a total of four sacks in 19 games.

After the 2001 season, Underwood again tried to commit suicide by running into heavy traffic. He was released later the same month.

He was unheard of for several years before reemerging in the Canadian Football League. He didn't make the team and was cut during the preseason.

To this day, not much is known about the former NFL defensive end.

It is rumored that his ongoing therapy is being handled well and he is in complete control of his body.

Jose Canseco Slowly Becoming the Most Trusted Name in MLB

Andy Rarick — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:45:08 -0400

When Jose Canseco's book first came out, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big, people immediately treated Canseco as an outcast. People called his allegations completed stupid with no real evidence.

Most recently, David Ortiz has been linked to performance-enhancing drugs. With every new name that comes out, I believe Canseco more and more.

While Ortiz wasn't directly named in his book, it just shows that even the most honest people in the world aren't as they seem.

Here is a direct quote from Ortiz only a few weeks ago, "I think you clean up the game by testing...You test positive, you’re going to be out. Period."

Ortiz wants every player in the majors to be tested three to four times per year. Anyone who tests positive should be suspended indefinitely.

Do you think Ortiz is biting his tongue right now? By his logic, he's out of baseball as of today. Talk about being hypocritical.

Canseco called out some pretty big names in his book including: Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Jason Giambi, and Ivan Rodriguez.

Many fans and sports critics alike thought this was an ill attempt at fame and fortune for a guy whose life had taken a turn for the worse.

Well, at least three of those players have either been tested positive or admitted to using steroids. Only one, McGwire, remains "innocent" so far.

Palmeiro went under oath denying steroid use. Only a few weeks later, baseball suspended him after he tested positive.

McGwire refused to answer any question about taking steroids. As far as I'm concerned, you're innocent until proven guilty...for the most part anyway.

After his breakout book, Canseco said he would write another. The book would link Alex Rodriguez to steroids. This caused many fans to go berserk.

A-Rod was supposed to be the first "clean" player to break Hank Aaron's all-time home run record. No one in their right mind would have linked this media darling to steroids.

The book was denied publishing rights due to supposed false claims about one of baseball's most beloved players.

Only a few months later, Sports Illustrated published an article telling all that A-Rod was a steroid user.

Rodriguez later admitted to using steroids for a brief part of his career, while playing with the Texas Rangers.

Hmm...only a year ago he repeatedly denied ever taking steroids on 60 Minutes.

Now he says that Canseco didn't introduce him to steroids.

The way I see it, the score is Canseco: four plus however many more people he correctly linked, Rodriguez: -1. I'll take Canseco's word over Rodriguez's any day.

Hmm...so what is all this about Canseco being so dishonest?

The more I look at it, the more I believe Canseco.

Bash him all you want for ruining baseball and destroying its legacy. I for one want to know which records are legit. Right now, those records are slipping away.

I want to know if my favorite players are juiced. It's a disgrace to the game.

While I disagree with his life choices, Canseco has become a name that I sadly trust.

I only hope that other players don't follow his choice of life, but follow his honesty towards America's favorite past-time.

Let's Be Content With What The Minnesota Vikings Have

Andy Rarick — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:44:53 -0400

The Favre saga is finally over for the Vikings. He's done with and even he knows it.

While many Vikings' fans may not be very happy with the outcome of his decision, I think we are all happy that it's finally over.

We have to more forward with what we have: Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.

While the two may not be the typical glamour quarterback that every NFL team wants, they are serviceable.

Jackson has gotten better every season so far and had an incredible four game span to end the season in 2008 included a four touchdown performance that earned him Offensive Player of the Week honors.

I guess what's bugging me more than anything are all these articles stating that we should go after Michael Vick.

We already have that in Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson makes better decisions throwing the ball and has a higher completion percentage than Vick.

He may not be as fast as Vick, but we don't need another running back at quarterback.

I've even heard of people saying that we should make a play for Jason Campbell come next season.

Well folks, that's next season. We have to work with what we've got.

We haven't seen anything from Rosenfels. Let's not count him out of the equation here. He had some pretty solid games for the Texans.

Of course he's most famous for his helicopter spin that ultimately cost the Texans the game against the Colts, but you shouldn't have to worry about another play like that. I think he learned his lesson the hard way there.

The time to win doesn't have to be right now like so many of you fans think.

