Jackson's Playoff Performance Creates Questions for Vikings

By Brice Lehner

            The biggest position battle awaiting the Minnesota Vikings as the team prepares for the 2009 season will almost certainly be the quarterback position.

That position is currently a two-man race between Tarvaris Jackson and the newly-acquired Sage Rosenfels, but could become a three-way competition if the currently-retired Brett Favre decides to make yet again another come back.

            The Vikings limped to a 0-2 start to the 2008 season with Jackson at quarterback, but were rejuvenated when veteran Gus Frerotte took over as the starter in the third game of the season against the Carolina Panthers.

            Frerotte went 8-3 as the starting quarterback and brought the Vikings back into playoff contention.

            When Frerotte was injured against the Detroit Lions in week 14, however, Jackson returned to the starting role, and showed that he wanted his spot leading the offense back.

            Jackson helped Minnesota finish its season with two wins over playoff opponents – a road win against Super Bowl runner-up Arizona and a victory over the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants – and secure the NFC North division.

            Jackson was anything but spectacular in the playoffs, however.  Jackson completed just 15 of 35 passes against the Philadelphia Eagles, including one interception that Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel ran back for a touchdown.

            That performance in the postseason may have been the last straw for Vikings coach Brad Childress, as Minnesota finally traded for Rosenfels, a player Childress has coveted for a long time.

            Rosenfels through nine interceptions in 2008 in games he started for the Houston Texans, however, compared to just four touchdowns passes in those games.

            Either way, the Vikings didn’t trade for Rosenfels to play the backup role to Jackson, so he will get a chance to compete for the job, unless No. 4 dusts himself off one last time for another season in the NFL.

            Favre will be the wild card in Minnesota quarterback battle.  If Favre decides to return 19th season, the position will be his.  If not, Jackson and Rosenfels will have to duel it out to see who will be the Vikings signal caller to open the 2009 season.