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Posts Tagged ‘Tarvaris Jackson’

The headline may be what Brad Childress said, but it is obvious the decision to bring Favre in has been made.  Heck, there are reports of Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings contract guru already talking to Bus Cook.  Yes, there are stipulations like the arm must function (Childress’, “[eagerness to] see just exactly what he’s got left in that cannon.”) and a price for a year or two worth of service must be negotiated, but the go ahead has already been given.

It is looking like there was a deadline and it was for Brett to be these last OTAs.  The deadline that Childress is denying now.  “Absolutely not,” there was no deadline, Childress said.  It won’t happen at all because Brett isn’t comfortable with his shoulder yet, isn’t signed yet, or just more attention as this plays out longer. It may be because his arm isn’t back to the near pain free status he was looking for yet, or because not enough time has transpired from the surgery, and/or it may be because of his aversions to OTAs that Kevin Seifert and others have brought up.  If he shows up immediately after OTAs conclude then I highly suspect that as the reason. Or this is just part of the annual Brett Favre negotiation and dance.

For those in the anti-Favre camp, there is hope that his shoulder is messed up more than just the bicep tendon as ESPN injury consultant Stephania Bell suspects, or that Zygi Wilf or Brad Childress get fed up by the delays and being led around by the nose by this player, and then to put a foot down and say that, “this dance is over and we’re moving on.”  It is a slim hope, but a hope none the less.

For the pro-Favre camp, nothing has really changed other than confirmation that the team is indeed pursuing the almost 40 year old quarterback.  It just means the announcement is probably weeks off, sometime between next week and mid July. This means the drama and headlines will play out even longer as a buildup to Brett stepping onto the field in Vikings Purple.

As far as the work Sagevaris Jacksonfels have put in, let’s hope it pays off and neither get too upset over being lied to about having a shot at the starting QB position, which along with thoughts of being disrespected and used as a pawn in this game with Brett, they might be thinking. Brad Childress has even told them.  “I talked with Sage and Tarvaris.  They are competitors.  Do they like any of the conversation?  Absolutely not,” Childress said.  “But they know this. I’m charged with adding and subtracting players from this team to make us better.  Every day when I walk in this office there’s not a day that I don’t try to look and see if we can get better at some position.”

“And if this is going to make us better down the road and it’s got a chance to happen I’m going to take care of the Minnesota Vikings.”

Coach, you and I have disagreed on a lot of things, but as far as taking care of the Vikings, I think you have your own short term [save my job] goal in mind, not the build the team to be a perennial powerhouse like you had preached.  My last blog, I tried to point that out. I hope your right and I’m wrong on this.  But like you said, “I’m not into predicting the future, you know?”

With the likelyhood of Brett Favre becoming the 2009 Minnesota Vikings quarterback looking almost like the sure thing.  What happens to the competition between Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels that will make both of them better and on an improved team that won 10 games last year, should easily pick up 2 or 3 more and repeat as NFC North champions?  They were to have the ability to establish themselves as a long (or longer in the case of Jackson) term starting quarterback.  It was looking to be one of the highlights of camp for many Vikings fans.

Now, with the return of Brett Favre to football after he made the decision to get shoulder surgery to disconnect the torn bicep tendon, he has only two obstacles to overcome before he decides to call his buddies, Brad Childress and Darrell Bevell and ask to play for them.

1.  If, for some unexpected reason, a relatively routine surgery doesn’t take (or he gets a staph infection).

2. If, as ESPN injury consultant Stephania Bell has said in this video, we come to find out there was more damage in the shoulder than just a tear of the biceps tendon as she suspects.

The recovery time is supposed to take 4-6 weeks, and it is reported that Brad Childress gave Brett a deadline to make his mind up whether he is healthy enough to play or not.  If he does, it looks like the competition is for backup, but that causes its own set of new issues.  Right now the Vikings presently have 4 quarterbacks on their roster:

1)      Tarvaris  Jackson

2)      Sage Rosenfels

3)      John David Booty

4)      Sean Glennon

Sean Glennon, UDFA from Virginia Tech has at best a shot to make the practice squad (and we don’t have to worry about the Chiefs seeing him in practice).

John David Booty, second year man from USC and firm #3 developmental guy is probably the luckiest of all the QB’s on the roster because I doubt the Vikings end up keeping 4 quarterbacks and with Tarvaris entering his last year of his rookie contract, and Sage pursued over two years but just signed him for backup money, he sits in a safer position than either of those two.

