Brad Childress Explains How Tarvaris Jackson Can Avoid Getting Benched

There is much consternation among some (most?) Vikings fans about the current state of the quarterback position. Tarvaris Jackson is the favorite to be the starter in 2008, but I suppose that could change if Gus Frerotte puts up one of his patented Pro-Bowl performances during training camp.

To avoid such a scenario, head coach Brad Childress has given Jackson some things to work on this off-season. From the Star Tribune's Kevin Seifert, who caught up with Childress at last week's NFL owner's meeting: Jackson "needs to take care of the football, ... learn how to throw the ball away, ... and, then, just the decision making."

Not exactly earth-shattering stuff -- although I don't think anybody would disagree -- but the bigger issue is if Jackson will be able to actually do these things next season. Right now, Minnesota doesn't have a fallback plan (Frerotte isn't really going to have a Pro-Bowl training camp).

There's always the draft, but the Vikings don't pick until 17th, and the only consensus franchise quarterback is Matt Ryan, and I'm guessing he doesn't get past the Ravens at No. 8. I suppose you could make the argument that Minnesota should've taken Brady Quinn when they had the chance, but that would've meant passing on Adrian Peterson.

And while I'm the first guy to say running backs are fungible, I'm not willing to suggest that Quinn would've been a better fit for the Vikings than Purple Jesus.