Bleacher Report - Articles by Michael Treece

Favre's Contract Finalized?

Michael Treece — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:55:21 -0400

Apparently, the wait is over, or could be over.

Pro Football Talk and a local station in Minnesota are both reporting that a contract has been agreed upon by both the Minnesota Vikings, and Brett Favre. The deal is incentive-laden, as well.

Despite the two reports that Favre will be signing, Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, still denies the reports; however, Cook is famous for stretching the truth with his clients.

According to the sources, purple No. 4 jerseys have also been ordered, and they do not read "Booty" anymore; instead, his name has been replaced with "Favre."

To Be Or Not To Be: Brett Favre In Purple And Gold

Michael Treece — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:30:20 -0400

Is Purple or Gold considered a shade of Green?

It is official; Brad Childress has stated that he will indeed meet with Brett Favre sometime this week.

Like it or not, it appears the Vikings are interested in Favre, and Favre is interested enough in the Vikings that he is at least considering the possibility of suiting up for one of the Packers' rivals in 2009.

There is no set date yet for the meeting, and it is reported that it will be in an undisclosed location, so the Favre watch has officially begun.

According to multiple sources, a couple of things that may affect this decision are whether or not Favre’s bicep will require surgery, and whether or not Favre is willing to show up for offseason programs for the Vikings, the earliest being in two weeks.

So it appears Brett will make the decision of whether or not to play by next week sometime, or even as early as later this week. Favre would have some incentive to come back, especially since he could play with the Vikings.

For one, the Vikings would have a solid chance at a Superbowl title with an improved offense, and one of the league’s best defenses. The other incentive is that Favre will get to play Green Bay twice every year, and reportedly Favre does not think too highly of the green and yellow.

The Pros

If Brett were to come back and play for the Vikings, he would certainly force teams to focus more on the passing game, and that would give Adrian Peterson the chance to dash through defenses like he did against the Chargers and Bears in his rookie season.

Favre would bring a very accurate long ball to the team, making Bernard Berrian much more effective as well.

Favre would also keep the rest of the Viking quarterbacks on the sideline in 2009, which could be good, or bad.

The Vikings will have a chance on third downs this season as opposed to before, when it has seemed if we do not convert on first or second down, it is get a few more yards for our punter.

The Vikings likely will become a top tier team in the NFC again. Not too many teams have as much talent on both sides of the ball as the Vikings do, and Favre would all but solidify that theory.

A year of Favre could also help Tarvaris Jackson in his development process. He would not have to be in the game, and just sitting out 11 weeks last year helped him a lot.

Jackson actually won NFC player of the week honors against eventual NFC champs Arizona. Another year on the bench would seemingly help him a lot. Plus, if you’re a fan of awards, this move would greatly help Harvin’s chances become rookie of the year too. He would be the "least of problems" on a star-studded Vikings offense.

The Cons

Brett may throw a lot of touchdowns, but he also has a habit of throwing interceptions too. Last year Brett had 22 Touchdowns, and 22 Interceptions. However, that ratio is still higher than Rosenfels’ ratio last year, and is barley under Jackson’s career totals of 20 Touchdowns, and 18 Interceptions.

Favre is also likely just a one year guy, so it would become "make or break" for the Vikings in 2009, unlike everyone else in the division who have all found long term answers at quarterback.

Favre also has a love/hate thing with Viking fans as he played a few too many seasons for that one team in green.

Finally, Brett seemed to tail off at the end of the season. Hopefully that was due to his bicep injury, but if it was not, it could be a long year in Minnesota.

Check out Viking Vigil at www.vikingvigil.com for the latest on Favre and other Viking news.

Why Brett Favre to Fitzgerald Is Closer Than You Think for the Vikings

Michael Treece — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:22:13 -0400

Just a day or two ago, the New York Jets officially released him—yep, Brett Favre.

Favre was granted his release, so IF he decided to return, he would be able to go wherever he wanted to. Last season the Vikings were one of the major players in the Favre trade talks, but Green Bay would not let the Vikings get him.

No way he would come back, right? I mean, he tailed off last season, and he said he just wanted to be released to retire in Green and Yellow.

No way he would want to be in an offense that has the league’s best running back, a deep threat in Bernard Berrian, a team that used its second pick on a 6’8” monster at right tackle just to complement Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie, and used its first pick on the explosive playmaker that is Percy Harvin.

Hmm, we will see how this plays out in the next few weeks.

Oh yeah, a plane from Minnesota just happened to stop by the gigantic town of Hattiesburg, Mississippi for a large chunk of the day. The way I see it, that plane was either a really BIG coincidence, or the Vikings are seriously trying to get Brett Favre in a purple jersey.

It is only speculation at this point, but I’m almost positive someone in the Vikings organization sent that plane down there for a reason. Whether or not some of us fans think Brett can still play, someone in the front office appears to think so.

Brett did not finish strong last year, but then again, in 2006 he looked like a guy who had spent a few too many years in the league. Then in 2007, he would have been a serious contender for the MVP had some guy named Brady not just broken the record for most touchdowns in a season and kind of led his team to a 17-0 regular season.

Someone in the Vikings front office has some explaining to do.

Also, Vikings Land Fitzgerald!

...sort of.

The Vikings got a wide receiver who just happened to be a ball boy for them when he was a little kid. Well, unfortunately it was not Larry Fitzgerald, but his little brother.

According to sources, Marcus Fitzgerald was invited to try out for the team this weekend. The funny thing is, this comes just days after the Eagles did the same thing with Anquan Boldin’s brother. Apparently everyone is looking for talent from the family tree, or just people with Eagle ties, such as Mr. Brad Childress.

Visit Viking Vigil at www.vikingvigil.com for more updates.

Why Percy Harvin Was The Perfect Pick

Michael Treece — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:57:33 -0400

Just a few days ago, Commissioner Rodger Goodell introduced the first of five new Vikings that were acquired via the 2009 NFL Draft. The name that came out of his mouth prompted a huge shock by plenty of people. Chris Berman, an NFL analyst for ESPN, seemed shocked. Plenty of knowledgeable Vikings fans also thought this was an interesting pick to say the least, even all three of the writers for Viking Vigil initially thought the Vikings had just picked the wrong guy, but maybe they knew exactly what they were doing.

As it turns out, the guy almost everyone wanted, Offensive Tackle Michael Oher, was picked with the very next pick. Baltimore even traded up to get him, however, the Vikings were able to land a more than capable tackle with their next pick with Phil “The Load” Loadholt, who measures an astonishing 6’8”, and at least 330 pounds! The guy would be a dominant power forward in the NBA even.

With Loadholt joining the Vikings, the first pick, Percy Harvin no longer seemed so outrageous, in fact it seemed kind of great to me. ESPN draft expert Todd McShay has repeatedly called Percy Harvin, “the most explosive player in this year’s draft”, and he is not the only one either.

Percy is no doubt rich in talent and ability, but the reason he fell to pick 22, was the fact that he had just tested positive for marijuana at the scouting combine, when he knew he was going to be tested. Harvin has also been deemed, ‘tough to coach’ and there have been reports that Florida is ‘glad he [Harvin] is done’ with his stay at Florida, although they also said he was a very talented player. With all these negatives, Percy Harvin may just be the biggest boom, or bust in the 2009 NFL Draft. The possibility of having Harvin and Peterson on the same field is incredible. It is almost like having AD, and a slightly less powerful version of AD in the slot.

To say the least, the Vikings have taken a look at improving an average offense. Harvin can do it all, he figures to be an explosive special teams man, he could force Childress to implement the wildcat with his skills at running back, and he is great in the open field. If Harvin pans out, and if he can get rid of his off the field issues, the Vikings will have gotten a very big steal. Harvin could even contribute to many fantasy football teams this year as a rookie. But what happens if Harvin does get in trouble?

Brad made a good call by bringing in Jared Allen last year, even though he had some issues, and he once again took the risk this year by drafting Harvin. Harvin could very well turn into one of the league’s biggest threats, but he could go down a bad path, and end up off this team in only a few years. Would it really be that bad if it was the later though? Of course it would make the Vikings fans angry, and it would probably guarantee that the Vikings would not pick a wide receiver in round one for a long time, but it would not kill us.

With the team Minnesota has on the field this year, they are very likely to contend for the playoffs, especially since the team will likely play better with another year of chemistry between last year’s free agent and draft pickups, and the 2007 team. Jackson also looked pretty good last year prior to the game against Philly, as he won his first ever NFC player of the week honors for his outstanding effort against Arizona in week 15. If Harvin were a bust, he would likely hurt our record this year, or at least not contribute, and maybe be out of Minnesota within a few years. I think that would not be horrible though.

This year’s draft was one of the very few drafts in recent years that the Vikings really did not need to desperately fill any holes. Some people would say the right tackle was a huge need, but it really was not that bad. The thing I hated about Cook the most was his addiction to penalties. Peterson still got some good runs behind the right side, and if Cook was terrible, Artis Hicks is a pretty solid backup on the verge of starting anyway. Plus, the Vikings got Phil Loadholt in round two, so the position was definitely addressed anyway.

Since we had no glaring needs, there was a little room for Childress to take a risk on someone who could put this team atop the NFC, and that is exactly what he did. I am not the biggest fan of Childress and his seemingly frequent ‘play it safe’ attitude, and I was a little frustrated with this pick initially, but I applaud the man for going out and shocking Viking nation by grabbing a questionable, yet super talented guy with our first round pick. In the worst case scenario Harvin is out of here by the end of this year, but losing Harvin would definitely not sink the ship. Rice is a good player when healthy, and Bobby Wade is consistently getting open, and we made the playoffs last year without Loadholt or Rice, and an injured EJ Henderson.