So if Brett Favre is #1 and Booty #3 who gets #2?  Would Tarvaris want it in hopes that Favre gets injured again and he can come in and replace him and win the job that way?  Do the Vikings try to trade TJack because he still has this year on his contract and they might get a little something in return?  Do you think that if Jackson does stay but doesn’t play, that he will re-sign next year when he is a free agent?  I don’t.  What do you do with the guy that took you 2 years to sign [at backup wages] and promised a shot at winning the starting job?  That means if Favre starts all season then retires you’re down to Sage only next year as a starter (unless you want to consider Booty that good) and he will have 1 year left on his contract, wanting starting money but with no game time proof that he can step up and be the guy.

The other options is if the Viking cut Booty and keep both TJack and Sage behind Brett, then at the end of the year the Vikes end up with a retired Favre, Jackson leaving for free agency and not looking back after being yanked twice from the starting opportunity, Rosenfels with one year on his contract and no backups on the roster (unless the Vikes keep 4 quarterbacks on the roster this year, probably unlikely).

All I wanted was an equitable competition in camp between TJack and Sage with the best QB winning.  Is Favre that much of an upgrade that the Vikings will now have work through all the points above?  Is it worth it for the short and long term health of the organization?  Will the fans get a new stadium from it?  I wish we knew.

Is there anything more we need to know.

Sources: Favre has surgery

The Favre situation is is looking to be resolved and the epic quarterback battle between Jackson and Rosenfels now looks to see who will hold the clipboard.

Asked earlier, and probably his most hated question, John David Booty might just have to think of the price it will take to get the number off of his back. If I were him, I’d ask for the guaranteed #3 QB slot and call it even.

Favre working his magic in Purple

Think about it folks, because it is looking like more and more like Brett Favre will be your Minnesota Vikings 2009 starting quarterback.

Also from ESPN:

Yes, the Brett Favre story has hit the presses with the 2009 edition and as much as it may or may not be just titillating subject matter for sports writers and bloggers, it is like the coming of spring and discussions about the weather, we just can’t resist. But, more on that later, let’s talk the draft: I haven’t had much time to digest it a whole lot, being busy over here in Kuwait and all (which is probably a good thing), but I do have a first impression.

Percy Harvin – I was sort of surprised by this pick. I thought all the press about the Vikings wanting him was pure subterfuge. Tice was rebuked for expressing the Vikings’ desired pick one year. Then there was the whole “culture of accountability” thing, the stupid act in judgment of Percy to decide to go organic prior to the scheduled test, and the fact that he is an under-sized hybrid that will be asked to fit into the rigidity of the KAO scheme, a round peg into a square hole type of thing. With all of that, I thought all of the talk was pure smoke. …The type that gets you busted on a pee test. I was wrong.

If Childress gets creative (and Percy abstains from trouble), this could be brilliant and make whoever plays quarterback almost irrelevant. If he gets lined up in the slot opposite of B2 and with AD in the backfield, who gets the one on one coverage or drops out of the box to help defend leaving Adrian with almost an unfair advantage. I’m drawing up plays in my head now and starting to get excited. …But can we really expect that from Mr. Predictable who may still be laying awake trying to think of new ways of, “How am I going to get the ball to Tahi?” (Thanks Jim Souhan for that disturbing mental picture).

Talking with a good buddy of mine, Noroof from Vikings Valhalla and author of The Purple Buckeye, about the Harvin selection and here is what he had to say.

If Childress has a plan for Harvin, and it works, my God…imagine AP, No Mercy Percy, and Berrian all available to get the ball. If you focus on AP, Harvin will kill you. You focus on neutralizing Harvin and AP will run all over you. Concentrate your efforts on neutralizing Berrian’s deep threat, and the next thing you know Harvin takes a 5 yard swing pass and goes 80 yards untouched. At Florida Harvin was like Moss in his prime, Devin Hester, and Adrian Peterson are…when he touches the ball, you hold your breath, because you’re thinking something big is gonna happen. When he makes the first guy miss, your pulse picks up, and when he gets to the second level it becomes a foot race. You mutter ‘My God’ and rewind the Tivo to make sure you really just did see what you think you saw. Can Childress use Harvin correctly? He better be able to, or he’ll be out of a job.

