Minnesota Vikings off-season report
Viking news: Randall McDaniel is an inductee into the 2009 NFL Hall of Fame. McDaniel earned nine straight All-Pro nominations from 1990-1998. He played in 12 consecutive Pro Bowls. McDaniel is known to be one of the best offensive linemen in NFL history. In 2010, the Vikings will have more nomination representation with Cris Carter and John Randle.
Minnesota Vikings Personnel:
Starting 2009 fresh off a 2008 NFC Conference championship, the Minnesota Vikings front office of Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf will be searching for the answers to repeating the NFC title and managing a deeper playoff run. Brad Childress must address the inefficiencies that held the Vikings from advancing in playoffs. The good news for Viking fans is that Leslie Frazier will be the defensive coordinator for the Vikings in 2009.
Minnesota Vikings breakdown:
Early schedule information indicates a Vikings schedule that looks appealing for the 2009 season. The Vikings are scheduled to play the NFC West and AFC North besides the regular NFC North games. Excluding the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, the Vikings have a list of very winnable games: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Detroit Lions twice. Another 10 win season is not out of the question. The Vikings are a team that is mixed with older free agents with solid young players out of recent drafts. Considering the Vikings defense as super bowl caliber, the Vikings need to make their final moves this year to achieve the ultimate goal.
Quarterback : The main issue Brad Childress must address is the future of the Vikings quarterback position. Reaching for Tarvaris Jackson in the second round of the 2006 draft has not worked out for the team. Moving up in the second round for a fourth round quarterback has confused Childress into believing that he has the second coming of Donovan Mcnabb when he actually has a back-up quarterback. With the possibility of Gus Frerotte on his way out with a 1.75 million dollar contract, and John David Booty simply not ready, the Vikings may be looking at free agency again for quarterback talent. As camp gets closer, Brett Favre speculation will probably surface. There is a strong indication that Favre will not be playing for the New York Jets in 2009 and may retire. Other possible free agent candidates are Jeff Garcia and Sage Rosenfels.
Running Back: The combination of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor is still one of the best in the NFL. If the offensive line can continue its top ten ways, the running game will continue to do very well. It would be in the best interests of the Vikings to utilize Chester Taylor more this year to save the wear and tear on Peterson. This will be a contract year for Taylor, and it is unlikely that he would sign with the team in 2010. Maurice Hicks looks to be the third string running back unless more talent is brought in for the backup position.
Wide Receiver : The large contract given to Bernard Berrian paid off for the Vikings. Even though they improved at the wide out position, work still needs to be done. Slowed by injuries, Sidney Rice did not have his breakout season. Barring injury, Sidney Rice should improve upon his progress and develop into the second receiver along Berrian. In 2008 training camp and throughout the season, the receiving game suffered. It seems as if the receiving game is always a work in progress with the carousel at quarterback.
Offensive Line : Unrestricted free agents are center, Matt Birk, and tight end, Jim Kliensasser. The team will need to evaluate the center position. Surgeries to RG Anthony Herrera and RT Artis Hicks will need to be considered as well as the status of Ryan Cook moving to center in the possible absence of Birk. Overall, Childress would be wise to take a page out of the Andy Reid draft strategy and add offensive line talent each and every year at the draft. The Vikings are very solid at tight end with the emergence of Visanthe Shiancoe.
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Defensive Line : Jared Allen has proven to be worth his contract as the Vikings defensive line has improved to be even more lethal. The line should be very solid in 2009, but it will be interesting to see if suspensions are carried over into this season for Pat and Kevin Williams. Kenechi Udeze will participate in minicamp, but will find it difficult to beat out DE Brian Robinson and LE Ray Edwards.
Linebackers: Chad Greenway, E.J. Henderson, and Ben Leber should be a solid group of linebackers for the Vikings in 2009. With a healthy Heath Farwell, the Vikings could improve greatly at the linebacker position by having their original 2008 linebacker group healthy. Napoleon Harris is likely to be moving on.
Defensive Backs : 2008 may be Darren Sharper’s last year as a Viking. As an unrestricted free agent, the Vikings may not put up the money to keep his services. Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams may be able to step up into Sharper’s role in 2009. Antoine Winfield will be back for his final year in his contract. It would not be a surprise to see the Vikings draft a corner this year because of the uncertainty of Marcus McCauley.
Special Teams: Special teams are an area that the Vikings will need to improve. Losing their special teams’ coordinator, Paul Ferraro, to the Rams, means the Vikings may actually improve upon the coverage schemes. Bernard Berrian provided an upgrade at the end of 2008, but his services will be needed on the field with the offense. The Vikings should be auditioning new players for return roles. Ryan Longwell and Chris Kluwe continue to be solid at their respected positions.
By: Marty Beil
Profootball-fans.com
Minnesota Vikings Correspondent