The bottom line is the Vikings are a solid team without Harvin, but they put themselves into a great position to possibly get to the Superbowl with a Harvin that kicks his bad habits.

There is no question Harvin would have been gone in round two, as three receivers were already taken in the next fifteen picks, and the Jets said that they were trying to trade back into round one to get Harvin as well. The best receiver left when the Vikings got back on the clock was Derrick Williams, and he only went four picks before the Vikings third round pick. Therefore, I think with the way the draft played out at right tackle, and wide receiver, I think Brad Childress made the perfect pick by taking a risky Harvin in round one.

I applaud Childress, especially with all the questions surrounding his job if the Vikings don’t play so good this year, he went on a limb and maybe even put his job in the hands of Percy Harvin.

Check out Viking Vigil at http://www.vikingvigil.com for more news, and updates on the Minnesota Vikings

Breaking News: Jason Campbell Possibly a Viking?

Michael Treece — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:30:57 -0400

With the draft just two days away, we are bound to start hearing some crazy stuff.

Enter Jason Campbell. According to Pro Football Talk, if the Seahawks do not select Matt Sanchez, there is a strong possibility that the Redskins (who are for some reason in love with Sanchez) may trade up to get him at pick No. 5!

This would put two franchise quarterbacks on the Redskins' roster. Again, I have no clue why Washington loves Sanchez sooo much, but that is the rumor. According to PFT, the Redskins would then look to trade Campbell to one of three teams: the Vikings, the Buccaneers, or the Jets.

Another possibility is nearly the same, just a few picks later. According to the same source, the Jaguars could trade out of the No. 8 spot to either the Redskins or the Jets. Apparently there is what seems to be a two-way race to the top between the Jets and the Redskins.

If this situation were to play out, and the Vikings wound up with Campbell, I have no idea what they would give up to get him. It is safe to say the Vikings would at least lose one of their top two picks, and maybe a player or a late round pick.

Campbell has shown that he can be an elite quarterback at times. Last year, he had three straight games where he beat the Saints, Cardinals, and Cowboys in Dallas and posted at least a 100 QB rating.

However, he closed out the season last year on shaky ground, throwing five TDs to six INTs, and never having a higher quarterback rating than 89.4. He also finished the year with a 2-6 record, including a loss to the 49ers.

Campbell’s career quarterback rating is 80.4, which is an upgrade compared to Tarvaris Jackson’s 76.5. I do think Campbell could become the quarterback the Vikings have been looking to get for years, but with the Vikings getting Sage Rosenfels earlier this year, I would think Brad Childress would not be the one to make a quick move.

It appears yet another good young quarterback could become available, and it is possible that the Vikings may have tried to fix the situation too quickly. Granted, no one could have expected Jay Cutler to be pissed to a point of no return, and the Redskins to instantly have a huge crush on Sanchez, but had the Vikings waited, they may have gotten the franchise QB they were looking for.

Nothing against Rosenfels, but even if he is a little better than Campbell or Cutler next year, he is at least four years older than either of the other two QBs.

Check out Viking Vigil for more breaking news and how another big name player may also be headed to Minnesota: http://www.vikingvigil.com/

NFL Draft Countdown: 5 Days, A Look at WRs

Michael Treece — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:36:26 -0400

As posted by me at Viking Vigil earlier:

With the NFL Draft quickly, approaching, there are a few spots the Vikings may look to help out with either of their top two picks. One of those positions that seems to be pretty rich in talent this year is the wide receiver position.

Last year not one wide receiver was even picked in the first round, but this year it seems that there could be as many as five taken in round one. Here is a look at some of the top talent out there in the 2009 NFL Draft:

The next Andre Johnson?

1) Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) 6’3”, 214 lbs.

Michael Crabtree is by far and away the top wide receiver in the 2009 draft. He did not even participate at the scouting combine, or on his pro day due to injury, but he is still almost guaranteed to be a top five pick in the draft on Saturday.

The guy can do it all. Catch. run, jump, and anything else you ask of him. The only real concern with Crabtree is that he did not have a scouting day or pro day to confirm his amazing talent. It would be very surprising to see Crabtree in purple next year, the Vikings would have to trade up to get him, but he could be worth the move. NFL comparison: Andre Johnson

J-Mac

2) Jeremy Maclin (Missouri) 6’1”, 200 lbs.

If this was still last year’s draft, Maclin would be the best wide receiver available for sure, however he will have to settle with No. 2 in 2009 as Michael Crabtree appears to be the can’t miss wide receiver of this draft. Maclin’s biggest weakness looked to be his height, but he measured over six feet at the combine, debunking the myth that he was too short.

The biggest weakness for Maclin is still probably his size, but since you can’t teach that, Maclin will probably be a skilled wide receiver for years to come. If Maclin is not picked in the top seven, he could slide a little, possibly even to the Vikings at 22, but that still looks unlikely. NFL comparison: Ted Ginn

Percy Harvin

3) Percy Harvin (Florida) 5’11”, 185 lbs.

Percy Harvin was one of, if not the most explosive players in college football last year. Harvin was a three year starter at Florida, and was a key player in both of the Gators National Titles while in Gainesville.

The two things that may lead NFL teams away from Harvin are his recent questionable attitude, and his size. Harvin may have cost himself a little with his attitude coming into question, being now labeled as a “tough guy to coach”, but his main drawback would be his size.

However, even with those questions, Harvin is still a good enough receiver to be a first round pick, and by the way it is looking, Minnesota may have Harvin in purple for the 2009 NFL season.
NFL comparison: Reggie Bush

D H-B!

4) Darrius Heyward-Bay (Maryland) 6’3”, 203 lbs.

Heyward-Bey may be the most physically gifted wide receiver in the NFL draft in 2009. He is not only tall, but he is lightning fast as well. There probably is not another wide receiver on this list that could climb higher than Heyward-Bey can by Saturday. He has all the tools to become a great NFL wide out, BUT he has had problems dropping the football.

Sound familiar? Let’s just say this guy could become the next Randy Moss, or he could become the next Troy Williamson. After picking Williamson a few years ago, I doubt the Vikings go after Heyward-Bey, but he will likely be around at pick 22.
NFL comparisons: Randy Moss OR Troy Williamson

Great Britt-an!

5) Kenny Britt (Rutgers) 6’4”, 215 lbs.

At his size, Kenny Britt is the biggest wide out in this draft. Britt is the classic route-running receiver that will probably be a solid No. 2 guy for almost within the next few years. Britt also has the speed to break away from his guy too, and could end up being a Pro Bowl wide receiver in his career as well.

The main questions about Britt are his attitude, and his hands. Like Harvin, Britt could be a little harder to coach than some of these other guys, but he could still be a first round pick. Britt has also dropped a few passes in his day, but that is something he should be able to improve with the right amount of work. Britt will likely be a late first round, or early second round pick in the draft on Saturday. NFL comparison: Brandon Marshall

Hakeem 'The Dream'

6) Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina) 6’1”, 210 lbs.

Hakeem Nicks is the first underclassmen out of North Carolina to declare for the NFL draft since Julius Peppers. Nicks is a solid athlete with HUGE hands. He does not drop many passes, and has a solid build to complement that. Nicks is another classic route-running receiver, and he is should be taken in the first two rounds.

The main knock on Nicks is his lack of explosive speed. If Nicks were as fast as a guy like Heyward-Bey, he just might be a top 10 pick this year. Instead the Vikings might get a chance to get Nicks in round two if he slips a little farther than expected.
NFL comparison: Jerricho Cotchery

B Rob

7) Brian Robiske (Ohio State) 6’2”, 195 lbs.

Brian Robiske is very similar to Hakeem Nicks. Robiskie is another talented receiver with great route-running abilities, but like Nicks, he lacks the amazing speed. More so than Nicks though, Robiskie also lacks the explosiveness it takes to be a great wide receiver in the NFL.

Robiskie is likely to be a mid to late second round pick on Saturday, so if the Vikings wanted, he may be there in the second round. NFL comparison: Roy Williams

The real D Will - Derrick or Derron Williams?

8) Derrick Williams (Penn. State) 6’0”, 194 lbs.

MY SLEEPER PICK: Derrick Williams is my sleeper pick in the 2009 class of wide receivers. Williams has great speed, and a pretty decent build. Some people think he has some catching issues, but I think he is improving on that already. I don’t think Williams’ hands will be that big of an issue in the NFL.

His only other main knock is his durability issues, but if he is healthy I think this guy will have a better career than some of the wide receivers listed ahead of him on this list. Williams is also an explosive kick returner as well. NFL comparison: Steve Breaston

Juaqiun!

9) Juaquin Iglesias (Oklahoma) 6’0”, 200 lbs.

Iglesias was the “do it all” guy at Oklahoma last year. Iglesias returned kicks last year, and was the No. 1 target for Heisman winner Sam Bradford last season. Iglesias has solid hands, and a pretty good build too. He has also been labeled as a hard worker, as he has played through his share of injuries as well.