Phil Loadholt will be that competition for Ryan Cook that I talked about in my previous blog. I worry that he was written up as having issues with speed edge rushers. But hey, that is no different than we have now on either side of the line. He can also play left tackle if Bryant McKinnie gets his groove on one night and gets a little too feisty. Loadholt has the size and comes from a good program at OU. This was a good pick and should pay dividends for years.

I think picking the corner, Asher Allen, next was a good move. The kid sounds like a young version of Antoine Winfield and from what I’ve heard idolized and emulates him as a player. He will at least have the opportunity to watch and learn from him for a year if not hopefully a couple. I also saw this move as a motivational one for Winfield’s extension talks. The team can say, “we’ve drafted your replacement”. That can also possibly said about Harvin being Chester’s.

Speaking of the runningbacks, I like what I read about the undrafted free agent (UDFA) we signed out of Boise State, Ian Johnson. We needed at least one more body back there like I had pointed out in my needs blog. Did you notice that there wasn’t a fullback picked like I thought? They are cheap and we may have signed an UFDA one already…(the Vikings haven’t), or with the Harvin drafting, Chilly may be moving away from using them so much (or he’s happy with who is on the roster already).

It looks like Rick Spielman read The Purple Buckeye blog and we picked up that linebacker, Jasper Brinkley. He is big enough to play MLB, but what I’m really hoping is that he’ll be the bookend twin of Heath Farwell on the special teams.

I’m starting to get excited about the possibilities of the new season and for some reason, even think Childress might even pull it off. “In 2009, the Vikings will play a remarkably easy schedule. They will play in a mediocre division. They will be in their fourth year under Childress’ guidance, and will have maintained continuity on their coaching staff and throughout their football operation.” – Jim Souhan

Remember, we also now have a new special teams coach [a sore spot from last year] and that alone should mean a couple more wins. The Packers had a decent draft and have started to rebuild and mold their new 3-4 defense. The Lions have started the Stafford era and in a couple of years hopefully will have something to show for it. I like the new redesigned logo and uni’s, and Detroit is due for a fresh start. The Bears had nothing but a second day draft, but they did land Jay Cutler and will be tough to play against and the most likely team to have a shot at challenging the Vikings for the NFC North crown (sorry Cheeseheads, you’re destined for at least 3rd again).

Now to the story that just keeps coming back year after year for the last few years or so, “to retire or not retire,… or even un-retire… again”. Brett Favre’s agent, Bus Cook passed his words in a message Tuesday, “Nothing has changed. At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football.”

“At this time” is the key phrase in the statement that has folks all over the NFC North in a bit of a tizzy. No matter which side of the love-hate side of Brett Favre the future Hall of Famer and player, this begs the question of will he get the itch to come off the tractor and play? He is now a free agent, one that could sign the $1 contract with the Packers and call it officially a career. Then again, he being the same best friend of Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and a good acquaintance with Vikings head coach Brad Childress. These are the men running the offense on the team that Brett openly said that he wished to play for last year and the only one that has question at quarterback. There is a small question of a torn bicep tendon needing extensive rehab or surgery, but who knows what Brett has been doing since the end of last season.

My friend Noroof, an avid Brett to the Vikes advocate last year, doesn’t quite think it would work this year.

Here’s the problem with signing Favre now, as I see it. First off, which QB do you get rid of? TJ is still a Childress guy and will be given every opportunity to win the job. They just traded for and gave an extension to Sage, and for God sakes, they spent two years trying to get him. That leave JD Booty, who might be an insurance policy as your long term QB if Jackson flames out, because Sage is over 30.

If you get Favre, you really upset the apple cart now, because you’ve promised TJ and Sage that they will compete for the job, and the best man will win. If you bring in Favre and make him the guy, you embitter your top two guys that will be here next year (because I doubt Favre will be around more than a year) and as great as Favre is, Childress could really lose a lot of creditability in the locker room.

Is a healthy Brett Favre leading very talented team worth the locker room credibility that Childress has tried to establish in his first 3 years? Does Brett have it in him physically after fading last season due to his arm injury? What about the Vikings other quarterbacks, the newly acquired starting competition Sage Rosenfels, Childress’ own pick Tarvaris Jackson and even John David Booty and UDFA Sean Glennon? Do you think the Vikings would carry 4 quarterbacks on the starting roster, or get rid of Rosenfels who they spent 2 years trying to acquire, or Tarvaris who played his best ball in the final games of last season [not including the Wild Card loss]? Is the gamble worth it?