Our players aren't ancient and falling apart. Pat Williams is 36 and the next oldest player is 31 and that's an offensive lineman. Offensive lineman can still play for another six years after that and not lose much.

We have great young talent all around and plenty of time to develop new ones.

If we have to draft a rookie quarterback next season, so be it. I wouldn't be against it unless one of our quarterbacks goes on a hot streak and takes the NFL by storm.

I don't want to see a Michael Vick in purple just so we can run the "Wildcat" that was so popular a year ago. We don't need that offense. It only worked for a small portion of last season anyway.

For now, give your support to the players we have. They have the talent around them to succeed.

The addition of Phil Loadholt will be huge. It gives us a true tackle instead of a backup center trying to fill the void.

Percy Harvin should do enough to dazzle us fans to forget about our problems at the quarterback position.

Just remember, there are worse teams out there with far worse problems than the Vikings face.

Minnesota Vikings: Which Milestone Is Most Likely to Happen in 2009?

Andy Rarick — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:36:22 -0400

The Minnesota Vikings have some pretty huge expectations this season, regardless if Favre signs or not.

The question is, how far can they make it?

Football is a team game and as long as a team works well together, they can become successful.

Individual performances are a large part of how well a team does. If a player has 15 plus sacks in a season, you can expect the pass rush was pretty decent.

If a player rushes for over 1,500 yards, you can bet that the rushing offense was on key.

In his first season, Jared Allen finished just shy of 15 sacks while Adrian Peterson was inching his way to a 2,000 yard season.

Antoine Winfield made his first Pro Bowl in his many seasons in the league. It's these individual performances that made the Vikings one of the more dangerous teams in the NFC last season.

I'm all for making bold predictions and having debates. So I'll leave the voting up to you. Which of the following is most likely to happen?

Jared Allen Records 20 Sacks in His Second Season with the Vikings

Let's assume that Pat and Kevin Williams aren't suspended, and that they play through the season as always.

Does Allen get even better now that his shoulder injury is behind him?

He has made himself into one of the premier ends in the league and is nearly unstoppable.

It seemed like for every sack this guy had, he accumulated three quarterback hurries. Talk about pressuring the quarterback!

Adrian Peterson Rushes for 2,100 Yards

With Peterson, 2,000 yards won't cut it here. So we're upping the stakes a little.

Only five other players in the history of the NFL have done it. Can Peterson become the fourth?

We're assuming Favre joins for this one. Will his arm keep opposing defenses at bay?

He's entering his third season as a starter and has established himself as the best running back in the game. He has quickly drawn heavy comparisons to some of the all-time greats.

Cedric Griffin Makes the Pro Bowl

His counterpart was finally recognized as a top-of-the-line cornerback. It only took about a decade, but it happened nonetheless.

Griffin started last season off slow, but really came on during week five against the Saints when he sent an opposing tight end to the showers, or rather the hospital after a brutal hit.

He racked up some impressive tackle numbers as well with 91. That was good for fourth among all cornerbacks in the NFL last season (Winfield was No. 1 with 95).

He showed that he can push at the line of scrimmage and has the strength to stay with some of the more physical receivers in the game.

With Madieu Williams healthy for the entire season, Griffin should have even more help should he need it.

Bernard Berrian Finally Gets to 1,000 Yards Receiving.

Again, Favre is here.

We've finally got a sure-armed quarterback known for slinging the ball. Will it equate to yardage for the speedster?

Berrian had one of his best seasons in 2008 and looks to build on that success with the addition of Percy Harvin to take pressure off of him.

Oh, did I mention that he'll finally have a quarterback? Ah, a quarterback that can actually hit him in stride and not overthrow him by 10 yards like someone was prone to do...

E.J. Henderson Makes the Pro Bowl

Superman is back and is ready to go.

He was having a great season before a dislocated toe ruined it.

He's a defensive captain for one of the best in the NFL for a reason. The guy can flat out play.

He makes tackles he has no business making. There is no other middle linebacker I would rather have than this guy. He is well-mannered and gives back to his community.

With all the talent that we have on this team, a playoff appearance should be the worst we do. It takes a team to win, but which individual will make the biggest impact?

Minnesota Vikings: Would the Contract-Year Players Be Worth Trading?

