FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Minnesota Vikings -- It's All About Jackson

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Well, it all comes down to this. If Tarvaris Jackson is an average NFL quarterback this year, the Vikings should be one of the teams to beat in the NFL. But Jackson has not been an average NFL quarterback during his two years in the league. There are some positive signs this August, but the jury is truly still out on Jackson. At his best, Jackson is a strong-armed QB with good mobility. At his worst, Jackson is an inaccurate QB who doesn't do a good job feeling pressure, and struggles to connect on passes further than 10 yards downfield. Gus Frerotte is a better backup than the Vikings had last year, but he's deliberately not good enough to give Jackson a threat for the starting job. Likely third stringer John David Booty has shown he's not ready for the NFL yet. Heat Index: 4.


Running Back: If Jackson does turn into an average NFL quarterback, he can thank his running backs. Until Jackson proves himself, the threat of an Adrian Peterson 80-yard dash will force teams to bring a safety up into the box to try to stop the running game. Peterson didn't even start until a third of the way through last season, and he still ended up second in the league in rushing. The only thing that Peterson needs to improve this year is his consistency--he had a 14-carry, three-yard disaster against the 49ers, and he failed to top 100 yards in any of the final four games of the season. Backup Chester Taylor is one of the best backups in the league, and Maurice Hicks gives the team a pretty versatile No. 3. Heat Index: 10.

Offensive Line: There's a reason the Vikings have spent big bucks on the offensive line in recent years. With Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie, Jackson doesn't have many worries about being blindsided. Center Matt Birk is getting up there in age, but he's still very solid. The right side is more questionable, although Ryan Cook was better than expected at right tackle last year, but the biggest question facing the o-line this August is whether McKinnie will be suspended by NFL for violating the personal conduct policy. There are rumors that McKinnie will get slapped with a four-game suspension. If it happens, there's no way to adequately replace him in the short term. Heat Index: 8.

Receivers: The wideouts have been a problem for the Vikings ever since Randy Moss was traded away. Last year, the Vikings depended in Troy "Hand of Stone" Williamson as the deep threat, while Bobby Wade, who's best suited as a slot reciever was the No. 1, and Robert Ferguson, who's best attribute is his blocking, was the No. 2 for much of the year. Things are a little better this year. Free agent signing Bernard Berrian gives the team a deep threat who can actually catch the ball to serve as the No. 1. Sidney Rice has enough experience now to push Bobby Wade for the No. 2 job, and Aundrae Allison could give the team another deep threat as he matures. Tight end is a bigger question. Vinsanthe Shiancoe has yet to live up to the expectations that came when Minnesota signed him away from the Giants last year. Jim Kleinsasser is just a blocking tight end, but it's a job he does very well. Heat Index: 4.

Defensive Line: Now we're talking. Minnesota already had the best set of defensive tackles in the league with the combination of Kevin Williams and Pat "Two Tons of Fun" Williams. Now they've added defensive end Jared Allen, who should fix the pass rush problems that have plagued the team in recent years. Offensive coordinators don't have many good options. They can double-team Allen, but that will let the Williamses cause havoc, or they can try to double team one or both of the Williamses, but that would allow Allen to destroy offensive tackles. The other defensive end job will be filled by Ray Edwards and Brian Robison. They're not nearly on the level of their fellow d-line starters, but they don't have to be on a defensive line that has three potential Pro Bowlers. Heat Index: 9.

Linebackers: The Vikings defensive line makes the linebackers better because they get to run free to the ball--it's hard to get past the Williamses to block them. E.J. Henderson is a solid run stuffer at middle linebacker, while Chad Greenway, a 2006 first-round pick, could be ready to take a big step forward toward stardom. He's the team's most athletically gifted linebacker, and the one who could take the most advantage of the Vikes' awesome defensive line. Ben Leber is solid, if unspectacular, but he's good enough. Heath Farwell, a special teams ace, has been lost for the year with a torn ACL. He won't be missed much on defense, but he was one of the linchpins of the special teams. Heat Index: 5.

Defensive Backs: This is the group that's on the spot. The Vikings pass defense has been one of the team's biggest weaknesses for several years. In the past, the blame has been shared between the anemic pass rush and the team's mediocre coverage skills. Allen should fix the pass rush problems, so if the Vikings still struggled to cover receivers, we'll all know who to blame. The safeties should be pretty good. Darren Sharper is a Pro Bowler, although every year we have to wait and see if he'll realize that he's on the wrong side of 30. Madieu Williams, a free-agent pickup from the Bengals, is hurt right now, but when he returns, he should give the team the rangy free safety it's been missing. And No. 3 safety Tyrell Johnson is a future stud. But the cornerback situation is more questionable. Antoine Winfield is slipping a little in coverage, but he does know how to fly up to help stuff running plays. Cedric Griffin has been inconsistent at the other starting corner spot, while Charles Gordon has likely held off Marcus McCauley for the nickel back job. None of the three is a true shutdown corner, but considering how much Cover Two Minnesota plays, they just need to be solid.
Heat Index: 5.

Special Teams: They don't get noticed a lot, but kicker Ryan Longwell and punter Chris Kluwe are a solid 1-2 combo. After watching Mewelde Moore leave in free agency, the Vikes are looking for a new punt returner., although Aundrae Allison was solid as a kick returner last year. Allison could also handle punts, but the favorite to take that job is sixth-round pick Jaymar Johnson. Heat Index: 6.

Coaching: This is definitely Brad Childress' team. He's had enough time to get his offense fully installed, and he's made it clear that he will succeed or fail with Jackson as his quarterback. If he succeeds this year, he'll likely be the Vikings coach for a long time, but after failing to make the playoffs in his first two seasons, a poor performance by Jackson this year (and the resulting poor record) could have him on the unemployment line. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is a future head coach, but for now he needs to prove that he can fix the pass defense problems. Heat Index: 4.

Intangibles: Chicago doesn't have a quarterback or a wide receiver, Green Bay is trying to recover from the Brett Favre drama, and the Lions are still run by Matt Millen. The division is wide open for Minnesota to take. And while every other NFC North team has been dealing with controversy and/or drama, the Vikings have had a relatively quiet offseason. Maybe it's a sign that things are finally going Minnesota's way. Heat Index: 7.

Total Heat Index: 62. The Vikings are still a somewhat flawed team, with questions at quarterback and in the secondary. But the strengths of this team (running back, offensive line and defensive line) are as good as any groups in the league. That should be enough to get Minnesota back into the playoffs, and if Tarvaris Jackson matures into a solid NFL starter, they could challenge for a Super Bowl spot.