Worth it or not, it is and will be the talk of the summer again and I’m interested in your opinion.

I’d like to give a shout out to the men and women serving in Kuwait and the rest of the CENTCOM theater, especially the folks I spend time with at Camp Arifjan, K-Crossing and those Camp Buehring. Thanks for keeping America free and enjoying the greatest sport on earth.

The greatest needs for the Vikings fall in two areas.  Strengthen the offensive line and improve the quarterback play.  The draft nears and we ask, will the Vikings address the issues or just white wash over them with spin and hype over draft choices brought in as part of a sustainment effort?  Are they looking years ahead, and only selecting backups to go behind an established “win now” team, or are they looking for a player to make a difference from day one?  We look forward to the discussions here and at Vikings Valhalla as the picks roll in.

On the offensive line, an aging but serviceable former Pro Bowler Matt Birk was let go not because of slightly declining play but because he disagreed with Brad Childress and he did it publicly.  I doubt that Ryan Cook will be moved over center, John Sullivan, the 2008 6th round draft choice from Notre Dame will be given the first shot at the job.  He is built more like a center whereas Ryan is built like a tackle.  I won’t rule out Cook making the move over, but unless the Vikings select someone in round one to compete for and win the right tackle job (and they passed on good players in free agency), I thinks he keeps it.  Even though he had never played the position, he did beat other tackles, some who had even started like Artis Hicks and Marcus Johnson for the job.  There is also Drew Radovich who spent last year on IR, who had prior to his injury earned the number 2 slot behind Cook as a rookie.

Ryan Cook along with Tarvaris Jackson were hand selected by Brad Childress in the 2006 draft.  Coach Childress fancies himself a builder of quarterbacks and offenses.  He will stick by his men unless they are soundly beat in head to head competition.  Tarvaris now has Sage Rosenfels to give the public appearance of a battle for the starting job.  I suspect a tackle draftee will be the same for Ryan Cook, but barring injury or a clearly obvious better play, they both with keep their starting jobs because not to, would mean that Brad Childress isn’t the offensive and talent guru that he wants Zygi Wilf to think he is.

The draft is heavy in tackle talent this year, which is a good thing.  The bad thing is it looks virtually all of it will be selected long before the Vikings and their number 22 pick reach to put a name on a card.

Eben Britton, Andre Smith, may be available especially since the Philadelphia Eagles consummated a trade with the Buffalo Bills for Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters.  But will the Vikings stick with their best player available philosophy and go in a different direction?

Viking shortages come in many flavors.  First is at center with Matt Birk heading eastward and out of Brad Childress’ dog house.  Sullivan is the only person listed as a center on the roster.  Ryan Cook could move over or even Anthony Herrera as center but they both have jobs already on the weaker right side.  I fully expect the Vikings to select in a later round a center-guard type, a guy who can play both positions and backup at both spots if the need arises.  Guard is another position that there presently isn’t a whole lot of depth with just 3 on the roster and 2 of them starting, Herrera and Steve Hutchinson.  If Herrera must move to center, right guard will need filled. If Cook moves over, right tackle will need filled plus the time to gel that all offensive lines seem to require.

There are 5 offensive tackles presently on the roster, with Cook position being the perceived need.  His play is nowhere near what the Vikings and their fans would like, so expect someone to at least give the appearance of competition.  If the Vikings select one in the first round we will see how serious they are about replacing Ryan.  The other implied benefit of getting a starter quality tackle is that if Bryant McKinnie ends up following off the lubed up no incident wagon, he’ll have to serve a full year suspension.  That starting caliber rookie tackle would sure be a bonus then, but fans don’t get your hopes too high, it still takes the young guys a little time to acclimate themselves to the league, the pace of play, the skill and speed of defensive ends and to gel with their linemates.

The defense is sound and will be led by EJ Henderson who is fully recovered from his separated toe injury.  He was on pace last year for his first Pro Bowl quality season when the injury pulled from field.  He along with Chad Greenway and Ben Leber will line up behind the best defensive line in the league.

