Tarvaris Jackson can't even catch a break during the offseason when he's seven months away from the nearest interception. The Vikings sometimes-starting quarterback has struggled with consistency during his three-year career, which explains why he's had to share the gig with Gus Frerotte, and why the team recently traded for Sage Rosenfels. But according to a reader email ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert posted on his blog, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who was seriously considering signing with the Vikings, decided against it after meeting T-Jack.
I'm a HUGE Vikings fan living in Los Angeles. One of my employees and his brother know T.J. Houshmandzadeh. When asked why he passed on Minnesota, he told them that it was all good until they brought Tarvaris Jackson into talk to him (and basically signal to him that he is their starter). ..."Seifert acknowledges that you should be careful when reprinting e-mails, but notes that the "information is verified"; John Clayton reported the "same sequence of events last Saturday on ESPN radio," and Houshmandzadeh admitted that the "presence of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle played a big part in his decision." So there you go.
Who knows if T.J. would've been more amenable to playing with Rosenfels; either way, the Star Tribune's Judd Zulgad makes an important observation: "What isn't clear is how Jackson's presence was sold to Houshmandzadeh. Did the Vikings explain that one of their quarterbacks simply wasn't in town and here was a guy who would compete for the position? Or was Houshmandzadeh told that Jackson likely would be the starter and so the two should talk?"
Seems like an important distinction and probably has something to do with why free agents haven't been beating down the door to play in Minnesota.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-11-2009 @ 6:02PM
globalsetback said...
for anyone who has seen tjack live hes a great athlete hes got a great arm but cant read a defense if his life depended on it he sucks bottom line
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3-12-2009 @ 2:41AM
Eddie French said...
This pretty much confirms what I have been saying for the last 2 years. For some strange reason this idiotic Childress has hitched his wagon to T-Jerk , NO MATTER WHAT. It doesnt matter how poorly he plays, this guy will stay with him. And YES people, the Vikings have told Jackson he will have another chance to ruin any chances this year too, just like last and the one before that.
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3-12-2009 @ 12:19PM
Joe Spote said...
Thats it, I cant take any more of this Tarvarian Jackson. I have followed this team since the days of Tarkenton and Bud Grant and I am now officially done. I have waited patiently and hoped this guy would succeed but the fact is , HE SUCKS. He cannot play QB, for this or any team. He doesnt have it Brad! Regretfully, I am now a Lions fan. At least they are TRYING to win and admit when they have a QB who cant cut it and make changes in personnel.
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3-12-2009 @ 1:39PM
SteelCurtain said...
The QB is the reason no free agents are beating down the door to play in Minnesota?
Crappy fan-base (can't sellout a playoff game)...worst stadium in the NFL...Arena League uniforms (manly purple britches)...and the NFL's leading fumbler...
Can't understand why people wouldn't want to play there.
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3-12-2009 @ 10:57PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Any team that would CONSIDER Tavaris is a team every free agent should avoid. Jackson isn't worthy of being a starter.
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3-13-2009 @ 9:58AM
dino said...
what's the big deal, all T-Jack has to do is hand the ball to AP.
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3-13-2009 @ 12:27PM
Blob Thomas said...
Yeah Dino, That worked great last 2 years. Fire Childress Wilf !
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3-14-2009 @ 2:10AM
David Schlepwad said...
Why don`t the Vikings try Jackson at wide reciever, he doesnt seem to have what it takes to be an NFL QB. And don`t say he needs more time, That is sheer idiocy.
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3-17-2009 @ 3:05AM
Joe Mogenhiem said...
Get Brady Quinn Vikings, Another #10, you wont be sorry. No more T-Jerk.
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3-24-2009 @ 8:37PM
Joe said...
the vikings are crazy for not hunting down cutler and taking him away at any cost - him and Adrian would make the vikes a superbowl contender - Sage who? Tavaris showed us what he is capable of against the Eagles - (laying flat on his back after throwing another pick) Who runs the front office of this team a dishwasher? Sorry dishwashers didn't mean to insult you
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3-30-2009 @ 11:53AM
vikings159 said...
I too do not think TJerk is anyones answer... But to say Cutler would be isn't right either... Cutler is a QB that wants to be the guy winning the game not controlling it with a running game and that is sadly what Childress wants and actually is a good idea with A.P.... (but FIRE the COACH anyway)...Maybe a 3 way trade with the Browns where they get Cutler and Vikes gets Quinn or Anderson (either would be an upgrade from what the Vikes have now)...Even picking up Garcia would be an upgrade... I could go on and on but don't have the time or want to waste the time until we get another coach or another city...
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