Iglesias’ main drawback is his speed and a problem with fumbles. Iglesias will almost certainly be available for the Vikings in the second round if they feel like adding another Oklahoma star with possible fumbling issues in the 2009 Draft. NFL comparison: Roddy White

Note: It was well documented a few years ago that coach Brad Childress does not like taking wide receivers in the first round of the NFL draft after the Williamson fiasco, but if Crabtree is still available, Childress would have to be a fool to pass him up. Some of these other guys could also make Childress think twice about passing them up as well.

Keep up with the Vikings, and the NFL draft this weekend with Viking Vigil. www.vikingvigil.com

Vikings 2009 Schedule Released!

Michael Treece — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:13:53 -0400

Vikings fans, the wait is over. Here is the 2009 schedule for the Minnesota Vikings. We have three games in prime time this year. Two Monday night games against division rivals, and one Sunday night game. The Jay Cutler Bowl (week 16 against Chicago) will likely tell us if the Vikings made the right choice to pass on perusing Cutler. The winner of that game could end up winning the division. The Vikings have a good chance to get a quick start this year, as they open up on the road, but against the Browns, and the Lions. They then get a home game against San Francisco, before hosting Green Bay on Monday night. However, the end of the schedule is very tough. The Vikings go on the road against Carolina in their lone Sunday night showdown, followed by a road game against the Bears on Monday night, and for the second year in a row, they finish the season by hosting the New York Giants. Here is the full schedule. Each team has their 2008 record beside them.

Week
1. Sun, September 13 @ Cleveland (4-12)
2. Sun, September 20 @ Detroit (0-16)
3. Sun, September 27 vs. San Francisco (7-9)
4. Mon, October 5 vs. Green Bay (6-10)
5. Sun, October 11 @ St. Louis (2-14)
6. Sun, October 18 vs. Baltimore (11-5)
7. Sun, October 25 @ Pittsburgh (12-4)
8. Sun, November 1 @ Green Bay (6-10)
9. Bye Week
10. Sun, Nov 15 vs. Detroit (0-16)
11. Sun, November 22 vs. Seattle (4-12)
12. Sun, November 29 vs. Chicago (9-7)
13. Sun, December 6 @ Arizona (9-7)
14. Sun, December 13 vs. Cincinnati (4-11)
15. Sun, December 20 @ Carolina (12-4)
16. Mon, December 28 @ Chicago (9-7)
17. Sun, January 3 vs. New York Giants (12-4)

Overall, the Vikings have the second easiest schedule record wise in the NFL, the easiest schedule belonging to the Bears. All the games on Sunday are at noon Central Time, except for the games against Arizona and Carolina. The Arizona game is at 3:05, and the Carolina game is on Sunday night.

Notable games:

Week 4, vs. Green Bay—In last year’s version of this game, Adrian Peterson willed us to victory in the closing moments of the season, in what was probably considered the game of the year. The Vikings turned their season around. If they lost, they would have been 4-5, but instead they won, and finished the season 10-6, making the playoffs for the first time in the post-Culpepper era.

Tomlin left the defense for his first head coaching job.

Week 7 @ Pittsburgh – The Vikings take on the Super Bowl champs, and their former defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin for the first time since he left the team to take the Head Coaching job in Pittsburgh. They also will see former running back Mewelde Moore for the first time since he left Minnesota for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Week 11 vs. Seattle—The TJ Houshmandzadeh bowl will show us if the Vikings made the right move by letting TJ sign with Seattle. TJ claimed he would love to play with Adrian Peterson while he was a free agent, but basically said no to the Vikings because of the quarterback situation. We will see how TJ likes playing against AD and the Vikings. Houshmandzadeh also claimed he signed with the team that gave him the best chance to win…we will see about that.

Week 15 @ Carolina—In last year’s game, Antoine Winfield turned this game around with his strip/sack/Touchdown play at the end of the first half, as the Vikings went on to be one of four teams to beat Carolina last year. Meanwhile, the Panthers finished undefeated at home in 2008, until the Cardinals picked off Delhomme five times in the playoffs.

Week 16 @ Chicago—This could truly be the game of the year for Vikings fans. Did the Vikings do the right thing by giving up on trying to get Cutler? Can they win the division without Jay Cutler? This is the Vikings final divisional game, and it looks like the division winner could be crowned here too. This game will probably tell us if it was a good idea to give up perusing Cutler or not.

Vikings fans, be sure to check out Viking Vigil over the next few weeks for draft updates! www.vikingvigil.com

Sage Rosenfels Deal In Minnesota Completed, Other Free Agency Updates

Michael Treece — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:33:43 -0500

It is now official. Sage Rosenfels has joined the Minnesota Vikings.

Sage seemed very happy to be with the team, as he became the first new guy to join the 2009 Vikings as part of the free agency carousel that began today. The Vikings sent the Texans a fourth-round draft pick and Rosenfels received a new contract from the Vikings. He was in the last year of a $1.35 million deal; today, he signed a deal with the Vikings that will be worth $9 million over three years.

Free Agent Updates:

TJ Houshmandzadeh is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks today. Don’t be surprised if he does not leave Seattle without a contract. The Seahawks desperately need help at the WR position, but if they cannot work a deal with Houshmandzadeh, the Vikings may get a chance at signing him.

Nate Washington will also be visiting elsewhere today. Washington has decided to go to Detroit today; this move struck me as surprising, because I expected Detroit to take a WR in the first round of the draft. Is that era actually over? Anyway, Washington may be the hottest WR out there this year. He is reportedly drawing interest from several teams, including Minnesota, Detroit, and Tampa Bay.

Albert Haynesworth has officially become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Today, Haynesworth signed a deal with the Washington Redskins for $100 million over seven years. Jared Allen was previously the highest-paid defensive player, but he was in the $70 million range, just a few million shorter than Haynesworth. According to ESPN, the deal could be worth up to $115 million if Haynesworth performs at a certain level.

DeAngelo Hall will remain a Washington Redskin; the team so far has dished out $145 million in just two signings. They are easily the most active team in terms of money.

Bart Scott has become a member of the New York Jets. Scott agrees to a five-year, $40 million deal with the green team in New York.

Fred Taylor has agreed in terms to join the New England Patriots in 2009. Per ESPN, he will be competing for playing time with former University of Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney.

Frank Omiyale will become a Chicago Bear. The former Panthers OT is a fourth-year pro, but last year was the first year he saw real action. Omiyale started one game and played in 10 last season.

Kellen Winslow of the Cleveland Browns has been traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for draft picks.

Stay with Viking Vigil throughout Free Agency for breaking news and updates on the Vikings and the league at www.vikingvigil.com

T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Purple...Could It Happen?

Michael Treece — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:27:55 -0500

We all know who T.J. Houshmandzadeh is, is it actually possible we could see him in purple next season? It may be something the Vikings have successfully kept quiet over the past few days.

In an interview on ESPN, T.J. Houshmandzadeh said he was so nervous he may even lose some sleep tonight. When asked about teams he might like to join, Houshmandzadeh listed four teams, and one of them was the Minnesota Vikings.

Houshmandzadeh seemed particularly happy when the thought of playing with Adrian Peterson came up. Good news for Vikings fans is that Houshmandzadeh would likely be in single coverage here a lot, and Houshmandzadeh said he would win “98.6 percent of the time” when he is in single coverage.

Houshmandzadeh would certainly bring a threat to the passing game. Houshmandzadeh is likely the best possible upgrade the Vikings could get in this off season, and the move would certainly please the fans.

T.J. probably does not mind the fact that Bernard Berrian got a major deal last season from Minnesota either.

The impact of T.J. on offense would likely put the Vikings offense near the top of the league. After building up a respectable offense last season, the additions of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Sage Rosenfels will likely make the Vikings a solid threat through the air and on the ground.

Even if Rosenfels does not start, he will certainly provide plenty of heat to make Tarvaris Jackson either perform, or enjoy the bench in 2009.

Houshmandzadeh would provide the Vikings with a solid No. 1 wide receiver and alongside a pretty good No. 2 in Bernard Berrian, teams could no longer beat the Vikings by just loading the box every play.

Add Bobby Wade in the slot, Vinsanthe Shiancoe developing as a solid TE, and Chester Taylor as a relief for Adrian Peterson, and the Vikings are likely a serious offensive threat.

Although it is just a rumor right now, it is fun to think of the possibilities that Houshmandzadeh would bring to the Vikings offense in 2009.

Stay with Viking Vigil at vikingvigil.com throughout the weekend for updates on news and rumors on potential Vikings in 2009.

Rumor Central: Nate Washington…A Viking?

Michael Treece — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:54:47 -0500

With free agency set to begin within two hours, the Vikings will likely announce the trade for Houston Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels. Rosenfels even flew into the Twin Cities today, according to Access Vikings.

With the quarterback issue addressed for now—apparently—it is time to look at who the Vikings may sign within the next 24 hours, or over the weekend.

Last year three players were signed within the first weekend of free agency. They were Madieu Williams, deceptive FB Thomas Tapeh, and WR Bernard Berrian. With this year’s free agency about to start, the Vikings surprisingly have a lot of money still, even after last year’s spending spree. They have around the same amount of money they had last year, at $32 million in cap space.

It is widely believed the Vikings will not be as active this year, but some of the bigger names that the Vikings could sign include C Matt Birk, former Ravens C/G Jason Brown, and now Steelers WR Nate Washington.

According to Access Viking, Washington reportedly wants around $7 million guaranteed, and the Vikings are not the only potential buyer for Washington. Washington would help Berrian stretch the field in 2009 if he were acquired by Minnesota.

