And the Minnesota Vikings' Starting Quarterback Is...

Since Dante Culpepper, the Minnesota faithful have waited for a leader and captain to step up into the shoes as their starting quarterback. With Tarvaris Jackson not exactly grooming well into the starting role, the Vikings will obviously need to begin to think franchise QB and not be just running on whim.

Two and half seasons of watching and waiting have come to this. Gus Frerotte leading the Vikings? Okay, so maybe the guy isn't quite the headbutting lunatic we all thought he was, but he defiantly isn't worth putting a franchise behind.

The guy will be lucky if he lasts two more seasons as a backup. The Vikes need either a veteran near, if not in, their prime or a rookie, franchise QB to build around. The options could be the following...

To trade up and Draft Matthew Stafford (Georgia) or Mark Sanchez (USC)

Stafford or Sanchez would definitely improve the current situation at QB for the Vikings. Although this option has a very good chance of happening, Childress is too conservative to consider this and will most likely look elsewhere.

(Probability: 40%)

Pray on Kurt Warner going through to Free Agency

When a QB that everyone thinks his career is over leads a team to the Super Bowl, you can bet everyone is going to notice. Even more so if the Vikings are fortunate enough to even see him pop up on Free Agency. Expect the Cards to put a tag on him and keep him around for the rest of his playing days.

(Probability: 10%)

                      
Make a Trade Offer to for the now Franchise-Tagged Matt Cassel

Okay, so Cassel may be tied for at least a season to the Patriots, but he won't be there long. If Brady is fine by Week One, expect Cassel to be on his way out the moment they know. We may also know by how the Patriots draft if they pick up a QB as a back up to Brady.

Cassel would be an immediate shoe-in for Minnesota. This would most likely be the best scenario for both Cassel and the Vikes. Although it doesn't seem too likely... at the moment... If Cassel is held onto till Week One bare minimum, don't expect Minnesota to wait out that long with a coach like Childress.

(Probability: If he's traded by Week One: 60%/If not traded by Week One: 15%)

Pray that the rumors of the NY Jets cutting Favre come true and Sign him

Although it sounds like Peyton Manning has a better chance of making to the Vikes before Favre does, don't think these rumors are just smoke. The staff in NY aren't particularly happy with Favre after not only failing to give them a playoff birth, but lacking the commitment many came to expect him to have for the team.

For any chance of the Vikes landing Favre, the Jets would need to cut Favre as to not risk loss of their next three first round draft picks going to the Green Bay Packers. It's pretty clear Favre wants to play Minnesota.

Whether he wants redemption against the boys in green and yellow or he simply would rather play indoors in the winter remains to be seen, but don't think this is just leaves in the wind.

(Probability: 15-20%) 

Band aid the '09 season and prepare for 2010, the "Draft of the Quarterback"

Although a tempting thought, it comes with the sacrifice of another year without a franchise QB.

With Heisman finalists Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, and Colt McCoy all graduating in spring 2010, the Vikes will have a prime shot at a franchise QB in any of the three. Although many list Tebow as the best of the three, then Bradford, then McCoy; the Vikes would defiantly work around Colt McCoy.

Although you gotta figure if the Vikings don't "earn" the top pick that they might as well trade for grabbing Tim Tebow. A Heisman (two-time finalist) and two National Titles can't go wrong. The Vikings would have many avenues to travel if they chose to just wander aimlessly through '09.

They could continue the Jackson/Frerotte tandem, give Booty a shot, or make a veteran grab off Free Agency. Either way, this would provide the smoothest transition and the biggest buzz for the Vikes.

(Probability: 25-50%)

Although most of these are good options, we must constantly remember that this is Minnesota. And unfortunatly Childress is STILL Head Coach...