The line however faces the possibilities of a missing Williams Wall.  Kevin and Pat will find out in June if their suspension for consuming diet pills will be held up, and if they must miss the first four games of the season.  If so, that leaves Jimmy Kennedy and Letroy Guion as the two remaining pure defensive tackles on the roster.   Yes, Brian Robison and some of the other defensive ends could slide in to relieve these big men, but they are only a situational stop gap [pun intended].  Plus, Pat isn’t the jolly youngster we all know and love, but is getting up there in years and unless Kennedy steps up his play more (a hopeful possibility), the Vikings need to grab an heir of parent if one such round bellied stud presents himself.

Sticking with the offense, another couple of spots that are low on the numbers are in the backfield.  There are currently only 3 runningbacks listed and working out at Winter Park.  There is the best one in the league, Adrian Peterson [Who just turned down the Madden cover.  I guess he didn't want to be a part of all of those coincidences.] , and then there is best #2 back in Chester Taylor.  That has to be the best 1-2 punch in the league.  Chester also gives the back office some trade options, should the need arise and Childress willing to go with AD all day or have young Albert Young move into the position.  I see the Vikings taking a running back between rounds 2 and 4.

The other low number is that we have only 1 fullback for the Childress KAO offense.  The coach likes to use the fullback as a battering ram for Peterson, and 1 isn’t enough for the depth chart even though we all know Garret Mills and Jeff Dugan could be moved back there if needed.  FB will be a later round acquisition or at least one of the undrafted free agent signings that come immediately after the draft.

So now we show a need for offensive tackles, guard, center and fullback, and a defensive tackle.  Let’s look at linebacker and defensive back next.

We have 7 linebackers total on the roster and we know the first 4 spots are assured.  Starters Ben Leber [weak side], E.J. Henderson [middle] and Chad Greenway [strong side], along with special teams’ ace and primary backup Heath Farwell.  Of the other 3, Erin Henderson has the best shot as a primary backup.  The Vikings very well may want to increase the quality of the pool of backups and look for someone that can make a mark on special teams.  If the opportunity presents itself, especially in the true best player available analogy, you just might see Rick Spielman and Scott Studwell call on one in an early round.  The linebacking corps is a rough and tumble bunch that have seen more than its fare share of injuries, and especially those effecting Vikings and their playoff aspirations and run, a good backer would be worth his weight in gold.

As for the defensive backs, the Vikings are set on their starts and remarkably have good numbers already on the roster.  They are presently carrying 8 cornerbacks and 5 safeties.  Antoine Winfield like Pat Williams is nearing the end of his career, but unless an obvious groom-able talent presents itself, I don’t see this as much of a need as others might think, especially when you look at it from a pure numbers angle.

The Vikings have 6 picks, and being the numbers game that it is, not just with defensive backs but with receivers on the other side of the ball, the totals and need level go against a high level pick.  Yes, more play makers are always welcome on both sides of the ball, but with Sagevaris Jacksonfels [as a buddy of mine calls him] going to be the quarterback, the best thing for him [them] is going to be a beefy front line to protect him [them] and pave the way for AD to run all day.  So I see the Vikes needing a C, G, OT, DT, and  LB the most with the quarterback position apparently in stone, and then throw in a RB and FB and WR and or CB that can add to special teams and you quickly see the numbers won’t quite match up.   You win football games from the line of scrimmage Chilly, but of course you already knew that, you guru you.

Oh, the frustrations I am having trying to fix this jacked up site…

Between the real money paying job and little time off, I have yet to get the new theme in any respectable shape that a Vikings fan like those reading this would like to see. I apologize for that but will keep working.

In the mean time, I thought this story about Sage Rosenfels history written bey Rick Alonzo might be an enlightening bookmark should the Rosencopter actually take flight as the Vikings new starting quarterback.

Sage Rosenfels raised by hippies? Not exactly

I still believe that we will end up with Brad Childress’ hand picked protege, Tarvaris Jackson as the 2009 starter, but I hope there is a true and equitable competition for the role with the best man winning.

I was asked by a reader why this season’s Vikings free agency has been so silent.  I agree is has been nothing more than a whimper than roar [not that the Bears have been doing much of that either].  It has come in like a lamb but will hopefully conclude like a lion [not to be confused with the 0-16 Detroit Lions].  The remainder of the NFC North has been just as frozen and smelling of old Limburger cheese.  Why?