Washington is ranked 18th on Pat Kirwan’s NFL.com list for top available free agents, and would be a valuable addition to the Vikings’ roster. Washington was near the top of the league last year getting a solid 15 plus yards per catch, and he totaled 631 yards as Pittsburgh’s third option at wide receiver.

While many people would like to see the Vikings go after TJ Houshmanzadeh, he will likely cost too much money for the front office. If Washington is signed, the Vikings could potentially move to a more open playbook in 2009, as they could have a deep threat every play, and Peterson could be able to run around more without seeing eight or nine guys in the box.

The next few days have the potential to be disappointing and surprising. It will be a fun weekend to be a Vikings’ fan.

For continuous updates this weekend on the Vikings free agent activity, please check out www.vikingvigil.com Thanks.

The Start of 2009…A Preview of Moves That Can Happen Friday

Michael Treece — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:47:23 -0500

First of all, the trade for Sage Rosenfels reported first by Manimal of Viking Vigil, is all but official now. According to multiple sources, Sage is on his way to Minnesota for a fourth-round draft pick this Friday.

So it appears that with the trade for Rosenfels almost certain to go down on Friday, the Vikings may have seen the end of Gus Frerotte. For anybody wondering exactly who Sage Rosenfels is, here is a summary of his career so far:

Rosenfels is a 30-year-old quarterback out of Iowa State University. Rosenfels began his career with the Miami Dolphins, but never started there. In 2006, Rosenfels became a member of the Houston Texans and began to catch some people’s eye in 2007 when he played nine games and posted an 84.8 quarterback rating.

Rosenfels has a career quarterback rating of 81.2, and he has thrown 30 touchdowns to 29 interceptions.

It is likely that there will be a quarterback controversy heading into 2009, as Tarvaris Jackson has posted a career quarterback rating of 76.5, and a touchdown to interception ratio of 20 touchdowns to 18 interceptions.

Hopefully the Vikings can find solid play out of at least one of these quarterbacks next season, as it appears Gus Frerotte is on his way out.

Another move to look for as early as Friday, when Free Agency opens, is the possible re-signing of Center Matt Birk. According to sources, Birk and the Vikings are trying to get a deal done as we speak.

The Vikings have stated that they are willing to make offers to Birk and free agent TE Jim Kleinsasser, but they have also stated they are willing to let Darren Sharper go. It appears Sharper is all but singed a contract to join the New Orleans Saints in 2009.

The Vikings appear set to let second year safety Tyrell Johnson to take over for Sharper in 2009.

Another guy the Vikings have reportedly been looking at is Tennessee Titans Tackle Daniel Loper.

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NFL UPDATE: For all of you who like following Free Agency as much as I do, it appears that the Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl DT Albert Haynesworth will likely be signing a contract with the...

The full article

Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Countdown: A Look at Wide Receivers

Michael Treece — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:50:38 -0500

Free Agency starts in a week.

There is a lot of ground to cover, in terms of possible Vikings for 2009.

Here is the breakdown of who may be in the purple and gold if the Vikings want to add a wide receiver during the offseason. These are the top 10 wide receivers available in the 2009 Free Agency:

· T.J. Houshmandzadeh – Cincinnati Bengals

· Bobby Engram – Seattle Seahawks

· Antonio Bryant – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Franchise Tagged)

· Nate Washington – Pittsburgh Steelers

· Bryant Johnson – San Francisco 49ers

· Lance Moore – New Orleans Saints (Restricted Free Agent)

· Hank Basket – Philadelphia Eagles (Restricted Free Agent)

· Devery Henderson – New Orleans Saints

· Jabar Gaffney – New England Patriots

· Amani Toomer – New York Giants

There are plenty of good wide receivers out there this year, and the list does not stop here.

Other players include former Viking Koren Robinson, Ashley Lelie, Michael Clayton, Brandon Lloyd, Darrell Jackson and plenty more. Trying to narrow this down to a few Viking prospects can be hard, and there is a possibility that the Vikings will do nothing at wide receiver, too.

Since the Vikings got Bernard Berrian last offseason, it is likely they would go after more of a possession receiver as oppose to a guy who can fly down the field.

Some of the guys on this list that are more speed demons than possession receivers, like Nate Washington and Devery Henderson.

Here is a look at the top possibilities for the Vikings if they do not mind unloading money for a guy like Houshmandzadeh:

To continue reading this article, please visit us at http://www.vikingvigil.com/2009/02/free-agency-countdown-7-days-%e2%80%93-a-look-at-wide-receivers/ Thanks!

NFL Free Agency Countdown: 21 Days, a Look at Quarterbacks

Michael Treece — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:26:04 -0500

With Free Agency just around the corner, the Vikings may decide to do a lot, or a little this year when it comes to free agency. Last year, the Vikings came out in a big way by signing both Madieu Williams and Thomas Tapeah within 24 hours of the start of Free Agency; they also inked Bernard Berrian to big deal within a week.

Some positions the Vikings could address in 2009 include RT, QB, S, WR, DT, C, and CB. Over the next few weeks before free agency, we will bring you possible options at every position. Today we will take a look at possible free agent quarterbacks the Vikings may go after in the 2009 Free Agency.

Notable Quarterbacks available in 2009

Matt Cassel – New England Patriots

Kurt Warner – Arizona Cardinals

Jeff Garcia – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kerry Collins – Tennessee Titans

David Carr – New York Giants

Kyle Boller – Baltimore Ravens

Byron Leftwich – Pittsburgh Steelers

Ryan Fitzpatrick – Cincinnati Bengals

J.P. Losman – Buffalo Bills

The sad news for Vikings fans is that it is unlikely that either Kurt Warner, or Matt Cassel will be available to the Vikings this year. Cassel will likely be franchised tagged by the New England Patriots, while Kurt Warner has made it very clear that he wants to be a Cardinal in 2009, if he does not retire.

The good news for the Vikings is that it seems increasingly likely that Jeff Garcia will likely not remain a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, and there is a decent chance that Brett Favre of the New York Jets may also become a free agent if he is cut by the Jets, who are dealing with salary cap problems.

Multiple sources also believe that Brett Favre would either like to retire, or possibly come play for the Vikings. If reinstated, there is also that old Falcons quarterback by the name of Michael Vick. Vick is a complete wild-card as of now, he is likely to be out of Atlanta, but who is willing to pay him, and how much will be enough for Vick?

As it stands right now Tarvaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte, and John David Booty are all under contract for the 2009 season, but many people do not believe that the Vikings will be able to make a serious run at a title with only these three quarterbacks.

It is also noteworthy that Gus Frerotte has stated he would come back only if he was the unquestioned starter for the 2009 season, so it appears he may be on his way out. Brad Childress has also hinted that there will likely be at least a few moves to try and improve the quarterback position in 2009.

As of now, the four candidates I think are most likely to be added to the Viking’s roster via free agency are: Jeff Garcia, David Carr, Byron Leftwich, and Kerry Collins. I do not expect the Vikings to make a play at the other three quarterbacks, simply because they have not shown much promise in recent times, and the Vikings want to win now.

1) Jeff Garcia

Jeff Garcia will likely be highly sought after by many teams. If Brett Favre is not available, and Cassel and Warner stay with their teams, Garcia will be the head of the 2009 free agent class.

Why do we want him?

Jeff Garcia was the ninth highest rated quarterback last season, even higher than Matt Cassel. Garcia also has compiled a nice streak of three straight seasons of a quarterback rating higher than 90; he is one of only three players that have been able do that, the other two are Peyton Manning and Tony Romo.

Garcia also threw 12 touchdowns to six interceptions in 2008, while Gus Frerotte totaled only 12 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. Jeff Garcia has also proven to be a mobile quarterback, who can avoid the blitz better than any quarterback currently on the Vikings roster.

Why should we hesitate?

Garcia is already 38 years old, and he has yet to play a full 16 game season since 2002. In the final game of the 2008 season, he was unable to lead the Buccaneers over the woeful Raiders at home, and the Bucs missed the playoffs.

2) David Carr

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If The Fans Had Their Pick, Who Would Guide the 2009 Minnesota Vikings?

Michael Treece — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:58:05 -0500

Written by me earlier at Viking Vigil.

Heading into the 2009 season, it is anyone’s guess who will be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. With a plethora of rumors and possibilities, it is almost impossible to correctly guess who the starter will be when the regular season rolls around. Tarvaris Jackson may seem like the safe pick to some, while others could argue he just would not be the answer, here are a look at some of the options:

1) Tarvaris Jackson

Tarvaris Jackson could make the case that he is fully ready to guide the Vikings deep into the playoffs. Jackson has improved his quarterback rating every season since he came into the NFL. Last year, his rating was 95.4, which is solid for any quarterback, but he started only five games. Jackson was drafted to be the future of the franchise, but his inability to win in big games, throw the deep pass, and avoid a blitz is really starting to show. Jackson would probably be able to get the Vikings to the playoffs, but after that, it is a risk for the Vikings to lay their faith in him.

2) Gus Frerotte

Gus Frerotte has made it clear that he is not happy with the way the end of the season turned out. He does have a point though. Jackson started off the season going 0-2, then Frerotte took the team to a 7-3 record. Frerotte openly criticized the decision to go with Jackson in the playoffs, by saying that he would have given the Vikings a better chance to win. Frerotte did play decently in 2008, his biggest knock would be he threw a LOT of interceptions. Frerotte ended the year by saying he would not return unless he was the unquestioned starter in 2009. While Frerotte is likely not the worst pick on this list, odds are, Frerotte has thrown his final pass in Minnesota.

