Talent and Expectations: A Tarvaris Jackson Story

What is talent these days?

Is it based on pure athletic ability? Or does it also include leadership, tools for a specific position, and other intangibles?

There's no doubt about it: Tarvaris Jackson is talented. He's fast, agile, elusive, strong-armed, and extremely mobile in the pocket.

But as a quarterback, he has almost no talent specific to the position. He's not all that accurate, and he has little consistency, if any. He also doesn't appear to be very confident or a great leader, two traits a quarterback needs before he learns how to throw.

The Vikings should give up on Jackson, and place all their confidence in either the guy they just traded for, Sage Rosenfels, or a new guy (Jeff Garcia, anyone?).

Still, I'm guessing even if you're not a Minnesota fan, you're going to need a little more of a convincing argument than, "That guy stinks." So here's a breakdown of his season stats, as well as the main individual games that spell out his future.

The Reasons Are in the Seasons

In Jackson's three seasons in the league, he has never achieved a 60 percent completion mark. He's only thrown more touchdowns than interceptions once, that being last year when he had a hot streak.

And considering that two of those big games came against the lowly Lions and the suspect Cardinals defense, that's nothing to get too excited about.

Another interesting aspect of his game is his coveted running ability. While it's impossible to ignore his mobility, the Michael Vick comparisons need to stop. The only thing these two guys share is the same number.

Jackson has never reached 300 yards or four touchdowns rushing in a season, further showing us that if he can't succeed in the pocket, he can't necessarily be depended on to succeed outside of it, either.

Of course, you could argue that Jackson hasn't played enough to show his abilities. Really? Well, then, compare averages. After all, averages are one of the best ways to break down statistics, and are also a projecting device for how they may fare in their future.

In comparison to his clone-brother Vick, Jackson has averaged over two full yards less on the ground per carry than Vick. True, Vick is the best running quarterback we have ever seen, but you get my point.

Regardless, season-by-season, we have seen no real progress from Jackson.

Is the Fame in His Best Games?

Another thought is that, as previously mentioned, Jackson's growth has merely been held back by a lack of confidence by his coaching staff. Darn you, Brad Childress, from preventing the world to see such greatness. Oh, please.

Jackson has never had a 300-yard passing game, and has completed 20 passes in a game just three times in his entire career. Oh, and he's passed for multiple touchdowns in a game only four times in 25 career games.

And the number of multiple interception games he has had? Also four, including a swell four-interception performance against Detroit two years ago.

The picture I'm painting here is that it has taken Jackson three years and 25 games to muster up the type of stats an average quarterback would register in one full season.

Tarvaris Jackson, much to the dismay of Minnesota Vikings fans everywhere, is simply an average NFL quarterback, and there's no real reason to believe that should ever change.

Again, I tackle the question; is he talented? Yes, but so was former Trojan, Mike Williams.

However, with the recent Brett Favre release from the New York Jets, Jackson is once again on the fence (or Brad Childress is), and his confidence has to be wavering as we speak.

Maybe a year of learning under the future Hall of Famer would actually help him. At this rate, what could it hurt?