I cannot give you any sane reasons why the Vikes seem almost silent during this free agent period.  I don’t think it has to do with the economy, because any big name like TJ Houshmandzadeh couldn’t hurt ticket sales, but TJ almost seemed an afterthought.  I can only surmise that most available free agents this year don’t fit the “coming off of their first contract with plenty of potential” mode that the Vikings like so much.

To date, The Vikings signed Sage Rosenfels after two years of courting and no visits to back up pay.  Yes, he will compete with Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job (as of now), but a 3 year $9 million contract is only good back up money.

Speaking of 3 years and $9 mil, one of the first things the Vikings have done right so far was to re-sign Jimmy Kleinsasser, one of the very best blocking tight ends in the league.  Jimmy has been with the team since being drafted in 1999 and now that Matt Birk is a new Raven, makes him the longest tenured Viking.  His power and blocking abilities come in handy when lined up next to Ryan Cook and even Bryant McKinnie.  He has been part of the blocking scheme for 4 of the 5 highest rushing seasons by Minnesota backs.  Matt Birk can’t even claim that due to the season he was out with his sports hernia operation.

The only free agent that was brought in so far was TJ Houshmandzadeh, and even though the Vikings offered the veteran receiver the best chance at winning, he sided with the money.  He had proclaimed earlier that he would, so that, and being closer to his LA home shouldn’t have surprised us that he chose the Seahawks.  Do you really want a player that doesn’t want to be there?  You can say the same about Matt Birk and wish him well as he moves on to the Ravens.

Then today, we hear the good news that the Vikings re-signed their special team ace and #4 linebacker Heath Farwell.  Heath, like Jim, was allowed to test the free agent waters and visited the Pats and the Browns but felt like his place was in Minnesota.  He, like Jimmy wants to be here.  The Vikings ended up signing him to the richest special teams player contract in their history, a 3 year, $7.75 million that calls for $3.25 mil in guarantees.  With the release of Vinny Ciurciu, who wasn’t as good as Heath anyway, the need to have the special teams ace was all the more important.  Vikings fans everywhere don’t want to see a repeat performance of the horrible coverage teams from last year.

Karl Paymah is scheduled to come visit this coming up week.  He is a cornerback from the Broncos who started a couple of games last year.  He is a second tier free agent that fits that “coming off of their first contract with plenty of potential” mold.  We need depth in the secondary with not only Antoine Winfield getting older, but also with Darren Sharper not being re-signed.  Paymah, if signed, will fit that depth role and could hope to earn more though improved play combined with an unfortunate injury to Winfield or Griffin.  He will only be the second free agent to visit if he makes it past his meeting with the Buccaneers and Browns first, and definitely nothing to get excited about.

Hoping for excitement, that roar of the warrior right before battle may manifest itself in a blockbuster trade like last year’s to get Jared Allen.  The only hint of that may be in the rumors of the Vikings being interested in disgruntled Jay Cutler from Denver, but the theories on how to pull that off are not real plausible.  It will take a huge leap on the Broncos’ part to give up their Pro Bowl quarterback with no real alternative waiting in the wings.  Here’s hoping to their stupidity.

The other big name quarterback situation that the Vikings are watching is of Donovan McNabb in Philly.  If that relationship sours again, you might see a move by the Vikes to trade for Brad Childress’ claim to fame.

Another option may be the discarded Terrell Owens, but word from Vikings personnel guy Rick Spielman said the Vikings have no interest.  “We would never say never, but you can put the pieces together and the history with Coach Childress [in Philadelphia].”  Word had it that Chilly and T.O. had buried the hatchet and were getting along, plus with George Stewart being T.O.’s father figure and old receiving coach from his 49ers days, you have to wonder if a deal could actually work.  T.O. does make quarterbacks into legitimate stars (at least for the first year) as pointed out by my good friend Pacifist Viking.  But he is getting older, his production is dropping off and he doesn’t fit the free agent mold the Vikings like, but then again neither did TJ Who…

Like the rest of the NFC North, free agency has been eerily quiet.  Hopefully the draft will stir more excitement, but the Vikings having the #22 pick won’t net the team any blue chippers.  Let’s just hope we can get some quality starters at need positions and depth where it is needed.  Our favorite coach, Brad Childress will be on the hot seat after finishing the season with a 21% approval rating, so you hope he tries to make some move to ensure that the Vikes win the division again and make a long drive into the playoffs.