3) Brett Favre (via Free Agency)

Don’t expect the Jets to trade Favre, they would have to cut Favre for him to have any chance at joining the Vikings in 2009. Favre is a long shot at being a Viking in '09, and it is likely Favre will never be a Viking at all. However, if the Jets do cut Favre, I expect the Vikings will make a serious attempt to get him. Favre is one of the greatest quarterbacks of this era, but he is undoubtedly declining in talent. Favre had a slightly less productive year in 2008, but he also looked like he was done for in 2006 as he was coming off back to back seasons with less than a 75 quarterback rating. I think Favre could flourish in Minnesota with running back Adrian Peterson, and receiver Bernard Berrian, but he could just as easily be a washed-up anchor for the Vikings. Favre is a pretty long shot at starting for the Vikings in 2009, but then again, so was Jared Allen last year, early in the offseason.

4) Jeff Garcia (via free agency)

While it may not seem that way, Garcia probably has a very solid chance at taking over the wheel for the Vikings next season. Garcia is an unrestricted free agent this season, and with a new coach in Tampa Bay, it is likely that he will be looking for a new team. Brad Childress also said that he was not set on the Vikings quarterbacks heading into next season, so one would expect him to either draft a quarterback, or try to pick one up in free agency. The Vikings need to win now, before Pat Williams and many other guys, are no longer on this team, and Garcia looks to be a very low risk. Garcia has posted at least a 90 quarterback rating in his last three seasons and threw twice as many touchdowns as interceptions in 2008. With the help Peterson brings and a skilled receiver Bernard Berrian, Garcia could possibly guide the Vikings to the Super Bowl. The odds Garcia becomes the next Vikings quarterback are probably around 50 percent, but the Vikings could just as easily decide to try the draft route.

5) Mark Sanchez (via the draft)

If Mark Sanchez is still on the board at pick No. 22, Viking nation could burn the Metredome to the ground if the Vikings do not take him. I realize that plenty of players will slide up and down the draft board before April, but Sanchez will likely garner a lot of attention straight into the draft. The Vikings should beware of Sanchez’s one year wonder and the fact that recent USC quarterbacks besides Carson Palmer have proven to be a little less than advertised. Sanchez however is likely to be picked in the top 10, and even if he is not picked then, should not slide past 20, but only a few years ago Aaron Rodgers slid all the way from a possible second pick, to pick No. 24. If Sanchez does slide, I’m not sure the Vikings could hesitate taking him. The odds Sanchez will start for the purple in 2009 are slim to none, probably less than Frerotte, especially since the success of Flacco and Ryan in 2008, will cause teams to think twice before passing on a talented rookie.

6) Josh Freeman (via the draft)

I had the pleasure of watching Josh Freeman in person this past year, and let me tell you, he has talent. Freeman may not be the most popular name on the board, but he likely turned Jordy Nelson into a second round pick last season and could go in the same round or even higher this season. Freeman has something the Vikings need, and that is an arm. I know they have Jackson, but he is not accurate on the deep pass. Freeman could turn out to be like Jackson, or he could turn out to be a consistent version of Daunte Cullpepper. Freeman is likely the riskiest chance the Vikings would take in 2009, but he will probably be draftable if the Vikings choose to take a quarterback in the first or second round.

For the latest in Viking news, visit www.vikingvigil.com

Kenechi Udeze: A Big Win off the Field

Michael Treece — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:28:27 -0500

On Feb. 11, 2008, Kenechi Udeze had the worst day of his life. Vikings football was the last thing on his mind. Udeze had been diagnosed with a form of leukemia.

Udeze was placed on the non-football injury list for the 2008 season so that he would not have to forfeit a paycheck just because he had cancer. He was lucky his brother was the perfect donor for his bone marrow transplant.

He has been fighting a battle against leukemia for almost an entire year, but this week Udeze said, “I’m coming back, and I’m going to be better than I was before.”

Udeze was the first round draft pick in 2004, and had a pretty solid rookie season. The next two years Udeze could have fit into the "bust" category, but in 2007 he had a career high in tackles and sacks.

He was undoubtedly the starter in 2007, before being diagnosed with leukemia. Since then the Vikings have acquired Jared Allen, who, barring any extreme incident, will be the starter in 2009 on one side of the line.

Udeze will likely have to beat out Ray Edwards and Brian Robinson if he wants to return to the starting lineup in 2009. If he does come back with just as much talent, or even more, this could be the best position battle on the defensive side of the ball in 2009.

Ray Edwards totaled five sacks and 54 tackles last season on an improved defensive line, while Udeze slightly outperformed Edwards in 2007. It is unlikely he can just show up and have his job back.

Udeze has been preparing for the 2009 season already by working out at his alma mater, USC, recently. He has also said he is taking classes at USC so he can graduate at the end of the semester.

The best news for Udeze is that he seems to be winning his fight against leukemia, and he apparently has the upper hand in the biggest battle in his life. Even if Udeze loses the starting job to Ray Edwards, he will probably be fine knowing he was one of the lucky ones who is surviving leukemia.

Please visit www.vikingvigil.com for more of the latest Viking news.

Brett Favre: Does He Still Want To Play for the Vikings?

Michael Treece — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:11:13 -0500

Posted earlier by me on vikingvigil.com

After just one season in New York, it appears Brett Favre will be out as quickly as he came in.

As many of you remember, Favre went through a very long debate with Packers coach Mike McCarthy and owner Ted Thompson less than a year ago.

Favre thought Minnesota would be a good place to play then, and now Peter King of Sports Illustrated thinks nothing has changed.

King told ESPN that he thought Favre wouldn’t play if he couldn’t “play where he really wants to play.” King later stated that he had a “gut feeling” that Favre wanted to be a Viking.

I know this is potentially big news for Vikings’ fans everywhere, and it is still just a Peter King speculation at this point, but it does make some sense. Favre seemed to really want to play for the Vikings last year, and after a year in the Big Apple it is likely he would rather play in a smaller market.

If Favre actually came to the Vikings, it could do wonders for the franchise, both on and off the field.

Favre playing in Minnesota would more than likely get the state to look at the plans for a new stadium. The Vikings are in desperate need of some help in that area, especially with the lease on the Metrodome set to expire the same year that the new stadium in Los Angeles is expected to open.

On the field, the Vikings are likely a better team with Favre. If Favre really wants to play in Minnesota, he is likely to at least consider a lower pay check so that the Vikings could bring him some help.

There is an obvious need to address the offensive line in the offseason, with Matt Birk leaving and Ryan Cook playing suspect at best. If Favre would play for a slightly smaller salary, the Vikings could use both the free agency and the draft to bolster an already good offense.

Favre finished last season on a low note in New York. If Favre came here, Vikings fans would have to be willing to accept the many turnovers he comes with too.

Just last season, Favre threw 22 interceptions and fumbled the ball a whopping 10 times. However, Favre also comes with his 22 touchdown passes and great fourth quarter drives.

To finish the article, please check it out, at http://www.vikingvigil.com/2009/01/does-brett-favre-want-to-play-for-the-vikings/.

Darren Sharper a Saint?

Michael Treece — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:27:51 -0500

As of the end of the 2008 season, Vikings starting safety Darren Sharper has become an unrestricted free agent.

Sharper had somewhat of a down year last season as his stats dipped a little from previous years. While Sharper was still up there in tackles, his pass defending skills appeared to drop a little.

Since Sharper joined the Vikings in 2005, he has been averaging more than five interceptions and nearly seven passes defended each year.

In 2008, the aging Sharper only had one interception and five passes defended. Sharper appeared to have lost his playmaking ability in the secondary. In fact, teammate Madieu Williams had more interceptions in only nine games last season.

Sharper’s contract expired after the Vikings lost to Philadelphia in the playoffs, and the 33-year-old safety appears to be looking for a new job in 2009. It seems that the Vikings will not re-sign the four-time All-Pro safety, and instead will let his vacancy be filled by promising young safety Tyrell Johnson, last year’s second-round draft choice.

With Sharper in the free-agent market, more than a few teams will likely offer him a chance to start for them. A rumor that recently surfaced was that the New Orleans Saints may just be one of those teams.

The Saints appear to be looking for some help in the secondary, as they ranked 23rd against the pass in 2008, and fourth-year safety Josh Bullocks did not look like the answer for the Saints last season.

Sharper, the current active career interceptions leader, would more than likely bring some life to a Saints saftey crew that only notched three total interception in 2008.

While the Vikings could still look to sign a safety in the offseason, it will likely be someone who would take a smaller salary than Darren Sharper would want.

Evaluating the 2008 Minnesota Vikings Starters

Michael Treece — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:48:06 -0500

After the Minnesota Vikings season ended in the Wild Card roundof the playoffs, it is time to look back at the season that was, and how well each starter did their job this past season. The Vikings went 10-6 in 2008, and had there best record since 2000. The Vikings also won their first NFC North title ever, and reached the playoffs for the first time since the 2004 season. Without futher ado, here is the performance grades for the 22 offensive and defensive starters, plus kicker Ryan Longwell, and punter Chris Kluwe. The 5 skill positions used will be two wide recivers, two running backs, and a tight end.

