MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2009 RECORD: 12-4-0
(1st in NFC North)
HEAD COACH: Brad Childress
Key Additions: CB Lito Sheppard (FA/NY Jets), DE Mike Montgomery (FA/Green Bay)
Key Losses: RB Chester Taylor (FA/Chicago)
Offense: Questions abound here at quarterback as Brett Favre recovers from the off-season ankle surgery.
The 40-year old veteran quarterback had a brilliant season in 2009, passing for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.
If Favre decides to hang it up, that leaves Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels at quarterback for the Vikings. Jackson has started for Minnesota (in 2008) and last year he had 201 yards passing with a TD pass in very limited action.
The wide receivers are set as Sidney Rice (83 catches for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns), Bernard Berrian (55 catches for 618 yards, four TD), Percy Harvin (60 catches, 790 yards and six TD) and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (56 grabs for 566 yards and 11 TD) form a solid group of targets for the Vikings.
The running game is solid as long as Adrian Peterson stays healthy and holds onto the football.
The fourth-year player led Minnesota in rushing last season, gaining 1,383 yards for a 4.4 ypc average and scored 18 touchdowns. Rookie Toby Gerhart will be the backup as Chester Taylor left for the Chicago Bears via free agency in the off-season.
The fullbacks include Naufahu Tahi, Jeff Dugan and veteran blocking back-tight end Jim Kleinsasser.
The offensive line is a good one and has John Sullivan at center, guards Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera and tackles Bryant McKinnie and Phil Loadholt.
Defense: With Pat Williams and Kevin Williams anchoring the tackle spots and ends Jared Allen and Ray Edwards, the Vikings have a rock solid front that can stuff the run and get after opposing quarterbacks.
The Vikings led the NFL with 48 sacks a year ago and Allen had 14.5 of those sacks while Edwards added 8.5 sacks. Kevin Williams tallied six sacks.
The Vikings ranked sixth as a defense in the entire NFL, allowing 305 yards per game. Their run defense was second in '09, allowing just 87 yards rushing per game.
The secondary, featuring cornerbacks Antoine Winfield and Lito Sheppard, will look to improve as Minnesota ranked 19th overall against the pass, giving up 218 yards per game. The safeties will be Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams.
The linebacking will have Jasper Brinkley in the middle and outside linebackers Chad Greenway and Ben Leber.
OUTLOOK: The soap opera continues for the Vikings once again as Favre does his thing contemplating a return to the field or retirement.
If Favre comes back in 2010 and performs at the level he did a year ago, look out... if he leaves or has a sub-par year, the Vikings will likely fall short of their goal for a Super Bowl title.
In addition to that, Minnesota allowed 312 points a year ago and had just 11 interceptions. That has to improve in order for the Vikings to get to the Super Bowl.
After thrilling the crowds a year ago, Minnesota can get to the Super Bowl for the first time in 34 years provided they put it together on both sides of the football in the post season.
The Vikes looked like world beaters in dismantling the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round of the playoffs. However, the turnovers killed them against New Orleans in the NFC Championship Game as Peterson fumbled too often and Favre threw a costly interception as well.
Without Favre, the Vikings will do well to get to the post season and expect a short run if they do get there.
If Favre plays quarterback again, this team is capable of winning it all.
The Vikings will battle Green Bay for the NFC North title and the call is for a 12-4 finish and potential Super Bowl title (if Favre plays in 2010)... if not, then 10-6 is in order and an early exit from the playoffs.
Stay tuned Minnesota Vikings fans, it should be interesting this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at New Orleans
Week 2- vs. Miami
Week 3- vs. Detroit
Week 4- Bye Week
Week 5- at NY Jets
Week 6- vs. Dallas
Week 7- at Green Bay
Week 8- at New England
Week 9- vs. Arizona
Week 10- at Chicago
Week 11- vs. Green Bay
Week 12- at Washington
Week 13- vs. Buffalo
Week 14- vs. NY Giants
Week 15- vs. Chicago
Week 16- at Philadelphia
Week 17- at Detroit
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