Andy Rarick — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:56:54 -0400

Let me start out by saying that I love some of the players discussed in this article. It's tough for us fans to part with some of our favorite players.

With players such as Chestor Taylor, Ray Edwards, and Tarvaris Jackson entering contract years, it's hard to believe that the Vikings will be able to keep any combination of them.

Chestor Taylor wants to start in the NFL. He doesn't care to be the second back to Adrian Peterson and believes he still has some good years left in him.

Tarvaris Jackson has been a brilliant quarterback at times, but more often than not, he's terrible. He struggles to hit the easy shots down the field and consistently overthrows his targets.

Ray Edwards predicted he would break the single-season sack record in 2008. He was playing with three Pro Bowl lineman and was entering his third season in the league.

He only came up about 18 sacks short of breaking the record, but it was a close race...

Of the three main players, only one has a legitimate shot of re-signing with the team and that man is Ray Edwards.

Jackson has already stated that if the Vikings sign Favre, he wants to be traded. He has progressively gotten better every season and doesn't think he needs to sit and watch anymore.

Taylor just wants to be the main guy on the field.

There isn't really going to be a market for Ray Edwards unless he records 14 sacks next season. I think he's stuck with the Vikings.

So what do we do with a player that has prematurely demanded to be traded and another that has expressed deep interest to start?

There will be a market for both Jackson and Taylor in 2010. Even if Jackson starts, he has progressed under Brad Childress. It doesn't seem like much, but he has.

Taylor has proven he can still carry the load at the tender age of 30. He'll likely command four years and $16 million somewhere else.

The Vikings shouldn't even consider giving a backup $4 million a year. They need depth in more areas.

I don't think there's even the slightest chance that Taylor will be on the roster one year from now.

Brian Robison adds great depth to the defensive end position. After that, there isn't much to look at.

Robison is ready to start in the NFL and if given the chance, could prove to be a valuable asset in the near future.

Is trading away Ray Edwards this season worth the risk in favor of Robison?

I like both ends, but if something were to happen to either one, the Vikings would be starved for depth.

There isn't much at the running back position, but undrafted free agent Ian Johnson has shown great promise as the third running back.

After all, it's because of Johnson that Adrian Peterson failed to win a bowl game in his senior season at Oklahoma.

I think Johnson could take over for Taylor, but I don't think it's this year.

Jackson's status is up in the air. He would command some trade value right now. With Sage Rosenfels and John David Booty, the Vikings have as good a quarterback group as they have had since the Culpepper era.

Well, I guess that's not saying much.

Jackson could be expendable, but trading him could be a fatal mistake.

There aren't a lot of places the Vikings need to improve. It's hard to say what they would get for any combination of these players.

The team lacks depth in some key areas, but all three contract-year players have valuable starting experience.

Is trading away any of the three before the start of the season worth the risk?

Chad Greenway: Still Not Getting Any Love

Andy Rarick — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:26:31 -0400

He grew up on a farm in South Dakota and made a career out of drilling opposing running backs into the ground.

In his free time, he'd work on the family hog farm. He has always put his family first and football second.

Few people knew who he was in college, but was highly regarded as a stout tackler in Iowa. For his efforts, the Vikings selected him as their first-round pick in 2006.

In his first preseason game, he tore his ACL on the opening kickoff. He was lost for the entire year.

Vikings fans quickly forgot about their former number one draft pick. After all, the three previous first-round picks hadn't panned out whatsoever (Kenechi Udeze, Troy Williamson, and Erasmus James).

It was just another draft bust for a struggling team with terrible coaching.

The following year, he made an immediate impact.

In his first regular season game, he recorded ten tackles. It was smooth sailing from there.

He would finish his "rookie" season with 105 tackles and two interceptions.

His knee didn't seem to be bothering him at all. In fact, you couldn't even tell that he had missed an entire year.

His third year looked promising. After E.J. Henderson was sidelined with an injury, Greenway stepped in as the leader of the No. 1 ranked rushing defense.

His 115 tackles in 2008 ranked him second among the NFL for outside linebackers. His 5.5 sacks ranked him first for linebackers in a 4-3 defense.

He'll be entering his fourth year with the Vikings and his third for which he's actually played in.

So why hasn't Greenway received any recognition?

In a defense that features Antoine Winfield, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, and Pat Williams, it's hard to get noticed sometimes.

