So after the craziest year in Minnesota Viking and likely NFL history, the Vikes have A LOT of retooling to do. With one year left on the lease at the Metrodome, this is a HUGE off-season for many, many reasons including a possible new stadium and location for the Vikes for the 2012 season.
COACH
First thing first (well besides the minor point of where the hell they are going to play next season), the Vikings need a new Head Coach. Thank God, Zygi finally fired Brad Childress and defensive coordinator, Leslie Frazier was named Interim Head Coach. Frazier won his first game on the road with Favre against the Redskins, crushed the horrible Bills at Metrodome with Tavaris Jackson, got embarrassed by the Giants in DETROIT after the Metrodome collapsed (T-Jack at qb), was totally humiliated at TCF Field by the NFC North Champion Chicago Bears with a little Favre and a lot of Joe Webb and most recently shocked the world by beating the #3 team in the NFC, the Eagles at Philly.
Long story short, the Vikes are 3-2 under Frazier with one game (at Detroit) to go. Assuming the Vikes beat the Lions and Frazier goes 4-2, he is a TOTAL LOCK for the job. The players like him and he learned under Tony Dungy and played defensive back for da Bears even in his day. If the Vikes lose to the Lions, pending effort, you still may have to hire Frazier. Who else are you going to get? Bill Cower? Jon Gruden? John Fox? I doubt any of those guys want to come to Minnesota. Frazier is the best option the Vikes have.
On to the rest of the squad.
QUARTERBACK
It’s time to let Brett Favre sail off into the sunset. Obviously his second year with Minnesota was a COMPLETE disaster. He was awesome in 2009, but he was horrible in 2010. Let Favre retire and STAY retired. The Tarvaris Jackson experiment is over. The kid simply can NOT play in the NFL. He is one of several Free Agents that the Vikes should NOT resign. That leaves Joe Webb as the lone quarterback on the roster. Although he shows promise, he is clearly not ready to be the lead dog. I’d keep Webb as the backup and try to get Donovan McNabb to start for a year or two in Minnesota. The other alternative is using the Vikes first round pick on either: Cam Newton (Auburn), Blaine Gabbert (Mizzu), Jake Locker (Washington) or Ryan Mallett (Arkansas). I’m not sure who I’d take from that bunch.
RUNNING BACK
Obviously Adrian Peterson continues to be one of the best, if not the best back in all of football. He has seemed to cure his fumbling problem, but has some issues on 3rd & 4th and a yard. Toby Gerhart has shown flashes of having some talent and obviously should be kept on the roster to back up Purple Jesus. A late signing from the UFL, Lorenzo Booker has potential as a kick returner and as a third down back. I’d keep him around too.
WIDE RECEIVER
It is clear that Percy Harvin is a playmaking STUD. Hopefully another off-season helps the docs figure out his migraine problem. Harvin is a solid wide out best suited for the slot. That leaves the Vikes needing two other starters. Sidney Rice, who arguably helped ruin the season by delaying NEEDED hip surgery, appears to be an up and coming receiver. Although Rice is a Free Agent, I don’t expect the market to be too large for him since he only had one good season with Favre throwing to him and barely played this year. Assuming the market isn’t too high, the Vikes need to re-sign Sid the Kid. That leaves one starting spot and the guy who is NOT going to get it is Bernard Berrian. He is SO, SO BAD. He may be my least favorite Viking and he is getting paid a ton. Berrian needs to be CUT as soon as the Lions game is over. I wouldn’t even let his bum ass fly home with the team. Greg Camarillo is fine to keep around for a 4th-5th option, but the Vikes have some serious holes at wide receiver. Bye Greg Lewis, thanks for the one great catch and bye Hank Baskett, at least you have a hot wife although she is dumb as a rock.
TIGHT END
It was a down year for Visanthe Shiancoe, but he still looks like one of the better tight ends in the league. He had a SERIOUS problem with penalties, but is a great red zone threat and decent blocker. Jimmy Kleinsasser I assume is going to retire, but maybe he has one more year in him.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The national media loves hyping up the Vikes Offensive Line, but in reality they are horrible, especially without Steve Hutchinson! Hutch will back to anchor left guard, but he is the only lineman I’m really sold on. I hate Bryant McKinnie and think he is a lazy, over-priced bum. That being said, I assume the rest of the league knows that too and his trade value is minimum. Trade McKinnie FOR SURE if you can or else he plays left tackle again. In his second season, Phil Loadholt took a MAJOR step in the wrong direction. He has defensive ends blowing by him and when he doesn’t, he is holding. Phil needs to get his ass in shape and has potential to start at right tackle, but I’d be on the lookout for a tackle if I was the Vikes. Oh yeah and bye Ryan Cook. You are a total bum. Anthony Herrera tore his ACL this year, but should be back for next season. I like his fire, but I’m not sure he is the answer at right guard. Rookie Chris DeGeare has filled in nicely and should push Herrera for the starting spot come Training Camp. John Sullivan, the Vikes center had a bad, bad year also. Apparently he has no idea how to shotgun snap and it is possible the Vikes will have a new center in 2011.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Vikes front four has long been a strong point for Minnesota and should continue to be one. Jared Allen had a down year, but really turned it on as of late, has proven that he still is an elite defensive end. Opposite him is Ray Edwards who is a Free Agent, as is backup Brian Robison. I like Edwards fire and effort and hope if the price is decent that the Vikes keep him around. Robison is a decent backup that is athletic and I wouldn’t think will command too much money to keep him around. Kevin Williams and his brother (not really) Pat Williams for years have formed the Williams Wall. I think that it is time for Fat Pat to hang ‘em up and let one of the young guys like Letroy Guion fill his spot. Kevin Williams is still elite and should be a Viking for life. Jimmy Kennedy is worth keeping around and it's likely Fred Evans will walk as he is a Free Agent.
LINEBACKER
Another priority for the Vikes HAS TO BE to re-sign outside linebacker, Chad Greenway. Greenway has had two great seasons and will command a lot of money as a Free Agent. Opposite Greenway is fellow South Dakotan Ben Leber. Leber’s days are done and I would let him for sure walk as a Free Agent. Maybe Jasper Brinkley or Heath Farwell could battle for his spot. Middle linebacker, EJ Henderson bounced back amazingly fast from his devastating broken leg last season. Although EJ struggles in coverage, he is fierce and will remain the Vikes middle ‘backer.
CORNERBACK
Minnesota has some issues here. Losing Cedric Griffin with an injury was big and hopefully he regains his 2009 form in 2011 and can start at one corner. The Vikes other starting corner is Antoine Winfield. Winfield is getting a little older (33) and although his coverage skills aren’t exactly shutdown, he is widely respected as the best tackling corner in the league. He is a playmaker too. I’d love for the Vikes to move him to safety and get an actual shut down corner via Free Agency or the NFL Draft. Rookie Chris Cook appears to be injury prone and looked pretty bad towards the end of his 2010 season after showing great promise in training camp. Asher Allen I think should be CUT per he is hopeless and Lito Sheppard will OBVIOUSLY NOT be re-signed this off-season. The Vikes needs some MAJOR secondary help. Just wait until we get to the Safety position.
SAFETY
In addition to quarterback and o-line, safety is a MAJOR WEAKNESS for the Vikes. Madieu Williams is a TOTAL BUST and has to be CUT with Berrian after the Lions game. Tyrell Johnson, who was drafted in the 2nd Round in 2008 is a never will be and should be CUT also. That leaves Jamarca Sanford and Husain Abdullah. Both Sanford and Abdullah are terrible, but you can’t cut them all can you? The Vikes need a major overhaul at safety.