Begin Slideshow

The Aftermath: Did the Minnesota Vikings' Free Agents Earn Their Money?

Michael Treece — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:15:29 -0500

One year after a huge spending spree by the Minnesota Vikings, it is time to analyze exactly what each key free-agent signing has brought to the Vikings team. If the Vikings decided to spend more money through free agency this season, they should look back and see what last year did for them.

The Vikings had the third highest payroll in the NFL in 2008, and much of it can be accredited to the three big offseason signings the Vikings made.

They signed Safety Madieu Williams, who was payed over $8 million just last year, Bernard Berrian, who was payed well over $13 million last year, and then the big guy Jared Allen, who was payed a whopping $21 million last season.

With the Vikings spending over $40 million on three guys last year, the question that comes to mind is, did they earn their money?

Madieu Williams, S

Madieu Williams was the least expensive of the three free agents, but he was not looking for loose change either. Williams started off earning his money by riding the bench. Not because he was a bad player, but because he injured his neck in the pre-season.

Williams played in the final nine games, and had a major interception in his first game back against the Houston Texans. Williams got another interception later in the season, and defended three passes in 2008.

He complemented his pass defense with 38 solo, ad four assisted tackles in 2008. Williams' numbers even took a slight dip from his 2007 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, when he was payed not nearly as much.

However, Williams' impact in the secondary was greatly appreciated. Once Williams returned in Week Nine, the secondary got a notable lift. The secondary seemed to be more comfortable, and they rose in the pass defense once Williams became the starter.

Overall, the Vikings pass defense improved from dead last in 2007, to a respectable 18th in 2008.

Did Madieu earn his money: Yes, despite only playing nine games, his impact in the secondary was huge in turning around the worst ranked pass defense.

Bernard Berrian, WR

Bernard Berrian came to the Vikings from division rival Chicago, making it a double win for Minnesota because not only did they get a WR, but they also stole the division rivals top receiver in 2007. Berrian was maybe the most questionable signing by the Minnesota Vikings as he raked in money usually reserved for a Pro Bowl caliber WR.

Berrian battled some injuries all year, but he never missed a game. Berrian got off to a slow start with Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback, only catching three total passes for 38 yards, and no touchdowns. When Jackson was replaced in Week Three, Berrian more than doubled his season stats in just one game, grabbing three more balls for 79 yards.

Berrian took off with Gus Frerotte throwing him the ball, as he caught at least five balls the next five games, and not only became the Vikings' first receiver to get 100 yards in a game since 2006, but he did it in back-to-back weeks.

Berrian slowed down a little but was clearly the best WR the Vikings have had since the departure of Randy Moss in 2004. Berrian ended up with four 100-yard receiving games, and a career high seven touchdowns.

While Berrian's receptions went way down from his 2007 season in Chicago, he posted career high's in total yards, touchdowns, and yards per catch.

Did Bernard earn his money: Yes, Bernard was the best receiver the Vikings have had in four years, not to mention he posted career high's in yards and touchdowns. The only things left for Berrian to do in future seasons, is to get a 1,000-yard season and maybe make it to his first Pro Bowl.

Berrian finished just 36 yards short of 1,000 yards this season.

Jared Allen, DE

Jared Allen was by far the highest paid free agent the Vikings picked up in the off season, and because he was a restricted free agent, the Vikings not only had to give him a $70 million contract, but they also were forced to give up a first-round draft pick, while also adding two third-round picks.

Jared Allen came into the home opener against Green Bay fired up, but his play did not back up his emotions—Allen finished with zero tackles, zero sacks, and his only stat was one pass defended. Afterwards, Allen said it "was the worst game he had ever played."

That game must have fired up the leagues sack leader, because he came alive quickly. By the bye week, Allen had totaled five sacks, 22 total tackles, three passes defended, and even one safety.

Allen was starting to show signs of his 2007 self heading into the bye week, but coming out of it, Allen had transformed into the sack monster he was in 2007. In his first seven games back, Allen totaled 9.5 sacks, 26 more tackles, and a second safety.

Needless to say, Allen was starting to show his worth to the team. Allen closed out the season on a bit of a slow down, but his Pro Bowl teammate Pat Williams was injured, leading to more coverage for Allen. Allen finished off the season with 14.5 sacks, making him fifth in the NFL in sacks.

Was Jared worth his money:Yes, Allen did exactly what the Vikings payed him to do. He brought the pass rush back to Minnesota, and out-gained the Vikings 2007 sack leader by 9.5 sacks, not to mention the countless number of hurries he put on opposing quarterbacks.

If the Vikings are looking to do some spending in free agency in 2009, they would be well merited after last year's success. The Vikings greatly improved both their pass defense and pass offense by signing three big-time free agents.

Look for the Vikings to try and find a right tackle and a quarterback this year, whether that be through the free agency or the draft in April.

Who Should Lead The Vikings: Childress Vs. Frazier

Michael Treece — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:24:53 -0500

The Minnesota Vikings just finished their best NFL season since the year 2000, so why are so many fans calling for Brad Childress to be fired?

Childress was hired three years ago, to come in and right the ship in Minnesota. The Vikings had just finished a season 9-7 under head coach Mike Tice, but he was fired after reaching the playoffs only one time in four full seasons as the head coach.

His record however was not that awful, only loosing more than eight games once. When Tice was fired the Vikings looked in a different direction and they named the then Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress as the team's seventh head coach in history.

Childress came in and immediately made a big change by shipping out star quarterback Daunte Culpepper in his first year. The Vikings have still yet to find a replacement quarterback with the same talent as Culpepper and Childress has been tied to that decision greatly.

In his first NFL Draft, Childress even decided to trade up in the second round to make a very controversial pick, when he grabbed Tarvaris Jackson in the second round. The best move Childress made for the offense was picking up Chester Taylor, who Childress believed was a solid starter in the NFL. Taylor rewarded Childress by accumulating over 1,200 yards in his first season as a true starter.

In his first full season as head coach, Childress turned the Vikings around in a bad way, taking a team that finished 9-7 the season before and leading them to 6-10, although not knowing at the time, this may have been Childress' best move as the Vikings' head coach.

After the Vikings finished 6-10, they entered the NFL Draft and struck gold by selecting running back Adrian Peterson in the first round and adding another starter Cedric Griffin in round two.

The second season for Brad Childress was a roller coaster ride to say the least, fans were wondering how newly named starting quarterback Jackson would do and what to make of Peterson.

The Vikings won their first game 24-3, but then hit a road bump in Detroit the next week. Jackson led a comeback for the Vikings, but it was only enough to force overtime. In overtime Jackson went down, and backup quarterback Brooks Bollinger fumbled away the Vikings chances.

The following week, the Vikings had nearly hit rock bottom. After jumping out to an early lead in Kansas City, the Vikings all but killed themselves and the Chiefs came away with their biggest win of the season.

The next week the Packers came to town and Brett Favre hit a milestone in the Metrodome and then he walked out with a win too.

In a week five match-up, star running back Peterson may have saved Childress' job, by gaining 224 yards on the ground and defeating the Bears, a division rival. Just when things looked as if they could improve, they got worse.

The Vikings lost their next two games and sat with a 2-5 record in last place in the NFC North. In what may have been another job saving performance, Peterson rattled off an NFL record 296 rushing yards in a huge win against the San Diego Chargers, Childress was all of a sudden looking like a decent coach, but the next week Green Bay would take down Minnesota 34-0 and the fans were calling for Childress' job.

After the shut out by Green Bay, somehow the Vikings turned the ship around, even without Peterson. The Vikings won five straight games and were considered by most the favorite to get the sixth seed in the NFC.

Childress was at an all-time high approval rating and the Vikings had beaten the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants by 24 points, but all that changed when Minnesota finished the season 0-2 and missed the playoffs.

The drafting of Jackson had many fans questioning Childress, who had complemented the pick with rather bland and predictable play calling. Entering the 2008 season the Vikings had made some big acquisitions by picking up free agents Jared Allen, Bernard Berrian, and Madieu Williams. Childress' performance this season would likely determine his fate with Minnesota.

After stumbling to an 0-2 start, Childress was all but forced to bench his quarterback and let Gus Frerotte take over, the Vikings won their first game in Week 3, but followed it with another loss.

At 1-3 the Vikings headed to New Orleans, a game in which many fans thought was handed to Minnesota on "mysterious facemasks" and plenty of turnovers. The following week, the Vikings hosted the then 0-4 Detroit Lions and nearly let the Lions beat them at home, needless to say, many fans could be head chanting, "FIRE CHILDRESS...FIRE CHILDRESS!"

Childress' coach approval rating was the worst in the league and hovered around 10 percent, even though the Vikings were 3-3. Another loss the next week did not help him either.

However, the Vikings came out of their bye week with something to prove, as they went on a stretch of games where they went 6-1, which also included a resurgent Tarvaris Jackson. It seemed as if Childress' job was saved, and the Vikings did finish the season as the NFC North Champions, but after an atrocious offensive performance against the Eagles, the Vikings were one-and-done in the playoffs.

After the 2006 season, Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin was hired as the new head coach in Pittsburgh. Tomlin ended up being much more successful than Childress, as he lead the Steelers to the playoffs in 2007 and is currently on the doorstep of his first Super Bowl trophy, only two years into his head coaching experience.

Combined with suspect play calling, and quarterback controversies, Childress has likely seen increased heat due to the success of Tomlin's career.