I think the overall answer to your question is that there weren’t the players available to make the noise with so far, or at least ones that the Vikings and Brad Childress were interested in.  Let’s hope something changes for the better.   Here’s to a roar sometime this offseason and hoping that your spring will be a little more exciting.

I wrote after Terrell Owens release from the Cowboys and speculated where he wouldn’t end up, “You can guarantee that the Vikings won’t be that team.”

Now, that’s what I wrote, but could I be wrong?

NFL.com writer: Owens and Vikings a match?
Posted by Sean Jensen on March 6, 2009 11:02 AM

NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche believes that WR Terrell Owens may be a good fit for the Vikings.

Wyche, who previously covered the Atlanta Falcons for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, made several interesting points.

First, he noted that the Vikings missed out on T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Second, he notes that coach Brad Childress “doesn’t have much to lose,” because his job security could be on “thin ice” if he doesn’t take the Vikings to the postseason.

“Desperate men have been known to make desperate moves,” Wyche writes.

Third, Wyche said Owens can thrive on a short-term basis, wondering if an incentive-laden, one-year deal would fire him up.

Fourth, Wyche notes that Owens has a very good relationship with Vikings receivers coach George Stewart. Stewart helped develop Owens in San Francisco, and they remain close.

Is Childress that desperate?

Judd Zulgad writes:

PFT put the Vikings on that list, citing an NFL source, and pointed to the troubles that Vikings coach Brad Childress had with Owens when the two were together in Philadelphia. Childress was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator and an unhappy Owens requested that Childress not speak to him during his final season with the franchise. Childress, who loves that type of challenge, never passed up the opportunity to say hello to Owens after that.

While they did not get along at the time, Childress said last year that he and Owens actually had a nice exchange before the Vikings played the Cowboys. I believe it was in a preseason game last summer. That doesn’t mean Childress is going to want to bring Owens to Minnesota — even if the team did try to upgrade at receiver by attempting to sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh. (Owens also is familiar with the West Coast system the Vikings run).

Did absence between Chilly and TO make their hearts grow fonder?

My friend Pacifist Viking points out that TO is good for quarterbacks.

Terrell Owens has a habit of getting contentious with his quarterbacks and ex-quarterbacks. But on the field, he helps QBs to their best seasons. He’s aided four different quarterbacks to 30+ TD seasons: Steve Young (1998), Jeff Garcia (2000 & 2001), Donovan McNabb (2004), and Tony Romo (2007). Only Young ever had a 30+ season without him.

I’d be wary of Terrell Owens, and I’d expect him to eventually say bad things about his quarterback. But on the field, he helps quarterbacks to career years.

TO’s talents would definitely be appreciated, but would the forthcoming headache after this season? Could receivers coach George Stewart who is a father figure and his coach at San Francisco “control” him, or at least convince Brad that he could? Would Zygi want him for ticket sales? Free your mind and consider it a minute. What is the worst that could happen? He improves TJack or Rosenfels into a respectable QB. Removes the extra guy from the box for Adrian to run free. The Vikes make it to the Super Bowl and TO does everything in his power to win, or the Vikes fail and Brad Childress gets fired. That sounds like a win – win to me.

Just think about it…

And I’m not talking about your taxes or the last election cycle, but this time on the NFL calendar. The Combine is underway, free agency is about to start and the draft is not far behind, so out comes the smoke and mirrors.

This morning we learn that the Vikings may be interested in Michael Vick even though there were no public words stating that. Coach Childress in typical fashion when asked, wouldn’t confirm or deny interest in Vick.

“I really don’t get into hypotheticals because I think there’s too much water that’s got to happen. I’d cross that bridge when I come to it.”

Is there interest? CBS and SI want you to think there is. Do you think the Vikings would actually want him after all he’s done and not been in football?

I think Grant’s Tomb put it best.

When I look back and remember how uptight Vikings fans and the Twin Cities media were over Randy Moss’s transgressions (“My God, he wouldn’t stop for a traffic cop!”), it’s hard to imagine any scenario where Vikings owner Zygi Wilf would bring in the soon-to-be ex-con Vick.

Is this the press making a story out of nothing? Could this be the Vikings trying to mask their true intentions?

