Frerotte Thinks He Should've Played Against the Eagles, People With Brains Agree

If you keep up with sports media, and by "keep up" I mean read anything, you have heard the claims over the last two days that the Vikings would have won their playoff game against Philadelphia with anyone behind center not named Tarvaris Jackson.

Jackson went 15-35 for only 164 yards, no touchdowns and one interception, which was so badly thrown it almost looked like he thought Asante Samuel was a wide receiver. The Eagles won and the Vikings are headed to a long off-season and it appears nobody in Minnesota can smile.

Now even backup quarterback Gus Frerotte, who played in 11 games this season and would have continued to start had he not hurt his back against the Lions in Week 14, is complaining about what happened, saying he may have been the answer.

"I just don't know what to think right now," Frerotte told Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports. "It was a very frustrating experience, because I felt like I should've been the one playing. That might sound selfish, but I think I would've given us the best chance to win. I'm going home to St. Louis [on Monday] to be with my family and figure out where things stand, but the way things played out at the end really makes me question things."

Even though Gus didn't exactly tear it up this season (12 touchdowns to 15 interceptions, 54.7 completion percentage), it makes little sense to leave an inexperienced player out in the trenches with no gun and no real grasp of what is happening.

Even though head coach Brad Childress supposedly went with Tarvaris because of a "gut feeling" (nice coaching strategy), at what point does that "gut feeling" change to "man, this guy couldn't complete a word jumble."

It's easy to see that the Vikings don't have a quarterback that could help this team improve their Achilles next season. Jackson isn't doing it, Frerotte isn't doing it and John David Booty probably won't be the answer. If this team is going to improve, finding a capable (not even good, just capable) quarterback in the off-season is imperative.

If not, come playoff time next year, teams will know exactly how to beat the Vikings.

h/t PFT

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-06-2009 @ 1:17PM

Mtn man said...

The one that should be benched is Chilly! Wilf should have him run into a bridge abutment about a 100 times so he knows what it's like for Taylor & Pete. Maybe someone can get the word to Chilly that there are more than two predictable plays allowed in the NFL! I have watched the Vikes since 1961 & no more if Chilly stays! Boring-Boring-Boring. About as much fun as smelling Lutfisk cook. Look what Parcells & Sporano did in one year. When the seats are half full next year I'll say I told you so.

1-06-2009 @ 2:49PM

Papytendo said...

You don't put a rookie QB against a Jim Johnson defense.

DON'T!

1-06-2009 @ 3:54PM

redskinsfan said...

When you come from a weak division all kinds of things get exposed in the playoffs.

1-06-2009 @ 4:22PM

Mark said...

While Childress didn't have decent quarterback play this year, he did lead an overachieving team into the postseason this year. Neither Jackson or Frerotte should be their starter next season, but I do feel that Frerotte should have played in relief during the 2nd half of the game. It was obvious that Jackson wasn't getting anywhere with the Eagles' D, and better downfield passing might have given them a chance in this game. I just hope they can get a good quarterback in the offseason to take some of the load away from Peterson.

1-06-2009 @ 5:28PM

Eric said...

And people wonder why nobody bought tickets to the game. EVERYONE knew the Iggles were going to dismantle the Viqueens. As a Redskins fan i know what ferrotte is capable of (or lack there be)...

Hopefully the lions win the division next year

1-07-2009 @ 4:20AM

Drew said...

As a Bears fan, I am going to say it does not feel to good when you have a team that's ready to win now, but have inconsistent QB play.

1-07-2009 @ 7:29PM

country said...

tey should try to grab Cassel from N.E.
Can you imagine how good A.P. would be if there was a threat of a QB? Insane

1-07-2009 @ 7:56PM

Dave F. said...

This one should be a no - brainier. Travris was falling fast in the third quarter thats when Gus should have gone in. But It would not have made any difference because the coaches do not have any faith in their players. They call conservative in a play off game. no razzle dazzle to throw off the other defense. Travaris has been in the league 3 years and this is all the farther he has gotten with his confidence. this is the NFL not collage you are playing pros that are going to advance with or without you. and you want them to slow to your pace, this isn't collage. He will be a good back up for a couple of years but not a starter till he quits being afraid. Their are plenty of proven QBs out there and we also need a WR to complement Berian.
When we address these issues we will be in the big game.
( by the way as long as the team progresses Chilly is a keeper, but the play calling has to be NFL calling not conservative collage wait for the next play. play now and win now.)

By the way Eric Iam a Viking fan and proud of it. How does it feel to be a foreskins fan?
Does the name sound good to you?
We are all proud fans and proud of our teams its the NFL no grade school. GROW UP!!!!

1-11-2009 @ 9:14PM

DB Ballantine said...

This is the same talk as from the end of last year. The Vikes were a QB away from the Super Bowl LAST year. Jackson, and Childress`s un bending desire to play him, killed that. There is no way in Hell anyone thought he wouldnt draft a quality future starting QB and keep his job. But he didnt, and he even threw Tarvarian Jackson in again as the starter and he proceeded to suck and Minn. was 0-2 out the gate. Childress must be canned or Jackson will again be the starter next year and the Vikes will suck and Peterson and Taylor will get beat up.

Remember last year fans, it is a replay. Jackson sucked, Childress insisted on playing him anyway, the Vikes LOST. No way anyone thought he could go through the draft without finding a real QB and keep his job, but he did. Then started Tarvarian again, and stuffed any chance of Minn. in the Super Bowl AGAIN. He needs to be canned THIS time, enough already.

1-17-2009 @ 9:06PM

Bort Simpson said...

Its happening again people, I just read in the Sporting News that some numbnutted idiot sportswriter is aying the Vikings biggest need this season is for OFFENSIVE TACKLE !!, not Quarterback ????? AAAGGGHHH, just what Childress was hoping for, its going to be another year with Tarvarius Jackson at the helm. 4-12, no playoffs.