In the current offseason, Leslie Frazier, the Vikings current defensive coordinator, has been very close to receiving his first NFL head coaching job. Dubbed as a Tony Dungy like coach, Frazier has received plenty of hype for what he has been able to do with the Vikings defensive unit. Frazier was considered to be the runner-up for the Denver Broncos head coaching job and a top three candidate for the St. Louis Rams coaching job, but fell just short of both positions.

While it is very likely Frazier will soon become a head coach in the NFL, the question at hand is, why can he not be promoted in Minnesota?

Childress has a career record of 24-24, but has yet to win a playoff game and he has ran an un-favorable offense. Frazier has yet to get a coaching job, but has had the Vikings defense as the top run defense in the NFL in consecutive years.

Following the Tomlin hiring, many fans were not sure how good the defense would be the next season, but Frazier actually made them better in the passing game, and kept them atop the NFL against the run.

While it remains unclear if Childress will be the head coach after 2009, Frazier seems destined to be a head coach somewhere. If the Vikings fans believe Frazier could be the next Tomlin, why do they not consider Frazier as a replacement to Childress?

Pulling the Plug: Life Without Pat Williams

Michael Treece — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:45:56 -0500

As most people know, Pat and Kevin Williams are still subject to suspensions at the begging of next season, but that is not what this article is about. We are talking about the big fellow hanging up the cleats.

The Vikings have him under contract for a few more years, but he is 36 years old! Everybody has to hang it up sometime, and it will be no different for Pat Williams. If the few games the Vikings played without him are any indication as to what will come, they need to begin looking for a replacement soon.

The Vikings have Ellis Wyms, Jimmy Kennedy, and Fred Evans under contract as of now, with Letroy Guion, last year's sixth round pick, trying to develop, but is that going to suffice the loss of Pat Williams.

The run defense has been the Vikings most consistent element ever since Pat Williams arrived. Teamed with Kevin Williams, the "Williams Wall" is perhaps the best run stopping force the NFL has seen in quite some time.

The Vikings have led the NFL in run defense each of the last three seasons, and by bringing in Jared Allen, they have been able to build on the solid foundation, laid by the Williams Wall. But how are things going to change once Pat Williams is gone?

If the Vikings can not find a replacement soon for the Pro Bowl Defensive Tackle, the Vikings may not continue to be the defensive force they have been. The run defense lays the foundation for Minnesota.

They force teams to pass, because the running game is almost always shut down. By forcing teams to pass, the Vikings are able to prepare better defensively, knowing their opponents will likely pass when they cannot run. This is a good strategy, but once Pat Williams is gone, can they keep it up?

Viking's fans should not panic yet, Pat is still running good, and a suspension will only give his career four more games if you want to look at it that way, but it is time to seriously consider a big time replacement.

For the Vikings, they could begin looking for a replacement as soon as the draft in April. There are a few Defensive Tackles who could help out, and eventually take over when Pat is gone, and if the Vikings would rather go through the free agency, there will be some options there too. Here is what I think the Vikings best options are:

B.J. Raji, Boston College

B.J. is 6'1", and 323 pounds! He reminds me a lot of Pat Williams; not only is he huge, but he is more mobile than one might think. Raji had 29.5 tackles for a loss, and 11.5 sacks in his career at Boston College. If Raji is still available at pick 22 for Minnesota, they should take a good look at him.

Peria Jerry, Ole Miss

Jerry had a big Senior season, getting 17 tackles for a loss, and 6 sacks. Jerry is not receiving a lot of attention right now, and that would be a good ting for the Vikings. If he slides all the way down in round two, the Vikings may have Pat Williams' replacement fall right into their laps.

Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers

Luis Castillo has been a solid Defensive Lineman for a while now. In fact, once he got injured in the 2007 game against the Minnesota Vikings, Adrian Peterson began his slaughtering of the Chargers' Defense.

Castillo would be the ideal replacement for Pat Williams, if the Vikings opt to go through free agency, but be prepared for trouble, because other Viking free agents after the upcoming season include: Chester Taylor, Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin, Ray Edwards, Tarvaris Jackson, and Ryan Cook.

That is just the starters, the Vikings will be looking to fill alot of holes, that offseason, if nothing happens, getting a replacement for Pat Williams may not be as important as getting a single cornerback. Castillo will only be 26 by the time he is a free agent.

Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots

Wilfork has become a solid Defensive tackle as well. Wilfork would likely be less expensive than Castillo, but bear in mind, if the Vikings do not get some players extended, they will be scrambling to sign possibly five starters. Wilfork will be 28 as a free agent next season.

Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens

Haloti Ngata has become one of the most feared Defensive Tackles in the game since he was drafted by the Ravens a few years ago. Ngata would be my choice in replacing Pat Williams, but the Vikings would have to wait until 2010 to get him, and that is assuming the Ravens do not extend his contract, or Franchise Tag him.

Ngata would be a great replacement, but likely the hardest guy on this list to get. Ngata will be 26 when he is a free agent, 12 years younger than Pat Williams.

Replacing Pat Williams is a daunting task, and I'm not sure the Vikings can replace all of him, as he has been consistently one of the top five defensive tackles in the NFL, but there is some talent out there, and it is time to start preparing for life without Pat.

Are the Texas A&M Aggies Getting Snubbed?

Michael Treece — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:16:27 -0500

It seems this year there are so many good basketball teams that it is nearly impossible to narrow a field down to 65. In Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology segment on ESPN, he has the Texas A&M Aggies out of the NCAA tournament. I just have to ask, how?

A&M did suffer a tough loss against Tulsa early in the season, but how does that keep them out of the tournament? Outside of that loss, the Aggies have fallen to the likes of Oklahoma State, in a very tough place to play in Gallagher-Iba, a loss to No. 5 Oklahoma by only six points, and a loss to Kansas at Phog Allen. How does that keep any team out of the tournament?

The Aggies also have a big win against then No. 21 Baylor. The Aggies have also beaten Alabama on the road, and Arizona and LSU at home, not to mention their 14-1 start left them only needing six wins to get to 20 wins by the end of the season.

The Aggies finished the season with 24 wins last year and made a nine-seed in the NCAA Tournament; they are a mere nine wins away from that mark this year.

Winnable Games

vs. Texas Tech

vs. Oklahoma State

vs. Kansas State

at Baylor

vs. Texas (The Aggies only lost by six at home against Oklahoma)

at Texas Tech

at Nebraska

vs. Iowa State

at Colorado

vs. Missouri

First Round Big XII game

That is 11 more games that should not be tough, outside of the Texas game. If the Aggies can pull an upset in Austin or Norman, they should easily get at least nine more wins. Another evenly matched game would be in the second round of the Big XII Tournament, likely against either Kansas or Baylor.

Tracking Adrian Peterson...How Far Can He Go?

Michael Treece — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:22:12 -0500

It was less than two years ago when one NFL franchise hit the jackpot yet again. Leading up to the 2007 NFL Draft, many people were debating who the Oakland Raiders should take with the No. 1 pick.

JaMarcus Russell was a strong candidate, as was Brady Quinn. While the 2007 Draft was a big day for a few teams, one of those teams was not the Oakland Raiders for now.

As names began to fall off the board rather slowly, teams continued to pass on a great prospect from a big time school. Injury issues had plagued the star ever since he fell short of the Heisman Trophy his Freshman year. He was injured in both of the next two seasons, and obviously that meant a big risk for whatever team should draft him.

The first six teams had made their selections, most were still pretty good picks, but no one still wanted the Junior running back from Oklahoma. Then it came, "with the seventh pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select, Adrian Peterson, running back, Oklahoma."

Vikings fans everywhere went nuts; how could a guy who nearly became the first ever Freshman to win the Heisman Trophy fall to them at No. 7?

That was the start of what figured to be a pretty good career for the young man, but not many people could have guessed how good, it would actually be.

Peterson joined a Vikings team that seemed to be headed on a one-way path to the bottom of the league. The Vikings had just finished up a 6-10 season, and they had just handed the offense to a very raw quarterback in Tarvaris Jackson.

The team's best offensive weapon happened to be the guy Peterson was replacing, and their leading receiver was Travis Taylor. To make matters worse, team leading and now backup quarterback Brad Johnson would not be returning to the Vikings next season either.

Peterson was ready for the task though. His first NFL carry came with 4:32 left in the first quarter, and he ran for 13 yards. The team knew they had something special right from the beginning. Peterson finished up his first career drive with 31 yard on only five carries.

With teammate Chester Taylor getting injured early in the game, Peterson was counted on even more. Peterson continued to pound away, and at halftime he had totaled 42 yards, but that was no where near enough for him.

In the fourth-quarter with the Falcons on a slight comeback, Peterson was relied on in the passing game. Jackson looked out to the right, and hit Peterson on a short screen pass, that looked like a short gain, when Peterson kicked it into gear, got a nice block from rookie teammate Sidney Rice, and took it 60 yards for his first ever NFL touchdown.

Peterson ended the game with 103 rushing yards, and 60 yards receiving.

After Peterson's first NFL game, he continued to show his dominance in the next few weeks, reeling off 280 rushing yards in his next three games, but in Week Five, Peterson made his first impression on most of the nation.

In a game in the Windy City, Peterson came ready to prove himself, sure he was averaging nearly 100 yards a game, but he wanted more. It was supposed to be a less productive day for Peterson as Vikings head coach Brad Childress had just inserted Chester Taylor back into the lineup as the Vikings starting running back, but that would not sit well with Peterson.