Without a doubt, he's one of the best linebackers in the league. It's only a matter of time before he gets the recognition he deserves.

Until then, he'll have to keep blitzing quarterbacks and flattening running backs.

AFC West-NFC West: Tournament Bracket Round One

Andy Rarick — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:15:00 -0400

Let the fans decide I always say.

Well, except in MLB All-Star voting. I think we all can find a few reasons why.

I've decided to take the best players from each division and put them on a team. The teams from each division will face off each other. You as fans will choose which division goes on.

The rules are simple. I put down the starting teams and fans are able to substitute any players they wish. In order for a specific player to be substituted, fans must reply to the comment seconding the substitution. At the same time, other fans may decline the substitution by replying to the comment. A 60 percent majority vote is required to make a substitution.

Fans can also change the defensive alignment of their division. The same rules apply here as substituting a player.

I will make all the necessary adjustments within two days and give each division a week to square off. I will notify everyone through the comments section when no more substitutions are allowed.

The geographical divisions face off against one another (North vs. South, East vs. West) and battle it out to see which division takes the championship.

The division with the most votes wins and moves on.

Take a look at your teams and make your moves. Vote for the better division roster and ENJOY!

AFC West (3-4 Defense)

Strength: Passing Defense

Weakness: Defensive Line

Quarterback: Philip Rivers

Running Back: LaDainian Tomlinson

Fullback: Lorenzo Neal

Wide Receivers: Brandon Marshall, Vincent Jackson, and Dwayne Bowe

Tight End: Antonio Gates

Offensive Line: Denver Offensive Line

Nose Tackle: Jamal Williams

Defensive Ends: Luis Castillo and Derrick Burgess

Outside Linebackers: Shawne Merriman and Derrick Johnson

Inside Linebackers: Shaun Philips and Kirk Morrison

Cornerbacks: Nnamdi Asomugha and Champ Bailey

Strong Safety: Clinton Hart

Free Safety: Brain Dawkins

Kicker:Sebastian Janikowski

Punter: Shane Lechler

K/P Returner: Jonnie Lee Higgins

NFC West (3-4 Defense)

Strength: Passing Offense

Weakness: Offensive Line

Quarterback: Kurt Warner

Running Back: Frank Gore

Fullback: Justin Griffith

Wide Receivers: Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and T.J Houshmandzadeh

Tight End: Vernon Davis

Offensive Line: Arizona Cardinals Offensive Linw

Nose Tackle: Isaac Sopoaga

Defensive Ends: Darnell Dockett and Patrick Kerney

Outside Linebackers: Leroy Hill and Karlos Dansby

Inside Linebackers: Patrick Willis and Lofa Tatupu

Cornerbacks: Marcus Trufant and Nate Clements

Strong Safety: Adrian Wilson

Free Safety: Oshiomogho Atogwe

Kicker:Orlino Mare

Punter:Andy Lee

K/P Returner: Allen Rossum

AFC East-NFC East: Tournament Bracket Round One

Andy Rarick — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:32:04 -0400

Let the fans decide I always say.

Well, except in MLB All-Star voting. I think we all can find a few reasons why.

I've decided to take the best players from each division and put them on a team. The teams from each division will face off each other. You as fans will choose which division goes on.

Fans can also change the defensive alignment of their division. The same rules apply here as substituting a player.

I will make all the necessary adjustments within two days and give each division a week to square off. I will notify everyone through the comments section when no more substitutions are allowed.

The geographical divisions face off against one another (north vs. south, east vs west) and battle it out to see which division takes the championship.

The division with the most votes wins and moves on.

Take a look at your teams and make your moves. Vote for the better division roster and ENJOY!

AFC East (3-4 Defense)

Strength: Passing Offense

Weakness: Passing Defense

Quarterback: Tom Brady

Running Back: Thomas Jones

Fullback: Tony Richardson

Wide Receivers: Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and Wes Welker

Tight End: Ben Watson

Offensive Line: Patriots Offensive Line

Nose Tackle: Vincent Wilfork

Defensive Ends: Richard Seymour and Ty Warren

Outside Linebackers: Joey Porter and Calvin Pace

Inside Linebackers: Bart Scott and Jerod Mayo

Cornerbacks: Darrelle Revis and Terrence McGee

Strong Safety: Gibril Wilson

Free Safety: Kerry Rhodes

Kicker: Jay Feely

Punter: Brian Moorman

K/P Returner: Leon Washington

NFC East (4-3 Defense)

