Vikings' Offense in 2009: Business As Usual?

Brett Favre and the Vikings are this season's "Ross and Rachel."

Everyone knows they're going to get together, it's just a matter of when. I have no reason to believe Favre won't end up in purple eventually, but hopefully he gives himself enough time to learn the playbook.

Darrell Bevell returns to the Vikings' staff as offensive coordinator. Bevell came to the Vikings after spending six years on the coaching staff of the Green Bay Packers (including three years as quarterbacks coach), so he's more than a little familiar with Favre. 

I don't know how much of an influence Favre would have on Bevell's play calling, but I assume he'd want Bevell to use the shotgun formation a little more than last year.

The first thing that jumps into my mind with the Vikings using the shotgun is a play in a crucial game against the Falcons. The playoffs were on the line, and Matt Birk and Tarvaris Jackson couldn't get the snap right, resulting in a turnover. Birk's moved on to Baltimore, and Jackson figures to be holding a clipboard if Favre comes to town, so it's probably a moot point.

Despite losing Birk (who will likely be replaced at center by John Sullivan), the offensive line should be as good or better than it was in 2008. Considering the line opened massive holes for league-leading rusher Adrian Peterson, that's a very good sign. 

A quarterback's best friends are a solid running game and a stellar defensive unit. The Vikings have those bases covered.

Even if Favre is the starting quarterback for the Vikings on Sept. 13 in Cleveland, I expect the Vikings to remain committed to running the ball. Peterson is such a dynamic and game-changing player, it's in the Vikings' best interests to do everything in their power to keep him involved. 

The wild card in all this is rookie Percy Harvin. He's elusive, shifty and explosive with the ball in his hands. 

If Harvin can stay healthy and out of trouble, the Vikings will have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL, with or without Brett Favre.