On his second carry of the game he hit a hole and took off for 27 yards.

A few drives later he gashed the Bears for another big gain reeling off 22 yards, but "All Day" was far from finished. Although Childress sat Peterson for two straight drives, he came back in with 2:33 left in the second quarter and took off.

On his first carry in three drives, Peterson ran for 67 yards against a talented Chicago Bears defense. Then almost exactly one quarter later, he did it again, tearing up the Bears for another 73 yard touchdown, but he still was not done, on another drive in the fourth quarter he smashed the Bears with a 35 yard touchdown run.

Still, with all the Peterson help, the Bears found a way to tie the game with 1:53 left on the clock. Childress decided to change things up, and sent AD into the game to return the kickoff. What a great idea, Peterson took off getting a 53-yard return and setting up a game-winning field goal.

Peterson wen out two weeks later and had another monster game, racking up 296 rushing yards on a very good San Diego Chargers defense. As just a rookie, Peterson had the best single game performance by a running back in NFL history.

Unfortunately a week later AD was injured in a loss to Green Bay, but at the end of the year, he came back, and finished his rookie campaign with 1,341 yards, 12 touchdowns, and a whopping 5.6 yards per carry.

He finished second only to LaDainian Tomlinson, in just his rookie season. Peterson then went on to the Pro Bowl, and became the first rookie to win the Pro Bowl MVP award since Marshall Faulk did it in 1995.

In year two, it was much of the same for the young man, starting the season off with 263 yards in his first two games. Peterson's biggest game came against the rival Green Bay Packers, as he virtually took his team, on his back, to victory by leading a come from behind fourth quarter drive, getting 64 of the teams 69 yards, and ultimately scoring the winning touchdown.

Peterson finished off the day with 192 rushing yards, and 33 more through the air.

As the season went on, Peterson continued to dominate, racking up a league-leading 1,760 yards, a league leading 10 100-yard rushing games and 10 touchdowns. Peterson finished the season leading the Vikings to their first playoff appearance in four years, and getting the Vikings their first ever NFC North title.

Peterson received three votes for NFL MVP, and many experts wondered how he finished tied for fourth, when he had such a great year. Peterson is currently headed to his second straight Pro Bowl.

Peterson eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark this season, making him one of only five guys to get that mark during their second NFL season. He joins a pair of Hall of Famers, and current running backs Clinton Portis and Edgerrin James, with that honor. Peterson also accomplished the feat while missing two games his rookie season.

Many teams believed Peterson would be injury prone, but he has done nothing, but prove them wrong. He has only missed two games due to injury in his two seasons of work, while guys such as Joseph Addai, Clinton Portis, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Brian Westbrook, who were not considered injury prone, have missed just as many, or more games since then.

Peterson has led the NFL in rushing since he entered the league, out gaining his closest competitor, Clinton Portis, by a whopping 352 yards. Portis is the only back, within 500 yards of Peterson since he entered the league.

How far can Peterson go?

Peterson said his goal for the 2008 season was 2000 yards; he fell a little short of that, but he is certainly within reach. Only five NFL running backs have ever gotten a 2000-yard season, but Peterson seems determined to make it six. No running back has ever reached the milestone twice.

If Peterson could make it there, he would join the likes of some of the greatest running backs ever: O.J Simpson, Erick Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, and Jamal Lewis.

If the Vikings could find a pretty good quarterback to take away the eight and nine man defensive fronts Peterson sees, it is scary to think how good this young man could be, at age 23, he has already proved himself as one of, if not the best running back in the NFL.

Peterson is averaging 1,550.5 yards a season, 11 touchdowns, and a whopping 5.2 yards per carry. If Peterson continues at the pace he is currently going, he will reach the vaunted 12,000 career rushing yards by only his eighth NFL season.

All running backs who have reached that milestone, are either not yet eligible, or they currently have a bust in Canton.

How far can he go? Can he run his way to more NFL records, can he be the first to get 2000 yards in multiple seasons, will he run his team to a Super Bowl? Who knows, but there is certainly a reason Adrian Peterson is referred to as, "All Day."

Tarvaris or Not? Can He Lead the Vikings?

Michael Treece — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:14:31 -0500

Fans of the Minnesota Vikings have a pretty strong opinion on Tarvaris Jackson, good or bad.

With quarterback ratings of 62.5 in 2006, 70.8 in 2007, and 95.4 in 2008, he has improved his play immensely as he has matured in the league. However, despite his improvement, many Vikes fans believe that this "failed experiment" should be stopped abruptly.

Many believe that Jackson is not the answer to the quarterback question in Minnesota, but with improving stats, how can fans dislike the guy?

The Positives

Jackson has shown great improvement through his three years as an NFL quarterback. His touchdown-to-interception ratio has improved each season and as a starter he's posted a respectable 10-7 record over the past two seasons.

Jackson was also voted the Week 15 Fed Ex Air award winner when he threw four touchdowns and zero interceptions in a 35-14 win over eventual NFC Champion Arizona. Jackson has been consistent with his short passes and can make big plays with his feet as well.

The Negatives

Turning the ball over is an issue for Jackson. He has fumbled 14 times in 23 career games and has thrown 18 interceptions in a run-heavy offense. He also struggles with his accuracy on deep passes.

Jackson has a pretty good supporting cast with Pro Bowlers Adrian Peterson, Steve Hutchinson, Matt Birk, and Bryant McKinnie. He also has great role players such as Bernard Berrian and Chester Taylor to help him with the offense.

However, Jackson has major problems against the blitz and struggles when it is not picked up by the lineman or backs. The Vikings have improved everything else drastically since 2005, except the quarterback position.

Why is Jackson hated by so many fans?

The main reason people do not like Tarvaris Jackson is because he can not seem to win when it matters the most.

In 2007, the Minnesota Vikings were in a "win and get in" situation. If they beat the Washington Redskins at home in Minnesota, they would have clinched the final playoff spot.

Jackson forgot to show up for this game. He completed 25-of-41 passes, but threw two costly interceptions. He did run for two scores, but the Vikings were shut out in the first half, and beaten 32-21.

In a last-chance game the next week at Denver, Jackson played a little better but still came up short. He threw for a pair of touchdowns without a pick, but fumbled twice as the Vikings offense was again shut down. Minnesota scored only three points in the first three quarters, and again lost a key game 22-19.

Jackson began the 2008 season as the starter, with fans soon questioning Brad Childress as to why. After completing 30-of-59 passes, throwing for one touchdown and one interception, and losing one fumble, Jackson was benched after Week Two.

Failing to close the door on the Indianapolis Colts, after leading 15-0 in the second half, was the obvious reason for his benching.

As Jackson got used to the bench, the Vikings started winning, going 7-3 with veteran Gus Frerotte leading their offense. Fans believed Jackson was gone for the year, until Frerotte was hit hard against the Lions in Week 14, forcing Jackson back into the lineup right before the half.

No one could have expected Jackson to do what he did next. He completely turned around the struggling offense, completing 8-of-10 passes and throwing for one touchdown as he notched a comeback win on the road.

Coach Childress was impressed enough to give Jackson a start against Arizona in Week 15. He responded well, throwing four touchdowns and zero interceptions in the Vikings' biggest win of the year against the Cardinals.

Fans began to jump on the Tarvaris Jackson bandwagon again with a chance to clinch a playoff spot coming up.

While he was not awful, Jackson was not capable of leading the Vikings over the Falcons in Week 16 with a playoff berth to clinch. The Vikings were sloppy, fumbling five times, with three by Jackson. He threw for two touchdowns without an interception, but was put in a situation to win the game late and was unable to convert.

The Vikings had the ball needing a score, but Jackson threw way too many short passes over the middle with time running against them.

Ultimately, Jackson threw an incomplete pass on fourth down to Sidney Rice and they fell short. It was controversial whether or not there should have been a flag for pass interference, but regardless, Jackson needed to go deep for the Vikings to win.

The next week, Jackson took his 0-3 record in playoff-like games against the New York Giants. In another so-so game, Jackson completed 16-of-26 passes, with one touchdown and one interception.

The Giants rested most of their starters in the second half, and the Vikings were able to squeak out a 20-19 win on a last second 50-yard field goal from Ryan Longwell.

As the playoffs approached, Jackson had finally gotten a big win. He would finally get his chance to prove doubters wrong in his first playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, Jackson played his worst game of the season, posting a 45.4 passer rating, throwing a miserable 15-for-35, tossing one interception and zero touchdowns, and fumbling a snap. The Vikings' season had ended and Jackson became the goat of scrutiny once again, leaving even his biggest fans questioning him.

Who knows what 2009 will bring for the Minnesota Vikings at quarterback? Will it be Jackson, Frerotte, Booty, or someone not on the final 2008 roster?

Tarvaris Jackson will most likely have to earn his job if he wants to keep it, especially since Gus Frerotte has made it clear, he will most likely retire if he is not the starter in 2009.

Many people believe the Jackson "experiment" has run its course, but should the Vikings toss a guy out the door who has continued to improve?

The conservative choice would be to let Frerotte go, and bring in a more proven QB, such as free agents Kurt Warner or Jeff Garcia, or trade for a guy like Derek Anderson. The Vikings could then either start their new quarterback, or let Jackson prove himself as the starter.

How long will Minnesota keep up this experiment? The answer remains unclear.