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Bleacher ReportMar 4, 2009

At a time when millions of dollars are being thrown around the league and planes carrying NFL free agents get their most work of the year, all seems to be quiet at Vikings headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN. I believe Vikings fans might have had the most exciting month of March of any team's fans without signing a single player.

Of course, the Vikings went out and tried to address the quarterback situation by trading a fourth-round pick to the Houston Texans for QB Sage Rosenfels and then extending his contract to two years for $9 million.

Then came the rumored visit of Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. After leaving the Seattle area after a visit with the Seahawks, Houshmandzadeh made a stop at the Vikings facility where owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, head coach Brad Childress, and vice president of player personnel Rick Speilman wined and dined him.

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Reports said the Vikings were putting the full court press on, similar to what they did last March when the team wanted to sign former Bears WR Bernard Berrian, which they eventually did.

After days of waiting, and then more waiting, Houshmandzadeh decided to stay close to his home by signing with Seattle.

But that wasn't enough for the fans of purple. After a very active week of signing and filling holes, the Denver Broncos were believed to have been shopping quarterback Jay Cutler.

Cutler, 25, heard of the reports and the story came out that he was upset with new Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels. That is when it got interesting. Sports Illustrated's Peter King reported a day later that Cutler was the one who had asked for a trade weeks before.

All of a sudden, trade rumors were popping up on various news outlets and the Vikings thought they were in position to make another run at a big-name offensive player. After reports that the Vikings and Broncos were in trade talks, Vikings fans were punched in the gut again after learning that Cutler and McDaniels would meet next week to settle their differences.

Vikes fans, this is why I am here. Don't worry about not making the big signings and overpaying No. 2 receivers. With the core Minnesota has right now and the addition of Rosenfels, this team is poised for a Super Bowl run.

Let's go through the depth at every position and look ahead to the 2009 NFL Draft to see what the future holds for the Vikings:

Quarterback

This will always be the question that is brought up this offseason. Yes, the Vikings brought in WR Bernard Berrian last year and have one of the best running games in the NFL in Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, but why will that matter if the team can't move the ball through the air?

With the acquisition of Rosenfels, QB Tarvaris Jackson now has competition that will make him earn the starting job. Many people have already tabbed Rosenfels as the leader to win the job, which isn't a surprise.

Whatever critics want to say, the Vikings did upgrade at the quarterback position and it's time to see what this new veteran brings.

Running Back

With the NFL's 2008 rushing leader, what more could you ask for in Adrian Peterson? Peterson finished the year with 1,760 yards with most defenses still stacking the box with 8-9 players.

Follow that up with the 399 yards from arguably the best third-down running back in the game in Chester Taylor and you have a very explosive backfield heading into the 2009 NFL season.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

After the signing of Berrian during the 2008 free-agency period, the Vikings put together a pretty solid group of receivers including Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade.

Berrian showed he can stretch the field and take some of the heat off of Peterson and Taylor and brought some big plays, something we really haven't seen from a Vikings receiver since Randy Moss.

Probably the biggest surprise was the progression of TE Visanthe Shiancoe, who was under fire early in the season for dropping passes. Shiancoe came on impressively down the stretch and finished the season with 596 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, which tied Berrian for most receiving touchdowns.

Offensive Line

The Vikings offensive line took one of its biggest hits in recent years, losing center Matt Birk, who has been with the team since 1998, to the Baltimore Ravens. However, the Vikings drafted C John Sullivan last year in the sixth round and no doubt has learned a thing or two from Birk.

The left side of the line is obviously the strength of the unit, anchored by 2008 Pro-Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson and left tackle Bryant McKinnie. 

At right guard, Anthony Herrera has shown he can be the starter for years to come with his intense play and knowledge of the game.  

The Vikings question comes at right tackle, where Ryan Cook struggled last year, especially in the false start category. Look for the Vikings to look at this position in this year's draft.

Defensive Line

This is the easily the strongest part of the defensive unit. After last year's trade for defensive end Jared Allen, the line instantly became one of the best defensive lines in the league. The Vikings again were the No. 1 rush defense in 2008, finishing ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers, thanks to defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams in the middle.

Even with the injury of Pat Williams at the end of the year and into the playoffs, the defensive line stuffed running backs at the line of scrimmage.

Allen made a difference on the opposition's passing game, leading the Vikings with 14.5 sacks.

With Pat Williams coming back and healthy, and pressure from Allen and left end Ray Edwards, the Vikings plan on harassing more opposing quarterbacks in 2009.

Linebackers

The Vikings linebacking core took a massive hit when E.J. Henderson was put on I.R. after a loss at Tennessee in Week Four. The team then signed a former linebacker in Napolean Harris, who filled in nicely for Henderson and kept the rush defense at top notch.

Outside linebacker Chad Greenway also had a breakout year, notching 115 tackles and adding 5.5 sacks. On the opposite side, Ben Leber continues to bring his veteran leadership to the unit.

With Henderson back in the fold, look for the Vikings' rush defense to remain with the league's best.

Secondary

After finishing 32nd in pass defense during the 2007 NFL season, the Vikings moved up into the middle of the league with the addition of Allen.

But one addition that was overlooked was the signing of safety Madieu Williams. After missing the first seven games due to a neck injury suffered in training camp, Williams played very aggressive in his return, finishing with two interceptions and 42 tackles.

Cornerback Antoine Winfield finally made it to his first Pro Bowl in 2008, an honor he was overdue for.

CB Cedric Griffin showed he could be physical with receivers at the line of scrimmage in 2008 and has shown his ability to come up and stop running backs in the backfield.

Second-year safety Tyrell Johnson will star next to Williams, filling in for safety Darren Sharper, who looks to sign with another club during the free agent period.

2009 Draft Outlook

With the Vikings hurting at right tackle, look for them to select a wide receiver, right tackle, or cornerback in this year's draft.

This looks like a much deeper wide receiver crop than last year. The Vikings could have their eye on guys like North Carolina's Hakeem Nicks, Florida's Percy Harvin, or Maryland's Darius Heyward-Bey.

At right tackle, the Vikings should key on Alabama's Andre Smith, Old Miss' Michael Oher, or Baylor's Jason Smith.

At the corner spot, I like Vanderbilt's D.J. Moore, Illinois' Vontae Davis, or Wake Forest's Alphonso Smith.

With the addition of Rosenfels, a top-notch run offense and defense, and an improving secondary, the Vikings look poised for a run at the Lombardi trophy in 2009. Feel the breeze Minnesota, the Vikings' window is open.

EPIC NFL Thanksgiving Slate 🙌

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