Strength: Defensive Line

Weakness: Wide Receivers

Quarterback: Donovan McNabb

Running Back: Clinton Portis

Fullback: Leonard Weaver

Wide Receivers: Santana Moss, Steve Smith, and Roy Williams

Tight End: Jason Witten

Offensive Line: New York Giants Offensive Line

Defensive Tackles: Albert Haynesworth and Fred Robbins

Defensive Ends: Osi Umenyiora and Trent Cole

Outside Linebackers: Damarcus Ware and Rocky McIntosh

Middle Linebacker: Antonio Pierce

Cornerbacks: Terence Newman and Asante Samuel

Strong Safety: Quintin Mikell

Free Safety: LaRon Landry

Kicker: Nick Folk

Punter: Jeff Feagles

K/P Returner: Felix Jones

AFC South-NFC South: Tournament Bracket Round One

Andy Rarick — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:41:11 -0400

Let the fans decide I always say.

Well, except in MLB All-Star voting. I think we all can find a few reasons why.

I've decided to take the best players from each division and put them on a team. The teams from each division will face off each other. You as fans will choose which division goes on.

Fans can also change the defensive alignment of their division. The same rules apply here as substituting a player.

I will make all the necessary adjustments within two days and give each division a week to square off. I will notify everyone through the comments section when no more substitutions are allowed.

The geographical divisions face off against one another (north vs. south, east vs west) and battle it out to see which division takes the championship.

The division with the most votes wins and moves on.

Take a look at your teams and make your moves. Vote for the better division roster and ENJOY!

AFC South (4-3 Defense)

Strength: Passing

Weakness: Defensive Tackle

Quarterback: Peyton Manning

Running Back: Steve Slaton

Fullback: Greg Jones

Wide Receivers: Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, and Anthony Gonzalez

Offensive Line: Indianapolis Colts Offensive Line

Defensive Tackles: John Henderson and Tony Brown

Defensive Ends: Dwight Freeney and Mario Williams

Outside Linebackers: Keith Bullock and Freddy Keiaho

Middle Linebacker: DeMeco Ryans

Cornerbacks: Cortland Finnegan and Rashean Mathis

Strong Safety: Chris Hope

Free Safety: Michael Griffin

Kicker: Adam Vinatieri

Punter: Craig Hentrich

K/P Returner: Chris Carr

NFC South (4-3 Defense)

Strength: Passing

Weakness: Defensive Tackle

Quarterback: Drew Brees

Running Back: DeAngelo Williams

Fullback: Brad Hoover

Wide Receivers: Steve Smith, Roddy White, and Marques Colston

Tight End: Tony Gonzalez

Offensive Line: Carolina Offensive Line

Defensive Tackles: Maake Kemoeatu and Chris Hovan

Defensive Ends: Julius Peppers and John Abraham

Outside Linebackers: Thomas Davis and Na'il Diggs

Middle Linebacker: SUB: Jon Beason (Barrett Rudd)

Cornerbacks: Chris Gamble and Chris Houston

Strong Safety: SUB: Darren Sharper (Jermaine Philips [LB])

Free Safety: Erik Coleman

Kicker: Jason Elam

Punter: Jason Baker

K/R Returner: Clifton Smith

AFC North-NFC North: Tournament Bracket Round One

Andy Rarick — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:56:13 -0400

Let the fans decide I always say.

Well, except in MLB All-Star voting. I think we all can find a few reasons why.

I've decided to take the best players from each division and put them on a team. The teams from each division will face off each other. You as fans will choose which division goes on.

Fans can also change the defensive alignment of their division. The same rules apply here as substituting a player.

I will make all the necessary adjustments within two days and give each division a week to square off. I will notify everyone through the comments section when no more substitutions are allowed.

The geographical divisions face off against one another (north vs. south, east vs west) and battle it out to see which division takes the championship.

The division with the most votes wins and moves on.

Take a look at your teams and make your moves. Vote for the better division roster and ENJOY!

