2010 NFL Season Preview: Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are one of the most decorated franchises in the NFL. Despite not having won a Super Bowl yet, they have appeared in four, have 18 division titles (most of all 32 teams), and have the fifth-highest winning percentage in the league.
Last season, they were knocking on the door and were just one interception away from the big game. With most of their talented squad returning, they are potential title contenders once again.
Biggest Question Heading Into Next Season
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Last week, there were reports of Brett Favre's plans to retire. If that's the case, I believe this team's Super Bowl chances are slim to none.
However, if he does return for a 20th NFL season, the big question will be whether or not Adrian Peterson can fix his fumbling issues.
The only thing, in my opinion, preventing him from being the league's top back is the fact that he has struggled to hold onto the football.
In fact, he surrendered eight fumbles last year, including two in the playoffs.
In his efforts to change that, he has been practicing with a 15 lb. ball. Personally, I'm a little skeptical about the drill, since it may cause him to jerk a normal ball, which is the source of the original problem.
Nonetheless, he will have to find some way to improve his ball security in order for this team to have any shot at winning a championship.
Key Additions
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CB Lito Sheppard
Sheppard is a 2-time corner, used to be one of the top corners in the league. While his skills have diminished, he still has solid cover ability. He will provide much-needed assistance in their secondary.
RB Ryan Moats
Moats rushed for 309 yards and 4 TD last season. He should add quality depth to the position.
Key Losses
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RB Chester Taylor
Taylor has been a very productive 3rd-down back for the Vikings over the past couple seasons. His loss equates into more carries and responsibilities for Adrian Peterson.
OT Artis Hicks
Hicks played poorly last season, and his loss won't be felt.
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Draft Recap
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2nd Round (No. 34 Overall): Virgina CB Chris Cook
2nd Round (No. 59 Overall): Stanford RB Toby Gerhart
4th Round (No. 100 Overall): USC DE Everson Griffen
5th Round (No. 161 Overall): Wake Forest OT Chris DeGeare
5th Round (No. 167 Overall): Minnesota LB Nathan Triplett
6th Round (No. 199 Overall): UAB QB Joe Webb
7th Round (No. 214 Overall): Penn State TE Mickey Shuler Jr.
The VIkings did a great job drafting talent and adding depth to their roster.
While, I understand the Chris Cook selection, I felt the one mistake they made was passing on Jimmy Clausen. He is a raw talent who could have been groomed behind Brett Favre. The last time a team went with that route, it turned out pretty well (Packers and Aaron Rodgers).
Coaching Outlook
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Brad Childress will be entering his fifth season as the Vikings head coach. He's improved his record every year so far, starting at 6-10 in 2006 and taking the team to an impressive 12-4 last season.
Leslie Fraizer is heading into his fourth season as the team's defensive coordinator. He's done a great job so far, as the unit has ranked among the top 8 in total yards allowed during the past two seasons . Do note that he is currently a very popular head coaching candidate.
Darrell Bevell is returning for his fifth season as the team's offensive coordinator. He specializes in quarterbacks and will be responsible for maintaining Favre's high level of play and developing Travaris Jackson.
Offense Outlook
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Balance on offense is an integral key to success, and the Minnesota Vikings are a prime example of that.
At quarterback, they have a sure-fire future HOF-er in Brett Favre. Even at 40, he posted one of his best statistical seasons yet as he threw for 4,202 yards, 33 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions.
He was also an essential ingredient to the emergence of Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, and Bernard Berrian as reliable targets.
If he returns for another season, I expect big performances from all three of them.
Another weapon in his arsenal is tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who became one of Favre's favorite red-zone targets, catching 11 touchdowns.
Their backfield is highlighted by Adrian Peterson, who has established himself as arguably the best running back in the league. Ever since he's come into the league three years ago, he's simply dominated his opposition. So far, he's totaled 4,484 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns. As I referenced to earlier, his 20 career fumbles has become a major liability.
Blocking for him is a solid offensive line, led by 6-time All Pro Steve Hutchinson. The group overall, while good, is extremely overrated in my opinion.
Defense Outlook
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The Vikings defense is one of the best in football
They have a stout defensive line, with Kevin and Pat Williams up the middle. On the edge, they have one of the most feared pass rushers in the game in Jared Allen. He has a relentless motor and has registered 29 sacks and 8 forced fumbles in his two years with the team. Even their weakest link, Ray Edwards, had 8.5 sacks last season as well as an additional 3 in their divisional playoff matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
Their linebacker core is also rather impressive. E.J. Henderson is solid on the interior, Chad Greenway is one of the best in the business, and Ben Leber is solid in coverage.
Their secondary, however, is very questionable. Their two starting corners, Antonie Winfield and Cedric Griffin, both have major injury issues. Meanwhile, their safeties Madieu Willaims and Tyrell Johnson both struggle in pass coverage.
If they can hold up, though, expect this unit to rank amongst the Top 10 once again.
Special Teams Outlook
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The Vikings' special teams is very talented.
Their kicker, Ryan Longwell, nailed an incredible 92.9 percent of his field goals last season.
Their punter, Chirs Kluwe, is very solid as he recorded a 43.9 average and pinned just under a third of his punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
Percy Harvin proved he can be a dangerous kick returner, taking two the house. Returning punts is Darius Reynaud, who had a respectable 10.3 average. In terms of coverage, they did allow one score.
Fantasy Outlook
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RB Adrian Peterson
Peterson is undoubtedly a top 2 fantasy pick.
WR Sidney Rice
Rice exploded onto the scene last year, making 83 grabs for 1,312 yards and 8 touchdowns. His performance will heavily rely on whether or not Favre returns. Simply said, if he does, I expect him to replicate those numbers. if not, they will drop.
QB Brett Favre
This will be a risk pick. If he comes back, though, he will be a Top 10 fantasy quarterback.
WR Percy Harvin
Harvin had an exceptional rookie campaign, and he should do even better in year two.
TE Visanthe Shiancoe
Shiancoe is projected to have around 50 catches for 600 yards and possibly double-digit touchdowns.
DST
The Vikings defense should be one of the first few taken off the board.
Schedule
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Week 1 @ New Orleans Saints
Week 2 vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 3 vs. Detroit Lions
Week 4 Bye
Week 5 @ New York Jets
Week 6 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 7 @ Green Bay Packers
Week 8 @ New England Patriots
Week 9 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 10 @ Chicago Bears
Week11 vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 12 @ Washington Redskins
Week 13 vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 14 vs. New York Giants
Week 15 vs. Chicago Bears
Week 16 @ Philadelphai Eagles
Week 17 @ Detroit Lions
The Vikings have a daunting road ahead of them, especially in the first half. However, there's not a team on here that they can't beat.
Moreover, this team has a very easy itinerary as their traveling distance will stay at a minimum.
On a side note, they have four nationally televised games this season, including a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game to kick off the season.
In A Nutshell
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Despite having the talent of an elite team, their brutal schedule could prevent them from being atop the NFC.
Final Record: 11-5 (division ranking TBD)
Of course, the loss of Brett Favre would most likely knock them down to 8 or 9 wins.
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