Minnesota Vikings: The Tools to Rebuilding

With the 2011 season taking the downhill turn, things have changed around Winter Park. The theory of being a contending team with backups in starters' roles has finally died.

As much as any fan of the organization would have hoped against hope, the team didn't have much of a chance at taking a shot for the NFC North crown. The opening losses were close, and fueled the idea that perhaps the 2011 Vikings had a chance at glory, but that is gone now.

Now, we must not go so far as to say they actually are a bad team. They aren't that bad of a team, they simply aren't that good either.

On the defensive side, starting OLB Erin Henderson is a backup, sorry. Chad Greenway does not deserve the money the franchise has poured into him. That kind of money should go into game-changers like Clay Matthews and James Harrison, not tackling machines who never create turnovers. Kevin Williams will never see the success he had before 2009. The secondary is in shambles.

On offense, things are worse. The receiving corps, after Percy Harvin and Michael Jenkins, is lousy and filled with practice squad talent. Let's not forget about the invisible man with tweet-happy fingers who needs to be shown the door. The offensive line, outside of Phil Loadholt, is just as frustrating as it was last year.

The problem with these Minnesota Vikings is that they are the exact same as last year.

One nice thing is that plenty of talent remains across the board. Jared Allen and Brian Robison are excellent on the d-line. Chris Cook is showing potential. Adrian Peterson, Harvin and Kyle Rudolph are explosive skill position players and are still young.

The offseason will see the franchise look for help in the secondary and the offensive line.

Come draft time, look for the Vikings to overhaul the offensive line to protect their franchise quarterback, and in an exciting move, perhaps use their high draft choice on a certain Minnesota native and current star wide receiver from Notre Dame named Michael Floyd.