AFC NORTH (3-4 Defense)

Strength: Defense

Weakness: Rushing Offense

Quarterback: Carson Palmer

Running Back: Willie Parker

Fullback: Lawrence Vickers

Wide Recievers: Chad Johnson, Hines Ward, and Derrick Mason

Tight End: Todd Heap

Offensive Line: Ravens Offensive Line

Nose Tackle: Shaun Rodgers

Defensive Ends: Aaron Smith and Haloti Ngata

Outside Linebackers: Terrell Suggs and James Harrison

Inside Linebackers: Ray Lewis and D'Qwell Jackson

Cornerbacks: Ike Taylor and Samari Rolle

Strong Safety: Troy Polamalu

Free Safety: Ed Reed

Kicker: Phil Dawson

Punter: Sam Koch

K/P Returner: Josh Cribbs

NFC North (4-3 Defense)

Strength: Offense

Weakness: Safety

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers

Running Back: Adrian Peterson

Fullback: Jason McKie

Wide Receivers: Calvin Johnson, Greg Jennings, and Bernard Berrian

Tight End: Greg Olson

Offensive Line: Vikings Offensive Line

Defensive Tackles: Kevin Williams and Tommie Harris

Defensive Ends: Jared Allen and Aaron Kampman

Outside Linebackers: Lance Briggs and Chad Greenway

Inside Linebacker: Nick Barnett

Cornerbacks: Charles Woodson and Antoine Winfield

Strong Safety: Kevin Payne

Free Safety: Nick Collins

Kicker: Ryan Longwell

Punter: Brad Maynard

K/P Returner: Devin Hester

Minnesota Sports Franchises: The Ultimate Professional Farm System

Andy Rarick — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:15:20 -0400

If an NFL or MLB team ever needed a player, who do they look for? They go into the Twins or Vikings organizations.

Through the years, Minnesota franchises have done very well in bringing up great players only to let them walk and become superstars in other places.

Most notable is David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox.

For six years, the Twins groomed Ortiz to be their designated hitter. After his best season with the team in 2002 where he hit 20 home runs and 75 RBI's, they let him go to the Red Sox.

Over the next six years of his career, Ortiz hit 231 home runs while driving in 731 runs.

How about Fred Robbins?

While he may not stand out as much as David Ortiz, Robbins played for four years with the Vikings before leaving for the New York Giants.

In his five seasons there, he has 23 sacks in 66 starts and has been a road block for opposing running backs since his arrival.

Of course there's Matt Garza and Jason Bartlet, who the Twins got rid of in one day.

Garza has posted an ERA of 3.70 in Tampa Bay in his two seasons with 223 strikeouts.

Bartlett should have been starting in this year's All-Star Game as he's only two home runs shy of tying his total in four years with the Twins.

Both are playing their best baseball right now.

You could also make a case for Randy Moss.

Even though his years were filled with run-ins with the law, he was the best receiver in the game. He's not happy with the direction the way the organization is being run so they trade him away. That's not always the correct way to settle things.

I don't care what he was like. He was the best at what he did and is now a role model for wide receivers everywhere.

It's not only players that the franchises are bringing up, but coaches as well.

The moment Mike Tomlin got enough recognition as a defensive coordinator, the Vikings let him walk and become the head coach of the Steelers.

What did he do? Well, he just won a Super Bowl with one of the most dominating defenses ever to play the game.

We are only a year or two away from losing our current defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. He is supposed to be a Tony Dungy replica and I'll be damned if I were to let him slip away to another team.

The newest member Minnesota got rid of was Marion Gaborik of the Minnesota Wild.

While he's had his share of injuries, he was still one of the most dynamic players in the game. He didn't fit the defensive scheme well and wanted out.

The Wild finally got a new coach and are going to change, but without Gaborik.

It's tough seeing all this talent walk out of Minnesota only to find success elsewhere. I can only imagine what the Twins would be like with Mauer, Morneau, and Ortiz hitting together.

I can only imagine what it would be like having a Mike Tomlin for a head coach instead of a predictable conservative coach.

As fans of Minnesota, we forget these players because others take their place only to be let go sooner or later.

It's all part of life up here. We just have to keep waiting for the chance to strike it big. Until then, we'll have to settle being the farm system of the professional sports.