Chilly says yesterday that wants somebody to compete with Tarvaris for the starting job. He would even like Gus to be the guy if he is willing to come back, or if not by bringing in somebody else (see above).

“We need to put somebody in place that will push him and compete with him,” Childress said. “I think competition is the nature of the game.”

I can’t disagree with that to a point and have encouraged it with conversations with you, but now wonder if this is part of the psychological warfare, deception and double speak campaign being waged by the Vikes to covertly get the QB they want? If it works then there will be somebody new (Matt Cassel maybe), if not Tarvaris will beat out limited competition and lead the 2009 drive to playoff glory with Brad Childress saying all the right things for public consumption. This isn’t provable until someone opens their mouth later and let’s it slip. This time of year makes you wonder though…

The Vikings want Matt Birk back. Really? It sure didn’t look that way at the end of the season. Again, is this a statement of truth or one motivated by an ulterior motive? Could it be used to get Matty a higher asking price on the free market as a farewell gift of sorts for his fine years of service in the Purple? Could it be a ploy to drop his asking price and show that he is welcome? Or is it just the right thing to say to avoid the PR nightmare over letting a fan loved player walk because he and the head coach were known to butt heads? You tell me.

It is that time of year folks. The fun will be to spot the few truths in the bed of deception. Are you ready for the emotional roller coaster that is just getting rolling as we try to figure out what the future has installed for the 2009 Minnesota Vikings? Enjoy the ride, and like last year, let’s hope it is a good one with Jared Allen type results.

After the game (and while I was updating Luft’s Locker Room and Vikings Valhalla), I was thinking who deserved the game ball for the win.

I would love to give one to Zygi Wilf and his family for investing in the Vikings and now coming away with their first of hopefully many, championship banners.

But though Zygi was definitely an integral part of the success, he never touches the ball during the game. So who in the game deserved it?

One man came to mind.

Usually it is a player that is in the mix for a weekly leader spot in rushing, or touchdowns, sacks, interceptions, turnover recoveries, etc.. T-Jack had a decent day with 239 yards, 1 TD and the 1 pick resulting in an 88.5 QB rating. AD had 103 yards, topping the 100 yard mark for the 10th time this season a Vikings record to go along with league rushing title and 1,760 on 363 carries. Bobby Wade had 98 yards and Bernard Berrian 81 with a clutch TD. Berrian had his best yardage total ever and almost reached 1,000 yards on 48 catches this season. And there was the defense, #1 against the rush, much improved against the pass and hard to score against, but that would not be it either.

The game ball should go to a man that has improved on his distance, and always been clutch. He definitely was yesterday and after three time outs and the confusion of poor clock management. Ryan Longwell trots out and bangs the NFC North winning 50 yard field goal.

This kicker has earned it.  (And you say I pick on kickers…)

Speaking of that defense, they deserve credit for their history setting effort this season.

The Vikings run defense made history Sunday, but they clearly are not the same without their top run-stopper clogging up the middle. The Vikings became the first team to lead the league in run defense for three consecutive seasons since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger. They allowed an average of 76.9 yards rushing.

First Mike Tomlin received credit as the defensive coordinator, and we know this year Leslie Frazier will reap the credits and get hired as a head coach SOMEWHERE ELSE! But there has been one common denominator between the both of them: Karl Dunbar, the defensive line coach. If Leslie goes off to coach his own team, then in my opinion, Karl should be asked if wants the DC job and who he’d like to see replace him as line coach.

The quote above was taken from a Chip Scoggins at the STrib story on how Pat Williams is going nuts not being in the game.

Pat Williams says he’ll put a stop to the run

Pat Williams is sorely missed in his two and a half game absence. Both Kevin Williams and Jared Allen have been guaranteed double teams and held to no sacks in each of the final two games. I think that would have been different if Phat Pat were healthy and playing. Hopefully, like he says, he’ll be back against Philadelphia pushing the offensive line backwards and causing all sorts of havoc.

Congratulations to the line, linebackers, defensive backs and the coaches for being the first team to lead the league in run defense 3 years in a row since the merger. In case you were wondering, the NFL record is 4 seasons and held by the Cowboys. That will be the goal for next season, but for now it is onto glory in the playoffs!  Enjoy it Vikings fans, just like for Zygi, it is well earned.