Minnesota Vikings: Issues That Will Dictate the 2011 Draft and Stadium Proposal

2010 brought misfortune to the Vikings, ultimate glory to the Green Bay Packers, a return to dominating defense by the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions finally showing some promise. 

Translation: The NFC North has become a division of dominance with Minnesota now as the weakest team. This is most notably due to the lack of a franchise quarterback.

Leslie Frazier has stoked up Vikings fans with his talk of finding the next young franchise QB for the Vikings. In reality though, the Vikings are the oldest team in the NFL, starters are becoming prone to injury as their bodies slow down and the team will have no home after the 2011 season.

The Triangle of Authority have expressed that they understand how Green Bay and Pittsburgh have met with success—build through the draft. Minnesota was given a pair of additional draft picks by the league recently: A sixth and seventh round selection. Considering that the third round selection was traded off for Randy Moss, these additional picks carry more value than they might have in recent years.

More than likely, the stadium issue being discussed at the Capital during legislation will determine whether or not the team remains in Minnesota. Zygi Wilf will not stay at the Metrodoom.

So creating excitement about football is key. Typically, coaches and front offices are mum to the point of paranoia. But Frazier and Spielman have been very vocal and open about what the team's plans are and what positions they like this year. I’m not here to say that creating a buzz for a new stadium is the only reason the front office has been an open book. But why not? This is the only year that a new stadium has a chance to be passed. With no starting QB to excite fans, why wouldn’t you try and get things buzzing?

The lockout probably will not affect whether a new stadium is built. But no known direction for the fanbase could.

Leslie Frazier has a team loaded with Pro Bowl veterans, future Hall of Fame inductees, and no quarterback. He has a team that is expected to do great things (but is too old to do them) and a group of politicians he has to help convince that the Vikings belong in Minnesota and will not become as miserable as the Wolves, Gophers and Wild have been after getting stadiums of their own.

This can be one of those stories where all the odds were stacked against him and the hero pulled it off. Or it could be remembered as the last year the Vikings are seen in Minnesota.

What is more vexing is there has been no free agency. They have to draft for needs they otherwise would have solved weeks ago. When free agency opens they may not to be able to sign the players to fill the needs left by the draft…

The stress that comes with preparing for a draft and creating a board is tough enough, let alone when Frazier and company have everything against them.

With the teams in the NFC North stronger and more solidified, it will be difficult for the Vikings to succeed, regardless of what quarterback is playing under center.

There has been talk of trading for Kevin Kolb. The Eagles' Andy Reid claimed that a team made a first-round trade offer for Kolb. Was it the Vikings? One will never know, unless it is pulled off. Think first-round pick in 2012 if no CBA is created on time.

All in all, the stadium issue will make this draft one of the most important ever. The lack of free agency and the ability to make trades makes this draft the most difficult ever. Oh, and finding a franchise quarterback is also the toughest position to discover.

If Frazier is able to accomplish everything mentioned, despite all the odds, it will be one of the most incredible feats in NFL history.

So needless to say, the Minnesota Vikings are at the biggest crossroad they have faced since entering the league.

A new head coach. A new quarterback. A new stadium. It all starts here at the 2011 NFL Draft.