2010 NFL Preview: Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings had a great run last season, which came to an end in a turnover-laced NFC Championship Game on their part. While the rest of the world is on "Brett Favre Watch season 3", the Vikings are going on as if Favre would be here and if he would not be here. For what it is worth, he did show up to camp on the 18th of August last year, and had the best season of his career. Favre's return hinders on how his ankle feels.
Even without Favre, the Vikings are a playoff-caliber team. But with the way he played in 2009, the Vikings were a legit Super Bowl contender. Can he recreate the twilight magic for one (possibly) more run? Technorati goes inside the Minnesota Vikings.
Recap:
- 2009 Record: (12-4, 1st NFC North, reached NFC Championship Game)
- Key Additions: RB Ryan Moats (Houston Texans), DE Michael Montgomery (Green Bay Packers), CB Lito Sheppard (New York Jets)
- Key Departures: RB Chester Taylor (Chicago Bears), T Artis Hicks (Washington Redskins), CB Karl Paymah (San Francisco 49ers)
Overview:
Offense: The Vikings' quarterback situation, as most of us know it, is in flux, but head coach Brad Childress has already made plans in case #4 does not return. Tavaris Jackson has the most experience at QB, as he was 10-9 as a starter for the Vikings. Jackson has stated he is ready to either be a backup or starter, so it does not bother him too much that he has to sit if Favre returns. Sage Rosenfels is the current backup, but will be third if Favre returns, and although he was drafted as a wide receiver prospect, Joe Webb is the current third-string quarterback, but if Favre returns he may see time at receiver again.
The running game is one of the best in the NFL, and it is led by the best back in the NFC (and possibly the NFL) in Adrian Peterson. Peterson ran for 1,383 yards last season and 14 touchdowns to go along with the yards. He also put up more than double the number of his receptions in 2009 than in 2008 (43 to 21). However, Peterson's issue has been with fumbling. He had six fumbles last season, and he had half that total in the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints. He has been working endlessly in the off-season to remedy this problem. We will see if it does work out for him. With the departure of Chester Taylor to Chicago, Peterson should get more looks out of the backfield in the passing game. Ryan Moats is the new third down back, and he was very effective in 2009 for the Houston Texans. Another player to watch is Toby Gerhart. The rookie out of Stanford has done a great job coming out of camp and being prepared. He is currently #2 on the depth chart.
Continued on the next page
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