The Minnesota Vikings have a huge decision to make this offseason. Should they beg veteran Gus Frerotte to come back? Is it time to sink or swim with Tarvaris Jackson (though I think they already did this)? Do they find another veteran, perhaps one who wants to throw interceptions to the Packers twice before he figures out that it's time to retire?Complicating matters is Jackson's tendency to play well in spurts and randomly implode, while Frerotte did manage to win games despite a large number of interceptions. As he gets ready for his fourth year, Jackson is willing to try some unorthodox measures to improve.
What do I mean by "unorthodox"? I mean MMA.
Yes, MMA.
Access Vikings says FOX's Jay Glazer, who has dabbled in MMA and is not a man you want to mess with, has been asked by offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell to get Jackson going in MMA training.
This is not unprecedented. Lots of NFL players have used MMA training in the offseason, including Jackson's teammate, defensive end Jared Allen. In fact, Allen's improvement as a player is partially credit to MMA, and Glazer told WFAN (New York) it went into the Vikings' thinking on Jackson.
"I had gotten Jared Allen in one two years ago," Glazer said. "We turned him from a big, stiff white guy to a guy that actually can come off the edge. He came in every day, was committed to us out in Arizona. They asked if we could do the same for Tarvaris to get his hips ... really loosen up his hips. It looks like they are planning long-term with him."Allen talked in 2007 about how working with Arizona Combat Sports helped him.
"The cardio that fighters go through is just intense," Allen said. "This offseason I didn't do any running. I did all my intense cardio at Arizona Combat Sports. When I went off to minicamp in the spring, we were running wind sprints one day and I had more gas than I knew what to do with. The cardio level of these fighters is so intense because their life depends on them not being tired."It's a really interesting concept for a quarterback. Obviously, MMA is not going to help Jackson's footwork, throwing mechanics, or ability to read a defense. However, there might be some mental components to this conditioning that help Jackson prepare for a 2009 season where he or someone else is sure to be the Vikings' starting quarterback.
Considering how close the Vikings' roster is to being an elite team, it's highly important they solve the quarterback situation. Jackson is the path of least resistance, but is he the right answer?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-30-2009 @ 3:02PM
cblkland said...
I think if T. Jackson is given the same amount of time to develope as certain other quarterbacks are given. If you remember he had some very good games, I wonder why you only talk about negative things when the person is black. I think he will become an outstanding quarterback in the NFL, but we all know it's rush, rush, win,win with a black quarterback.
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2-16-2009 @ 10:23PM
pudding said...
Black, white, purple, or red, it does not matter what color Jackson is!!! He sucks and no amount of time is going to change that!! If you were a true Vikings fan like I am, you would see past your very racist views!!
1-30-2009 @ 3:14PM
juicermk said...
I'm done reading the article but I'm still laughing my ass off at the headline. Good stuff.
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1-30-2009 @ 10:08PM
A.J. said...
It'd sure as heck help T-Jack out if Bernard Berrian and company stepped up a bit better than they did last year. Frerotte's not long term. If you can get that one last bit out of Jackson, the Vikings will be the team to beat in that division for years to come. The problem with some teams is that they give up on their young QBs one season too soon. It's obvious that Jackson is progressing, so unless he regresses, Minnesota should keep him as their starter.
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1-30-2009 @ 10:13PM
Redskins0492 said...
Lets bring Jackson to Chicago
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1-31-2009 @ 9:16AM
mrgarymorris said...
Take him
2-02-2009 @ 8:37AM
DA24JG said...
Mark my words......The Vikings 'will' regret sticking with Jackson! He'll always be the 'same' and there's nothing he can do that will change that...period!! It's time the Vikings get a 'real' quarterback for a change!!
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2-09-2009 @ 5:52PM
vgrani1g35 said...
jackson is the worst quaterback in the nfl..he is the sole reason the vikings have not gone deep in the playoffs..they are crazy to stick with him..we will make the superbowl if we get a solid performing quarterback...he should be a wideout, not a quarterback..he is a runner first, passer second..that doesnt cut in the nfl
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2-10-2009 @ 9:55PM
DB Ballantine said...
You have got to be Sh***ing me, Here we go again ! This guy SUCKS. 4 years is long enough. Time to develop ?? He`s being unfairly evaluated because he`s black ?? Give me a break, HE SUCKS ! I dont care if he`s green or blue, HE SUCKS. Wait for what, for Peterson to be so banged up from 35 carries a game he retires early. Enough is enough, this team is too good and too close to continue to experiment with this novelty QB.
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2-11-2009 @ 1:58PM
lilcezar said...
Hey! What about Kurt Warner? Yes, he is 40ish, but he far outplays anything we have on a good day...he is on market too! Sick of saying we will bring in a young QB like a future "Vince Young" and wait while our RB gets his &^* kicked every game with 8 in the box!
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