NFL Dream Team

Andy Rarick — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:43:22 -0400

If you can have a fantasy draft of your own NFL team, who would you pick? There are no other people drafting against you, so you are free to choose the best of the best. Can you make your team go undefeated? I can only imagine what would happen if American style football was a worldwide event. If that were so, I'm sure that this team would go undefeated against any other team ever. These may not be the best NFL players in the NFL at their positions, but they are the players that would fit great and work together best. It's sort of like how Herb Brooks ran his Olympic team back in 1979-1980. It's not the best players, it's the right ones. Forget the 3-4 or 4-3 defense, wildcat , double-wing, or shotgun formations. No matter what the suit, these guys would get it done!

Begin Slideshow

Free Agents the Minnesota Vikings Should Have on Their Radar

Andy Rarick — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:18:00 -0400

With the NFL season nearly two months away, the free-agent market has been picked through and the best players are well on their way with their new teams.

The Vikings haven't turned to free agency this season to improve their roster. Their only pickups to date are wide receiver/special teams player Glenn Holt and cornerback Karl Paymah.

For a pass defense that ranked 18 and a pass offense that ranked 25, those aren't the upgrades you want.

The biggest problem the Vikings face is depth. They have little to none on the defensive side of the ball.

While the Vikings don't have a ton of money to spend, there are still some free agents that could potentially make a big impact for the Vikings.

Matt Jones (wide receiver)

He was released this past offseason due to drug and alcohol related charges. He has been suspended several times by the Jaguars for his substance abuse and recently violated his probation by drinking alcohol at a golf course.

While he has some history of poor behavior, he would still be a solid addition for the Vikings.

He has deceptive speed and really started to prove that he was a reliable wide receiver, catching 65 balls for 761 yards and two touchdowns. That was only in 12 games, too.

His 6'6" frame would be great next to Bernard Berrian. It's amazing that he hasn't acquired any interest in the free-agent market.

Marvin Harrison (wide receiver)

He's old. Glad we got that out of the way.

He still caught more balls than any other receiver on the Vikings' roster.

He's had some injury problems over the last two seasons, but still has great hands and would compliment a speedy Berrian.

Harrison is a possession receiver now, something the Vikings could use.

The only way the Vikings should sign him is at a salary cap friendly contract, but I don't see that happening.

Jon Runyan (offensive tackle)

He's up there in age, but the Vikings don't really have a solid option at right tackle yet.

I'm all for Phil Loadholt starting, but if he or Bryant McKinnie gets injured, the Vikings don't have a reliable backup.

Runyan has experience protecting Donovan McNabb and blocking for Brian Westbrook.

Marcus Washington (outside linebacker)

He, too, has been injury prone, but we don't need a starter.

Last year showed how valuable a backup can be for the Vikings. When E.J. Henderson went down, the Vikings couldn't find a reliable linebacker to replace their captain.

Behind Napoleon Harris, the Vikings don't have any depth at the position. Heath Farwell is a special teams player and draft pick Jasper Brinkley is only a rookie. It remains to be seen how well he can play.

Washington is a solid pass-rusher and has the size and ability to defend the pass.

Chris McAlister (cornerback)

He missed quite a few games the last two seasons, playing for the physical Baltimore Ravens.

He was released this past offseason due to salary cap issues.

While the Vikings already have Antoine Winfield manning the number one position, McAlister would do well as a backup to Winfield and Griffin or even starting in place of Griffin.

With 26 career interceptions, he would help a defense that combined for only 12 last season.

McAlister would do best if he can roam the field. He could make a good safety as well.

Mike McKenzie (cornerback)

His role diminished as the season went on. He battled nagging injuries and couldn't find his stride again.

After being released from the Saints, McKenzie is looking for a new home and, at 33, he likely won't find a starting job.

The Vikings need a nickel corner. With Charles Gordon being the immediate option, McKenzie wouldn't have much competition.

With McKenzie lacking the speed to cover the deep routes, he would best fill in doing what the Vikings have struggled to do in recent years, defending the slant routes.

He would join a long list of former Packers to join the Vikings.

Corey Chavous (safety)

The cornerback turned safety flourished with the Vikings during his four-year tenure.

In 2003, he made eight interceptions and earned his only trip to the Pro Bowl.

After the 2005 season, he was allowed to test the free agent market due to high salary demands.

With second-year player Tyrell Johnson ready to man the strong safety position, Chavous could provide excellent depth as well as spot starts to ease Johnson's transition to a starting role.

He is a tackling machine who would be welcomed back for his second stint with the Vikings.